Exploring Autism

“I hung my head with shame as I got another call from school to pick up my child after another meltdown. I’m tired, my child is exhausted, teachers and staff are tired and no one knows what we can do.”
These words were drawn from a collection of comments by Autistic people, parents and caregivers.

Does this sound familiar? You are not alone.

Autism is talked about a lot, and it’s often misunderstood. With so much information out there, what autism actually is can get lost, and that makes it harder for people to get the support they need.

Susan Carey is an Autistic psychological scientist. In this session she’ll cover what autism is, what it can look and feel like, and how we can better support Autistic people and those who love and work with them.

What the session covers

• What autism looks like beyond the diagnostic criteria: social and emotional perceptions, communication, sensory experiences, attention, thinking styles, predictability and special interests

• How this shows up in everyday life: transitions, communication mismatches, masking, relationships, energy levels and burnout

• Examples of everyday communication misunderstandings and how to recognise them

• Case studies on supported decision-making, including times an Autistic person’s voice was unintentionally overlooked, why that happens, and strategies that support autonomy and belonging

The aim is to help people move from managing crises to putting support in place early, at home, at school and at work.

The session is trauma-informed and draws on the diagnostic criteria, affirming peer-reviewed research, community voices and lived experience.

Who it’s for: Autistic people, people who love and care for an Autistic person, and people who work with Autistic people.