Papers, presentations, seminars, workshops
I have spoken at a number of events, both presenting research findings and speaking about being a late-diagnosed autistic woman. I have also delivered child-friendly talks in school assemblies so the next generation grows up not just with autism awareness, but autism acceptance.
‘Disability in Wales’ ECR Expert Forum – Member of the expert forum Learned Society for Wales Early Career Researcher event February 2025
I was part of an ECR forum incorporating experts in academia, policy and practice to discuss how the Seven Wellbeing Goals of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 might interact with and impact disability in Wales.
Innovation in healthcare: The case of telehealth and autistic patients – Presentation at the Health and Social Care Committee Research Interest Event on Innovation for Improvement in Healthcare at the Senedd October 2024
I was invited to present findings from my master’s research regarding autistic adults’ experiences of telehealth (healthcare by telephone or video call). I talked about how health initiatives that appear to improve health access and outcomes might further disadvantage some groups using the case of telehealth and autistic adults.
The role of communication in access to healthcare for autistic adults – Poster presentation at the Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences Launch Event at the Senedd October 2024
I presented my research journey from design through its progress to date. This included the involvement of the wider autistic community, research design, NHS and University ethics processes, data collection, and early findings.
Experiences of Disability – Presentation at the Experiences of Disability Interdisciplinary Insights Event at Cardiff University July 2024
I was invited to present at this event by the organisers. The event focused on work being done within the university focused on disability. I talked about my research area, publications, and working in collaboration with lay-autistic people.
Promoting the rights of autistic people in research and practice – Presentation at the Diversity in STEM neurodiversity week event July 2023
I talked about the need to move from the medical model (the pathology paradigm) of disability to a social model of disability. This acknowledges that neurodivergent people are not intrinsically disabled in any way but rather they are disadvantaged by society and environmental factors. I talked about the term ‘communicative normalcy’ where certain methods of communication are expected (as the norm) but are often challenging for neurodivergent people to navigate.
More information about the event can be found here.
Autistic adults’ healthcare communication: inclusive methodology to oppose communicative normalcy – Presentation at the Breaking Boundaries conference at Cardiff University June 2023
I presented my PhD research methods with a focus on co-production and inclusive methods. This presentation won second prize at the event.
‘Why Are You Causing Trouble?’: Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Ableism During Telehealth Appointments’ – Presentation at the Cardiff Interdisciplinary Network on Disability research group April 2023
I talked about the findings from my master’s dissertation research project exploring autistic adults’ experiences of ableism during telehealth appointments.
Applied Behavioural Analysis Discussion panel (against) – Panellist at the AutWave conference 2020
I talked about the reasons that many members of the autistic community are against applied behavioural analysis (ABA). This includes how ABA is ineffective, and evidence shows that developmental gains can be attributed to maturity and practice rather than specific practices. I also discuss how many autistic adults who had ABA as children meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of receiving this therapy.
Please note that this panel included members who were pro-ABA, and some viewers might find this upsetting.
Impact of disability and benefits on accessing affordable and suitable housing – Panellist at the Tai Pawb Truth to Power conference 16th May 2019
I talked about the lack of affordable, accessible housing for disabled people due to landlords outright banning people who access housing benefit. The discussion included affordability, physical accessibility, the mental toll of living in insecure housing, and the impact the lack of social housing has on our community.
While this was a panel discussion, I can easily create a talk around this issue. Target audience: professionals working in housing, landlords.
Autism and Education – First delivered at the Going Gold for Autism event at the Senedd, 2nd April 2019.
A discussion of what it’s really like to be neurodivergent in a classroom designed for neurotypicals including the barriers to accessing support, what schools are getting wrong and what they’re getting right, and explaining how schools need to be SMARTER in their approach.
Target audience: parents, educators, and other professionals working with autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children.
