More than 100 people came together in Newbury Park for a conference on supporting young people with autism last week.
The day at the Holiday Inn Express, in Eastern Avenue, was the 10th Making a Difference Conference for families, professionals and charities in Redbridge.
Organised by the Social Communication Professionals Group, it focused on looking beyond the diagnosis of autism.
Speaker Dr Ruksana Ahmed, a consultant clinical psychologist at the Maudsley Hospital, talked about the anxiety and stress that children can face.
Robyn Steward, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, gave an insight into the difficulties young people can face.
One school attending was the Hatton School and Special Needs Centre, in Woodford Green.
Headteacher Sue Blows said: “These events have brought in some excellent speakers who have explored many topics that have given inspiration and practical strategies that have been put into practice locally.
“They have also consistently given a forum to our young people and their parents to tell personal stories to give us an insight into how it really feels for them.”
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