The Autism Show 2023 – Show Preview Part 1

The Autism Show, the national event for autism, organised in association with the National Autistic Society.

If you’re looking for information and direction pre or post-diagnosis, are facing daily challenges, or approaching significant transition points, then The Autism Show can help you.

It’s a great opportunity to hear from autism experts, people with autism and to see innovative products and services.

You can pick and choose from over 100 hours of talks, clinics and workshops, plus hundreds of specialist products and services at the show.

In Part 1 of our show preview, we have highlighted some of the speakers you can here at the event.

Friday 7 July

	SPEAKERS
	9.50 – 10.20 – Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand Is the autistic community benefitting from the potential of technology? Dr Louise Morpeth is the CEO of Brain in Hand, a professional digital support system that enables people with a range of needs to live more independently. The system combines technology (web-based software) and personalised assistance (personal planning and access to non-medical help) to provide round-the-clock support to help people live well independently.
	10.30 – 11.10 Sue Granger, Autism Advisor for Schools at West Berkshire Council Masking and camouflaging – why do autistic girls mask at school and what impact does it have? Sue Granger is Autism Advisor at West Berkshire Council, and Autism Support Specialist at Owl Therapy Centre. Sue is an experienced trainer with extensive experience working with autistic children and adults in a variety of settings, including mainstream and special needs schools.
	11.20 – 12.00 – Claire Truman, Education Consultant at Spectrum Space Is the autistic community benefitting from the potential of technology? Clare Truman is an education consultant at Spectrum Space, author, PhD student and big sister to an autistic young man. She specialises in supporting PDA children and young people to access education. She is author of ‘The Teacher’s Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom’ published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2021 and is currently completing a PhD at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education at UCL London exploring the educational experiences of PDA children and young people.
	12:10 – 12.50 – Joan Sherry, Team Manager of The Autism Team at Cheshire East Council Practical classroom adaptations for autistic students Joan Sherry heads up the The Cheshire East Autism Team or CEAT are a small school-focused team of teaching and support staff who provide specialist support for children in years 1 to 13 attending Cheshire East schools.
	13:00 – 13.40 – Amanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant How does anxiety affect autistic students and strategies to manage and reduce it Amanda Hind is highly experienced qualified teacher, training provider and SENCo, who has taught in primary, secondary, special schools and alternative provision. She has led an autism provision in a mainstream secondary school, and she is currently a SENCo in a mainstream secondary. Amanda has a autistic son and received an autism diagnosis herself as an adult.
	13.50 – 14.30 – Laura Graham, Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practioner in Sensory Integration Understanding the link between sensory issues, anxiety and distressed behaviour Laura Graham is an independent occupational therapist with over 20 years’ experience and holds a post graduate certificate in Sensory Integration from the University of Ulster. Laura is co-author of the book, “How to Help Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)” published in 2022 and has spoken at many events and conferences. Laura was awarded the Queens Nurses Institute Award for Innovation and Leadership in 2010 for her role in developing a community-based behaviour and sensory clinic for young adults with sensory processing needs.
	14:35 – 15.10 – Tessa Morton and Jane Gurnett, Founders of Act for Autism Engaging with autistic children who are struggling in or out of school?
	Tessa Morton trained as a linguist and then studied at a London drama school for three years. She worked in the profession for 10 years as an actress and a presenter working with Granada, Channel 5, STV, BSKYb and The English teaching Theatre. Qualified as a L.A.M.D.A Drama teacher and working with youth groups supporting confidence and self awareness. Joined the fantastic Maynard Leigh Associates as a consultant and, when moving out of London and having babies got in the way, setup on her own. Over the last 20 years, she has grown a successful practice; working as a trainer and coach advising and directing professionals with communication challenges. She is a qualified CBT (cognitive behaviour therapist) from the University of Worcester and member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy), she runs a private practice offering post-diagnostic support and runs voluntary drama and social skills groups for young people on the autistic spectrum. Tessa founded Act for Autism in 2015 because she is passionate about supporting young autistic individuals and creating awareness in the wider community.
	Jane: An actor, teacher of Drama and workshop leader. As an actor, she worked extensively on television and in theatre, including BBC One dramas Dangerfield and Casualty. In theatre, she has played leading roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the NationalTheatre and West End musicals. She tutors and mentors drama students as well as teaching in a mainstream school. She has a BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies, an MA in the Advance Workings of Shakespeare and has a B Phil in Autism from Birmingham University. Jane is passionate about all children having a voice, her work at act for autism developing workshops and strategies together with Tessa, is the perfect vehicle to change the way we look at autism.
	15.15 – 15.50 – Kiran Hingorani CEO of Swalcliffe Park School Creating positive environments at school to improve outcomes and quality of life for autistic students Kiran Hingorani joined Swalcliffe Park School – a specialist day and residential school – in May 2011 as Principal and more recently has moved into the position of CEO for the organisation. As part of a team of colleagues at school, he has developed the ‘Quality of Life’ framework for use in school and established the QoL’ network which has been set up to support schools, colleges and other organisations implement the framework within their setting. Over the past few years he has been delighted to share this work at a number of national and international conferences with a specific focus on the inclusion of families within the framework.