Autism Speaker for Conferences & Events
Autistic Flair founder Katie Forbes is an
engaging and experienced autism speaker who
candeliver keynotes, panels, webinars and more.
Katie is on a mission to improve autism understanding and acceptance in education and workplace settings, as well as within our wider society. Katie is autistic and uses real-life experiences to educate people on what it means to be autistic.
Trained as a engagment producer and social media marketer, Katie is a natural born storyteller, and is confident and charismatic in front of an audience. Her warm, refreshing approach has led her to be invited by various organisations to speak at various events and panels, including TEDx Aberdeen and Reach PLC.
Watch Autism Speaker Katie Forbes
deliver a TEDx talk in Aberdeen, Scotland
Expertise
Understanding Autism
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Autistic Flair provides autistic-led guidance explaining how autism is defined and experienced. Katie can explain how autism influences everything from how we express ourselves and interact with others, to how we process information and make sense of the world.
Varying Support Needs
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The autism spectrum is not a linear line that runs from high- to low-functioning, with autistic people requiring high or low support needs. Instead, autistic people have ‘spiky profiles’ – peaks and troughs in their skill profile. This means each autistic person’s support needs are unique to them. Katie can help identify individuals’ needs and how best to support them.
Communication
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Most autistic people have trouble understanding verbal and body language, such as gestures, facial expressions and spatial awareness. Some autistic people are non-speaking or have limited speech, while others have a good grasp of language but may find pronouncing certain words and detecting sarcasm difficult. Katie can improve your understanding on how autistic people communicate, and provide tips and tools on how to enable effective communication in the workplace.
Autism Language
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Autism is a fundamental part of who an autistic person is, and therefore Autistic Flair champions positive language. Katie can explain how to talk about autism; highlight which terms are appropriate, as well as terms which are inappropriate and outdated; outline the identity-first vs person-first debate; and detail the importance of respecting personal preferences.
Autism in the Workplace
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In the right environment with the right support, autistic people can thrive in the workplace. However, autistic people are often disadvantaged woinrkplace settings due to other’s lack of understanding of autism. Katie can provide information on reasonable adjustments and help you create autism-friendly and accepting environments.
Sensory Differences
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Processing sensory information can be difficult for autistic people due to sensory differences. Autistic people’s senses senses can become over- or under-sensitive, or both, at any given time, which can present challenges in working environments. Katie can outline how to best support your autistic employee overcome these barriers to working.
Autistic Traits
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Autistic people have what is sometimes referred to as a ‘spiky profile.’ Autistic people have varying traits, which can creates peaks and troughs in their skill profile. Katie can help you identity different traits and understand each impact an autistic person’s day-to-day life.
Autism and Recruitment
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Autistic people think differently and have valuable, unique skills which can benefit your workplace. However, autistic people are often disadvantaged when it comes to interviewing as their way of communicating can differ from the norm. Katie can show you what minor adjustments your organisation can make during the application and interview process, to enable autistic people to demonstrate their skills as potential employees.
Working Relationships
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Autistic people struggle to understand how others are feeling or thinking – and find it difficult to express their own emotions. Some autistic people have difficulty understanding unwritten social ‘rules’, find maintain eye contact unbearable and have no spatial awareness. Katie can provide guidance on making meaningful relationships with your autistic employees, and guide you on how to encourage effective relationships within your teams.
My Approach & Values
Katie Forbes, Founder and Director of Autistic Flair
Living in a world designed for non-autistic people, autistic people face more barriers to education and employment than their neurotypical peers. This has led some people to believe autism is a deficit, leaving many autistic individuals ostracized from our wider society.
Having overcome countless barriers to independent living and employment, I am passionate about destigmatising autism and making positive change for the autistic community. I aim to do so by improving autism understanding and acceptance, and providing guidance on how to best support autistic individuals so they can meet their full potentials.
How I can support you
Autistic Flair started as an online community and resource hub dedicated to improving autism understanding in our wider society. The organisation amplifies autistic voices so people can learn about autism from real experiences.
The company has evolved and now offers services to individuals, families and businesses looking to improve autism understanding and create autism-friendly environments where autistic people can thrive – not just survive.
Championing positive language
Much of the autistic community see their autism as a fundamental part of who they are and are championing positive language. Autistic Flair aims to provide a safe and inclusive space, where autistic people are celebrated and valued for who they are.
Our services are open to all businesses who support autistic people, or are looking to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Let’s Start a Conversation
To enquire about autism services, ask a question, or simply say hello, please fill out the below form or send an email to: katie@autisticflair.com