Day 1: Supporting Autistic adults
Opening Address – Eoin Stephens
Eoin outlines the importance of treating Autistic mental needs seriously
Autistic Experiences of Social Anxiety – Eoin Stephens (with slides)
Eoin guides us through an exploration of, and some pathways away from, social anxiety
Let Us Be Monotropic – Pete Wharmby
Pete explores monotropism within Autistic experience, and the joys it can bring
Exploring the Mental Health of Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ Folx – Nem Kearns (with slides)
Nem reveals the intersection between LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent communities and the
mental health impacts that intersection generates in an unaccepting world
Decompression Session – led by Eoin Stephens
Autistic Identity, Empowerment & Wellbeing – Dean Beadle (with slides)
Dean explores the nature of Autistic identity as a basis for living a good life
The Importance of Online Accessibility – Melissa Murphy (video presentation)
Melissa highlights the need for online access to events for those unable to attend
and the positive impact on mental health that contact can offer
Sensory Auditing – Pete Wharmby
Pete’s workshop provides an introduction to the what, how, and why of doing sensory audits
Our Misunderstood Sensory Systems – Megha Saibu (video presentation)
Megha’s presentation via AAC highlights how impactful sensory differences can be on
maintaining focus, engaging in activities, and above all being respected by others
Q&A panel – Eoin Stephens, Nem Kearns, Pete Wharmby, MAQQI
Day 2: Supporting Autistic children & teens
Opening Address – Siobhán Uí Dhálaigh (with slides)
Siobhán provides a deeply emotional, impactful start to our second day
Parenting Autistically – Gillian Kearns (with slides)
Gillian explores ways to parent Autistic kids in a positive, supportive way
Decompression Session – led by Eoin Stephens
Supporting Autistic Young People Through Anxiety – Dean Beadle (with slides)
Dean’s sparkling presentation brings compassion and insight to a difficult topic
Equal Access to Education for Non-speakers – Sam Saibu (video presentation)
Sam outlines the inherent worth of everyone, challenges assumptions about non-speaking
students in school, and calls on us to do better
Q&A panel – Gillian Kearns, Scott Neilson, Siobhán Uí Dhálaigh, Gráinne Warren, Pete Wharmby
Closing Thoughts – Evaleen Whelton
Closing Poems – Alice Doyle
