This event is made possible by sponsorship from industry organisations, including pharmaceutical companies. RCPCH independently curates the programme to ensure high-quality, balanced and unbiased content. Sponsors have no influence over the scientific content. Sessions that include input from sponsors will be clearly identified on the programme.

Empowering the future: Advancing autism training for today and tomorrow's professionals

Time slot
Tuesday 12 May 2026 - 11:00-12:15
Room
Hall 11
Session type
Workshop

About this workshop

Over the past 30 years, autism referrals have increased exponentially (Darzi), with a 400% rise since 2019. However, diagnostic service capacity has not kept pace. Even where funding has improved, there remains a shortage of the highly skilled multidisciplinary workforce necessary to meet demand (Parr et al 2024). Building on a recent national survey examining the confidence of trainees and new consultants in assessing children for possible autism, this workshop will focus on identifying the training needs of paediatricians to develop a diagnostic workforce ready to meet both the future demand and growing complexity neurodevelopmental caseload. 

Speakers

  • Dr Claire Stewart – National Trainee Representative BACCH, CCH ST6Professor David Skuse – Professor of Behavioural & Brain Sciences, Institute of Child Health
  • Dr Hilary Toulmin – Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
  • Dr Ian Male – Academic Officer BACCH, Consultant Community Paediatrician
  • Joy Keenan – Autistic medical student
  • Gill Middleditch – Advanced Clinical Practitioner
  • Steffan Nestler – Clinical Psychologist
  • Penny Williams – Consultant speech and language therapist
Clinical: Community and public health Clinical: Mental health and neurodiversity Included for virtual delegates