Growing In To Autism
PRESENTED BY
PROFESSOR SANDRA THOM-JONES
From the outside looking in, Professor Sandra Thom-Jones was living a successful life: she had a great career, a beautiful home, a caring husband, two loving sons and supportive friends. But from the inside looking out, she was struggling to make sense of her place in the world, constantly feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and convinced that her challenges with daily life just meant that she had to try harder.
Discussing her book, Growing in to Autism, Thom-Jones tells the story of gradually realising that she was autistic, and that she experienced the world in ways which were markedly different from neurotypical people.
This was a profound awakening – throughout her life she had been masking her true self and this effort had come at great physical, mental and emotional cost. Applying her skills as an experienced and expert researcher, Thom-Jones delved into the literature on autism in adults, learning much more than she already knew as a parent of two autistic boys.
Part personal, funny, endearing and enlightening memoir, and part rigorous explication of the nature of autism, Growing in to Autism is a book for all people, memorably conveying the need for better understanding and ways of making space for a group of individuals in our society who have so much to offer.
Following her presentation, Sandra will be in-conversation with University of South Australia's Professor Susan Hillier, Dean of Research: UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of Sandra's book Growing in to Autism from Matilda Bookshop's website and choose Hawke Centre Events Free S.A. Postage as the delivery option. They will then deliver or post your book to S.A. addresses at no additional cost or it can be collected at the event on the night.
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
EVENT DETAILS
Presented on:
Thursday 15 September 2022, 6pm - 7.15pm
Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building,
UniSA City West Campus,
55 North Terrace Adelaide MAP
SPEAKER
PROFESSOR SANDRA THOM-JONES
PRO-VICE CHANCELLOR (RESEARCH IMPACT), AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Professor Sandra Thom-Jones is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Impact) at Australian Catholic University. She provides leadership, advice and support for research engagement and impact across the university’s research areas. Sandra also leads the Autism at ACU research program.
She has undertaken numerous research projects in partnership with the autistic community on the experiences of autistic people and the knowledge and attitudes towards autism in the community, including research that won the Autism CRC’s 2019 and 2021 awards for research translation. Her research includes a 12-month reflection study on the experiences of more than thirty autistic academics from around the world.
In 2018 she established ACU’s Autism Inclusion Program, which aims to improve the attraction, retention and positive outcomes of autistic people in higher education. She is a passionate advocate for the inclusion of autistic people in all aspects of society.
PROFESSOR SUSAN HILLIER
DEAN OF RESEARCH: UNISA ALLIED HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Professor Susan Hillier is an academic and clinician with teaching and research interests in the broad field of neuroscience and rehabilitation. One of her main research areas is on the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches after stroke - this includes the role of afferent stimulation or training using multimodal feedback, as well as models of rehabilitation and access to rehabilitation.
The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Susan also has an interest in movement education and intervention approaches for other populations such as children with developmental coordination disorder or people who are ageing.
PRESENTED BY
THE BOB HAWKE PRIME MINISTERIAL CENTRE
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future.
The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.
