Preliminary Programme Released for 10th National Autism Symposium - Part 2

The preliminary line-up for the upcoming 10th National Autism Symposium has been finalised, detailing the specific topics and speakers scheduled for the two-day event. The symposium, set for 28 to 29 August 2026, will be held on-site at North-West University's Potchefstroom campus in Building K21, Room 229, alongside virtual access options for remote participants.

The schedule covers a broad spectrum of discussions, shifting away from purely theoretical frameworks toward lived experiences, parental support, and practical care strategies.

Day One: Lived Experiences and Practical Tools

The first day opens with a welcoming address from the co-hosts, followed by an opening address provisionally scheduled by Prof. Pieter Kruger. Tracy Fletcher Davies will lead the first presentation, assessing the status of neuro-responsive awareness and care in 2026.

The morning sessions place a strong focus on personal advocacy and educational transitions:

• Zekwanda Mathenjwa will deliver a talk titled "I’m risking my voice with you".

• Kate More is scheduled to introduce curriculums focusing on academic and functional skills for children with special educational needs.

• Ayse Soncu will explore school-to-work pathways for autistic youth, addressing potential systemic bottlenecks.

  
  

The afternoon sessions turn toward family support and ethical care practices. Dr. Suegnet Scholtz will speak on equipping parents to navigate hospital and healthcare encounters, while Nosiphiwo Mkhize will address parental coaching strategies. Later in the day, Leryke Kleynhans will discuss ethical and neuro-affirming practices, followed by Zelda Pringle sharing the lived experiences of South African letterboard users.

Day one concludes with parallel workshops hosted by Dineo Mosiane alongside a collaborative team consisting of Ilouise Marais, Bianca Kuffner, Liesl Blomerus, and Danielle Douglas, focusing on provincial identification and caregiver training.

Day Two: Therapeutic Approaches and Future Pathways

The second day picks up with provisional morning presentations by Prof. Johanita Kirsten and Dr. Emile Gouws. Family dynamics remain a central theme, with Dr. Fatima Abdulla presenting research on the emerging adult sibling experience and family relations.

Subsequent presentations delve into specialized therapeutic and identity-building areas:

• Morné Shepard will discuss special interests as a meaningful tool for connection and identity.

• Leryke Kleynhans returns to discuss what professionals need to understand when listening to autistic adults.

• Nomsa Masaka will highlight the role of speech-language therapists in supporting vocational transitions for adolescents.

• Sameeha Elias will outline neurodiversity-affirming therapies that support autonomy and wellbeing.

The afternoon rounds off with unique focus areas, including a session by Janhavi Nowbotsing on practical resistance training benefits for children on the autism spectrum. A philosophical enquiry session by Dr. Sumaya Babamia and Dr. Rose-Anne Reynolds will precede the final parallel workshops of the event. These final workshops, led by Andrea Lynn Grant alongside the returning team of Marais, Kuffner, Blomerus, and Douglas, will tackle inclusive education standards and curriculum pathways.

Registration and Contact

Both in-person and online registrations remain open, with CPD points applicable for relevant sessions. For enquiries regarding the schedule or venue logistics, the organizers can be reached directly via email at chhp@nwu.ac.za.