We were delighted to stage this Autism Symposium thanks to the support of our publishers Wiley.
The evening had a series of 20-minute lectures that then lead into a panel discussion. Lectures and discussions included the role of research in autism, including pathways to mental health problems in ASD, and the wider landscape. The evening was a precursor to the 2-day Jack Tizard Memorial Lecture and Conference – ‘Expert analysis, new research: what works’ the first day will concentrate on Intellectual Disability, whilst the second will be on Autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorders – what do we treat, and how?
Dr Marinos Kyriakopoulos
Cognitive pathways to mental health problems in ASD
Dr Ann Ozsivadjian
How can autism research deliver for autistic people and their families
Dr James Cusack, Director of Science for Autistica
Key issues for practitioners
Carol Povey, Director of the Centre for Autism, National Autistic Society
About the Speakers
Dr James Cusack, Director of Science for Autistica
James Cusack joined Autistica in September 2015 following a career in autism research at the University of Aberdeen. From a young age James has also worked directly with families affected by autism, as well as having experience in clinical, educational and social care settings. James has sat on a number of advisory panels discussing the role of research in autism, and was vocal in the production of the report, ‘A Future Made Together’. He was part of a core stakeholder group which successfully campaigned for Scotland’s first ever autism strategy. James has also been a member of Autistica’s Science Review Panel since January 2014. He is proud to lead on Autistica’s strong, community-driven research strategy.
Dr Mark Lovell, Chair of Panel Discussion
Mark Lovell is a dual-trained Consultant Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Psychiatrist working for 1 of the UK’s largest LD CAMHS teams. He works for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and covers the South Tees area along with a multidisciplinary team. He is actively involved with the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health as the Lead for CPD and Chair of the Events Committee. He has been involved within projects for the Royal College of Psychiatrist and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. He is a member of the Child and Adolescent Intellectual Disability Psychiatry Network (CAIDPN), with a particular interest in Autism and Challenging Behaviour within the context of Intellectual Disabilities.
Dr Ann Ozsivadjian, Principal Clinical Psychologist at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Ann trained in clinical psychology at Oxford and has worked in the Complex Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Disability Service at the Children’s Neurosciences Centre, Evelina Children’s Hospital (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) for 14 years since qualification. Her clinical and research interests include assessment and treatment of mental health difficulties in ASD and cognitive pathways to anxiety in ASD.
Dr Marinos Kyriakopoulos, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Marinos works at Acorn Lodge, SLaM’s national and specialist children’s inpatient unit. He is also a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. He has a special interest in developmental neuropsychiatry and psychopharmachology, and inpatient psychiatric treatment in childhood and adolescence.
Carol Povey, Director of the Centre for Autism, National Autistic Society
Carol joined The National Autistic Society as regional coordinator for London and the South-East in 2001 where she had responsibility for working with branches, parent groups, and local authorities. In 2005 she became head of Adult Services for the NAS, developing a strategic and modernisation plan for the National Autistic Society’s adult services, as well as leading in the identification and transfer of best practice within the organisation. As “Responsible Individual” under the Care Standards Act, Carol held responsibility on behalf of the Board of Trustees for ensuring that the National Autistic Society services meet their statutory requirements. Carol’s most recent appointment with the National Autistic Society has been as director of the Centre for Autism. The aim of the centre is to promote innovation, excellence and understanding across the autism sector and to provide a hub for greater collaboration both UK wide and internationally.