Expert-Led Webinar: Understanding and Supporting Young People with Autism Spectrum Conditions - Wednesday 4 June 2025 (Online)

Understanding and Supporting Young People with Autism Spectrum Conditions

This session will cover the following:

• An overview of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and their prevalence among children and young people.
• Common mental health difficulties that often co-occur with being autistic.
• The recommended assessment and diagnostic process for being autistic.
• The evidence base for school-based support strategies for autistic students, including practical classroom techniques.

Speaker Biography: 

Dr. Abby Russell is a Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Exeter Medical School, where she is a key member of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChYMe). Her research focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of mental health difficulties in young people, with a particular emphasis on the role of schools in prevention, identification, and management. Currently, Abby is leading a five-year NIHR Advanced Fellowship, working closely with children, parents, and schools to co-develop an evidence-based toolkit aimed at supporting young people with traits of ADHD in educational settings. Her broader research interests include ADHD, neurodevelopmental conditions, self-harm, and suicide, applying a range of methodologies including epidemiology, trials, intervention development, and qualitative research. With a background spanning learning disability support services, child and adolescent mental health services, and special education, Abby brings a deep understanding of both research and practice to her work. She is committed to bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, developing effective public health interventions to support children’s mental well-being.