At Aucademy (a new home for Autistic learning, delivered by Autistic educators) we are delighted to host our first online conference on pregnancy and post-natal experiences for Autistic and/or neurodivergent people.

This one-off, online event approaches the topic of pregnancy and post-natal experiences for Autistic and/or neurodivergent people, and we are honoured to be hosting a number of child-bearers*, parents, researchers, and professionals – all of whom are Autistic/neurodivergent.

When: Saturday, September 26th, 17:00- 21:30PM GMT/BST (PST 09:00AM)

Where: Online, find both full-price and donation tickets (for those on a low income) on Eventbrite

What: The full details of the conference will be updated in due course, but we have confirmed the following Autistic/neurodivergent speakers and topics:

• Lisa Alvarez – breastfeeding while Autistic
• Hayley Morgan – the Autistic birth experience, pain communication and healthcare barriers
• Emma Durman – the Autistic birth experience; designing training for midwives on the topic
• Abigail Ruffy – holistic birthwork and support
• Kodie Morris Dalmayne – Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe vomiting during pregnancy)
• Amy Ashton – undiagnosed autism in maternity and post-natal care, and the traumatising and disempowering effect that paternalistic medical culture
• Jane Green – Autistic EDS and hypermobility when pregnant and during childbirth

These speakers are a mix of Autistic/neurodivergent researchers, professionals, and parents delivering discussion on various topics relating to pregnancy and post-natal experiences as an Autistic child-bearer (*note an attempt not to gender the event, as Trans men and non-binary people can have children. Speakers will speak to their experiences based on their gender, but acknowledge pregnancy, childbearing, and child-raising are not gendered experiences).

All speakers aim to end on a positive note about the strengths of being an Autistic childbearer, and the ultimate aim of the event is to arm attendees – Autistic, non-autistic, parents, or professionals – with knowledge, personal perspectives, and practical advice on being Autistic going through pregnancy and the birthing experience.

The event will be delivered early evening Saturday to afford parents the ability to attend and those from different parts of the globe.

We estimate the event will run for 4 hours 30 minutes, allowing speakers time to present and take questions. It is possible it may run longer should attendees and speakers agree to/want to discuss things further.

We are hoping to raise enough in ticket donations to pay our speakers sufficiently, and we are offering set-price tickets or donation tickets so as to make it accessible and affordable for all attendees.

Trigger warnings: discussion about birthing trauma; pain; extreme vomiting

Find Aucademy on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram, as well as our own website.