NOT ALONE
Invisible Diversity
A Story Of Undiagnosed Autism
What is autism and why is it difficult to get it diagnosed? In her talk Carrie shares her own personal journey towards diagnosis of autism: why it took 35 years, and what are the root causes for such invisible diversity? Carrie Beckwith-Fellows is a freelance writer and vlogger from England. She has written for various online publications, including The Huffington Post, Autistica, the National Eating Disorders Association USA and her own blog, where she shares the reality of living with autism and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a complex and life-limiting illness. Diagnosed as autistic at the age of 35 has allowed Carrie to explore the world again from a new perspective. Aware that a late diagnosis can cause issues with identity, relationships and perception, she launched a website that explores the unique post-diagnosis experience to raise awareness and to support other autists diagnosed as adults.
Carrie Beckwith-Fellows
Autism: How to be normal
(and why not to be)
Jolene Stockman
Jolene Stockman may appear normal from the outside, but it's what's invisible that gives her a superpower. Jolene shares her life since being diagnosed with autism. Jolene Stockman is an ultra-enthusiastic, multi-award winning Taranaki writer, who launched Braincandy, a media company specialising in transforming communication in 1998. She caught fire! Creating educational resources and supporting business growth through powerful writing and video - all fueled by humour and positivity. Jolene has gone on to publish three books for young adults, win media, education, and business awards, and become one of the youngest in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Leadership Award. But Jolene was always the weirdest person in the room. She still is – and now she knows why. It’s time to rewrite normal. Jolene is a dynamic speaker driven by themes of identity, neurodiversity, and world domination. Prepare for fireworks!
Behind the Mask
Autism for Women and Girls
As a woman with autism, Kate will talk about the gender discrepancy in autism diagnoses. Women and girls often display completely different behaviors than what neurotypical people have been taught to associate with autism, which affects when and how (and if) they are diagnosed. Autism being diagnosed at a younger age leads to a higher chance of that child receiving evidence-based treatment, which can help with better life outcomes. This discrepancy is why Kate wants to encourage more research be done on symptoms of autism in women and girls so that they can be more easily and accurately diagnosed in the future. Kate Kahle is a junior at Austin College from Dallas, Texas, and is studying Political Science and Art. She is also a ceramicist and skateboarder. As an autistic woman, Kahle is an advocate for autism acceptance. She hopes promote autistic self-love as well as help neurotypical individuals see autism not as a tragedy or a disease but rather for what it is, a lifelong, genetic developmental disability that is just another way of thinking and being in the world.
Kate Kahle
“Copy & Paste’
Hidden Asperger’s
Girls with Aspergers
Niamh McCann
6 year old Niamh McCann is passionate about many things including ballet, the plays of William Shakespeare, the environment and public speaking! Her talk looks at the challenges of the high-functioning end of the Autistic Spectrum for girls. Niamh is a quiet, sensitive girl who studied hard, got good grades and not one to cause trouble. She researched the reasons why girls on the spectrum are often misdiagnosed or have late diagnosis. Her hope is that through her talk and sharing what she has learnt, all girls on the spectrum will feel freer to embrace who they are and that those who are yet to be diagnosed are not afraid to do so.
the key that unlocked my world
Neurodiversity
Elisabeth Wiklander
What do you think about, when you hear the word, “autism”? No diagnostic manual can truly explain the multifaceted experience of autism. It’s a neurological difference with a vast spectrum of representation within its population. It can come with remarkable gifts and skills as well as devastating traits. Autism does not necessarily equal disability and thankfully today, we have a word, that challenges this negative terminology. Neurodiversity. In her talk, Elisabeth communicates how it is to be autistic yet lead an independent and successful everyday life.
Born and raised in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere in Sweden, Elisabeth Wiklander moved to Amsterdam to study and work before she acquired a highly competitive position at the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She is no stranger to trying new things and reaching for her dreams. Besides being passionate about nature, rock climbing and playing cello, Elisabeth is autistic and was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when she was 28 years old. Until then, she had no explanations for her sometimes different thoughts and behaviour.
Jac den Houting
Why everything you know about autism is wrong
Being diagnosed with autism is often seen as a tragedy. But for Jac den Houting, it was the best thing that's ever happened to them. As an autistic person, concepts like the Neurodiversity paradigm, the Social Model of Disability, and the Double Empathy Problem were life-changing for Jac. In this talk, Jac combines these ideas with their own personal story to explain why we need to rethink the way that we understand autism. Jac den Houting is a research psychologist and Autistic activist in pursuit of social justice. Jac currently holds the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate at Macquarie University in Sydney, working alongside Professor Liz Pellicano. In 2015, Jac was awarded an Autism CRC scholarship to complete their PhD through the Autism Centre of Excellence at Griffith University in Brisbane.
Prior to this, they gained almost 10 years’ experience as a psychologist in the criminal justice system, with the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Corrective Services. Jac was identified as Autistic at the age of 25, and is proudly neurodivergent and queer. After participating in the inaugural Future Leaders Program at the 2013 Asia Pacific Autism Conference, Jac quickly became established as a strong advocate for the Autistic community. Jac is a current member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN-AuNZ)’s Executive Committee, the Autism CRC’s Data Access Committee, Aspect’s LGBTQIA+ Autism Advisory Committee, and the Aspect Advisory Council.
Adulting on the Spectrum
This podcast is an interview series that will feature autistic adults from a variety of backgrounds to learn about their life, talents, challenges and the ups and downs of being on the autism spectrum. In this episode, "Adulting on the Spectrum" hosts, Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb, introduce themselves and talk about everything from the "Shawshank Redemption" film to the scent of tennis balls.