Autistica Research Festival 2021

Autistica Research Festival took place online from July 12 to July 16, 2021. Kana, the founder of the Grace Center for Autism, participated in the festival as a speaker for the mental health panel on July 12th. Kana talked about her doctoral research on loneliness in autistic adults. The recording of the festival will likely to be up on Autistica’s Youtube sometime soon. You can see the adorable appearance of GCA's dog, Levi in Kana's talk! She could've been the first schnauzer ever attended the Autistica Research Festival!

Autistica Research Festival is the UK’s leading autism research conference. With the inclusive ethos of Autistica, the festival invites not only researchers but also autism professionals, autistic people, and their family members. As usual, the festival included keynote talks, panel talks, and poster presentations from both autistic and non-autistic researchers and professionals as well as roundtable discussions and a webinar. This year, the keynote speakers included Dr Will Mandy, Dr Duncan Astle, and a group presentation from Dr Kathy Leadbitter, Leneh Buckle, Dr Ceri Ellis and Martijn Dekker.

The festival encompassed many different topics that are important in making positive changes in autistic people’s lives. The topics included mental health, ethical considerations, external support, physical health, and inclusive environments.

Autistica is the UK’s leading autism research charity that aims to give autistic people long, healthy, and happy lives. Autistica funds some research, shapes and influences policy with autistic people, and works to better understand autistic people’s needs. Autistica values the involvement of those who have some connections to autism. For example, Autistica involves autistic individuals and their family members through their Insight Group to connect them with the researchers. Read more about Autistica here.