CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

08:30 - 09:10 Delegate registration for full day and morning only option

09:10 - 09:20 Welcome from the Conference Chair
Jim Taylor: Knows Autism

09:20 - 10:20 New Challenges for Autistic Teenagers
Looking at strategies to facilitate the transition from child to adult based on clinical experience & research. World autism expert Dr Tony Attwood will discuss how autistic children manage the changes in their bodies, emotions & relationships while dealing with issues around self-confidence, self-identity, and social isolation. He will consider aspects of teenage life including…
· Personal hygiene
· Camouflaging autism
· Emotion regulation
· Self- identity
· Developing & maintaining friendships
· Building resilience towards bullying
Professor Tony Attwood, Practicing Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University, Australia

10:20 - 10:35 Questions & discussion

10:35 - 10:50 Break – Stretch your Legs & Grab a Coffee!

10:50 - 11:30 The Psychology of Autism: Practical Applications for Supporting Pupils.
Autistic pupils face unique barriers in education which can best be overcome by understanding their processing style. In this presentation, Annie will talk about resources and approaches that have been designed to help staff, parents and autistic young people themselves understand and accommodate this.
Annie Smith, Senior Educational Psychologist, South Lanarkshire Council

11:30 – 11:35 Questions & discussion

11:35 – 11:55 Autism after Education
A personal perspective on the pathway to employment and finding success at work
Lee Corless, Vice President Office of Disability & Inclusion, Autism at Work Head of EMEA & APAC Regions, JP Morgan

11:55- 12:00 Questions & discussion

12:00 - 13:00 Break for Lunch

12:30 - 13:00 Registration for full day and afternoon only for delegates

13:00 - 13:05 Welcome from the Conference Chair
Jim Taylor: Knows Autism

13:05 - 14:05 Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children & Adults
In his upbeat presentation Luke will provide you with a better understanding of the nature of the anxiety experienced by autistic people, provide practical strategies and tips and challenge what you know, about being on the spectrum.
Dr Luke Beardon, Senior Lecturer in Autism, The Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University

14:05 - 14:15 Questions & discussion

14:15 - 14:45 Autism in Girls
Helen Ellis, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Co-ordinator**,** National Autistic Society

14:45 - 14:50 Questions & discussion

14:50 – 15:05 Break – Stretch your Legs & Grab a Coffee!

15:05 - 15:50 Sensory and Behaviour Challenges in School.
A lively interactive session, looking at what leads a child to become so afraid of the school environment that they can’t attend, and consider if the term ‘school refuser’ is fair to use. The session will offer practical tips on how best to support children facing these challenges using the acclaimed relational approach developed by Act for Autism over 17 years called ‘The 3 C Pathway.’
Tessa Morton & Jane Gurnett, Founders of Act for Autism

15:50 - 16:00 Questions & discussion

16:00 Close of Conference