Northcott presents Building a Resilient Future, a seminar focusing on teenagers and young adults with disability, in particular Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as they transition into adulthood.

High school can be a challenging, particularly for those with ASD. Mood changes, hormones and peer pressure can make this a difficult time. Once a routine has been established with stability and order, graduating from high school brings with it a new set of challenges. While celebrating their achievement, you may also be wondering, what next? How can you support someone in your care to explore their interests, develop independence, build resilience and discover opportunities for the future.

Who should attend?

Parents or carers of teens and young adults with disability, teachers, educators, clinicians and professionals working in the disability industry who wants to understand more about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to support teens and young adults with ASD.

Key topics include:

• Developing skills to respond to emotions and environmental challenges, using the interoception system
• Managing change and transition, using autistic passion (obsession), rather than removing it, to constructively deal with change
• Building resilience and independence at key milestones and during major life events.

If you’re going through a transitional period, and want to learn how to build the foundations of resilience and independence for new environments and relationships during/post high school, then this seminar will equip you with practical and useful information you need to support someone with ASD and make informed decisions for the future.

Spaces are very limited, please register your interest ASAP to avoid missing out!

Event details

When: Thursday, 31 May 2018

Time: 9:30 am to 2:30pm

Where: Oatlands House, Oatlands

Tickets: Register your interest now, tickets are valued at $130.45 however parents/carers/people with disability are invited at no charge. Registration has been extended to midnight Tuesday 22nd May 2018

Speakers: Dr. Wenn Lawson, Jeanette Purkis, Dr. Emma Goodall

building-a-resilient-future presentation

Keynote speakers

Change and transition

Teens, anxiety and the Autism spectrum 

Dr. Wenn Lawson PhD, CPsychol. AFBPsS.  MAPs

Psychologist, lecturer and author, Dr. Wenn Lawson has run his own business for 23 yrs. At 2 years, he was misdiagnosed as intellectually disabled, at school of being incapable of doing as he was told, at 17 years misdiagnosed with schizophrenia; in and out of Mental Health Institutions; eventually age 42 years, diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition (ASC), ADHD, dyspraxia and learning difficulties.

Dr. Wenn Lawson is currently a tutor with Birmingham University’s on line Master’s autism course. He resides on the Autism Open Access board & the ICAN board, Australia. He is participant and advisor for Autism CRC, Australia and he has written numerous books (and papers) on ASC.

Autism and Resilience for teens and young adults

Jeanette Purkis

Jeanette Purkis is an autistic advocate and is the author of five books around elements of autism including a book on employment for autistic young people.

Jeanette is a sought after speaker. She presented for TEDx Canberra in 2013 and has been a keynote speaker at several events including the Asia Pacific Autism Conference and Autism@Work forum in 2017. Jeanette is the ambassador for a number of autism organisations. She has also been a Commonwealth public servant since 2007.  She facilitates a support group for autistic women in Canberra and mentors a large number of young people and adults on the autism spectrum. She co-presents the Talking Disability program on Canberra Radio 2CC. Jeanette was named 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year and was a finalist for the 2017 ACT Woman of the Year awards. 

Successfully managing big emotions on the spectrum

Dr. Emma Goodall

Dr. Emma Goodall is a passionate educator and autistic advocate. On the board of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia, New Zealand and Oceania she is also on the executive of the Australian Society for Autism Research and a visiting fellow at the University of Wollongong and when not writing books, journal articles or researching, Emma works in the South Australian education system as their Senior Autism Adviser. Emma’s drive comes from a belief that individuals with autism need opportunities and understanding in order to achieve their potential and to live happy and meaningful lives