Speaker: Lydia Meem

Key Topics

Neurodiversity Affirming Practice - so much more than a language update, truly affirming practice is about understanding, celebrating and accommodating all human brain styles, not holding up one brain style as the gold standard way of being human. It's about listening to the individual about their goals and what works for them, and learning from the experiences of neurodivergent adults.

Beyond IQ Scores ~ looking at behaviours during cognitive & developmental assessments, how to modify assessments, and practical recommendations.

Beyond DSM ~ creating a neurodiversity affirminging autism assessment experience.

Supporting Autistic Students - Lydia draws on over 20 years of working with Autistic children, adolescents and adults to share her go-to strategies for building self-esteem, confidence and connection through passions, reducing stress, avoiding sensory overload, and making life more predictable and fun.

Autistic Girls & Women - discussing reasons some girls and women are often missed in autism assessments that have been based on research with Autistic boys and men; common presentations among Autistic women and non-binary people as well as Autistic men and boys who don't fit the 'classic' profile.

Autistic Adolescents - there is often a focus on early identification and supports, but we need to adjust strategies as Autistic teens face the increased social demands of high school, including creative study and employment options when mainstream high school is not meeting a student's needs, and ways to build confidence, self-esteem and  independent living skills.

Autistic Adults - with so many adults discovering that they are Autistic, let's discuss strategies around special interests and passions, employment, study, ways of building connection and strengthening relationships.