Speaking & Advocacy
Sharing knowledge and campaigning for better autism care.
Upcoming Events:
BFRB Con 2026 (Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours) - 10th October 2026, University of Oxford
Previous Speaking Engagements:
The Asta Community - Ask an Adult Autism Psychiatrist Anything (July 2026)
RCPsych Quality Network for CRHTTs - Autism and CRHTTs (Nov 2025)
Autism, Anorexia & ARFID (Intersecting Diagnoses) - Webinar with Orri (Jun 2025)
RCPsych Eating Disorders Annual Forum - Neurodivergence (Jun 2025)
ED/MD 2024 - Eating Disorders and Neurodivergence (Oct 2024)
The Late Discovered Club - In Conversation re: Autism assessments (Sept 2024)
Hazell Forums - Fashionably Late: Autistic Females (Jun 2024)
RCPsych International Congress - Improving outcomes for autistic women (Jun 2024)
Falkner House - Fireside chat on Neurodivergence in Girls (May 2024)
Care Quality Commission (CQC) - Lecture for World Autism Acceptance Week (Apr 2024)
National Autism Training Programme for Psychiatrists - Lecture series (2024)
National Autism Training Programme for Psychiatrists - Case study facilitator (2023-2024)
Advocacy:
26 Feb 2025
Attending the Houses of Parliament with the charity Autism Action
I was proud to be invited by the charity Autism Action to the Houses of Parliament event about suicide in autistic people. I stand in solidarity with Autism Action because autistic people deserve action.
19 Nov 2024
Chris Packham endorses our new RCPsych leaflet
It was a pleasure to co-author the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) information leaflet on Autism and Mental Health which was published this week. I enjoyed working with our experts by experience. I’ve been so touched by the feedback from the neurodivergent community, professionals, and the National Autistic Society (NAS) Ambassador, Chris Packham.
Sep 2025
Letter to Health Secretary with the charity Autism Action
Joint signatory in Autism Action letter to Wes Streeting about the delay in the publication of Learning from Lives and Deaths report (LEDER).
21 Feb 2024
Article: We Need to Talk About Autism
I was invited to write about myths in autism, but instead I outlined five truths which are based on my clinical experience: Truth 1) We’re not all “on the spectrum.” Truth 2) Language matters. Truth 3 Autism affects women too. Truth 4 - Autistic people don’t lack empathy. Truth 5 - Autistic employees are talented.
31 Jul 2024
Inaugural lecture on women's mental health at RCPsych International Congress
Astonishingly, this is the first time autistic women have made the agenda. I presented on the topic of autism and mental health in women, and participated in a podcast. There is so much more to be done.
8 Apr 2024
RCPsych INSIGHT magazine: Why autism is every psychiatrist's business
I’m featured in the Spring 2024 edition of RCPsych Insight magazine. Our article is called “Why autism is every psychiatrist’s business”. I was interviewed alongside Conor our Autism Champion about some recent College developments, in particular the National Autism Training Programme and the forthcoming Position Statement on Autism.
28 Mar 2024
World Autism Acceptance Week
It is World Autism Acceptance Week from 2nd-8th April 2024. To mark this I will be giving a presentation to staff at the CQC about autistic women. Meanwhile at my NHS hospital, neurodivergent people can now access our newly designed, quiet waiting room if they wish. It’s also a peaceful place for others. We are really proud of this quality improvement project which was co-produced with autistic people.
Sep 2024
National Autism Training Programme for Psychiatrists (NATPP)
If you’re autistic and visiting a psychiatrist for your mental wellbeing you should expect them to understand your autism to best meet your needs. That's why I consider it a privilege to participate in the National Autism Training Programme for Psychiatrists. At the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), we've dedicated considerable effort to develop and deliver a comprehensive training programme, both in-person and online, tailored to psychiatrists nationwide.
Oct 2025
Article: Autism in Women - Why So Many Are Diagnosed Later in Life
For decades autism was thought to be mostly a boys’ condition. Diagnostic frameworks, research studies, and clinical training were all built around a male-centred model. Many women grow up feeling “different” without knowing why, only to discover in adulthood, sometimes after years of misdiagnoses, they were autistic all along. So yes, autistic women may have arrived “fashionably late,” but we are changing the narrative with grace.