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Join AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, for our 2026 National Autism Conference, proudly supported by PTSB - a landmark event bringing together Autistic people, families, professionals, policymakers and allies to shape a more inclusive future.
Building on our commitment to a society where every Autistic person is accepted “as they are” – equal, valued and respected – this year’s conference will explore what it truly means to create an Autistic affirming society in Ireland today.
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Across Ireland, Autistic people continue to face barriers in accessing appropriate supports, exercising their rights and having their identities recognised and respected. This conference will provide a space to examine these challenges, share lived experiences and explore practical solutions across policy, services and community life.
Through a series of keynote sessions, panel discussions and interactive workshops, we will focus on three core themes:
Rights – advancing equality, autonomy and meaningful participation in society
Services – improving access, quality and responsiveness across education, health and community supports
Identity – recognising and affirming Autistic identity, voice and lived experience
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This conference is designed to be a space for learning, connection and action.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Hear from leading voices across the Autistic community and beyond
- Engage with current research, policy developments and best practice
- Connect with others working towards a more inclusive and affirming society
- Contribute to conversations that will shape future advocacy and change
Whether you are an Autistic person, family member, professional or ally, this conference is an opportunity to be part of a shared vision – one where rights are upheld, services are responsive, and identity is respected.
Keynote Speakers
We are delighted to announce the keynote speakers joining us at AsIAm’s National Autism Conference, proudly supported by PTSB.
Keynote Speaker
Actor and Author
British Autistic actor, author and advocate, best known for Heartstopper, Emmerdale and Autistically Me.
Bradley Riches is a British Autistic actor and author, best known for his roles as James McEwan in Heartstopper and Lewis Barton in Emmerdale. Identified as Autistic as a child, he was non-speaking for several years before discovering confidence through acting. He is also the author of Autistically Me and has become a powerful voice for Autism understanding through his creative work and public presence.
Keynote Speaker
Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education, University of Glasgow
Researcher, author and inclusive education practitioner with a focus on Autistic children, teachers and communication.
Dr Rebecca Wood is a Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education at the University of Glasgow. A former teacher and inclusive education practitioner, she has led and contributed to major research projects including Transform Autism Education, the Autistic School Staff Project, and How I Communicate. She is the author of Inclusive Education for Autistic Children and lead editor of Learning from Autistic Teachers: How to Be a Neurodiversity-Inclusive School. Rebecca is @thewoodbug on social media.
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Keynote Speaker
Principal Advisor, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, Aotearoa New Zealand
Disability rights advocate and policy leader working across human rights, lived experience and Autism policy.
Matt Frost is a Principal Advisor at Whaikaha, where he works on disability policy, human rights, and lived experience-informed approaches. A longstanding disability rights advocate, Matt has over 20 years’ experience advancing the rights of disabled people, particularly Autistic people. He has played a key leadership role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Autism Guideline and has represented New Zealand internationally on disability rights issues. He was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to Autistic people.
Keynote Speaker
Professor of Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University
Researcher focused on learning disability, Autism, exclusion, regulatory processes and rights-led change.
Professor Sara Ryan is Professor of Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the lives and experiences of Autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Her work is underpinned by scholar activism and a commitment to research that makes a difference, with particular interests in learning disability, Autism, experiences of exclusion, and regulatory processes.
Keynote Speaker
Advocate for Learning Disabilities and Inclusion
Advocate, trainer and researcher working to improve inclusion, accessible communication and representation.
Beth Richards is an advocate for learning disabilities and inclusion. She works to help the public, media, service providers and academics better understand people with learning disabilities, supporting greater choice, opportunity and inclusion. She has contributed to Bristol’s Disability Equality Commission, appeared in educational videos with Misfits Theatre Company, and works with the NHS delivering mandatory training alongside Autistic colleagues.
Breakout Sessions
As Breakout Sessions and Speakers are announced, they will appear here:
Breakout Session
This session will explore what it means to provide PDA-informed support, with a focus on neuroaffirming, trauma-informed and nervous-system-informed practice.
Gráinne Warren is an accredited Play Therapist, clinical supervisor, trainer, and consultant. She is the founder of The Neuroaffirming Practice, a dedicated learning and reflective space for therapists and allied professionals.
Through therapy, supervision, training, and consultation, Gráinne supports Neurodivergent children, adolescents, parents, and professionals. Her work is rooted in anti-oppressive, neuroaffirming, and trauma-informed frameworks.
Drawing on both professional and lived experience as an Autistic, ADHD, and PDA practitioner, she is passionate about supporting a deeper understanding of neurodivergence while holding nuance, power awareness, and nervous-system-informed care at the centre of practice.
Teresa Gadd
Eoin Ó Cathasaigh
Breakout Session
This session will explore non-speaking communication and AAC, highlighting the importance of recognising, respecting and supporting all forms of communication.
Teresa Gadd is a Speech and Language Therapist with over 30 years’ experience working with people with communication support needs. Teresa has worked in services in Ireland and the UK, including community disability teams, special schools, and disability service providers.
Teresa is company director at ACE Communication Ireland. ACE provides advice and support on accessible communication environments and information. Teresa also designs and facilitates consultations, research projects and community conversations, with a particular interest in engaging with seldom heard individuals and communities.
Teresa is a Board member of Lámh and an advocate for AAC and inclusive communication communities where all forms of communication are valued and respected.
Eoin Ó Cathasaigh is a multimodal AAC user and a regular contributor at AsIAm events. Eoin will soon feature in an anthology of young Autistic writers, as well as an upcoming television documentary.
Dr Mary O'Kane
Amy De Bhrún
Rebecca Connor-Wood
Stephen Thomas Ford
Breakout Session
This session will feature a screening of Samhain, followed by a parent panel discussion exploring Autism, parenting, family life, representation and lived experience.
This session will feature a screening of Samhain, a short film written by Amy De Bhrún and directed by Seán Branigan. The film follows a worn-out mother whose Autistic son goes missing from his preschool, leading her into his imagination as she tries to find him.
The screening will be followed by a parent panel discussion chaired by Dr Mary O'Kane, lecturer, broadcaster and author. Mary is a Lecturer in Psychology, Early Childhood Studies and Education with the Open University, presents Perfectly Imperfect Parenting on Dublin City FM, and is the author of two books for parents, carers and educators.
Amy De Bhrún is an Irish actor and writer whose work includes Line of Duty, Apocalypse Clown, Sanctuary: A Witches Tale, Blackshore and Borderline. Samhain, inspired by her son’s Autism diagnosis, premiered at DIFF 2026 as part of Virgin Media Discovers with Screen Ireland.
Rebecca Connor-Wood is a late-identified Autistic woman and mother whose work is informed by lived experience and a background in Autism Studies. She is a disability equality training facilitator and Autistic advocate, with a particular focus on Autism in girls and women and challenging stigma around being an Autistic mother.
Stephen Thomas Ford is an Autistic father, screenwriter and filmmaker based in Ireland. Through his lived experience as both an Autistic adult and parent of an Autistic daughter with PDA, he brings a unique perspective on neurodivergent families, Autism, PDA and family life.
Breakout Session
This session will explore how autism and neurodiversity research can be translated into practical tools, services and policy that improve everyday lives.
Dr Amanda Roestorf CPsychol, PhD is Director of Research at Autistica, the UK's leading autism research and campaigning charity. A Chartered Psychologist with more than 16 years' experience in autism and neurodiversity research, Amanda specialises in translating research evidence into practical tools, services and policy that improve the lives of autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people.
Amanda advises NHS England, health and care services, policy makers and arm’s-length bodies, charities, national research funders, academics and other partners. At Autistica, she leads the charity’s ambitious 2030 Goals through research programmes and a portfolio of innovative products and solutions.
Her current work focuses on improving mental health and wellbeing for autistic people across the lifespan, including the development of strengths- and needs-led approaches, earlier support, anxiety interventions, digital mental health tools, and improvements to health and care services.
Amanda is passionate about ensuring autistic people and families shape every stage of research, and that evidence leads to meaningful improvements in everyday lives, services and policy. She is recognised globally for her expertise in inclusive co-production, implementation science and research that delivers meaningful real-world impact.
Professor Davida Hartman
Dr Sarah Cassidy
Breakout Session
This session will explore the role of respectful, neurodiversity-affirmative assessment in identifying and meeting the needs of Autistic children, adults and families.
Professor Davida Hartman is an Adjunct Professor in the UCD School of Psychology and a Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland. She founded The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice in 2022 with a vision of providing respectful, neurodiversity-affirmative, strengths-based adult assessments within a team shaped by Autistic and ADHD voices and experience.
Davida is also Co-Director and Principal Psychologist at The Children’s Clinic, which provides multidisciplinary services to children aged 0-18, with a strong specialty in assessing and supporting Autistic children. She has written several books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers on supporting Autistic people, including books on adult autism assessment and neurodiversity-affirmative child autism assessment.
Dr Sarah Cassidy is President of the Psychological Society of Ireland and the first Autistic President of PSI. She is a Chartered Psychologist, Founder and Director of two private Irish clinics, and co-founder of a Maynooth University research company.
Sarah lectures, trains, researches and publishes nationally and internationally in areas including neurodiversity-affirming assessment and therapeutic support for the neurodivergent community. She is a passionate advocate for meaningful inclusion, disability rights, early intervention and comprehensive evidence-based supports across the lifespan.
Breakout Session
This session will explore how body doubling can support AuDHD people with motivation, task initiation, focus and everyday activities.
Body doubling is a simple yet effective strategy that can help many AuDHD individuals overcome barriers with motivation, task initiation, focus, and completing everyday activities.
This session will explore why body doubling works, the science behind it, and how it can be used in practical settings such as home, education, and the workplace.
Attendees will gain a better understanding of how this supportive approach can reduce overwhelm, build confidence, and promote greater independence for AuDHD people.
Tickets are available here.
Speakers will be announced gradually in the lead up to conference. Please keep an eye on our social media for updates.
Our ticket prices remain at a cost covering price of €75 for Autistic people/family members, and €125 for professional attendees. We have not increased this price in 7 years, and the support of of PTSB and our speaker sponsors enable us to keep this cost low for our community.We do not have access to bursaries for students, but encourage those interested in attending to get in touch with their educational institution to explore options available.
Our conference is strictly 18+ due to the sensitive nature of some of the topics and themes explored on the day.
Yes, anyone enquiring about alternative booking options or block booking for a company can contact fiona@asiam.ie.
We will be putting measures in place to ensure our conference is a safe, inclusive space for all attendees. We will have a quiet room available in the main conference centre, and a visual guide will be provided to all attendees in advance of the conference. We reserve seats at the end of each row for those with mobility support needs or who wish to come and go without worrying they are disturbing anyone. On our booking form, attendees will be asked if they require;
- A quieter registration area
- A quieter dining area
- Any accessibility needs that will not be met by the above measures.
Yes, all sponsorship queries should be sent to fiona@asiam.ie.