Autism, Attachment & The Parent-Child Bond

About this event

What does it really mean to let someone go? Explore an autism-informed take on the psychology of attachment, care and independence + Q&A Tickets for iOS (Apple) App users - It is not possible to purchase online event tickets through the Eventbrite app, please open this page on a computer or mobile browser (safari or Google Chrome etc). To do this click the three buttons at the top right of the page, click share then copy the link to your browser. Attachment is one of the most powerful forces in human relationships, and autism reveals just how complex it can be. Bonds can form that never quite switch off, producing a watchfulness that quietly shapes family life for decades. This talk unpacks what happens when instinct and independence collide, and why the psychology behind it has something to teach anyone interested in how we connect, protect and let go. Autism specialist and psychotherapist Elaine Nicholson MBE draws on neuroscience, body psychotherapy and over twenty years of clinical practice to unpack the relationship between attachment, care and autonomy. You'll discover how these protective instincts form, why they're so hard to override, and how families and professionals alike can support greater independence without losing connection. Whether you're navigating this in your own family, working with autistic clients, or simply fascinated by the psychology of love and letting go, this talk offers a fresh way into one of our most complex bonds. Talk Highlights: Discover how attachment shapes relationships when a child is autistic Understand why protective instincts can be so hard to switch off Explore the balance between care, safety and independence Learn what psychotherapy and neuroscience reveal about family bonds Elaine Nicholson MBE is one of the UK's leading specialist practitioners in autism and mental health. The Founder and CEO of the counselling charity Action for Neurodiversity, which she established in 2008, she is a dual-registered autism specialist counsellor (BACP) and accredited clinical body psychotherapist (UKCP), holding an MA in Autism and a PGC in Asperger’s Syndrome (now known as Autism - level one). She was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to education and Asperger's syndrome, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health. Across more than two decades of clinical practice, Elaine has worked with autistic individuals and their families at every stage of life. She acts as an expert witness in the courts and tribunals, writes for the British Association or Counselling and Psychotherapy, delivers professional training on autism and relational dynamics, and is the creator of the Autistic Empathy app. Testimonials from our guests: ⭐ Seed Talks have done an incredible job at making insanely cool topics easily digestible and enjoyable to learn about for ones self improvement. It's like Ted Talks, but cooler? And more accessible! - Eva W ⭐ I've attended a few of your talks over the past few months and have absolutely loved them so first of all thank you so much for bringing joy and understanding to the world of neuroscience. - Joe F