This session deals with a variety of issues that face everyone trying to create new relationships, but may be particularly challenging for someone with Down syndrome.

  • What are relationships?
  • Relationships as an adult
  • Knowing what I want in a relationship
  • Self-regulation and relationships
  • Q&A

Presenter Dave Hicks

Dave Hicks has been an educator in the field of neurodiverse learners for 20 years. He has worked as a teacher in several specialist settings including schools in Melbourne, Australia; an International School in Jakarta, Indonesia; and schools in Auckland, New Zealand; and currently lectures in and manages programs for young adults with neurodiversity at Unitec, Auckland. He is also a father of a teenager diagnosed as being on the Autistic Spectrum and is passionate about accessible education for all learners, empowerment of learners to make better life choices and social justice and equality for people with diverse needs.