2014 Presentations

This page about Autscape 2014 is of historical interest only. Go to the home page for current information.
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2014

Contents

2014 Lectures

The Autism Genome Project and Genocide: The Unbearable Uncertainty of Being (Autistic)

Presenter:
Alistair de Gaetano
Description:
This lecture will examine how the search for the autism gene can give rise to a number of rights-related issues, not least to violations spanning the realm of the hierarchy of crimes related to genocide, as a consequence of applying eugenics. The lecture will examine the legal basis for research within the Autism Genome Project, as well as that covering prenatal genetic diagnosis (PGD) and embryo screening, and termination of pregnancies in the case of the foetus having a disability. These laws will then be analysed critically from a rights perspective, with major concerns being identified and discussed. Subsequently, an expanded version of the concept of genocide and the lesser crimes within its hierarchy will be presented, and the practices in question then analysed against these concepts.

Do engineers make good advocates?

Presenter:
Diederik Weve
Download:
Do Engineers make good Advocates - Autscape 2014 - distribution version.pdf
Description:
What role models do young autistic people have while growing up with a diagnosis, when adult autistics are nowhere to be seen, autistic maturity being a black hole? The better we function, the more we may actively hide our autism. This plausible deniability on the part of the highest functioning autistics maintains the stereotypical views on autism and hinders society in developing normal relations with diverse individuals in the group.
The presenter, an engineer at Shell Netherlands, will discuss the ‘Autism as a Diversity’ project to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of autism within Shell, and the ‘Autism Embassy’ programme, which helps autistic employees in large organisations communicate about their autism within the organisation.

‘Here be Dragons’ – the lifeJourney and the Quest

Presenter:
Lyte
Description:
The theme of the Quest is one of great antiquity but may easily be dismissed as ‘not for ordinary mortals such as us!’. This presentation explores the lifeJourney as both “a” quest and a constant renewal of quest each sunrise and sunset. Exploring perspectives may lead to discovery or re-discovery of aspects and assets that for many reasons might have been overlooked or suppressed in the day-to-day pressures and issues of survival. The use of metaphor, story and imagery – and eclectic references – in a gently interactive presentation will give some perspectives on motifs and recurring themes such as that of the helper, the talisman, the signs and symbols that may help us to stay or become true to ourselves and hold or find our sense of values and Selfhood – reminding us of our intrinsic power and our particular, individual sense of purpose and fulfillment. This presentation will be followed by an experiential workshop (instead of ‘discussion’) which will be facilitated and use art materials to explore and express personal responses to the lecture.

Accessing formal support through the lifespan

Presenter:
Yo
Download:
Accessing formal support through the lifespan - handout.pdf
Accessing formal support through the lifespan.ppt
Description:
This lecture will provide information and advice about accessing formal support throughout the lifespan. Information will be provided about the new systems currently being implemented or imminent for children and young people, for working age adults and for older adults. Particular attention will be paid to issues of transition between the systems at 18 and 65. The lecture will also address the issue of financial assessments which are currently of concern to many individuals who are finding themselves being asked to pay substantial (and unaffordable) sums towards their own care. The lecture will attempt to provide a realistic picture of the likelihood of accessing formal support and practical guidance as to how to go about doing so.

Severe integration problems in high functioning autism

Presenter:
Dorit Ben Shalom
Download:
model.talk.autscape.ppt
Description:
A lecture about the presenter's research and experience on motor, emotion, memory and perception integration difficulties in autism. (Preliminary description; to be replaced or amended)

2014 Verbal Workshops

Neurotypical Awareness

Presenter:
Alastair B. Cooper
Description:
This workshop will provide an opportunity for attendees to think about and discuss their relationships with the non-autistic people in their life – be they family & friends, partners, casual acquaintances, support workers, professionals or indeed strangers.
Specifically we will be looking to reflect on the general differences between us and neurotypicals (NTs) and how our being understanding towards and sympathetic of those differences can improve things, for us and for them. This is particularly important for adult autistic people who may both seek and are as entitled as anyone else to be equipped to hold down relationships and friendships independently.

ESA and PIP: maximising your chances of success

Presenter:
Elaine
Description:
During the first part of this workshop there will be a presentation covering general hints, tips and advice on making a claim for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP). Following this, small groups will work on explaining different aspects of autism. This will then form the basis of teaching good practice and increasing awareness of what is required when answering the questions on the forms.

Autistic adults and projects: Ethical and respectful treatment of participants

Presenter:
Heta
Description:
This workshop is about the EU project Autism in Higher Education: Widening Access (AUTHEW). Many young autistic adults starting their studies are potentially quite vulnerable, undergoing a challenging and stressful transition in their lives. In this workshop, we wish to discuss ideas for contacting such individuals and encouraging participation in the project, while respecting their limits. Feedback collected from workshop participants will be presented (with permission) on the project website and used to instruct relevant stages of the project.
Workshop participants will be asked to discuss their experiences of cooperating with research projects and campaigns, both positive and negative. Questions that concern this project specifically may also be discussed.

2014 Hands-on/Practical Workshops

Autistic identity, personal and collective

Presenters:
Damian Milton and Susy Ridout
Description:
This workshop will encourage people to explore their own personal identities and what autism means to them, by writing, drawing, or compiling aspects of their own personal stories. Participants will also be asked prior to Autscape if they wish to bring photographs or things which are meaningful to them to help create their stories/fragments/expressions of identity. This will be followed by an ongoing activity to create a collective timeline of autism/autistic culture and the Autscape community.
Participants will be introduced to some theories connected to the workshop activities, such as ‘auto-ethnography’, ‘personal constructs’, ‘situated knowledge’, and the ‘sociological imagination’ and how such concepts can help people to explore their own identities, both personal and collective. This will be followed by an open discussion regarding our collective history as autistic people and as a community, and indeed, what may lie ahead for autistic people.