Our associates...

Chris Barson	Chris Barson founded Positive About Autism in 2009. Prior to that Chris was External Training Manager for the National Autistic Society. Chris has a long involvement with disability and autism. After studying drama at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff he started out as a drama tutor with Arts for Disabled People in Wales.  Chris trained as a learning disabilities Nurse at University Hospital Wales. After qualifying Chris became a Community Nurse for people with learning disabilities.  Moving from Community Nursing into a specialist setting, Chris gained experience in intensive support for people who present a severe challenge to services. Chris first joined the National Autistic Society (NAS) in 1996 as a Project Officer in Wales on a Children in Need project reviewing short term care provision. After working with the NAS Regional Development Team promoting service development throughout the UK Chris went to work at the Royal College of General Practitioners, in 2000, where he managed Professional Development and Quality programmes. Chris rejoined NAS in 2004.Chris has contributed to the design and delivery of courses provided by Canterbury Christ Church University, and University of Cumbria. Chris is a contributing author to ‘The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century:Exploring Psychology, Biology and Practice’ Jessica Kingsley Press 2010. Chris lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife Antonia. He has one son, Joe.
Hazel Ratcliffe	Hazel Ratcliffe is Director of Ratcliffe Consultancy and has worked in social and health care for over twenty five years as a Qualified Nurse, Psychotherapist & Social Worker. She has been involved in working with most client groups, but more intensively with people with Learning Disabilities, Mental health & Dementia. With a reputation for delivering exceptional training and coaching aimed at she has created a number of innovative training packages which are person centred in their thinking, and are designed to encourage exploration and creative participation. She gently challenges delegate to reflect on their practice whilst encouraging them to believe that they can make a difference. She is committed to providing training, consultancy and support that is relevant to the individual or organisation & strives for excellence.
Dr Greg Pasco	Dr Greg Pasco is a Senior Research Associate at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge. Greg has over 12 years experience of working with children and adults with autism and Asperger syndrome, their parents and family members and the professionals who work with them. He has previously worked on the Effectiveness of PECS Study, the International Molecular Genetics of Autism Study and in development and service roles with the National Autistic Society. He lectures in Developmental Psychology at City University, and has delivered training on behalf of the National Autistic Society. Greg is an ADOS trainer and a qualified Speech and Language Therapist.     Greg's PhD thesis concerned the ecologically valid measurement of intentional communication of nonverbal children with autism in a classroom setting. His primary research and clinical interests are:  early identification and diagnosis of autism typical and atypical development of early social communication skills communication-focused intervention for children with autism