Join writers Clem Bastow and Emma A. Jane in conversation as they discuss receiving recent diagnoses of autism as adults, as detailed in their recent revelatory...

Neurodivergence: Diagnosis Normal

Location:

Level 2, 400 George Street
2000 NSW
Australia

Venue:
Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre
Price:
From: $31.02
Neurodiversity: Diagnosis Normal
Neurodiversity: Diagnosis Normal

Featuring

Emma A Jane

Emma A Jane

Emma A Jane is an Associate Professor in the School of the Arts & Media at UNSW Sydney. Her research focuses on the social and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Currently, her special interests include building open-source AI prototypes for educators and researchers, writing a book about the metaverse, and investigating whether ethical tech design might help make the internet less of a flaming dumpster fire. For the past two years, Stanford University has ranked her in the top 2% of researchers globally across all fields based on citations of her work. Before joining academia, Emma spent 25 years working in the print, broadcast, and electronic media, winning multiple awards for her writing and investigative reporting and always saying all the wrong things at all the wrong times. Her memoir Diagnosis normal: Living with abuse, undiagnosed autism and COVID-grade crazy was published by Penguin Random House in March 2022. She is neurodiverse, non-binary, and identifies as a ‘sweet weirdo’.

Clem Bastow

Clem Bastow

Clem Bastow's debut nonfiction book, Late Bloomer: How An Autism Diagnosis Changed My Life (Hardie Grant Books) was published in July 2021, and they have worked as a neurodiversity consultant for television. Clem’s writing appears regularly in The Guardian, and they have contributed chapters to books including Investigating Stranger Things (Palgrave MacMillan, 2021), ReFocus: The Films Of Elaine May (Edinburgh University Press, 2019) and CopyFight (NewSouth Publishing, 2015). Clem has written for TV shows including The Spooky Files (ABC/BBC, 2023) and RocKwiz (SBS, 2005-2011), and they co-wrote and co-presented the 2017 ABC podcast Behind The Belt, a documentary “deep dive” into professional wrestling. Clem is currently completing a PhD in action cinema and screenwriting at RMIT University. They live and work on Wurundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne with their dog, Milly.

Sana Qadar

Sana Qadar

Sana Qadar is an award-winning podcaster and journalist whose work has featured on the ABC, BBC, SBS, Al Jazeera, and NPR to name a few. Sana hosts All in the Mind on ABC Radio National, which won a 2022 Australian Podcast Award for Best Health and Wellbeing pod. She also co-hosts the SBS podcast, Eyes on Gilead.

Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

Join writers Clem Bastow and Emma A. Jane in conversation as they discuss receiving recent diagnoses of autism as adults, as detailed in their recent revelatory books.

In the hilarious and heartbreaking Late Bloomer, Clem describes growing up feeling like she'd missed a key memo on human behaviour. She found the unspoken rules of social engagement confusing, relationships hard and the office even harder, but learning at age 36 that she has autism made everything click, as it did for Emma, who also received a later in life diagnosis. Her non-fiction memoir Diagnosis Normal is a candid, raw look at how childhood abuse, mental health issues and undiagnosed autism shaped her into who she is today, looking towards thriving, not just surviving. Having led many lives, Emma's memoir encourages us to embrace the people of the world who make it a richer, more fantastical place.

With charm and wit, the two, with moderator Sana Qadar, will tackle common misconceptions - especially around women and gender-diverse people, who often struggle to be diagnosed as neurodivergent - and explore how diagnosis has helped them make sense of themselves and their pasts.

This event is part of Vivid Ideas' Human Nature series. Challenge the 'natural' ways of thinking, and explore the emerging new normals across sex, relationships, body politics, travel and more.

Information on Access and Inclusion

This venue has reserved seating for wheelchair users. For more information about access services, to book access tickets, or for assistance with booking, please email help@tixsupport.com

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Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.