Dr Idalmis Santiesteban is a founder of the Liverpool Autism Hub, a public engagement initiative aimed at the local autism community. Here she tells us about their latest event.
In December we hosted our latest Liverpool Autism Hub event. The Autism Hub aims to reach out to the local autism community to disseminate research findings, generate community-led research, and provide networking opportunities. The events are designed to be safe spaces where everyone is welcome to talk and learn about autism.
The theme of the event was ‘How to Become an Autism Friendly University’ and featured a keynote session by Fiona Early, the Autism Support Officer from Dublin City University (DCU). Fiona's talk described DCU's inspiring journey to becoming an Autism Friendly University, an accreditation awarded by 'As I Am', Ireland's autism charity. She shared the progress DCU has made in supporting autistic students and staff, highlighting initiatives such as a summer school for potential autistic students, training for staff and students, and the creation of autism-friendly spaces on campus.
Sharing insights
Attendees also had the chance to hear from third-year psychology students conducting research in autism, showcasing the University of Liverpool's dedication to advancing understanding in this field.
For many in the audience, the highlight of the event was Stephen Patterson's presentation ‘Things are Finally Starting to Make Sense’. In a deeply personal and inspiring talk, Stephen described his journey to receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult, only a few months ago. His eloquence and honesty resonated strongly with the audience.
Collaborative discussions
The event also included an interactive group discussion on the priority areas of support for autistic University students and staff. Key ideas included raising awareness among staff and students about autism, providing neurodiversity training to academic staff to better support autistic students, allowing more time for assessments, and creating quiet spaces where staff and students can unwind when feeling overwhelmed.
Positive feedback!
We encourage feedback from our attendees and were delighted with that it was overwhelmingly positive. Comments included:
The Autism Hub provides an invaluable space for meeting like-minded people and connecting academics, clinicians, educators, parents, and carers with an interest in autism.
A fantastic idea, great for information sharing and networking. I find it a really stimulating and thoughtful space to meet people across different sectors and perspectives."
Looking ahead
The event was a testament to our mission of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for the autism community. We are committed to bridging gaps and creating meaningful connections and are proud that the Hub continues to be an essential resource for the local community. Stay tuned for updates on future events and initiatives as we work toward building a more inclusive and understanding world.
If you want to get in touch about future events or autism research, contact autismhub@liverpool.ac.uk.