Jac is a super fun, super goofy and SUPER DUPER nerdy Autistic Advocate and the co-founder of Autism Level UP! Jac enjoys supporting Autistic Individuals and their partners as well as program evaluation, data and statistics, and app and web development. Jac is a physical activity junky and continues to meet its intense sensory needs by seeking high impact and highly resistant movements. (Also a PhD, but if you need this to be interested, you need to reflect on your priorities).

Amy is an OT, co-author of the SCERTS model (a developmental framework for supporting Autistic people), and the co-founder of Autism Level UP!. Amy enjoys supporting Autistic individuals and their partners, co-conspiring as an ally to Autistic people and creative design of useful and accessible tools and supports. Amy has many sensory needs that she meets through running, yoga, dance, paddle boarding and even resistance training as prescribed by her trainer, Jac.

Peter Vermeulen, PhD in Psychology and Clinical Educational Sciences, has more than 35 years of experience in the field of autism. Founder of “Autism in Context”, where autism is understood in context. Peter is an internationally respected lecturer/trainer and he presents all over the world. Peter wrote more than 15 books and several articles on autism, some of them translated into more than 10 languages. For his +30 years of work in the field of autism, he received in 2019 a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alyssa is the Research and Impact Lead for the Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) project, based at the University of Edinburgh's Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre. She is an interdisciplinary researcher with extensive experience on participatory projects, and a background in psychology, education, human-computer interaction, and design.

Carly is 40, Autistic and a proud single mother of three daughters two of whom are also Autistic. 

A British Autism Advocate since 2008, Carly's advocacy work for the inclusion of Autistic women and girls has included speaking on News channels, Universities, Parliament.  She became the first British Autistic woman to address the United Nations on Autistic females rights. Carly created the first free UK online safeguarding course for Autistic girls and has made award winning disability films shown in the UK, USA, Indonesia ,India ,Rome and Cannes Film festival.  

Due to this, Carly was made an MBE in the 2017 New Years Honours list for services to those with Autism. Since 2017 Carly has endeavoured to continue her aims for UK wide pocket free Autistic safeguarding and elevation proudly holding a public appointment of a member of the UK Honours Committee.  

Dr Rachel Ferguson, is a Researcher at Middletown Centre for Autism. Prior to completing a Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences at The University of Ulster in 2014, which she presented at national and international conferences, Rachel completed a degree in occupational therapy. Rachel has worked with autistic individuals for over ten years in various settings. Rachel’s most recent research, on the topics of Social Communication Skills, Sensory Preferences and Activity Choices, Anxiety Management and Transitions has been presented at conferences such as the International Society for Autism Research, National Autistic Society, Geneva Centre for Autism, British Association for Occupational Therapists, Irish Association for Occupational Therapists and Children’s Research Network; and been published in peer reviewed journals.  Her research interests include children and young people with autism, inclusion and flexibility in education, sensory processing and issues around quality of life. 

Cat is a Research Officer at Middletown Centre for Autism. She previously worked as Research Communications Manager with UK autism research charity, Autistica where she supported researchers and community members to communicate about research and lived experience. She has also worked extensively in mental health research and was Research Manager with Pieta House. She has developed and delivered training on autism and crisis intervention to the Samaritans UK and NHS organisations. Cat received an autism diagnosis herself while in university and she is passionate about practical research that improves the lives of autistic people and their families.