We held our first Therapy Conference in April 2022. We were so pleased with the success and the feedback we received from attendees that we are now planning our next one. Watch this space for the date and details of our next conference!
The aim of our conferences and events is to bring together a range of clinical/educational therapists, Special Educational Needs professionals, autistic individuals and their families.
We invite those with a common interest in keeping up to date with research, evidence based- best practice and sharing resources, thereby helping autistic individuals and the wider community.
The Keynote Speakers at the April 2022 conference included:
Susan Allen
Sue is a PhD Candidate exploring support for mothers of children with sensory integration difficulties at the University of Reading.
Sue has worked with children and families for over 30 years in the UK, USA and Asia.
Sue is a lecturer/Practioner at Wrexham Glyndwr University.
Sue is an advocate for promoting understanding of sensory integration difficulties, how they impact daily life and how we can best support individuals and their communities.
Dr Jill Bradshaw
Dr Bradshaw trained as a speech and language therapist. She worked in a community team supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities before joining the Tizard Centre in 1995.
Jill developed and is the academic lead for the Understanding Autism MOOC. She is Editor in Chief of the Tizard Learning Disability Review.
Jill’s research focuses on communication and interaction, including in relation to enabling environments, positive behaviour support, early intervention and person-centred active support. She has a particular interest in supporting those who have the greatest communication challenges.
Jill was recently appointed by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists as National Clinical Adviser for Learning Disabilities.
Biza Stenfert Kroese (BSc, MSc, PhD)
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and a Senior Researcher in the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham, UK, Chair of CanDo, and a support service for parents with intellectual disabilities.
She is co-author of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Thinking Creatively (Palgrave Macmillan 2017).
Much of her work is focused on how to adapt psychological assessment and treatment methods to the needs of clients with intellectual disabilities and her research and publications on trauma and talking therapies are informed by her clinical experiences and practice.
She is currently a co-investigator for a clinical research trial of EMDR for adults with intellectual disabilities with complex trauma and is chief investigator for a feasibility study on introducing an emotional literacy programme into SEND schools.
Workshops held at the conference in 2022 included:
- Makaton Signing
- Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy
- Implementation Strategies to support AAC
Where and when?
Venue: To be confirmed
Date: To be confirmed