Carol Povey, Director of the Centre for Autism at the National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK representative of Autism Europe and chairs the scientific committee of the XI Autism-Europe International Congress, delivers a report at the Congress on Mental Health:Meeting the Needs of the XXI Century.

 

The title of Carol Povey’s speech is “Autism – Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century”.

 

The presentation charts our understanding of autism over the past 50 years, and gives insight into what people with autism and their families experience and need today and in the future. It examines diagnosis, focusing on more complex presentations of women and girls, adults and adolescents, and associated mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. It looks at best practice in autism services and how clinicians and practitioners can inform policy to improve services for all autistic people and their families.

The draft of the Congress Program is here

About Carol Povey

Carol Povey has worked with people with autism and their families for over 35 years, working in the voluntary and local authority sectors. She joined The National Autistic Society in 2001, and in 2010, she was appointed as the 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. Carols is responsible for the NAS’s diagnostic services, research, training and quality.

Carol Povey is the chair of the editorial board of the NAS’ professional conference. She has contributed to a number of publications, and has trained and presented at conferences nationally and internationally. She is the UK representative of Autism Europe and chairs the scientific committee of the XI Autism-Europe International Congress.

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading autism charity. For more than 50 years, it has been pioneering new ways to support people and understand autism. Providing life-changing information and advice to millions of autistic people, and their families, it also supports professionals, politicians and the public to understand autism better so that more autistic people can be understood, supported and appreciated for who they are.

It provides diagnostic services, residential and supported living, community day hubs, social groups and employment support services for adults as well as specialist schools, autism centres in mainstream schools and further education support for children and young people.

Professionals and organisations are supported with training courses, conferences, consultancy and an Autism Accreditation programme. We also offer support for employers to help them to understand autistic employees in their workplace.

Its policy and campaigns help to make sure that Government policies show an understanding of autism.