A day with Professor Tony Attwood

15 May, Birmingham

Professor Tony Attwood will deliver a workshop covering two key topics: cognitive abilities, a different way of thinking and learning profile, and the profile and abilities in girls and women with Asperger syndrome.
www.autism.org.uk/Attwood2015C

1 June 2015

Supporting good transitions for people with autism

Manchester

Making the transition from early years up to higher education can be one of the biggest changes we make in our lives. This National Autistic Society's conference will help to develop a greater understanding of transitions and will provide various practical approaches for supporting children throughout the process.

http://www.autism.org.uk/transitions2015D

17 June

Understanding autism and introduction to the SPELL framework

London

This course will provide an overview of the autism spectrum. SPELL is a framework for understanding and responding to the needs of children and adults on the autism spectrum developed through evidence based practice, useful in identifying underlying issues, reducing the disabling effects of the condition and providing a cornerstone for communication. This course is organised by the National Autistic Society.

www.autism.org.uk/SPELL2015D

25 June 2015

Understanding and managing challenging behaviour

London

Featuring Professor Gary Mesibov.

This National Autistic Society's conference will present the latest research and best practice in understanding and responding to behaviour that challenges us in children and adults with autism. Key topics include: positive behavioural support, anxiety and its impact on behaviour, sensory understanding for classroom support, physical restraint – is it ever necessary?

www.autism.org.uk/behaviour2015D

22 to 24 June 2015

TEACCH three-day training – with Professor Gary Mesibov

Manchester

The primary aim of the TEACCH programme is to help to prepare people with autism to live or work more effectively at home, at school and in the community. Special emphasis is placed on helping children with autism and their families. This course is organised by the National Autistic Society. www.autism.org.uk/TEACCH2015D

Autism and gender dysphoria

Dr Wenn Lawson

30 June, Nottingham, 9.30 – 12.30
Individuals with ASC are seven times more likely to live with conflicting gender and sexuality issues; 20% will experience gender dysphoria (compared to 1% of the typical population). This presentation aims to explore the gender dysphoria with reference to the latest research and personal story.
http://www.autism.org.uk/LawsonDysphoria2015A

3 July 2015

Autism in schools – workshop by Dr Wenn Lawson

Birmingham

This workshop is a must for education professionals. It will highlight varying learning styles, ways to build social awareness and understanding, whilst acknowledging different sensory issues and demonstrating ways to adapt school life to be truly inclusive. Dr. Wenn Lawson is a psychologist, lecturer and author.  Being on the autism spectrum, Dr Wenn is passionate about the rights of those who so often cannot speak for themselves. This workshop is organised by the National Autistic Society.

http://www.autism.org.uk/Lawsonschools2015D

July, day to be confirmed

Autism and sensory integration

Cardiff

This event is a great opportunity to gain an understanding of sensory issues and autism. It will look at how difficulties with sensory integration can impact on a person with autism, and at the main sensory integration approaches in practice. It will also discuss the use of sensory stimuli to encourage and support the development of language and interaction, plus strategies for teachers – how to make your classroom more sensory friendly.

http://www.autism.org.uk/sensory2015D

This conference will explore recent changes to government guidance regarding 'allegations against people who work with children', 'notifiable incidents', and 'the definition of serious harm for the purpose of serious case reviews' as outlined in the revisions to 'Working Together to Safeguard Children', and 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' 2015.  Delegates will be made aware of the revisions to both related sets of updated guidance this year, and how these will impact on practice in local implementation.

1 July 2015, Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield, S4 7YE

Keynote speakers include Prof Peter Sidebotham, University of Warwick

Andrew Hall, Specialist Safeguarding Consultant, David Spicer LLB and a Government Representative

This conference is organised jointly by BASPCAN and the Association of Independent LSCB Chairs. It will provide a good update on government guidance for LSCB Chairs and Board Managers, as well as practitioners, managers and trainers in all agencies. Keynote speakers are from education, health, criminal justice and social care. The venue offers free car parking, is centrally located and reduced rate rooms can be booked at the hotel.

Book by the end of March 2015 to secure your place at http://www.baspcan.org.uk/booking.php

Abstract: Sight loss affects all aspects of well-being including daily functioning and mental health. Demographic trends suggest that the number of people with visual impairment is set to rise significantly, with many people experiencing an additional disability or health problems. By 2050, the number of blind and partially sighted people in the UK is estimated to increase by around 122 per cent, to approximately four million.

Promoting preventive and rehabilitation interventions is recognised as a high priority for all care settings as a way of reducing demands on health and social care services. This research, funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, aimed to provide an overview of the evidence base for community-based vision rehabilitation services for people over the age of 18 with visual impairment.

The study focused on rehabilitation services funded by local authorities to find out how these services are currently supporting people with visual impairment, what possible outcomes they might achieve and to identify gaps in the evidence base about current service arrangements. The study was carried out in England. Findings were intended to inform a future full scale evaluation as well as inform services.

By Rabiee, P. Parker, G. Bernard, S. and Baxter, K.

Go to: http://php.york.ac.uk/inst/spru/pubs/2861/