Mental health and anxiety amongst key themes at Minding Autistic Minds Conference

On April 24 and 25, Minding Autistic Minds, a conference that is being organised by Autistic people to highlight the mental health crisis in the Autistic Community in Ireland, will take place in the Osprey Hotel in Kildare.

As others celebrate "autism awareness" the Autistic Community experience rejection, lack of understanding, barriers to employment, health care and inadequate support for mental health issues arising from living in a world that fails to accept and understand what being autistic means.

Autistic Mental Health is a major area of concern and the statistics are startling. 80% of Autistics struggle with anxiety, 60% of Autistics are affected by depression and 30% of Autistics meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Minding Autistic Minds Conference is being organised by AUsome Training, an organisation which was founded by Evaleen Whelton who as an adult discovered she was Autistic in 2014.

Autistic mental health is at the centre of the conference and over two days a series of neuro-affirming talks and interactive workshops on mental health will take place, all which will be given by Autistic and neurodivergent speakers.

These include:

 Eoin Stephens, an Autistic Psychotherapist, Counsellor, and Trainer.

 Katie Kerley, a neurodivergent Occupational Therapist and Clinical Director

 Kieran Rose, an Autistic author and researcher

 Siobhán Uí Dhálaigh, an Autistic Gaelscoil primary teacher

 Jessica K Doyle, a neurodivergent Psychologist and researcher

 Elaine McGreevy, a neurodivergent- affirming speech and language therapist

 Caoimh Connolly Murphy, 20 year old non speaking Autistic

 Max Whelan, 22 year old non speaking Autistic

The conference is designed for professionals who support Autistic adults and for schools, parents, caregivers and professionals working with Autistic children and teens.

Minding Autistic Minds will provide practical approaches on how to support the wellbeing of Autistic adults and young people and will also discuss how there is a profound need for changes in services, schools, colleges and workplaces if we are to address the mental health crisis facing Autistic adults and children in Ireland.

For further information on the Minding Autistic Minds Conference which can be attended in person or online see www.ausometraining.com