Learn how to support autistic young people in your school with our autism conference, bursting at the seams with positive and practical tips. Over six hours of content included (we have also included each talk as individual videos on our website if you would rather watch them separately).
In this interview, Professor Courtenay Norbury talks with us about developmental language disorder (DLD), which she describes as a ‘chronically understudied’ topic. Find out about early signs and what impact it might have on children and young people’s development. Professor Norbury provides numerous practical strategies for both parents to use at home and teachers to try in the classroom to help children with DLD have as good outcomes as possible.
How can we celebrate neurodiversity and empower children in their early years? Join ADHD and autism early childhood specialist Kerry Murphy for a presentation on how we can identify our (usually unconscious) ableist assumptions and start to replace them with neurodivergent-led practices. For example, how to incorporate a child’s special interests or stimming to help them feel safe and happy.
Join educational and autism consultant/author Laura Kerbey for a presentation on PDA. Learn about the main characteristics of PDA, and crucially how young people often avoid things they love to do because of the anxiety triggered by the perceived demand or expectation. Laura talks us through some tools for support, including low-demand communication.
Join Benji Merrison as he shares the ways in which autism helped to shape his successful career as an Emmy-nominated composer (for his work on the David Attenborough documentaries Green Planet and Dynasties). Listen for an uplifting perspective on autism as an essential component of some of the most beautiful things humans have created! Music in turn gave Benji the emotional-regulation his undiagnosed younger self needed.
Watch this fascinating talk with Dr Felicity Sedgewick to understand how and why almost all autistic people use masking / social camouflage. Dr Sedgewick explains that this is exhausting and discusses how we can support children and young people to “drop the mask” by providing safe and comfortable environments.
Watch this demonstration of the helpful app “SOFA” (Stories Online for Autism) with Louis Camilleri. Learn how you can co-create stories with autistic children to reduce anxiety about upcoming events. For example, you will be able to create a story about a new school, introducing your child to their classroom and teacher and detailing what will happen the following day. Write a story about any activity to prepare your child and increase their confidence.
Listen to a heartwarming and inspirational story of how Tabitha Atieno’s experience of ADHD led her to build a school for neurodivergent children in Kenya. Tabitha also shares her journey as a mother advocating for her autistic son in the UK where they now live, and encourages us to nurture our communities.
Join Reena Anand for an exploration of autism among minority ethnic groups. Reena shines a light on the relevance of cultural considerations, norms and expectations when supporting autistic children and young people across different racial and ethnic groups. We consider how to understand parental responses and how best to support families.
Join Dr Kate Cooper for a deep dive into the intersection of autism and gender dysphoria. Watch this webinar for an understanding of how challenges with communication, dealing with change, and identity can affect an autistic young person experiencing gender dysphoria. There are lots of practical tips for support: how to approach this with kindness and curiosity, and how to empower parents in helping their children.
