Programme

Middletown Centre for Autism has attracted an impressive number of internationally renowned keynote speakers and content for this year's conference.  Our two-day programme is outlined below.


DAY ONE |  Friday 19 May 2023


08.00  Registration opens 

09.00  Welcome and introduction - Jim Lennon, Middletown Centre for Autism

09.30  Neurodiversity Affirmative Practice in Education & Healthcare - Sue Fletcher-Watson

10.30  Break

10.50  Two-Way Street and Cross Cultural Understanding: Practical pathways - online presenation by Jacquelyn Fede and Amy Laurent

11.50  Delegates move to seminars

12.00  Seminar sessions

           ONE - Autism Friendliness: The Key Ingredients - Peter Vermeulen (Hall 2)

           TWO - About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) Project - Alyssa M Acorn (Meeting Room 1A)

           THREE -  Designing Inclusive Outdoor Play Spaces - Dr Catherine Latimer (Meeting Room 1B) 

           FOUR - Middletown Centre for Autism NCSE Research - Cat Hughes and Rachel Ferguson (Boardroom 1)

13.00  Break for Lunch

13.45  Middletown Centre for Autism's work and resources:  this session focuses on The Centre's work with schools  

14.15  Autism and The Predictive Mind - Peter Vermeulen

15.15  Comfort break

15.30  Panel discussion: Innovations in Education - facilitated by Jill McCanney

16.30  Question and answer session

17.00  Close


All delegates will also have the opportunity to attend an evening event, a screening of film Echo's Bones. 

 

17.30  Introduction by Carolin Cowley, Fingal County Council and Film Director, Sarah Browne

17.45  Screening of Echo's Bones

18.15  Question and answer session with the team 

18.45  Close


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DAY TWO |  Saturday 20 May 2023


08.00  Registration opens

09.00  Welcome and introduction - Jim Lennon, Middletown Centre for Autism

09.10  From Neurodiversity to Neuroharmony: Autism and HappinessPeter Vermeulen

10.10  Break

10.30  Supporting Neurodivergent Children and their Families - Sue Fletcher-Watson

11.30  Delegates move to seminars

11.40  Seminar sessions 

           ONE - Person in Context Session - online presentation by Jacquelyn Fede (Meeting Room 1A)

           TWO - 25 Years of Psychoeducation in Autism: From “I Am Special” To H.A.P.P.Y. - Peter Vermeulen (Hall2)

           THREE - Autistic Women and Girls: Wellbeing and Being Well - Carly Jones (Meeting Room 1B)

12.40  Break for Lunch

13.30  Middletown Centre for Autism's work and resources: this session focuses on The Centre's work with families

14.00  Autistic Perspectives on ‘Level Up’ - online presentation by Jacquelyn Fede 

15.00  Comfort break

15.15  Panel discussion: Inclusive Communities - facilitiated by Adam Harris

16.15  Question and answer session 

16.45  Closing remarks


Please note all timings are approximate.