Autism & ADHD Matters Theatre
Hear leading autism and ADHD specialists explore key topics and offer trusted advice in the Autism & ADHD Matters Theatre.
Just some of this year’s highlights include Dr Joanna Grace, Founder of The Sensory Projects, examining how hidden sensory differences can impact access to education and wellbeing; Colette Longden, National Trainer for the ADHD Foundation, speaking on overarching classroom strategies to support children and young people with ADHD; Victoria Honeybourne, an autistic Study Skills Specialist and Specialist Mentor, examining how to support neurodivergent students in developing effective study skills; and Jannine Perryman, Founder of ADHD Wise UK, discussing time blindness, and teaching strategies to support with time management and planning.
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 4th July 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 | Reframing ‘bad behaviour’ and raising emotional intelligence, self-awareness and emotional regulation in all children | Autism & ADHD | Shahana Knight, Founder and Director of TCP Therapy, and Author of ‘The Therapeutic Schools Approach’ |
| 11.50 – 12.25 | Autistic leadership: work ready, autism ready | Autism | Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher, Executive Director of Leadership, Health & Care at New Bridge Group |
| 12.35 – 13.10 | Overarching classroom strategies to support children and young people with ADHD | ADHD | Colette Longden, National Trainer at the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity |
| 13.15 – 13.50 | Beyond the surface: meeting the needs of autistic and ADHD girls in education | Autism & ADHD | Carly Steel, Autism Specialist, Qualified Teacher and Experienced Neurodivergent Leader |
| 14.00 – 14.35 | Supporting PDA children in education | Autism | Jilly Davis, Education Advisor at the PDA Society |
| 14.40 – 15.15 | Managing behaviours that challenge in the classroom for students with autism and ADHD | Autism & ADHD | Katie Goodwin, Assistant Principal for Student Support, Safeguarding and Inclusion at Trafford and Stockport College Group (TSCG) |
| 15.20 – 15.55 | Supporting neurodivergent students to develop effective study skills | Autism & ADHD | Victoria Honeybourne, Study Skills Specialist, Specialist Mentor for neurodivergent and disabled HE students and Author of ‘Finding Joy in Studying’ |
Saturday 5th July 2025
| Time | Presentation Title | Autism/ADHD | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.15 – 10.50 | Strategies for parents/ carers of children and young people with ADHD | ADHD | Colette Longden, National Trainer at the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity |
| 10.55 – 11.30 | Being a neurodivergent parent with a neurodivergent family – finding your right balance | Autism & ADHD | Dr Annie Clements, Founder and CEO of Autism & ADHD |
| 11.40 – 12.15 | Supporting PDA children at home | Autism | Jilly Davis, Education Advisor at the PDA Society |
| 12.25 – 13.00 | 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 |
| 13.05 – 13.40 | Preparing for work – developing self-advocacy skills and understanding rights | Autism & ADHD | Catherine Leggett, Training Consultant, Autistic Elder and Parent |
| 13.50 – 14.25 | 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 |
| 14.35 – 15.10 | A different way to learn language: understanding gestalt language processing and how this can support early language development | Autism | Libby Hill, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist at Small Talk SLT |
| 15.15 – 15.50 | The (slightly distracted) woman’s guide to living with an adult ADHD diagnosis | ADHD | Laura Kerbey, Founder of PAST (Positive Assessments Support & Training) and Author of ‘The Educators Experience of PDA’ |
