Behind the Mask: Autistic Experience and Professional Practice
12 May 2022
About the event
The conference aims to understand the pressures; stresses and consequences that autistic people feel fitting in; and in accessing support. We will explore the ways that professionals can recognise the lived experience of autistic people; change practitioner behaviour to better accommodate autistic needs; and create safe spaces where autistic people can be themselves. We will ask how professionals and those they support can exchange perspectives through meaningful dialogue; promote respectful interactions and relations; and create a more positive experience of services and society more widely.
Established in 1968 by a group of parents, we are now the largest provider of autism-specific services in Scotland and a leading authority and advocate for good autism practice.
We exist to help those diagnosed with autism to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives and be recognised as valued members of the community they live in.
We also seek to share our knowledge and expertise with parents, carers and other professionals in order to support the development of skills and strategies needed to provide the best care and support for autistic people.
Building partnerships locally, nationally and internally provides us with the exciting opportunity to learn and share our knowledge of good autism practice with other countries. Our Deputy CEO, Charlene Tait, is on the Council of Administration for Autism-Europe. This is an association gathering almost 90 national and regional organisations advocating for the rights of autistic people from 30 European countries.
Using the EFQM Excellence Model, we were delighted to achieve the Recognised for Excellence 5 Star Award in June 2019. We also won the Scottish Award for Business Excellence which is awarded to the highest scoring 5 star organisation in Scotland each year.
