Autism & ADHD Talks – Theatre 1
Gain insights from autistic and ADHD adults sharing their lived experiences in the Autism & ADHD Talks – Theatre 1.
Some of this year’s highlights include: Joely Williams discussing AuDHD-inspired mindfulness: mental health and the AuDHD brain; Alex Manners examining autistic learning: my experience through the education system; Chrissa Wadlow speaking on school avoidance: my experiences with non-attendance as an ADHD mum; and Brian Bird looking at ageing and autism: meeting needs in later life.
Sound is relayed to the audience through wireless headsets to reduce noise levels in the hall.
Places are offered free to ticket holders 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 19h June 2026
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.00 – 10.25 | From stigma to strength: navigating neurodivergence through a Middle Eastern & North African lens | Basil Mazin | ||
| 10.30 – 10.55 | Working together: how neurodivergent people support each other | Michael Arhin-Acquaah and Alexander Kermond | ||
| 11.00 – 11.25 | AuDHD-inspired mindfulness: mental health and the AuDHD brain | Joely Williams | ||
| 11.30 – 11.55 | Autistic learning styles: a holistic approach to gaining knowledge | Teodora Byrne | ||
| 12.00 – 12.25 | Mid-life diagnosis: finally understanding myself after years of misdiagnosis | Annie Waddingham | ||
| 13.00 – 13.25 | Autistic learning: my experience through the education system | Alex Manners | ||
| 13.30 – 13.55 | Weird, wonderful and finally free: understanding ADHD to be authentically me | Sarah Withers | ||
| 14.00 – 14.25 | Double invisibility: race, neurodivergence and the gaps in SEND support | Reena Anand | ||
| 14.30 – 14.55 | ADHD wellbeing: integrating your identity to live authentically | Natalie Sharp | ||
| 15.00 – 15.25 | What do we do with her? How an early‑diagnosed autistic girl remained hidden in plain sight | Philippa Balazs | ||
| 15.30 – 15.55 | The mysteries of the English language: a communication minefield for autistic people | Michael Barton | ||
| 16.00 – 16.25 | Neurodivergent ask us anything: a panel Q&A session | A selection of our neurodivergent speakers |
Saturday 20th June 2026
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.30 – 10.55 | Ageing and autism: meeting needs in later life | Brian Bird | |
| 11.00 – 11.25 | The continuous journey of navigating through work life being autistic | Max J Green | |
| 11.30 – 11.55 | Keep calm with ADHD: take the pressure off | Rach Idowu | |
| 12.00 – 12.25 | Growing pains: navigating the transition into autistic adulthood | Natasha Baiguerra | |
| 13.00 – 13.25 | School avoidance: my experiences with non-attendance as an ADHD mum | Chrissa Wadlow | |
| 13.30 – 13.55 | How I made neurodiversity a part of the curriculum | Melissa Leggett | |
| 14.00 – 14.25 | Unmasking: a psychotherapist’s lived experience of late-diagnosed neurodivergence | Mansuray Maria Vaamonde | |
| 14.30 – 14.55 | When the sibling gets a diagnosis (and other tales from a neurodivergent family) | Nellie Allsop | |
| 15.00 – 15.25 | Burnout, brilliance, and breaking the rules: living loudly with ADHD | Hannah Whitfield | |
| 15.30 – 15.55 | Neurodivergent ask us anything: a panel Q&A session | A selection of our neurodivergent speakers |