EVENT FEEDBACK FORM

Name of CPCF Attendees:

Mark Davies and Gill Davies

Event Title:

Autism and Mental Health Lecture

Event was held by:

Autistica and Newcastle University

Event took place at:

Herschel Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RY

Date of Event:

14^th November 2018

Purpose of the Event:

To discuss latest research carried out by Autistica into autism spectrum disorder conditions

Comments on the Event by CPCF Attendees:

Mostly attended by professionals and people who understand the terminology that can be used at these events, and this lecture was very much in such terms of technical language. But, what we did understand, as parent carer reps, was highly interesting. A lot of what we heard made sense and put into words our experiences, as parent carers, of autism.

Information gained by CPCF and other Outcomes from the Conference:

1. Attending this lecture and reporting on same to our members is in line with our DfE role of supporting participation by parents in the service planning and decision making processes within our local area, by informing our parent carer members as to the latest developments in research. Better informed parents are more able to participate.

1. Autistic people (APs is the label the lecture used) need support systems to get by, as well as routines.

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1. Most APs have difficulties over anxiety, which can become overwhelming and all consuming. These anxieties can develop around their routines, or around specific fears such as sounds/sensory sensitivity, or develop from social fearfulness. They can present as compulsive/ritualistic behaviours (OCD type presentation).

1. APs will have an intolerance of uncertainty (IU), irrespective of the likely outcome of the uncertainty. This leads to anxiety.

1. IU is associated with:
   1. Sensory processing difficulties and big reactions to sensory input; and
   2. APs will reduce their sensory reactions by repetitive behaviour.

1. APs need strategies to cope with IU and anxiety.

1. APs can deal well with factual and objective questions, but subjective and opinion based questions can lead to anxiety.

1. Autistica are developing a therapy to assist parents to assist their children with autism: CUES (Coping with Uncertainty in Everyday Situations). Look it up, it may help you in the future!! Link:https://www.autistica.org.uk/our-research/research-projects/coping-with-uncertainty