Making Sense of the Autism Spectrum – Pam Ringland

Saturday, 14 May 2016 - 2:00pm to 5:00pm

A number of members have requested that we run an afternoon workshop on this theme and we look forward to welcoming Pam, for whom this has been an area of interest and expertise for many years.  You can read more about her background, her experience and her achievements below. She is keen for people to bring questions and ideas from their practice to the session, and hopes to lead a lively and interactive session.

The workshop will aim to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of ASC on an individual’s ability to engage in different forms of therapy and will facilitate discussion about ways to identify appropriate therapeutic approaches when working with individuals on the autism spectrum.

After working in education for many years Pam changed career and obtained a first class degree in Occupational Therapy in 2003.  She worked as an Occupational Therapist (OT) in the Adult Mental Health Service in Portsmouth, and joined Headspace, the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS) in 2006 as the vocational rehabilitation lead.  In this role Pam developed ‘Back on Track’, a supported education course for young people with psychosis, and her achievement was acknowledged with a merit award from the College of Occupational Therapists in 2012.

Pam developed an interest in Autism as a significant number of young people diagnosed with psychosis also showed signs of the condition. She contributed to the introduction of an Adult Autism Service in Portsmouth and gained accredited qualifications in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) in 2011. Since her secondment to the role of Mental Health Adviser at the University of Portsmouth in 2012, Pam has continued to offer diagnostic assessments and support to students with an ASC.