Autism Cayman Announces Symposium 2026 Featuring World-Renowned Autism Advocate Dr. Temple Grandin

Autism Cayman is proud to announce the Autism & Neurodevelopment Symposium 2026 in partnership with Butterfield Bank, a free, community-focused, educational event taking place on Saturday, 18 April 2026 from 9am to 4pm at John Gray High School Performance Hall. This year’s symposium will be headlined by Dr. Temple Grandin, internationally recognised autism advocate, bestselling author and Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University who will deliver the keynote address.

Dr. Temple Grandin’s remarkable journey – from being non-verbal at age two and a half and diagnosed with severe autism to becoming a renowned scientist, author and public speaker – has shaped global conversations on autism and animal welfare. Supported by early speech therapy and encouraging mentors, she learned to speak by age four and later used her visual thinking to revolutionise livestock handling worldwide. Her designs now influence facilities handling over half of U.S. cattle, and her achievements have been recognised through an HBO biographical film, major honours and several acclaimed books, including Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures, The Autistic Brain and The Way I See It.

The 2026 symposium theme, “Bridging Gaps: Collaboration Across Sectors for Neuro-Inclusive Futures,” reflects Autism Cayman’s commitment to uniting education, healthcare, government, employers, families and community organisations to create meaningful, inclusive outcomes for autistic individuals across the lifespan. Parents, educators, healthcare professionals, advocates and neurodiverse individuals are all invited for a day of learning, networking and community empowerment.

“We are incredibly honoured to welcome Dr. Temple Grandin as she embodies the very essence of our 2026 theme,” said Desiree Powery-Tatum, President of Autism Cayman. “Her success was not achieved in isolation; it was made possible through collaboration between family, educators, therapists and mentors. Her keynote will challenge us to think differently about how our own systems can work together to unlock potential.”

In addition to the symposium, Autism Cayman will host a separate dinner event featuring Dr. Temple Grandin and offering attendees a unique opportunity for deeper engagement. The evening will include a cocktail hour with an exclusive book signing with Dr. Grandin, followed by dinner. Proceeds from the ticketed dinner will support Autism Cayman’s ongoing programmes and initiatives, helping to further its mission of building a more inclusive and supportive community for autistic individuals and their families. For details of the dinner event please contact Ally Olarou, ally.olarou@autism.ky or 1 345 922 7847.

Symposium 2026 is sponsored by Butterfield Bank, Dart, Tukka, The Wellness Centre, CG Britcay, Cayman Villas, Healthy Futures, Aspire, KidsAbility, and KPMG.