Autistic Thriving at School and Beyond (in-person event)

This is the in-person registration page. A is also available for those wishing to join virtually.

Who is this event for? This event is open to everyone - autistic children and young people, their parents and carers, teachers and school staff, healthcare professionals, and researchers. No prior knowledge is needed; all are welcome.

About the event As part of the University of Reading's centenary celebrations, the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub is hosting a free evening event on the theme of Autistic Thriving at School and Beyond. The evening will bring together speakers, researchers and the community to explore what supports autistic children to flourish in education and everyday life.

The event will include talks from:

• Professor Elizabeth McCrum, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), University of Reading
• Dr Fiona Knott, Dr Jo Billington and Dr Emma Harris, Wellbeing Hub project leads
• Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming, and a passionate advocate for young people's voices in education

Please see the detailed agenda below for more information on talk content and timings.

There will also be two short interactive sessions during the evening, inviting attendees to share their views. After the talks, there will be refreshments and the chance to see the latest autism research from staff and students in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences.

This is an autism-friendly event We want everyone to feel comfortable attending. Provisions include:

• A low-stimulus quiet room
• A live-feed room for those who prefer not to be in the main lecture theatre
• Communication preference badges

On booking, you will receive a written overview of the evening, a visual guide to the venue, and information on finding us including parking.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any additional requirements, please get in touch: [email protected]. We are happy to help.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Info: Please feel free to arrive from 6.45pm. Members of the Wellbeing Hub team will be on hand to welcome you and guide you to the lecture theatre, quiet room, or live feed room depending on your preference.

Info: Professor Elizabeth McCrum, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at the University of Reading, will open the event by welcoming guests to the Whiteknights Campus and reflecting on the importance of wellbeing as the foundation for learning, development, and flourishing in education.

Info: Dr Fiona Knott and Dr Jo Billington, project leads for the Wellbeing Hub, will then provide a review of their work with autistic children and their families, sharing insights from their research and community partnerships, and highlighting the vital role that thriving at school plays in the overall wellbeing of autistic children. At this point in the evening, attendees will be invited to participate in the first interactive aspect of the evening by answering the question ‘What one change would help most autistic children and young people thrive at school and beyond?’

Info: Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming and driving force behind the recently published Barriers to Education guidance, will deliver a keynote talk entitled "Exploring Barriers to Education through the lens of autistic thriving".
Drawing on the idea of autistic young people as the “canaries in the coal mine” of our education system, Andy’s talk will look at how distress, burnout and disengagement are often early warning signs of environments that are not working, and not of individual failures to cope.
Rather than focusing on attendance or compliance, the Barriers to Education approach invites us to notice what sits underneath attendance difficulties, and to respond with curiosity, compassion and practical support. The talk will reflect on how affirming, wellbeing-led approaches can remove barriers not just for autistic learners, but for everyone.

Info: Dr Fiona Knott and Dr Jo Billington will mark the end of the talks by inviting attendees to respond to the second question of the evening: what should the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub focus on next to best support autistic children, young people and their families?

Info: For those attending in person, after the talks there will also be refreshments and the chance to review the latest autism-related research from staff and students in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences. This part of the evening will take place in the foyer of the Palmer Building.

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Host or Publisher The Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub