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 Geoff Evans, Autism Trainer and Consultant, talking on recognising distress, meltdown and shutdown, and what you can do to help and avoid them happening; Joan Sherry, Team Manager of The Autism Team at Cheshire East Council, exploring practical classroom adaptations for autistic students; Jilly Davis, Training Facilitator at the PDA Society, examining helpful approaches for supporting your PDA child or young person; Dr Annie Clements, Founder and CEO of Autism & ADHD, discussing the relationship between autism and ADHD; and Amanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant, looking at how anxiety affects autistic students and the strategies to manage and reduce it.

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 - 10.20Simple strategies for supporting PDA children and young people at schoolClaire Truman, Education Consultant at Spectrum Space Education, Training and Consultancy
10.30 - 11.10Masking and camouflaging – why do autistic girls mask at school and what impact does it have? Sue Granger, Autism Advisor for Schools at West Berkshire Council
11.20 - 12.00Is the autistic community benefitting from the potential of technology?Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand
12.10 - 12.50Practical classroom adaptations for autistic studentsJoan Sherry, Team Manager of The Autism Team at Cheshire East Council
13.00 - 13.40How does anxiety affect autistic students and strategies to manage and reduce it Amanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant
13.50 - 14.30What's sensory got to do with it? Understanding the link between sensory issues, anxiety and distressed behaviourLaura Graham, Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration
14.35 - 15.10Engaging with autistic children who are struggling in or out of schoolTessa Morton and Jane Gurnett, Founders of Act for Autism
15.15 - 15.50Creating positive environments at school to improve outcomes and quality of life for autistic studentsKiran Hingorani, CEO of Swalcliffe Park School
TimePresentation TitleSpeaker
10.20 - 11.00It’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
11.10 - 11.50Understanding your PDA child or young person – helpful approaches to supporting your PDA-er at homeJilly Davis, Training Facilitator at the PDA Society
12.00 - 12.40Sensory processing and distressed behaviour – why the two are interlinked and what you can do to helpSarah Chierico, Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner at Changing Minds - Applied Psychological Services
12.50 - 13.30Autism and ADHDDr Annie Clements, Founder and CEO of Autism & ADHD
13.40 - 14.20Overcoming and living with mental health challenges and anxiety - practical advice from my personal journeyRichie Bow Grace, Managing Director of Awesometistic
14.30 - 15.10Autism and eating disordersPhil Wroe, Autism Lived Experience Advisor and Specialist Teacher at Squarepeg SEN
15.15 - 15.50Problem solving with autistic young people through visual mappingLynn McCann, Autism Specialist Teacher, Trainer and Author at Reachout ASC

Thank you to our partners