Autism conference to share research and experiences

Autism conference to share research and experiences

Leading research and experience relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be shared at the Altogether Autism Conference 2015, in Auckland from 22-23 July, including a Māori parent perspective of living with ASD and how theatre can help communication with teenagers with ASD.

More than 230 delegates, including educators, health professionals and people living on the autism spectrum and their families, are set to attend the event, run by the national information and advisory service Altogether Autism.

Catherine Trezona, Altogether Autism National Manager, says: “The conference will provide a superb platform for sharing the very best information available on autism. Although there is a lot about autism on the internet, some of it is unreliable. Our conference – like our national advisory service – provides trusted information and strategies to generate positive outcomes for individuals and families living with autism New Zealand.”

Parent and autism advocate Bernie Wastney will give a keynote speech on a Māori parent perspective of living with ASD, offering tips for professionals about partnerships, ways to support Māori children with ASD, their siblings, whānau/family and some tikanga/Māori practice taught to her by her grandmother Riripeti Karauria (Ngāti Porou).

A lively workshop from applied theatre specialist Mind Over Manner will provide a fun element to the conference, highlighting how theatre can develop communications with teenagers with ASD.

The conference will include voices from people living on the autism spectrum, including keynote speaker Paula Jessop, who will discuss the importance of positive beliefs and attitudes towards autism by those in the communities who support autistic people.

Professionals interested in autism can attend a stand-alone two-hour workshop on ‘Using psychological tests when diagnosing autism’, presented by clinical psychologists Tanya Breen and Jenny Gibbs. The workshop will overview the recommended best practice, looking at tools and methods used in diagnosis.

A quiet room will be available as a quiet space for autistic delegates who need some time out from the busy conference activity.

Altogether Autism is a free, nationwide autism spectrum disorder information and advisory service. The Altogether Autism team have specialist training and knowledge in ASD and have evidence-based and up-to-date sources for information. Altogether Autism is a service provided as a partnership between the charitable trusts Life Unlimited and Parent to Parent New Zealand.

For those who can’t attend the event at the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport, Altogether Autism will share highlights and information from the sessions via their Facebook and website pages. For more information visit www.altogetherautism.org.nz/altogether-autism-conference-2015

Keynote speaker summary:

Lynn Berresford, Director Indigo Assessment and Counselling Centre
ASD and Giftedness
Lynn is Director of the Indigo Assessment and Counselling Centre in Auckland. She has over 30 years’ experience of working with children, teenagers and adults with exceptional needs. She is a dedicated and skilled advocate for giftedness and “twice exceptional” (“Twice exceptional” refers to intellectually gifted children who also have a disability).

Kirsty Dempster-Rivett, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Using Creative and Innovative Techniques to Develop Therapeutic Alliance with Young People
Kirsty Dempster-Rivett is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with 20 years clinical practice working with young people, their families and support people. She is a passionate advocate for youth and often presents about creative strategies for engagement that focuses on their strengths to help address areas of concern.

Paula Jessop, Altogether Autism Consumer Reference Group Member
Starting at the Beginning: Beliefs and Attitudes towards Autism
Paula Jessop is a member of the Altogether Autism Consumer Reference Group and an Aspie presenter known for giving thought provoking speeches relating to ‘lived experience’ of autism. Paula opens the conference by discussing the importance of positive beliefs and attitudes towards Autism by those in the communities who support Autistic people.

Frank O’Connor, Organisational Psychologist
Finding Work that Fits with ASD
Based in Wellington, Frank travels where needed to help organisations advance wellbeing. He works with people in the community at large who are trying to obtain work suited to their abilities, coaching (would-be) workers and employers toward the many ways work can be done well enough and use capabilities that differ from what was expected.

Helen Temperton, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Diagnosis in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – Best Practice with New Ministry of Health Guidelines
Helen is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has worked in Auckland for the past 12 years. She has an interest in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD). Helen would like young people with these disorders to have equal access to assessments and support throughout New Zealand.

Bernie Wastney, Parent and autism advocate
Māori Parent Perspective – Living with ASD
Life changed for Bernie when son Michael was diagnosed with autism. She often felt like Alice in Wonderland who had fallen down the rabbit hole where each door she opened took her into unfamiliar territory. Bernie will speak from a Māori parent perspective on issues Māori parents encounter, offer tips for professionals about partnerships, ways to support the Māori child with ASD, their siblings, whānau/ family and some tikanga/Māori practice taught to her by her grandmother Riripeti Karauria (Ngāti Porou).

ENDS

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