Friday 2nd April - Friday 21st May - Dover to Lands End
The typical day to day challenges that people on the autistic spectrum face should not be underestimated. Their difficulties concerning social
interaction and communication, sensory issues and anxieties, is something that Sara Lyons is only too aware of.
Sara lives in Cornwall with her husband Andrew. She is a qualified teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience in mainstream primary schools
and further education. In 2003, Sara was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and understands on a very personal level the daily struggles this entails. Combined with her teaching experience, Sara has a rare view of the complexities of autism spectrum disorders and is therefore able to offer advice and support to people with the condition as well as those who work with them.
Starting out on 2nd April - World Autism Awar eness Day - Sara has pledged to walk from Dover to Lands End. It is her intention to help raise awareness
of autism and raise funds to support the Lifewor ks 'Breaking the Barrier' events, which introduce youngsters with autism and learning disabilities to surfing. Sara plans to walk around 15 miles each day over 50 days and aims to arrive at Lands E nd on 21st May. She hopes that you may be able to join
her there or along the way.
Support Sarah by visiting the Lifeworks website and clicking on 'I would like to sponsor Sara' link.
Also, you can visit Sara's Justgiving page.
26th - 27th May 2010 - Reebok Stadium, Bolton
Visit the AET on stand B28
This dedicated SEN show aims to meet the professional development needs of all those working within the special and additional educational field.
Visitors to this new two day event can obtain inspiration and motivation from the wide range of products and resources on display and the comprehensive CPD programme provided by nasen’s seminar programme.
The free to enter exhibition a host of relevant resource and service suppliers will offer a wide range of classroom, ICT and software resources to support children and young people who are encountering difficulties in accessing education.
Who should attend?
This event is for anyone working within the field of special and additional educational needs and disability. Head Teachers, SENCOs, class teachers, support staff, Local Authority Officers, Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and other Health professionals. All are welcome.
The dedicated nasen Live 2010 website can be found here
26th May 2010 - Park Hall, Autism Resource Centre, Park Road, Bestwood Village, Nottingham, NG6 8TQ
Alongside new initiatives to promote self-advocacy and emotional well-being, is an increased emphasis on children and young people participating in decision making and planning for their futures. Across educational settings, this area of work is referred to as ‘Pupil Voice’.
Resources will be available for demonstration and discussion.
The day will cover:
• a context and overview of current initiatives
• case studies and practical examples
• whole school approaches which promote and prioritise pupil voice
• examples of using a range of review systems which include the views of children and young people
• an opportunity for participants to raise issues reflecting their own circumstances
The day is aimed at professionals working with children and young people on the autism spectrum, across the full age and ability range. It will also be appropriate for parents.
Download a booking form and further information.
9th June 2010 - Venue TBA but likely to be near Birmingham, England.
Target audience
Care providers of children and adults with autism and sever learning difficulties, educational and supported living; professionals involved in research in autism and the care environment; Special Education Needs provision of the Building Schools for The Future programme.
Programme and speakers
It is now widely accepted that people with ASD show signs of less challenging behaviour and enhanced well being if they live and learn in an environment that promotes a sense of inclusion and considers their specific needs. This seminar is one of a series organised by GA Architects that addresses specific design considerations in the educational and residential environment and how they can be addressed. Topics will include elements of design that should be considered by care providers specifically for people with ASD and severe learning difficulties that influence not just the mood and behaviour of people with ASD but also their carers and support workers.
Key speaker will be Francesca Happé, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Kings College and author of a number of scientific articles and books on autism. Francesca will talk about current cognitive theories and their educational implications - some of the issues students with ASD face in the classroom and why.
Other topics may include:
Design and planning - Christopher Beaver, partner GA Architects
Wet rooms
Acoustics
CCTV and security or
Proxemics (the role of space and your surrounding)
Price
Tickets will cover the costs of the seminar with any surplus being donated to a charity. Cost £75 plus VAT and £30 plus VAT for students. To register your interest and to be notified of the topics and venue please email richard@ga-architects.com. Or download an initation and booking form.
Provider
www.jelibean.com an organisation providing help, advice and advocacy services to those on the autism spectrum, and those with AD/HD. It is run by Debi Evans, a former Ward Sister, mother of five children on the autism spectrum, who has a Post Graduate Certificate in Autism (children) from the University of Birmingham, and Barbara Jacobs, author of Loving Mr Spock, who is currently completing her PhD on 'Recognising and accommodating Autism Spectrum Conditions in Inclusive education'. The patron of Jelibean is Tony Attwood.
Event Date
15th June 2010.
Venue
University of Leicester: David Wilson Lecture Theatre and other venues within the University.
Details
This is Jelibean’s first International Conference. The speakers are as listed below and represent some of the world’s top professionals in their field. Jelibean is a nascent charity/Social Enterprise providing a bridge between professionals, parents and children on the autism spectrum, aiming to provide stakeholders with professional advice and help which will save hours of work and time in assisting those with Autism Spectrum Conditions to find appropriate interventions. We are advocates for parents and children on the autism spectrum. We want to give professionals and parents involved with autism, together with those on the spectrum, a unique opportunity to come together, discuss best practice and share each other's learning, following the understandings of some of the world’s leading clinical and academic professionals. This is the purpose of the current conference. We aim to provide a balanced perspective on Autism Spectrum Conditions, drawing strongly on the recommendations now being considered in DSM-V involving, for instance, the putative criterion of sensory difficulties. Speakers will present an overview of current thinking in the entire spectrum of ASCs from experts in the field of education and clinical and chartered psychology. This conference has been developed by an educational research group and leading professionals who work with people on the autism spectrum in a daily capacity, together with parents who have a unique expertise in understanding and supporting their children.
Cost
The cost of the one-day conference is £200, but this can be offset by a number of discounts. No member of the NAS should have to pay more than £160. To view these discounts and to register interest log on to www.leicester.ac.uk/conference and click on ‘Delegate sign up’ which you will see on the lower right hand side of the page.
Speakers
Professor Paul Cooper of the School of Education, University of Leicester who will speak about AD/HD and autism, author of Understanding and Supporting Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.
Professor Olga Bogdashina of the Ukraine who will speak about sensory issues in autism, author of Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism.
Emeritus Professor Rita Jordan of the University of Birmingham, whose subject is severe and profound autism, author of Autism with Severe Learning Difficulties.
Professor Tony Attwood, on his first ever visit to Leicester, who will speak on cognition in Asperger's Syndrome. He is a clinical psychologist and world expert on Asperger's Syndrome and the author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome.
This is the first time these speakers have appeared together at any conference.
Duration
9am until 4.30pm. Registration from 8.30
Lunch will be provided. There will be two refreshment breaks, when delegates will be free to buy their own drinks from University cafés, if they wish. Bottles of water will be provided for each delegate. There will also be a bookstall.
Target Audience
Professionals in education, health and social care, clinicians and commissioners, students, local government workers, parents, and those on the autism spectrum.
Download the poster here.
Autism in the early years - What is good practice?
Friday 2nd July 2010 - Horwood House, Nr Milton Keynes, Mursley Road, Little Horwood, Bucks, MK17 0PH
The Puzzle Centre is delighted to host this conference, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, which will bring together researchers, practitions and parent/carers to discuss the subject of early intervention or young children with autism. It will xamine leading research, national trategy and good practice within both maintream and specialist provisions, for pre-school children with autism and their amilies. Professor Tony Charman, from the Institue of Education, will povide an overview of conclusions from recent research into early intervention. There will be an opportunity for small group discussions and to put questions and omments from these discussions to a panel.