autismshow

[lisac]

http://www.autismshow.co.uk/

[ScienceGeek]

I'm planning on going

[baddad]

I'm slightly nervous, because having clicked most of the buttons along the top I haven't a clue what this 'show' is meant to be offering?

It seems to be something of a sales exhibition - and given the kind of 'products' that get offered to parents of autistic children that worries me. Not sure if this is something I should be aiming to go and see or something I should be aiming to go and picket or something i should just not bother going to!

Hopefully the site will develop over the next month or so so people can see what they're being asked to buy tickets for, but if it's just a marketing opportunity for purveyors of magic beans for desperate parents it's really not my cup of tea!

 

L&P

 

BD

[ScienceGeek]

Having took a brief look at the site, it seemed to me to be similar to Naidex but for autism. When I get the chance to have a look more closely then I'll probably make a decision for definite wether or not I will be going. Right now I have some really tight deadlines so don't have the time.

[lisac]

Yes it seems to be an exhibition to promote services and products. However the floor space looks vast with sensory and quiet rooms, so for those more sensory, we will be going for the experience alone, x

[Lynden]

I may or may not go depending what kind of talks/workshops they offer as that's not clear yet. I actually like to see some of the products that are offered as some, particularly those that help with sensory issues have made a difference to us. I'm sensible enough not to buy into the first thing I see though

 

Lynne x

[bid]

I think this looks interesting from a professional point of view. I think I will pass this on at work.

 

It includes very well-established contributors like The Priory Group (DS' old residesi school), NAS, The Helsey Group.

 

I'm particularly interested in the work-shops on best practice, and the sensory equipment and sensory room design.

 

Ooooh, feel quite excited now!

 

Bid

[RainbowsButterflies]

Sounds interesting - will have to see how much the train will be (ticket prices should be out soon)

[CEJesson]

The website has now been updated to include the workshop programme and you can now book tickets.

[bid]

Thanks for bumping this Chris...it had slipped my mind, but I'm going to print off the details to give to my line manager ay work.

 

Bid

[CEJesson]

Thanks for bumping this Chris...it had slipped my mind, but I'm going to print off the details to give to my line manager ay work.

 

Bid

 

Apologies for the exceptionally large text, I was on the netbook with incorrect zoom settings!!

I will be speaking at the Autism Show on the Saturday.

Edited March 28, 2011 by CEJesson

[Kathryn]

It's been a while since this was posted so just bumping it up.

 

Also I'll be helping out on the IPSEA stand on the Saturday(get in for free! ). If you are going, do come and say hello or pm me and we can arrange to meet: it would be great to see old friends and new i.e. those I haven't met yet. I think my slot is about 9.45 to 11 but I should be around the venue most of the day as I want to hear Chris's talk, among other things.

 

If you follow the link at the top of this thread and go to the visitor section, you can download the programme for the whole two days.

 

K x

[Lynden]

Oh that's a shame you're not there on the Friday - I'm going with a group of parents from work on the Friday. I would have preferred the Saturday as the talks that day are of more interest to me but my daughter has her school summer fair and I spend so much time doing stuff for my son I don't want to not attend something else of hers because of autism

 

Lynne

Edited June 16, 2011 by Lynden

[RainbowsButterflies]

I'm going on the Saturday...

[Kathryn]

That's a shame Lynne. I had to pick Saturday as I'm working on the Friday, but it's worked out OK as I think that Chris's talk on the Saturday about higher education is the most directly relevant to me as a parent.

 

RainbowButterflies: it would be good to meet you if you want to say hi - no pressure though!

 

K x

[CEJesson]

I will be attending both days adding to the presentation/talk on Saturday so very much looking forward to it.

 

If anybody wishes to get in touch regarding a confidential chat/advice please send me a message.

Edited June 21, 2011 by CEJesson

[Kathryn]

Look forward to haring your talk, Chris, and hopefully to meeting you as well.

 

K x

[RainbowsButterflies]

Kathryn - are IPSEA giving individual advice, or just telling people what they do in general?

[Kathryn]

Both. There will be people handing out leaflets and trying to recruit more volunteers, and there will also be 1 to 1 advice sessions for parents, which you can book in advance.

 

More information on IPSEA's site:

 

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/news/hot-topics/autism-show.aspx.aspx

 

K x

Edited June 23, 2011 by Kathryn

[CEJesson]

Hoping to meet some of you tomorrow and/or Saturday!

[RainbowsButterflies]

Had a nightmare actually getting to Excel with all the tube cancellations

I asked someone at the IPSEA stand if you were around Kathryn - but the lady I spoke didn't seem to know who you were - maybe another time...

[Kathryn]

Sorry RB - I should have told you Kathryn is my forum name, not my real name, so no wonder the person you spoke to was baffled! What a shame. My fault - I should have pm'd you. I was actually around the stand for much of the day but you must have come during one of the few times I went off for a break! It was a bit of a pain getting there, but hope you found it was worth it.

 

I did meet Chris - briefly and went his talk. He is an excellent speaker with some really good insights into what university life is like for students on the spectrum.

 

K x

[RainbowsButterflies]

Next year I'm going without DD and definitely need to make it 2 days - it's too far to travel in one as I didn't end up getting there til 12:30 with all the kerfuffle (and was on the verge of overload when I did make it).

 

I didn't realise it wasn't your real name - never occurred to me!

[lisac]

We went yesterday. It was very busy and quite a small floor space, wish there had been more room inside the exhibition area. The quiet area and the sensory room were good when they werent full of people. We went out and had a walk by the river and over the old victoria dock bridge and was pleased to see the excel centre itself, it is a massive space.

[Lynden]

I agree with Lisa that the floor space was smaller than I thought it would have been so it was difficult to get into some of the smaller stands for other people. I picked up a lot of useful information for work, particularly surrounding what happens after high school and one of two useful bits for me. I'd have liked to have seen more clinic spots too as they were all gone by the time we arrived (I know you could prebook but that was limited too). Was good though and can only improve from here on in I guess, if they do it again of course.

 

Lynne

[Kathryn]

It was fairly quiet till about 10.30 then really got busy. I would have thought the noise level might hae been a bit difficult for some people. I think the prebooked clinics were in heavy demand. IPSEA wanted to run double the number of clinic slots but the issue was the lack of space - they were only allowed one booth so could only have one person giving advice at at time. Maybe the organisers need to look at this next year.

 

I also walked across the Victoria Dock Bridge afterwards. It was such a lovely day and the views are interesting. I then went on to Canary Wharf and had a mooch around there.

 

K x

[RainbowsButterflies]

The noise was horrendous, and the lights were nasty too It was worth it though

[baddad]

Did any of you attend the Chip Therapy stand?

[matzoball]

Anyone visit the Specialisterne Scotland stand?

[RainbowsButterflies]

There was noone around when I went past

[matzoball]

Damn - I'll have to tell them off for leaving their posts! It was my manager and managing director that were exhibiting - really lovely people(yes I am biased hehe)!

[CEJesson]

I hope people enjoyed it, it was a good event and would like it to be bigger next time round.

[mortisha69]

I agree, for the first one- it was good, but I also hope it becomes bigger and better each year... I do have to add that I was very aware of the noise, the crowds, the lights and I'm NT as they say!! I know for a fact that my son would not have been able to handle that environment for very long, he would have gone completely into sensory overload.. So the main thing I wish for the next one is for it to be in a bigger space so the same issue don't arise again...

I'm looking forward to the next one..

[Aeolienne]

I went on the Friday.

 

As always, IMVHO too much emphasis on services for parents of autistic children and not enough for adults. I would like to have spoken more to the people on London Autism Rights Movement's stall, specifically to find out what the various autism groups in London are like - how do they differ from one another*? - and also to hear of people's experience of Prospects and/or other supported employment schemes. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get much of a word in. I suppose the stall was too busy. Either that or the people on it had no appreciation of how difficult some people find it to get relevant information, or maybe I'm in a minority of one.

 

* People's Front of Judea anyone??

[mortisha69]

I went on the Friday.

 

As always, IMVHO too much emphasis on services for parents of autistic children and not enough for adults. I would like to have spoken more to the people on London Autism Rights Movement's stall, specifically to find out what the various autism groups in London are like - how do they differ from one another*? - and also to hear of people's experience of Prospects and/or other supported employment schemes. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get much of a word in. I suppose the stall was too busy. Either that or the people on it had no appreciation of how difficult some people find it to get relevant information, or maybe I'm in a minority of one.

 

* People's Front of Judea anyone??

 

That's interesting that you felt their was too much emphasis of services to parents... Maybe the organisers need to place more "prominence" on those services, stalls, companies, charities, support networks, ect.. that were there for Adults on the Spectrum, next time.. Personally I thought it was quite equal... but then that's my personal perception.....

[Earl Purple]

I was there. Yes, there was far too much emphasis on parents in the stall, the London Autistic rights Movment stall being the only one of the stalls for adults. There were also 2 areas of speeches, and I met a number of people through that.

 

I was there on the Friday at the LARM stall. And I met Aeolienne (whom I already knew online from another aspie forum).

 

I don't know of a Prospects stall being there, I didn't see one. There really should have been though.

 

From a point of view of employment and Prospects, I am actually more interested in the upcoming CIPD (Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development) conference in November this year. This is a leading event for people management professinals and attracks over 4000 visitors over the course of the 3 day exhibition. In other words, a lot of hiring managers will be there learning about recruitment and talent management.

 

If Prospects could have a stall there (a 2-man stall would cost about £3,700 for the stall itself) it would go some way in training personnel of existing companies to hire people on the spectrum. This is part of my current agenda. Even more so, I would like all new HR training to train Human Resources managers about Autistic Spectrum issues as part of their learning. I am told they are taught about Disability Discrimination and making adjustments but know little about ASD.

 

I do not know if the waiting list for Prospects could be shortened quickly, but it would be useful for people with Aspergers to be able to get some careers advice sooner rather than later.

[Pancakemaker]

I was there and I went to the sensory direct stall and had a right touch,I got Damien a weighted blanket and a weighted body warmer,both for ninety pound! cos they'd been on display so that night Damien slept under the blanket and slept through the night for the FIRST time in 3 and a half years! Sweet Jesus I was happy angels sang once more.xx

[Aeolienne]

Anyone visit the Specialisterne Scotland stand?

I did - I had a chat with Laura Priestley, who in response to my reservations about moving all the way to Glasgow assured me that there is a very active autists' community there. Also discovered that her sister works for Natural Power Consultants. Back in the early 00s I had my CV posted in the corporate members' area of the British Wind Energy Association*'s website, and I got a call from NPC wanting to interview me at very short notice. IIRC they called me on Maundy Thursday wanting to interview me the following Tuesday! As they are based near Castle Douglas in deepest Dumfries & Galloway and I was in London at the time there was no way I could have got a cheap rail ticket in that timeframe, so I declined. What might have been!

 

* now RenewableUK