Acceptance Matters Acceptance Matters is a virtual conference hosted by the North East Autism Society. Featuring a panel of autistic speakers, the conference will cover the topics of autistic wellbeing, autism and employment, communication as autistic parents, and understanding autistic experience. The event takes place on Thursday, 16th May from 9.30am. Places are limited, so please sign up to secure your place by clicking the button below or choosing "Book tickets" from the navigation menu above. Choose "Conference details" from the navigation menu to see the schedule and the speakers. Sign up to the conference Home Conference Details Speakers Dr Chloe Farahar Quinn Dexter Ruth Jenks Pete Wharmby Conference Schedule Help & FAQs Book Tickets Contact Us Back to main website Flying High in the Sunlit Silence Jack Berry, 13 from Sunderland, who is autistic has illustrated a book in aid of military charities after using art as an emotional outlet during the coronavirus pandemic. Jack who is also selectively mute, began drawing planes last summer to help give him some focus during the pandemic. 'Flying High in the Sunlit Silence' book depicts aircraft including Lancaster bombers, Spitfires and Tornados. For the Acceptance Matters conference Jack will use makaton signing to discuss the book. Sara Berry, Jack’s mum said: Drawing is great outlet for Jack to express what he is thinking and feeling. The drawings gave us time together and he had been inspired by the lockdown efforts of Captain Tom Moore, who last year raised millions of pounds for the NHS. With an initial interest in planes stemming from his grandfather's work on Concorde, Jack's fascination was cemented by trips to airshows and the Battle of Britain Flight Memorial Visitor Centre in Lincoln. Read Jack's inspirational story on the BBC news website. Sara, Jack's mum is part of the North East Autism Society's family networking group which is available through our Facebook page, it is a closed forum for parents and carers. Family members have told us that they greatly benefit from talking to other people in a similar situation and it was for this reason that family networking was initially set up. The network also acts as an information sharing tool, positing updates about autism to ensure members are kept up to date with existing and new knowledge. We also share local information about activities and events happening in and around the North-east region. Connect with us through Family Networking Manage Cookie Preferences