An Online Conference
Description
ABA and its derivatives are extremely damaging to Autistic people. Research, as well as anecdotal evidence shows that ABA causes increased levels of PTSD and suicidal ideation in its victims. It also shows that it is ineffective and unhelpful to Autistic people.
Despite this mounting evidence and a general move away from ABA by many Neurodiversity-affirming professionals, ABA is still used in preschools, schools, clinics and other settings against Autistic people young and old. Our event not only highlights the dangers of using ABA but also provides you with Neuro-affirming and actually helpful advice from Autistic advocates and professionals from around the world.
This Conference will be delivered online over zoom.
Date & Time: Sunday November 13th, 10am to 3.50pm Irish Time
Other Time Zones: AUS: 9pm-2.50am AEDT / US: 2-7.50am PST / Central Europe: 11am to 4.50pm GMT +1
Early booking is advised
Speakers
Kristy Forbes – Autism & Neurodiversity Support Specialist
Jay Jay Mudridge – Autistic Advocate and ABA Survivor
Gillian Kearns – Neurodivergency Rights Activist
Katie Kerley – Occupational Therapist
Siobhan Ui Dhalaigh – Gaelscoil Teacher
Cole Sorensen – AAC User, Public Speaker and Writer
Evaleen Whelton – Founder AUsome Training and Autistic Advocate
“ABA stole my childhood. The resulting c-PTSD stole my adulthood. Autistic youth deserve better than what I got. And that starts with accepting your Autistic child”
– JayJay Mudridge, ABA survivor
Meet Your Speakers
Gillian Kearns (She/They) is a disability justice and neurodivergency rights advocate. As an agender, multiply neurodivergent person Gillian is particularly passionate about gendered intersections in community building and neurodivergency. They were a founding member of Neuro Pride Ireland, a self-directed community space and DPO (Disabled Persons Organisation) who hold an annual festival to celebrate neurodivergent communities and identities. Gillian also currently serves on the Steering Committee of Disabled Women Ireland, [Ireland’s only national Disabled Person’s Organisation for gender minority people]. As part of this role Gillian has worked with Centre of Disability Law and Policy on how the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act will impact on autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people.
Kristy Forbes (she/her) is an Australian based autism & neurodiversity support specialist with experience working with clients both nationally and internationally. This includes neurodivergent people and their families and professionals who wish to support them. She has an extensive background in education and social work and is a PDA Autistic ADHDer and parent to four autistic children.
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Siobhán Uí Dhálaigh (she/her) is an Autistic Gaelscoil teacher and has been teaching for 27 years. She is passionate about creating respectful, positive, safe and validating environments where Autistic children can thrive being true to themselves, their own social skills and their own communication and learning styles. Siobhán advocates for inclusive schools through the use of neurodiversity affirming approaches that promote authenticity, autonomy and advocacy.
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Evaleen Whelton (she/her) made the wonderful discovery that she is Autistic in 2014 at the age of 37 and has been delivering training to parents, schools, businesses and professionals for the past 5 years. She is founder of AUsome Conference and AUsome Training. Evaleen is a passionate advocate for the rights of Autistic people and is calling for an end to ABA.
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Katie Kerley (she/her) is an occupational therapist and Clinical Director of Horizon Therapy Services in Dundalk. She is multiply-neurodivergent (Autisitc, ADHD, and Dyspraxic) herself and is passionate about helping neurodivergent people be the best and most satisfied version of themselves through the lens of meaningful occupation.
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JayJay Mudridge (they/them) is an Autistic advocate and ABA survivor. They are a multiply published poet, neuro-affirming academic tutor, IEP advocate, and international speaker on autistic culture, and they run the page `”Not Another Autistic Advocate”.
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Cole Sorensen (he/him) is a mostly-nonspeaking trans autistic person, a public speaker, writer, and educator. His work focuses on promoting autonomy, self-determination, communication access, and dignity of risk for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He currently works teaching classes on self-advocacy and directing your own home and community-based services for transition-aged youth with disabilities.
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Aims of this event
To raise awareness of the dangers of ABA and other behavioural approaches on Autistic children and adults.
To educate professionals and parents and provide Neuro-affirming alternatives to ABA.
Read one of Evaleen’s most popular blog posts titled Alternatives to ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis).
Investment
This Event will be facilitated online via Zoom.
€59 for live event
€79 for live event with recording
Discounts on bookings of more than one person:
2 places Ticket Live Event – €105
3 places Ticket Live Event – €150
5 places Ticket Live Event – €200.
2 places Ticket & Recording – €140
3 places Ticket & Recording – €210
5 places Ticket & Recording – € 325
