Monday, 2 April 2012
9.30am – 6.00pm, followed by a reception
British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1
Arranged in association with The School of Law, King’s College London
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition which affects a person’s ability to relate to and communicate with others. The widespread public perception of autism as defined by these wholly negative attributes has been challenged by some members of the autism community in the light of the richness and value they claim as part of an autistic life. This conference explores the question of what a good life for those on the autism spectrum and their families would look like, and considers how accounts of autistic flourishing should inform education, service design and delivery and public policy.
Contributions to this debate, being held on World Autism Awareness Day, come from philosophers, scientists and educationists, many of whom are parents of people with autism. Importantly the discussion about what constitutes a good autistic life is informed here by the sometimes different and opposing views of those with autism and their families.
Convenors:
Pat Walsh, Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, King’s College London
Professor Francesca Happé, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London
Speakers include:
Professor Richard Ashcroft, Queen Mary University College, London
Sandy Starr, Progress Educational Trust
Virginia Bovell, ETHOX, University of Oxford
Professor Eva Feder Kittay, Stonybrook University, New York
Dr Jackie Leach Scully, Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Centre, University of Newcastle
Professor Mike Parker, ETHOX, University of Oxford
Professor Stuart Murray, University of Leeds
Dr Liz Pellicano, Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Institute of Education, London
Attendance is free, but registration is required for this event.
