Leeds to host major autism conference
28/09/09
Details have been confirmed for the Autism Education Trust’s (AET) second national conference, ‘Transitions: practical steps for moving forward’, which will take place in Leeds on 22nd October at the Queens Hotel. The conference will combine a range of keynote speakers and practical workshop sessions, giving an in depth opportunity to focus on the theme of transitions, which is a crucial topic in the case of children and young people on the autism spectrum.
The conference is aimed at all those working in the autism education sector, the schools workforce, local authority representatives, health professionals, adults and young people with autism and their parents and carers. Speakers at the Leeds conference include Liz Blackman from the All-party Parliamentary Group on Autism and Helen Wheatley from the National Transition Support Team. The workshop sessions, led by professionals from specialist autism education centres such as the Corley Centre and the Kingwood Trust, look at transitions and how to handle them at each stage of school life, including early years, primary to secondary and transition into adulthood.
The event builds on the success of the AET’s first national conference and series of regional roadshows, which took place earlier this year, and is followed by six roadshows around the country and a further conference in London in January 2010. The regional roadshows will mirror the Leeds conference and in addition will address some of the more local issues in each area.
Bob Lowndes, Chair of the AET Steering Group comments: “There is a clear need across the education system for better knowledge of the autism spectrum and more effective strategies for supporting those affected." The AET is focused on extending its outreach activity this year, by creating a series of fully funded events which provide a valuable platform and opportunity for people working in autism education to come together and share experiences and good practice. We encourage anyone with a genuine interest in autism education to come along to one of these events.”
The Autism Education Trust (AET) is England’s only umbrella organisation for autism education and is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Its work is currently supported by over 25 voluntary, statutory and community groups who contribute to the work of the AET through its Steering Group and Advisory Council membership.
Conferences:
22nd October 2009 – The Queens Hotel, Leeds
28th January 2010 – Savoy Place, London
Roadshows:
17th November 2009 – Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton
24th November 2009 – Holiday Inn, Peterborough West
1st December 2009 – Jurys Inn, Plymouth
9th February 2010 – Radisson SAS, Birmingham
11th February 2010 – Jury’s Inn, Newcastle
25th February 2010 - Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Hull
Places for this event are free but limited and must be booked in advance.
For full conference details and to book tickets visit www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk to download a booking form
or contact T: 0115 9113367 E:
aetevents@nas.org.uk