From Awareness to Action: Helping Autistic students thrive at school 2026

All Primary and Secondary Teachers and support staff.

ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition; contemporary research suggests that ASD results from changes to the growth and development of the brain. Characteristics can appear very early in childhood and remain throughout a lifetime. ASD is a lifelong condition and there is no cure. ASD is different for everyone who has it – no two students are the same. What may work for one student, may not work for another. Come along to this informative, interactive workshop to find out how you can further assist the ASD students in your class.

Emily Ballenden is a specialised teacher, education consultant, private SEN tutor and the founder of Additional Education Services. Emily holds a Bachelor of Education P-12, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Educational Learning and Leadership and a Masters degree in Special Education.

Emily has taught in the early childhood, primary and secondary school sectors for 15 years. She is a specialist educator based in schools and online, working with students from K-12, assisting teachers and parents alike to achieve desirable outcomes for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs).

Emily runs interactive seminars with attendee participation through discussions, questions and workshops.

The best P.D. I have attended in living memory!” I loved every minute of this engaging, interesting and informative PD. And I have been teaching for 40+ years!

Passionate &  Authentic Speakers – Meaningful Strategies

Inspirational Speakers –  the knowledge gained will be so beneficial in my classrooms

Loved the honesty in the sharing of information and strategies

I love the fantastic variety of workshops and conferences on offer. Always look forward to Critical Agendas PD’s.

Keep up the fantastic PD opportunities! Very  professional and well-researched workshops and conferences.

“It is the first P.L. in a long long time that I haven’t been checking in with my watch.”

Just a big Thank you for giving us the opportunity to attend the Critical Agenda Workshop yesterday.  David presented a great program, lots of handy strategies and he was very engaging and supportive. Highly recommended.  I was very happy we did not have to do any Role play’s.

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