BLOOM Symposium - Wellbeing for Autistic children

Join us for a free online event where we begin to explore what truly supports the wellbeing of Autistic children.

What does wellbeing really look like for Autistic children, and who gets to define it?

Across a series of talks and conversations, we’ll share insights from Autistic adults, Autistic children, and parents about what genuinely supports children’s wellbeing. We’ll also share what we’ve learned through Bloom research projects, including outcomes from the Bloom program itself; a fully co-produced and co-facilitated, evidence-informed parent program designed to strengthen children’s wellbeing. The talks will provide

• A deeper understanding of Autistic wellbeing, grounded in lived experience
• Fresh insights to help you see Autistic wellbeing through a new lens
• Neurodiversity-affirming, research-backed strategies to centre each child’s strengths

The program for the symposium:

• Opening and welcome: What Do We Mean by Autistic Wellbeing?
  Prof Dawn Adams, Endowed Chair, OTARC, La Trobe University
• What Autistic Wellbeing Means to Us: Perspectives from Autistic Adults and Parents A/Prof Kate Simpson, Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University
• Parent Reflections: What Bloom Meant for Our Children and Families
  Hear from parents (autistic and non-autistic) who completed Bloom
• Wellbeing in Their Own Words: Insights from Autistic Young People
  Dr Kathryn Ambrose, OTARC and School of Education, La Trobe University
• Co-Facilitating Bloom: Challenges, Learning and Growth
  Hear from the Facilitators and Autistic Guides who delivered Bloom
• What We’ve Learned Along Our Journey: Key Findings and What They Mean for the Community
  Prof Dawn Adams, Endowed Chair, OTARC

Whether you’re an Autistic person, a parent, caregiver, educator, allied health practitioner, or ally, you are welcome to come and be part of this conversation with us.

It's free and online, you just need to register.

The Zoom link to the event will be sent out to registered participants in the week prior to the event.

For those who have registered for the recording of the event, an email with the link will be sent a week following the symposium