Autism & ADHD Matters Theatre
Hear leading autism and ADHD specialists explore key topics and offer trusted advice in the Autism & ADHD Matters Theatre.
Aimee Cave, National Training Officer at the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, examining classroom strategies to support children and young people with ADHD; Andrew Whitehouse, SEND Consultant, Trainer and TEDx Speaker, speaking on supporting pre-teens and teenagers with ADHD at home; Jannine Perryman, Founder of ADHD Wise UK, discussing time blindness, and teaching strategies to support with time management and planning; and Kirsty Heap, Neurodivergent ICF Executive Coach, Speaker and Advocate, looking at empowering neurodivergent people to advocate for their needs at work.
Sound is relayed to the audience through wireless headsets to reduce noise levels in the hall.
Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, so please arrive as early as possible before the session you wish to attend to save disappointment.
Friday 27th June 2025
| Time | Presentation Title | Autism/ADHD | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.45 – 10.20 | Understanding time blindness, and teaching strategies to support with time management and planning | ADHD | Jannine Perryman, Founder of ADHD Wise UK | |
| 10.25 – 11.00 | Hidden sensory differences: how these can impact access to education and wellbeing for autistic people | Autism | Dr Joanna Grace, Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, and Founder of The Sensory Projects | |
| 11.10 – 11.45 | A new way forward: acceptance-based support for autistic students | Autism | Aaron Yorke, Education Consultant and Founder of Accepting Behaviour | |
| 11.50 – 12.25 | Overarching classroom strategies to support children and young people with ADHD | ADHD | Colette Longden, National Trainer at the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity | |
| 12.35 – 13.10 | From anxiety to attendance: a simple framework for helping students overcome Emotionally-Based School Avoidance (EBSA) | Autism & ADHD | Simon Currigan, Founder of Beacon School Support and Co-host of the School Behaviour Secrets podcast | |
| 13.15 – 13.50 | Embedding neuroaffirming practice in early years settings | Autism & ADHD | Cheryl Warren, Trainer and Consultant at Aperion SEND Training and Consultancy | |
| 14.00 – 14.35 | Supporting PDA children in education | Autism | Kelly Evans, Trainer at the PDA Society | |
| 14.40 – 15.15 | Executive function through the autism lens: information for practitioners and parents to support young people’s development of executive functioning skills | Autism | Matt Blackburn, Specialist Teacher, and Tracey Jones, Interim Service Lead, at the Autism Team in Birmingham City Council | |
| 15.20 – 15.50 | Breaking Barriers – enabling access to healthcare | Autism & ADHD | Heather Wildsmith, Projects Development Team Manager at Autism Bedfordshire | |
Saturday 28th June 2025
| Time | Presentation Title | Autism/ADHD | Speaker | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.15 – 10.50 | Let’s get some sleep. Practical strategies, and the science that underpins them, to promote better sleep in children and adults who are neurodivergent | Autism & ADHD | Dr Jill McGarry, The Sleep Better Doctor | |||
| 10.55 – 11.30 | The (slightly distracted) woman’s guide to living with an adult ADHD diagnosis | ADHD | Dr Laura Kerbey, Founder of PAST (Positive Assessments Support & Training) and Author of ‘The Educators Experience of PDA’ | |||
| 11.40 – 12.15 | Autism, ADHD and masking | Autism & ADHD | Kyra Chambers, Neurodivergent Writer at The Prism Cat and Self-Advocate for Autism, ADHD and PDA | |||
| 12.25 – 13.00 | A different way to learn language: understanding gestalt language processing and how this can support early language development | Autism & ADHD | Libby Hill, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist at Small Talk SLT | |||
| 13.05 – 13.40 | Preparing for work – developing self-advocacy skills and understanding rights | ADHD | Catherine Leggett, Training Consultant, Autistic Elder and Parent | |||
| 13.50 – 14.25 | Responsive communication – building on common ground to connect with your autistic child or young person | Autism | Dr Rorie Fulton and Emma Reardon, Directors of Autism Wellbeing CIC | |||
| 14.35 – 15.10 | Supporting PDA children for families | Autism | Tom Crellin, Trainer and Lived Experience Speaker at the PDA Society | |||
| 15.15 – 15.50 | Understanding and supporting girls who are autistic/ADHD/AuDHD | Autism & ADHD | Cathy Wassell, CEO of the Autistic Girls Network and Author of ‘Nurturing your autistic young person’ | |||
