Reframing Autism: From Awareness to Acceptance

9am-10am: Lucy Coy, BA (QTS) Hons, NASENCO, MCCT

Unleashing Potential: A Neuroscience-Informed Approach to Supporting Children with Autism, and their Families

This masterclass is designed for professionals working with individuals across all key stages. The session integrates neuroscience, practical interventions, and evidence-based approaches to help create meaningful support systems for children and their families.

Lucy is an experienced school leader, and has been an Acting Headteacher, a Deputy Headteacher, an Assistant Headteacher, SENCO and an Inclusion Lead. She is now a creator of school leader planners and Co-Founder of HeadteacherChat™ with her husband Jonathan. HeadteacherChat is a supportive and collaborative platform for school leaders to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other.

10am-11am: Nicola Musgrove

The Fans and Entourage: Supporting Autistic Children and Parents

This session will cover the importance of parents supporting, advocating and championing their autistic child/ young person by helping them to understand their autistic profile.

Nicola began her career in the early years, working in day nurseries and children’s centres, often supporting autistic children and their families. Following a career change, Nicola spent ten years years' in the further education sector, teaching autistic students. She has written articles for magazines, contributed to podcasts, delivered training sessions on autism and neurodiversity, coproduced resources to support autistic young people and continues to work with autism charities supporting their work campaigning for changes in society.

 Most importantly, Nicola is parent to 2 autistic children.

11am-12pm: Charlotte Davies

Sound: Our First Sense

This webinar explores the vital role of sound in lifelong development, its connection to the nervous system, its impact on speech, motor and visual skills, and how to support and maintain effective sound processing.

Charlotte is a social entrepreneur and an experienced senior teacher. For the last 12 years she has run Fit 2 Learn CIC, a small social enterprise, that seeks to show individuals and organisations how people of all ages can use non-invasive therapies in order to behave calmly and learn efficiently.

During lockdown Charlotte recorded a series of webinars for families and educators to support children with special educational needs. She co-authored the book The Maze of Learning, Motor Skills Development; in 2024 she authored and published the book: The Maze of Learning, Sound is your Superpower.

12pm-1pm: Michael Owen

What Autistic Learners Want You to Know About Them

Join us for an insightful Q&A webinar featuring students from Carmel College, St Helens. Led by presenter Michael Owen, this session will offer a unique perspective on the experiences of autistic learners in school, college, classrooms, and beyond.

The learners will share their thoughts, challenges, and aspirations, shedding light on how educators and peers can better support and understand them. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and foster a more inclusive environment for all.

1pm-2pm: Samantha Dholakia

Behaviour: An Inclusive Classroom

Creating a truly inclusive classroom means understanding and embracing neuroaffirming practices that support all learners, including autistic students. This webinar will explore effective, evidence-based strategies to foster an inclusive learning environment, ensuring every child feels valued and supported.

Samantha Dholakia is an international trainer and specialist in behaviour and emotional regulation, with nearly 20 years of experience in education. She works closely with teachers and parents, supporting inclusion, behaviour and emotional regulation in children. As the creator of The Behaviour Balance System™ and The Behaviour Bank™, Samantha has developed a holistic, inclusive, and research-backed approach that connects homes with educational and childcare settings.

2pm-3pm: Phil Denton

Upskilling Parents and Staff to Work Effectively With Children With Autism

Phil's session will talk about the work Opogo do to support parent and educators through professional and personal development. This is a very practical session that will showcase the range of resources on offer and explain how you can track your progress.

Phil's career in education has taken him from the Graduate Teacher Programme in Wigan to being a Headteacher in a high school near Liverpool. In 2022 Phil released his first book, The First 100 Days. He was fortunate enough to meet with Premier League Football Managers from across the UK and listened to the approaches they took during their first 100 days and then applied this to leading schools and trusts.

3pm-4pm: Kevin Egan & Dr Louise Egan

Compassionate Care for Carers and Professionals Supporting Children with Autism

This session offers a supportive space to focus on your own psychological wellbeing, build self-compassion, and strengthen your ability to care for children with complex needs amid life’s wider challenges.

Kevin is an experienced senior primary school teacher specialising in special educational needs ,trained in supervision and reflective practice in schools. He holds the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination.

Louise is an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy. Louise has delivered training to multidisciplinary professionals in statutory and independent services over the past 20 years.