Media release
1 March 2017
Altogether Autism conference keynote speakers announced
ALTOGETHER AUTISM has announced the first keynote speakers for its 2017 conference on July 19 and 20 in Auckland, which will explore the
theme of transitions.
“We are delighted to confirm three speakers, all with an emphasis on strength-based practice,” says Altogether Autism
national manager Catherine Trezona.
Emeritus Professor Rita Jordan may be known to people who saw her speak on autism and happiness when she visited New
Zealand last year.
Prof Jordan has been at the forefront of autism education. Since 1993, she has developed and run a range of programmes
in autism studies at the University of Birmingham.
In 2007, she was awarded an OBE for her services to special needs education and in 2014 received a lifetime achievement
award from UK organisation National Autistic Society for her services to autism education.
Also confirmed is Sue Kinnear, a specialist teacher with an endorsement in autism who currently works as a Special
Education Needs Coordinator at Hutt Intermediate School.
“Sue Kinnear was a very popular speaker at our 2015 conference, and returns this year with a wealth of educational
experience,” says Trezona.
Kinnear will be sharing the systems, strategies and practice that she has established to support transitions at the
school where she currently works.
“Our 2015 conference was credited with being the autism conference with the highest number of autistic presenters in
Oceania, and it is our goal to ensure our 2017 conference is even more inclusive and supportive of autism expertise and
leadership,” says Trezona.
Jason Edgecombe will share both his lived experience and his expertise as the founder and a mentor at Tauranga-based
organisation, Breaking the Label, which provides peer mentoring to people on the autism spectrum.
Each of these keynote speakers will facilitate a workshop to allow participants to benefit from a smaller, interactive
group encounter.
Altogether Autism has also unveiled the logo for the conference, designed by young, Rotorua-based graphic designer Dale
Corbett.
Corbett says that some of the words that came to mind when thinking about the logo were growth and progress.
“The cracking of the egg represents breaking out of the comfort zone,” says Corbett.
Fittingly, the hashtag for the 2017 Altogether Autism conference is #Breakthrough2017.
Conference details are on the Altogether Autism websitewww.altogetherautism.org.nz