Specialist Autism Services are hosting an exciting conference on 26 September in Bradford with a varied and interesting line-up to celebrate our 10-year anniversary as an organisation.
The event will focus on the topic of autism and wellbeing. It will be of particular interest to academics and professionals in the health, education, employment and criminal justice fields, as well as parents/carers and people who are themselves on the spectrum.
A wide array of practitioners and innovators will speak on the day, sharing their insight, approach and expansive knowledge of appropriate working practices to use with a diverse client group.
Speeches, presentations, workshops, stalls
As well as speeches and presentations, we will also have interactive workshops, stalls, and networking opportunities throughout the day.
Specialist Autism Services are confident that attendees will leave the conference informed and inspired. You will also gain practical advice to improve the wellbeing of people with autism across a range of environments.
Refreshments will be served to attendees throughout the day and a hot buffet lunch will also be provided. The venue is fully accessible and rooms will be available as designated break out/quiet spaces on the day.
Confirmed speakers and workshop facilitators:
Dr Bhismadev Chakrabarti – Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Research Director of the Centre for Autism at the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading
Dr Rita Jordan OBE – Emeritus Professor in Autism Studies: Autism Centre for Education & Research, The School of Education, The University of Birmingham
Ros Blackburn – Renowned national and international speaker with a lived experience of autism. She will provide insight into her own experiences and the care and education practices she has observed
Ursula Philpot – Consultant Dietician and Senior Lecturer specialising in eating disorders, disordered eating, mental health and weight management. She has a clinic for eating-related problems based in Leeds and regularly features in the media
Dr Marc Fabri – Senior Lecturer in Creative Technology, Lead for the Technologies for Health and Wellbeing research group, Principal Investigator for the Autism & Uni Project (www.autism-uni.org) and Lead for the IMAGE Project (imageautism.com)
Graham Firth – Intensive Interaction Project Leader at Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Frank Slokan – MSc in Investigative Psychology, National Autism Advisor at The Richmond Fellowship Scotland and expert speaker on the subject of autism within the criminal justice system
Susan Dunne – Author of the highly acclaimed memoir A Pony in the Bedroom (Jessica Kingsley 2015) and expert speaker on the subject of animal therapy and autism
Abbey Goodwin, Clodagh Wall, Abbey Gregory Lees, Natalie Stuart – social work, health and social care students from the University of Huddersfield, researching differences in support and services for people with autism between Norway and the UK
Venue and date
Bradford City Football Club Events Suite
Valley Parade
Bradford
BD8 7DY
26 September 2019
Refreshments and resources
Delegates will receive a hot food buffet, refreshments throughout the day and some useful resources to take away with them.
The venue is fully accessible with lift access, disabled access toilets and an induction loop fitted. There will also be designated quiet rooms available for use by delegates on the day.
Please feel free to take a virtual tour of the event space: https://www.bradfordcityfcevents.co.uk/business-events/
Please email any questions, accessibility adjustments/support requests or dietary requirements to: conference@specialistautismservices.org
How you can attend
Tickets must be purchased at least one week prior to the conference date. You can book via Eventbrite by following the link www.bit.ly/SAS-conference.
Tickets can also be purchased via cheque, made out to Specialist Autism Services and sent to:
FAO Finance Department
Specialist Autism Services
Onward House
2 Baptist Place
Bradford
BD1 2PS
Accommodation
If you are staying in Bradford overnight, you can book a room at The Midland Hotel. If you quote ‘Specialist Autism Conference’ you can receive the following room rates:
£59 – Standard room, single occupancy B&B
£69 – Standard room, double occupancy B&B
£10 – Upgrade fee to a premium room
£20 – Upgrade fee to an executive room
About Specialist Autism Services
2019 marks the twentieth anniversary of Bradford-based charity Sacar. It is also the tenth anniversary of the community interest company that Sacar developed, Specialist Autism Services.
From Sacar’s humble beginnings supporting just six people with an autism spectrum condition in a church hall in Bradford, Specialist Autism Services have developed their provision to engage with approximately 350 members across Bradford, Shipley, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and York.
Through delivering member-led and autism-specific tailored learning programmes, outreach support, employment support and counselling, Specialist Autism Services contribute to building the confidence, independence and overall wellbeing of the people they support.
