NIVA and AVSPNI joint Autumn meeting ‘Different not disordered’

Dr Laura Playforth MRCVS (Group Quality Improvement Director at IVC, and an autistic person herself) opened proceedings with a presentation emphasising the importance of an empathetic and flexible approach to help autistic people and others to get the best from either accessing care or working in a veterinary setting.

Laura advocated a strengths-based focus, and outlined helpful strategies such as assuming positive intent, asking for input, remembering to be curious rather than judgemental, reducing triggers, modifying technology, and adjusting the physical environment to accommodate sensory differences.

Dr Laura was followed by speakers from local charities Autism NI and ADDNI respectively, who provided further insight, advice, and local statistics. There are 35,000 autistic adults and children in Northern Ireland, and the 2021 Census figures revealed that 5.25% of 0-14yr olds have a diagnosis of autism, compared with 0.32% of 40-64yr olds. There are also 40,000 under 18’s with ADD in NI (and probably the same number of adults without a diagnosis), and many dyslexics. It’s clear that the time has come for us all to promote allyship and do what we can to help.

NIVA and AVSPNI are very grateful to regular stalwart main sponsor Agria Insurance and to supporter Idexx Laboratories, without whose generous sponsorship the evening would not have been possible.