World Autism Awareness Day: UOK’s Webinar Encourages Ongoing Conversations
Posted on 3 April 2025
Yesterday, on World Autism AwarenessDay, UOK Mental Health Support Network hosted a powerful conversation on understanding and embracing the unique strengths autistic individuals bring to our world.
As the lead provider of the UOK network, Southdown is proud to have supported this important webinar. We were joined by autistic professionals, peers and colleagues for some real-life stories, interactive activities, and valuable insights on how you can help create a better world for people with Autism Spectrum Condition.
The webinar was chaired by Brooke Joyce, UOK Brighton & Hove Partnership Lead and we were joined by:
- Tanja Conway-Grim – Autistic Professional
- Emily Nuttall – Expert by Experience
- Katie Hudson – ADHD Aware
- Fiona Albone – Southdown colleague
- Alice Brookes – Southdown colleague
- Christopher Hoggins – Southdown client
Brooke Joyce said:
“Thank you so much to our inspirational speakers and everyone who joined UOK’s webinar to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. We’re really proud to have created a platform for autistic people to share their expertise and lived experiences with you all. Your engagement will help create a more inclusive world for autistic people, and let’s continue the conversation beyond today – becoming allies for acceptance and understanding. Special thanks to ADHD Aware UK, Grassroots Suicide Prevention and Possability People — we couldn’t have done it without your support”
Resources from the webinar:
Recording and slides from the webinar can be found on the UOK website. Click the button below to explore:
Local and national organisations that support and lobby for autistic people/autism awareness
- ADHD Aware – In-person peer support sessions in Brighton and online
- Amaze – Information, advice and support to families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
- Ambitious About Autism – Specialist schools and colleges, national youth and employability programmes, campaigning for change
- Autism Alliance UK – A national partnership of not for profit organisations that support autistic people and their families
- Autism Central – For parents and carers of autistic children, young people and adults
- Grace Eyre – Supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people to live the lives they want
- National Autistic Society – Advice and guidance about autism and the challenges autistic people and their families face
- NHS Autism Support
- Autistica Tips Hub
About our speakers
Tanja
Tanja is a specialist senior coach supporting neurodivergent people in the workplace and offers mentoring to coaches new to neurodiversity coaching. She does consultancy for organisations and services on all aspects of neurodiversity, missing people and suicide prevention. Tanja also creates and develop bespoke training on all aspects of neurodiversity, missing people, suicide prevention and co-production to a wide range of services & organisations: police, ambulance services, mental and acute health trusts, fire services, prison, probation & forensic services, youth offending services, councils, universities, charities, community organisations and many more. Please get in touch for more information – conway-grim@runbox.com
Christopher
You can buy Christopher’s wonderful book via the link below, or at Walrus & Oyster in Canterbury
The Illustrated Autist by Christopher Hoggins – Etsy UK
Resources from Emily and Grassroots Suicide Prevention
- The Stay Alive app webpage – https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/stay-alive-app-grassroots-suicide-prevention/about-stay-alive/?utm_source=uok&utm_medium=webpage&utm_campaign=autismawarenessday&utm_content=stayaliveapp
- An Autism Adapted Safety Plan- https://research.ncl.ac.uk/neurodisability/leafletsandmeasures/autismadaptedsafetyplanslink/
- A link to Grassroots Suicide Prevention’s Voices of Hope podcast episode that featured Emily and Molly, Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Advisory Group members – https://open.spotify.com/episode/0j4LZw5ZnFRmiozqHoSsZO?si=vkPLq5b0Rtimf2ViW-Qp7Q
- PEACE Pathway – Information Sheet – Communication Passporthttps://www.peacepathway.org/blog/information-sheet-communication-passport
Resources from Katie Hudson (ADHD Aware)
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk- This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the impact of childhood trauma on the body and mind. Van der Kolk explores how trauma affects the brain and nervous system and provides insights into healing through various therapeutic techniques.
- The Deepest Well by Nadine Burke Harris- In this book, Harris delves into the long-term effects of childhood trauma on physical and mental health. She provides a comprehensive approach to addressing and preventing trauma, including early intervention and community support.
- Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker- Walker offers an in-depth understanding of complex PTSD and the unique challenges survivors face. He provides practical tools and techniques for healing and self-care, including mindfulness and emotional regulation.
- Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology by Donna Jackson Nakazawa- Nakazawa explores the link between childhood trauma and chronic illness, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, and heart disease. She offers a holistic approach to healing that addresses emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
- Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson- This book is a powerful resource for anyone who grew up with emotionally immature parents. Gibson offers insights into how emotional immaturity affects children and provides practical tools for healing and setting boundaries. She also explores how to develop healthy relationships as an adult.
Led by Southdown, UOK is a partnership of 20 community services working together to support good mental health and wellbeing across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Explore our mental health and employment support services here.
