Carolien’s Keynote on Autism and Neurodiversity at AITANA

From November 21st-23rd 2024, the AITANA Congress in Spain on Mental Health in Children and Adolescents brought together researchers, practitioners, and educators internationally. From our lab, Carolien delivered a keynote on autism and (neuro)diversity. Drawing on insights from the Building 4 Belonging project Carolien highlighted the connection between mental health and the importance of inclusive spaces. For individuals such as Autistic or d/Deaf youth, everyday environments can often be challenging, leading to feelings of isolation and ostracism. Improving mental health begins with reexamining the spaces we create; a crucial factor that is often overlooked. Additionally, this should be done in co-design; e.g. hiring autistic researchers. Indeed, one line seems to have stuck with the audience: “The change starts with us!”

The AITANA Congress was a great opportunity to exchange ideas with knowledgeable colleagues from across Europe and beyond. Special thanks to Samantha Cartwright-Hatton, Mikael Thastum, and Simon Peter Neumer for their inspiring conversations. A heartfelt thanks also to the AITANA research group for organizing such a warm and engaging event. Their dedication to advancing research and building connections in the mental health field is truly inspiring.

More about AITANA: https://www.aitanacongress.com/2024/en/home/