Key Speakers & Sessions

The summit features a diverse line-up of speakers, each bringing unique expertise, research, and lived experience, here are just a few of the inspiring sessions you can look forward to:

• Dr Rebecca English – Building Agency & Independence in Neurodiverse Young People: Exploring how traditional schooling often falls short for neurodivergent youth, and sharing how families can foster healthy agency, autonomy, and respect based on self-determination theory.
• Patricia Fitzgerald – Supporting Your Child into Higher Education: Understanding Advocacy and Support: Guiding parents through the available support structures, advocacy methods, and pathways when transitioning a neurodivergent student into tertiary education.
• Richard Wilson (Reflective Home) – Three Years Ahead and Two Years Behind: Teaching Maths to a Child Who Doesn’t Fit a Year Level: Practical strategies for teaching mathematics to asynchronous learners who don’t fit neatly into traditional grade levels.
• Jillina Whittaker – A Late Diagnosis: A Mother and Son’s Journey: Reflecting on homeschooling prior to diagnosis, late-stage discovery, and navigating the NDIS, higher education, employment, and adulthood.
• Marissa Taylor – Deschooling: A PDA Parent Journey: Personal insights on deschooling, recognising ableist assumptions, and supporting children with Pathological Demand Avoidance.
• Jacquelyn Rickard – A Chat About Homeschooling with Down Syndrome: An open conversation on daily rhythms, early decisions, resources, and thriving through the lens of Down Syndrome.
• Aimee Engler – ‘What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?’ Preparing Your Kids for Life After School: Creating unique post-school pathways, navigating VET and ATAR systems, and building personalised career strategies.
• Hayley Sommeling – Learning on the Days When Nobody Has Much Left: Low-energy toolkits for homeschooling through burnout, appointments, and executive functioning challenges.
• Sheena Harris – The Disappointments and Delights of Dyslexia: Navigating learning differences with confidence and understanding.