KenG
Well-Known Member
AutismCon is a day-long convention organised by and for autistic people – with talks, workshops and performances. It’s an amazing celebration of autism, where special interests are encouraged, communication comes in all forms, and the skills and talents of people with autism are clear for everyone to see.
You can expect:
* Talks about people’s personal journeys with autism.
* Discussion panels about science-fiction and fantasy, space exploration, role playing games (RPGs) and many other topics.
* Fun quizzes about cult TV shows.
* Fashion show from 16 year old designer Isaac Raymond, who is autistic.
* Stalls run by autistic people, selling artwork, food and literature music, poetry and comedy from autistic people.
It will also have relaxing participatory workshops throughout the day, suitable for everyone including people with complex support needs and PMLD.
AutismCon is on 17 January 2015 at London’s Conway Hall.
More details at:
AutismCon - | autism | Asperger syndrome |
Facebook:
Tickets will be on a sliding scale to fit your financial need: £12.50 if you’re unemployed or on a low income, or £20 if you can afford it.
This event is completely autism-friendly. It will have a badge system that shows other people if you’re comfortable communicating or not. The venue is lit mostly with natural light, there is a quiet room available, and the lead volunteers have lots of experience at autism-friendly events.
Although the day is designed with autistic people in mind, everybody is welcome!
Please aim to arrive for around midday, in order to get registered and ready for the day. Here is the complete programme:
12.30pm
Short welcome and introduction to the day from the AutismCon Committee
12.45pm
Our experiences of autism, a personal talk from Keran Bunker and Dylan Oscar Rowe, chaired by Leo Cappella. Featuring a play, "Hidden Emotions", from the NAS Young Campaigners group.
A History of the London Underground. With Janine Booth, author and London Transport Region representative in the RMT Union.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
1.45pm
Science Fiction and Fantasy discussion. With Alastair Reynolds, three times Arthur C Clarke Award nominee, and others.
Dramatize workshop. Dramatize are a fantastic, inclusive theatre troupe who run workshops for people with learning disabilities and autism. People of all ages can enjoy this wonderful workshop, and you can participate however you like, if you use speech or not.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
3pm
Johnny Dean in conversation about Britpop. Menswe@r lead singer and Britpop legend Johnny Dean in a talk about his experiences in the music industry, both funny and challenging.
Role-playing & live action games and autism. Jennifer Waddington, a regular on the gaming circuit and an NAS Ambassador, will talk about strategy and rule-based games, and why these are popular in the autistic community. You'll get a chance to try out some Live Action Gaming yourself, too!
Relaxed guided meditation with Rev Sarah McCulloch, an interfaith minister. This relaxing session is suitable for all ages and levels of support needs. The meditation is secular (not religious).
4.15pm
Mark Tinley on autism, conditioning and creativity. The former Duran Duran producer will give an insightful talk on conforming to cultural norms, how neurotypical society does this with ease and whether autistic people's refusal to conform is an important survival strategy for humanity.
Autism Sails! Sailor and watersports instructor Sam Honour will present a talk about his experiences getting involved with sailing as a young man with autism, and how sailing can welcome disabled people.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
5.30pm
Lauren Lovejoy on autism, music and The X Factor. The wonderful X Factor hopeful will talk about her experiences as a person with autism in the music industry and her time on X Factor.
A quiz from Geeks Inc on autistic cultural figures. Geeks Inc run a regular series of quizzes based on cult TV shows. For AutismCon, they'll do a special quiz featuring TV shows with autistic protagonists including Sherlock and Community.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
7pm - 10pm
Evening entertainment. With a cheap bar open all evening, and performances from:
Katie Walters, autistic poet
Janine Booth, autistic poet
Isaac Raymond, autistic fashion designer
Mark Tinley, autistic electronic musician
Lauren Lovejoy, autistic singer
You can expect:
* Talks about people’s personal journeys with autism.
* Discussion panels about science-fiction and fantasy, space exploration, role playing games (RPGs) and many other topics.
* Fun quizzes about cult TV shows.
* Fashion show from 16 year old designer Isaac Raymond, who is autistic.
* Stalls run by autistic people, selling artwork, food and literature music, poetry and comedy from autistic people.
It will also have relaxing participatory workshops throughout the day, suitable for everyone including people with complex support needs and PMLD.
AutismCon is on 17 January 2015 at London’s Conway Hall.
More details at:
AutismCon - | autism | Asperger syndrome |
Facebook:
Tickets will be on a sliding scale to fit your financial need: £12.50 if you’re unemployed or on a low income, or £20 if you can afford it.
This event is completely autism-friendly. It will have a badge system that shows other people if you’re comfortable communicating or not. The venue is lit mostly with natural light, there is a quiet room available, and the lead volunteers have lots of experience at autism-friendly events.
Although the day is designed with autistic people in mind, everybody is welcome!
Please aim to arrive for around midday, in order to get registered and ready for the day. Here is the complete programme:
12.30pm
Short welcome and introduction to the day from the AutismCon Committee
12.45pm
Our experiences of autism, a personal talk from Keran Bunker and Dylan Oscar Rowe, chaired by Leo Cappella. Featuring a play, "Hidden Emotions", from the NAS Young Campaigners group.
A History of the London Underground. With Janine Booth, author and London Transport Region representative in the RMT Union.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
1.45pm
Science Fiction and Fantasy discussion. With Alastair Reynolds, three times Arthur C Clarke Award nominee, and others.
Dramatize workshop. Dramatize are a fantastic, inclusive theatre troupe who run workshops for people with learning disabilities and autism. People of all ages can enjoy this wonderful workshop, and you can participate however you like, if you use speech or not.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
3pm
Johnny Dean in conversation about Britpop. Menswe@r lead singer and Britpop legend Johnny Dean in a talk about his experiences in the music industry, both funny and challenging.
Role-playing & live action games and autism. Jennifer Waddington, a regular on the gaming circuit and an NAS Ambassador, will talk about strategy and rule-based games, and why these are popular in the autistic community. You'll get a chance to try out some Live Action Gaming yourself, too!
Relaxed guided meditation with Rev Sarah McCulloch, an interfaith minister. This relaxing session is suitable for all ages and levels of support needs. The meditation is secular (not religious).
4.15pm
Mark Tinley on autism, conditioning and creativity. The former Duran Duran producer will give an insightful talk on conforming to cultural norms, how neurotypical society does this with ease and whether autistic people's refusal to conform is an important survival strategy for humanity.
Autism Sails! Sailor and watersports instructor Sam Honour will present a talk about his experiences getting involved with sailing as a young man with autism, and how sailing can welcome disabled people.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
5.30pm
Lauren Lovejoy on autism, music and The X Factor. The wonderful X Factor hopeful will talk about her experiences as a person with autism in the music industry and her time on X Factor.
A quiz from Geeks Inc on autistic cultural figures. Geeks Inc run a regular series of quizzes based on cult TV shows. For AutismCon, they'll do a special quiz featuring TV shows with autistic protagonists including Sherlock and Community.
Relaxed arts and crafts. This will not be a facilitated workshop, it's simply a space to relax and be creative. It will have paper, pens, paints, canvas, pastels and pencils. Suitable for all ages.
7pm - 10pm
Evening entertainment. With a cheap bar open all evening, and performances from:
Katie Walters, autistic poet
Janine Booth, autistic poet
Isaac Raymond, autistic fashion designer
Mark Tinley, autistic electronic musician
Lauren Lovejoy, autistic singer
