This week has been fascinating and exhausting, all at the same time. I was privileged to be able to attend the National Autistic Society Professionals Conference 2023. Although it is a conference that is open to absolutely anyone with a personal link to autism, this was by far the most grown-up and intellectual conference or course that I have ever attended. I’m not exaggerating when I say to you that I filled an entire notepad FULL of useful information when it comes to both caring for and educating the autistic community.
Just a few of the incredible people that shared their insights were, Barrington Campbell (Kagai Games), Carla Mannini-Rowden (Head of Casework Services), Dr Wenn Lawson (Professional Psychologist), Dr Anna Cook (Senior Research Fellow for the Institute of Education), Holly Smale (Best-selling author of ‘Geek Girl’) and Warda Farah (Social Entrepreneur and Speech and Language Therapist).
From 9am until 5pm, I was privileged to listen to all of the leading experts discussing their personal difficulties, occasional struggles but also ENORMOUS successes. The entire day for me was not only educational, but also so inspirational. Everyone involved in the conference is living proof that having autism, either professionally diagnosed or self-diagnosed (like Warda) does not have to stop you from becoming an immensely successful adult. Everyone that spoke was proud of their autism and advocate for this incredible brain difference.
I now have access to lots of really useful material and will share as much of it as I can with you all in the hope that you find it as helpful as I have.
Awesome Archie (non-profit) Promo Pics
Archie and I are so lucky to be fully booked for the forseeable. When I went full-time on our non-profit (around a year ago) I never dreamed that it would take off as it has. This has been down to the relentless support from friends, family and the media and we are eternally grateful. Archie and I intend to continue using our tiny platform to keep encouraging people to embrace their neurological differences, to be proud of who they are and to be kind in every situation. This surge in business has meant that Archie and I were in need of some photographic material to share with the companies, charities and media that are using us. Being a non-profit, every single pound goes towards a child with a neurological difference and so we have no way of paying for photographers or editors. Without naming names (as requested) all of our beautiful promo pics and other promotional material has come free of cost to us. This has been unbelievable and yet again, we are astounded but enormously grateful for people’s kindness in offering their time, to us, for free.
Willy Gilly Donation
And finally, this week I was able to deliver a huge donation to William Gilpin school in Boldre. As you may be aware, this was the first school that invited me to support 1:1 in the classroom when I first started our non-profit. To be confident enough to trust a start-up, knowing that it was for the greater good, was an incredibly brave move.
Mr Simon Croutear (Head Teacher) and I have been friends for years and it is a total privilege to be a small part of the phenomenal team that he leads with passion and fairness. Awesome Archie managed to donate three brand-new Chromebooks, a huge box of second-hand (but pristinely conditioned) children’s books for the library and a couple of individualised SEN support pieces. Thank you to the entire team at WG for welcoming me to your lovely school and keeping my faith in main-stream education.
Archie, myself and Mr Simon Croutear will be live on BBC Radio Solent this coming Wednesday morning (8th March 2023 – subject to any last minute changes). We will be discussing the challenges of main-stream school SEN funding, the lack of financial provision across all education and the power of positive thinking when it comes to special educational needs. It would be great if you could join us!
