On 17 June 2025, CIPA and IP Ability co-hosted a fascinating event focussed on ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Caelia Bryn-Jacobsen chaired the webinar. She was joined by the following guests:
- Debbie Nelson – Senior HR Manager.
- George Lucas – patent attorney diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, when he was 11 years old.
- Lois Child – solicitor recently diagnosed with Autism and awaiting an ADHD assessment.
- Camille Evans – patent paralegal recently diagnosed with Autism.
- Rianis Dickson – IPO Senior Policy Advisor diagnosed with Autism and Dyslexia since joining IPO and awaiting an ADHD assessment. She is a member of the IPO’s iThink steering group.
- Henrietta Rooney – patent attorney diagnosed with Dyslexia as a child and Autism in her late teens.
To find out more, read on or watch a recording of the webinar here.
About ASD
We heard that there is no “one size fits all” with ASD. Each individual with ASD will have their own unique set of traits. Traits of ASD may include:
- difficulties with social situations or relating to other people
- difficulties managing change and preferring routines
- having intense interests
- sensory challenges, such as being under- or over-sensitive to certain sounds, smells, tastes or textures.
Instead of thinking of ASD as a linear spectrum, it is more helpful to think of a ASD using the metaphor of a DJ’s mixing deck, whereby each individual’s traits can be thought of as the ‘dials’ on the deck which are turned ‘up’ or ‘down’ to varying degrees, to arrive at their own unique combination.
An HR perspective
Debbie talked about ASD from an HR perspective and supporting those with ASD via ‘reasonable adjustments’ at work, which may be available with or without a diagnosis. She emphasised how helpful it is for employers to obtain expert advice and highlighted that adjustments should be tailored to the individual’s needs. It is also helpful to review these regularly.
Personal experiences
The other panellists shared their personal stories of ASD diagnosis, how they’re impacted by ASD and how they have been supported at work. They were all extremely positive about their diagnosis, emphasising how it has helped them understand themselves and look to meeting their needs. They also talked of positive experiences in the workplace and gave examples of the challenges they face and adjustments that have helped.
The webinar ended with a Q&A and some tips on supporting colleagues with ASD, one of which was to not judge or make assumptions. Instead, be positive and supportive, recognising that it’s not a negative, just a difference.
Please Get In Touch
You can contact IP Inclusive by email at [email protected].
You can contact CIPA via their website.
We are grateful to CIPA for working with IP Ability on this webinar, which was free to attend for all IP Inclusive supporters whether or not CIPA members.