On finding out she was Autistic 11 years ago, Evaleen Whelton set out on a mission to find out all she could about autism. Quickly learning that there was a stark difference between the Autistic Community’s stance and that of the professional world, Evaleen set up AUsome Training to get vital information to people who need it now. In 2019 Evaleen held the very first Autistic Conference in Ireland. It was the very first time that a conference was organised by Autistic people for everyone. This was a turning point for the Autistic Community in Ireland. That autism conference took place in Cork. Evaleen made her Autistic conference an annual event either online or in person and this year it’s taking place at Osprey Hotel, Naas but people can also attend it online on 25th and 26th April. Minding Autistic Minds Conference is a neuro-affirming space yet to be paralleled in Ireland.
It makes sense that Autistic people would take control of their own narrative. Would you go to a conference about women that didn’t have any women involved? And yet lots of research, training, books, events, services do not centre or even include Autistic voices.
While those who do not centre Autistic experiences focus on ‘behaviours’ AUsome Training explains how the stigma around autism directly affects Autistic children and their development and their mental health well into adulthood. To highlight the mental health crisis in the Autistic Community Evaleen relaunched the AUsome Conference as Minding Autistic Minds Conference in 2024.
Pete Wharmby, a renowned Autistic speaker and author from the UK will make his first appearance in Ireland for the Neurodiversity conference. Pete is able to explain complex ideas with simplicity and elegance and his presentation and workshops are ideal for Autistic adults, children and anyone who works with Autistic children or adults as well as parents and carers.
The first day, 25th April focuses on the mental health of Autistic adults with speakers covering important topics such as eating disorders and Neurodivergence, Autistic Identity, Empowerment and Wellbeing, Neurodivergence and Third Level Students, Sensory Audits and Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People. The second day, 26th April focuses on Autistic minor’s mental health and wellbeing. Siobhan Daly, Autistic primary school teacher, will run a workshop for parents and schools on working together. Jolene Coady will talk about her experiences growing up as an Autistic foster child and then also on her experience of working as a social worker in later life. Dean Beadle, another well-known UK speaker will share strategies on supporting autistic young people through anxiety. Grainne Warren, playtherapist from Cork will show ways to support authentic emotional expression. This conference truly has something for everyone.
AUsome Training has been passionate about getting an alternative view to Irish families, schools and professionals and has always included non-speaking Autistic adults presenters at their events. This April at Minding Autistic Minds Conference Sam Saibu and Megha Saibu will communicate through S2C or Spell 2 Communicate and have so much to share with us. Access to AAC, Augmentative and Alternative Communication is a basic right and yet so many non-speaking children and adults in Ireland are still denied access to it. People tend to associate intelligence with speech but we know that many non-speaking people do not have Intellectual Disability but rather motor neuron conditions that can affect someone’s ability to speak.
We need attitudes and understanding to change not just in April–when people suddenly become aware of Autistics–but all the time. We have a collective duty to do better in Ireland as a society, how we value different ways of communicating and how we value different ways of being human. That’s what Evaleen’s vision is about- seeing each other as equal and breaking down medicalised, inaccurate ideas around Autistic people.
Be part of this movement. Come along to experience this yourself either in person or online. Find out more here
