Autistic Health Seminar 2018
7-9 September
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Stellenbosch, South Africa
The first learning event for health professionals presented exclusively by autists
The seminar includes collaborative learning sessions, where professionals partner with autistic participants to gain insight into their concerns and to discover self-optimisation strategies which autistic people share among themselves. We’ll be focusing on conditions common in autistic people and their families — conditions which often miss diagnosis, and therefore frequently go untreated while the focus is on managing behaviour. Expect in-depth feedback on current research into genetics and ion channel diseases, as well as practical approaches used by autistic people to manage systemic health issues. The seminar starts on a Friday, and ends with a networking and fun day on the Sunday for professional delegates, autistic people, and families with autistic children. The day closes with a spectactular lunch overlooking the vineyards.
Venue
Devon Valley Hotel
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch
Schedule
Friday 09:00-17:00
Saturday 09:00-17:00
Sunday 09:00-13:00
Saturday 09:00-17:00
Sunday 09:00-13:00
Fee
Participant R3,250 (can be paid in two instalments)
Per participant, group booking R2,950
Fees include VAT
Guest speaker
Swiss neuroscientist specialising in genetics and ion channel diseases
Panelists and other presenters
Benjine Gerber, Arno Breedt, Chris Breedt, Gretchen Gardiner, Tania Melnyczuk, Leonardo Santana. (Additional non-speaking participants’ will be contributing via video.)
Topics include
Recognising and treating common health issues in the light of autism’s heterogeneity; models for making sense of complexity; the physiology and treatment of sensory hypersensitivity and overstimulation; living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and mast cell disorders; ‘Gender and Sexual Diversity 101’ for healthcare professionals; the ‘body-mind disconnect’; communication methods preferred by non-speaking and unreliably-speaking autistics; medical and therapy-induced PTSD; helping patients overcome internalised ableism; child abuse and professional responsibility; self-management for anxiety and self-harm; preventing and recovering from meltdowns; factors influencing suicide risk; autistic life hacks and helpful stims; communicating with autistic children and adults in a clinical setting; practical approaches for poor patients.