Autism & ADHD Talks – Theatre 2
Learn new strategies and approaches for the home and classroom in the Autism & ADHD Talks – Theatre 2.
Just some of this year’s highlights include: beyond the classroom: from school to supported internship – an individualised approach; Positive Behaviour Support: improving quality of life, health and wellbeing; the power of symbols: unlocking understanding, regulation and engagement with Widgit; stop punishing what you don’t understand: executive function and the SEND student; masking: the fine line between fitting in and exhaustion; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and things to consider; and navigating the SEN maze.
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 19th June 2026
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | day/time pref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.50 – 10.10 | Beyond the classroom: from school to supported internship – an individualised approach | Joanna Dziopa and Sadaf Aslam from Treehouse School, and Nicola Hawkins from Ambitious College, Part of Ambitious about Autism | ||
| 10.15 – 10.35 | The power of partnership: FLP, families and the journey back to learning for EBSNA students | Richard Gadd, Headteacher at Brookways School, Part of Kedleston Group | ||
| 10.40 – 11.00 | Rethinking social development: a neurodiversity-affirming approach to emotional intelligence | Bridget Young, Headteacher at The Holmewood School, London | ||
| 11.05 – 11.25 | Creating sanctuaries: re-engaging the “crashed out” learner | Cathy Wassell, Founder and CEO of Autistic Girls Network and The Haven | ||
| 11.30 – 11.50 | Positive Behaviour Support: improving quality of life, health and wellbeing | Luke Murphy, Positive Behaviour Support Director at Home From Home Care | ||
| 11.55 – 12.15 | The power of symbols: unlocking understanding, regulation and engagement with Widgit | Lisa Pinkerton, Head of Educationat at Widgit Software | ||
| 12.20 – 12.40 | Stop punishing what you don’t understand: executive function and the SEND student | Dale Pickles, Managing Director of B Squared and host of the SENDcast podcast | ||
| 12.45 – 13.05 | Moving from restriction to real community inclusion | Sophie Walker, PBS Practitioner at Glenholme Healthcare Group | ||
| 13.10 – 13.30 | Designing AAC support that works with neurodivergent minds | Becky Fry, Clinical AAC Specialist (SLT) at Smartbox Assistive Technology | ||
| 13.35 – 13.55 | The Senso Cube – the latest in modular sensory solutions | Dean McMullan, Sensory Specialist at Creative Activity Group | ||
| 14.00 – 14.20 | Masking: the fine line between fitting in and exhaustion | Andrew Whitehouse, SEN Consutant at People First Education, on behalf of TTS | ||
| 14.25 – 14.45 | Nurturing regulation through connection: exploring the power of emotion coaching when supporting autistic people with complex learning needs | Angela Wood, Head of Therapeutic Lived Experience, and Gareth Hall, Service Development Manager, at Kisimul Group | ||
| 14.50 – 15.10 | Practical strategies and approaches in the classroom to support social emotional and academic development | Cormac McManigan, Deputy Principal of West Heath School | ||
| 15.15 – 15.35 | Update on the White Paper | Deborah Hay, Barrister at Deborah Hay Legal |
Saturday 20th June 2026
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 10.45 – 11.05 | Collaborating with mainstream settings: tips for parents | Hilra Gondim Vinha PhD, Educator and Author of the Tangram Method Series |
| 11.10 – 11.30 | What do cobras, Barbara Streisand, and the SEND reforms have in common? (A public-policy misfire at the expense of children?) | Polly Kerr, Partner and Head of Education Law at Simpson Millar Solicitors |
| 11.35 – 11.55 | Ten top tips for supporting families from Swalcliffe Park School | Kiran Hingorani, CEO of Swalciffe Park School |
| 12.00 – 12.20 | Sensory seekers versus sensory avoiders, plus our story | Deborah Tolley, Founder and Owner of Ali’s Sensory Boxes |
| 12.25 – 12.45 | Navigating the SEN maze | Hayley Mason-Seager, Principal Solicitor and CEO of SEN Legal |
| 12.50 – 13.10 | Estate planning for vulnerable beneficiaries | Phil Ogden, Senior Estate Planning Consultant at Estate Planning Solutions |
| 13.40 – 14.00 | OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and things to consider | Lavinia Dowling, Mental Health Nurse Specialist at The M Word cic |
| 14.05 – 14.25 | Unlocking potential: the online approach to quest-based learning | Dave Coulter, Clinical Director, and Charu Kashyap, CEO, of O Education Group (Parent Company of Odyssey House School and Ohana) |
| 14.30 – 14.50 | Listening first: how families and the people we support shape the transition | Richard Broughton, Chief Commercial Officer, Lisa Yearn, Regional General Manager, and Jessica Rhodes-Smith, Head of Specialist Support, at Liaise |