The Autism Matters Theatre

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Hear leading autism specialists explore popular topics and offer trusted advice in the Autism Matters Theatre.

Just some of last year’s highlights included Dr Carrie Grant MBE, BAFTA award-winning broadcaster; Geoff Evans, Autism Trainer and Consultant, talking on recognising distress, meltdown and shutdown, and what you can do to help and avoid them happening; Aymeline Bel, Head of Queensmill School, exploring practical classroom adaptations for autistic students; Sally Russell, Chair of the PDA Society and Co-founder of Netmums, examining helpful approaches for supporting your PDA child or young person; Arron Hutchinson, Education Training Director and Therapeutic Practitioner at the ADHD Foundation, discussing autism and ADHD; and Dr Felicity Sedgewick, Lecturer in Psychology of Education in the School of Education at University of Bristol, looking at masking and camouflaging – why do autistic girls mask at school and what impact does it have?

Sound is relayed to the audience through wireless headsets to reduce noise levels in the hall.

Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, so please arrive as early as possible before the session you wish to attend to save disappointment. Please note that the programme below is last year’s and will be fully updated for 2024 by the end of March.

TimePresentation TitleSpeaker
9.50 - 10.20Is the autistic community benefitting from the potential of technology?Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand
10.30 - 11.10Overcoming and living with mental health challenges and anxiety - practical advice from my personal journeyRichie Bow Grace, Managing Director of Awesometistic
11.20 - 12.00Practical classroom adaptations for autistic studentsAymeline Bel, Head of Queensmill School
12.10 - 12.50What's sensory got to do with it? Understanding the link between sensory issues and distressed behaviour in the classroom
Alison Neal, Consultant Occupational Therapist at Midlands Occupational Therapy
13.00 - 13.40A very modern familyDr Carrie Grant MBE, BAFTA award-winning broadcaster
13.50 - 14.30How does anxiety affect autistic students and strategies to manage and reduce itAmanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant
14.40 - 15.20Simple strategies for supporting PDA children and young people at schoolClare Truman, Education Consultant at Spectrum Space Education, Training and Consultancy
15.30 - 16.10Creating positive environments at school to improve outcomes and quality of life for autistic studentsKiran Hingorani, CEO of Swalcliffe Park School
TimePresentation TitleSpeaker
10.20 - 11.00Overcoming/living with mental health challenges and anxiety - perspectives from a late diagnosed adultBrian Bird, Public Speaker, Autistic Writer and Blogger at Autism Support Community
11.10 - 11.50Understanding your PDA child or young person – helpful approaches to supporting your PDA-er at homeSally Russell, Chair of the PDA Society and Co-founder of Netmums
12.00 - 12.40Autism and ADHDArron Hutchinson, Education Training Director and Therapeutic Practitioner at the ADHD Foundation
12.50 - 13.30Masking and camouflaging – why do autistic girls mask at school and what impact does it have?Dr Felicity Sedgewick, Lecturer in Psychology of Education in the School of Education at University of Bristol
13.40 - 14.20Sensory processing and distressed behaviour – why the two are interlinked and what you can do to helpRachael Thompson, Director and Head of Therapy at Cairn Education, and Director of Our Sensory Worlds
14.30 - 15.10Autism and eating disordersPhil Wroe, Autism Lived Experience Advisor and Specialist Teacher at Squarepeg SEN
15.15 - 15.50It’s not a tantrum: recognising distress, meltdown and shutdown and what you can do to help and avoid them happeningGeoff Evans, Autism Trainer and Consultant

Thank you to our partners