Dr. Damian Milton
Author, Father, Lecturer, International Speaker, Autism Consultant and Trainer
Dr. Damian Milton
Author, Father, Lecturer, International Speaker, Autism Consultant and Trainer.
ABOUT DR. DAMIAN MILTON'S PRESENTATION:
UNDERSTANDING AUTISM AND STRESS, FROM AVOIDANCE TO FLOW STATES
All people can suffer the consequences of living in stressful environments, however, given the sensory sensitivities that autistic people have, coupled with social disjuncture and discrimination, levels of stress can become chronic.
In this presentation you will learn about concepts related to autism and stress, but also about more positive experiences and reversing negative cycles.
You will explore how a pattern of interests and avoidances can become more embedded over time, as well as practical strategies by which to reduce stress for autistic people and increase positive experiences and ‘flow states’.
In the Dr. Damian Milton's presentation you will:
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Gain a clear understanding of concepts related to autism and stress.
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Explore autistic interests and avoidance.
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Learn the concept of flow states to autistic experience with practical examples of how these are accomplished.
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Discover practical strategies to help autistic people and their families reduce stress.
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Find out where you can find more information on these topics.
In addition you will learn:
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About autistic experiences of stress and anxiety and the factors that influence the elevated levels often described.
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The relevant concepts (with case examples) that can help you understand these issues more clearly.
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The factors influencing the strong interests and avoidances often shown by autistic people, and how these can shape the ‘spiky profile of abilities’ commonly found.
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The concept of ‘flow states’ and how this relates to autistic ways of thinking and acting in the world.
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The practical strategies to help reduce the negative stress experienced by autistic people.
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About ‘flow states’ and how to accomplish them.
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How to reduce sensory overload for autistic people.
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How the sharing of interests can help rapport building with autistic people.
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About the application of the SPELL framework and low arousal approaches and where to find more information about these approaches.
This presentation would benefit practitioners working with autistic people, but will also be informative for parents and autistic people themselves, especially those who are fairly new to identifying as autistic or being family to a newly diagnosed autistic person.
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ABOUT DR. DAMIAN MILTON
Damian works part-time for the Tizard Centre, University of Kent as a Lecturer in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Damian also teaches on the MA Education (Autism) programme at London South Bank University and has been a consultant for the Transform Autism Education (TAE) project and numerous projects for the Autism Education Trust (AET).
Damian’s interest in autism began when his son was diagnosed in 2005 as autistic at the age of two. Damian was also diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2009 at the age of thirty-six.
Damian’s primary focus is on increasing the meaningful participation of autistic people and people with learning disabilities in the research process and chairs the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC).
Damien has been a regular presenter at autism related events and conferences since 2010. His expertise in autism comes from personal experience, from being a parent to an autistic adult son with severe learning disabilities and from a multi-disciplinary academic background and specialism in autism.
Dr. Milton has authored the following books:
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Ten rules for ensuring challenging behaviour for autistic people and people with learning disabilities…and maybe what to do about it!
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Ten rules for ensuring miscommunication with autistic people and people with learning disabilities…and maybe what to do about it!
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A mismatch of salience: explorations in autism theory and practice.
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Autism and intellectual disability in adults Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (joint editor).
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The neurodiversity reader (lead editor).