Katie is our conference host and the passionate creator and CEO of Yellow Ladybugs – an autistic led charity dedicated to supporting autistic girls, women, and gender diverse individuals. Being part of a neurodivergent family, and accessing a range of mental health services, Katie will share both her lived experience and represent the wider community, in order to deliver much needed change in this space.

Katie has presented at many conferences, been nominated for Australian of the Year for her advocacy and worked hard to create systemic change with the state and federal government to better support neurodivergent individuals. Her career has been a windy road of discovery, like many fellow ADHDers can relate to, including professional roles as accountant and tax advisor, marketing and events manager, HR and recruitment advisor and even a university teacher!

But her favourite role has been working alongside her neurodivergent team and helping YLB grow to make as big of an impact in the community and for her community as possible. She is also passionately obsessed with cat and kittens, anything that sparkles and Golden Girls.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Email

Em is an Autistic and ADHDer speech pathologist, and Mum to three neurodivergent kiddos. She is also an artist and illustrator, and runs the Instagram and Facebook account, NeuroWild.

Em loves creating educational illustration sets that explain various topics relating to neurodiversity and shining a brighter light onto all things Autism.

Facebook | Instagram

Lou is a 20-year-old autistic Instagram content creator (@neurodivergent_lou) documenting her journey to finding a place in a neurotypical world, helping other people to find their place in the world too.

Lou is also an undergraduate education student and has a particular interest in how autistic culture is recognised and celebrated in education settings.

She works with a number of different organisations, amplifying autistic voices and helping to create services which truly work for autistic people. Lou is experienced in engaging with decision makers and co-producing research.

Instagram

Hannah Smith is an autistic high school teacher and published author. Bullied in school and diagnosed as autistic at 22, Hannah strongly believes in the importance of cultivating enriching, strength-based learning environments for autistic students, by enacting change at a whole-school level and by empowering students at an individual level.

Hannah is passionate about changing the mainstream perception of autism from the pathologised perspective to the neurodiversity model in order to improve the wellbeing and life outcomes of autistic people.

Instagram

Dr. Mona Delahooke is a best-selling author and child psychologist who aims to reduce suffering and increase resilience for children and families.

Her paradigm-shifting model offers a new way of understanding emotional and behavioural challenges, incorporating the latest neuroscience and resilience research to support relationships.

Dr. Delahooke is challenging the education system to update its practices from focusing on behaviour to promoting relational safety.

Website

Ross W. Greene, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of the influential books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost and Found, and Raising Human Beings. He is the originator of the model of care described in those books, now called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS).

Dr. Greene was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years and is now founding director of the non-profit Lives in the Balance, which provides a vast array of free, web-based resources on the CPS model.

He has appeared in a wide range of media, including The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, The Morning Show, National Public Radio, Mother Jones magazine, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and the Boston Globe.

Dr. Greene lectures and consults widely throughout the world and lives in Portland, Maine.

Website

Yael is an Educational & Developmental Psychologist who works mainly with OCD and Anxiety in Autistic children and ADHDers. So much has changed in 20 years since she was trained to assess and diagnose Autism, and in the last couple of years her approach to this work has been transformed by the identification of herself and her children as being Autistic ADHDers.

Yael provides consultancy and training to psychologists and other allied health professionals about clinical practice within the neurodiversity affirming framework.

She is on the steering committee for the AAPi neurodiversity interest group and is involved in several research projects as both a professional and a lived experience consultant.

Yael admins three online professional development groups for Australian Psychologists, Allied Health and Medical Professionals, with a total membership of almost 5,000. Yael’s current spin is support and advocacy for Autistic and ADHD Psychologists.

Facebook

Dannielle Wilson is a neurodivergent parent of 3 neurodivergent children that are in completely different stages of childhood. Her difficulties in navigating resources and support for herself as well as her adult, primary and early childhood aged children has driven Dannielle to now educate and support families on neurodiversity.

Dannielle has home and unschooled and traditionally educated her AFAB children and believes in what she has coined “needs-based” parenting and education. Her lived experience also forms her practices as progresses through her teaching degree while working as a teacher’s aide, as well as her work with inTune Pathways.

As a Neurodiverse Family Therapist Joanne assist parents/carers and teens understand what it means to be neurodivergent. She has strong focus on executive functioning as she sees that as the first layer of expectations and stressors that creates anxieties, frustrations, and conflict within the individual and families.

Utilising her Master of Social Work Education, life experience as a neurodivergent women and lived experience as a mum to a son who is neurodivergent, Joanne developed Better Being Me into providing online training, family therapy, podcast, and masterclasses.

She aims to have every neurodivergent woman and child to feel safe and comfortable enough to drop masking, talk more about the inner monologue and ask for the things they need to function.

Sally is a neurodivergent mother of 3 teenagers and has worked in Early-childhood education for over 18 years, gaining professional and personal perspectives throughout her journey and as an almost qualified EC teacher.

Sally believes in educating EC educators in what it means to represent yourself as an authentic neurodivergent for children who seek connection in their early years that plays a vital part of their social emotional development and feel valued for who they are.

Instagram | Podcast

Raelene is an Autistic/ADHDer Educational and Developmental Psychologist and runs Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy, a large pediatric allied health practice in Melbourne, with her Neurodivergent husband Andrew.

She is also the mother of 3 adult Neurodivergent children. Raelene has extensive experience working with Neurodivergent children and their families, as well as typically developing children, providing educational, social/emotional, and parenting support.

Raelene regularly presents workshops for parents and professionals on topics related to supporting children with additional needs in the classroom and in other settings, and has presented at International Conferences in Macau, Singapore, Prague, and Edinburgh, as well as conferences in Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne.

Raelene is the author of 4 books published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, with her fourth book “PDA in the Therapy Room: A Clinician’s Guide to working with children with Pathological Demand Avoidance” released in February 2021.

Facebook (Business)

Tiana is a proud autistic, ADHDer, dyslexic occupational therapist as well as a trauma and eating disorder survivor. She loves collaborating with teens and young people to thrive in all elements within their day-to-day life.

Tiana is passionate about supporting her teens to access and receive whatever they need to be their true and authentic selves.

Frances was herself diagnosed with Autism and ADHD in 2020 at the age 30. Frances sought this diagnosis after struggling through her teen years labelled as “oppositional” and “disruptive” by her schoolteachers and support staff.

Frances loves to share this journey with the young people she works with and takes every opportunity to show young people that they can achieve with the right supports in place, regardless of diagnoses and the boxes other’s try to put them in!

Frances’ hope is that if we raise awareness of the presentation of Autism in females, we may prevent the overrepresentation of young autistic women in the mental health sector, who are either misdiagnosed as having mental health issues or develop mental health issues as a result of living without diagnosis and understanding of their neurodiversity.

Website | Facebook

Shadia is the proud owner and founder of Autism Actually, and ambassador for Yellow Ladybugs. They are currently studying Bachelor of Speech Pathology, with the long-term goal of specialising in AAC, Autism, language development, and animal-assisted therapy.

Shadia was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder at the age of 14. Being non-binary, they enjoy discussing the intersectionality of Autism and gender diversity.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Siena is the CEO of the Student Voice Network, a not-for-profit organisation that supports young people to lead, participate in, and amplify projects that take action on social justice and environmental issues. She volunteers with Flying Fox on camps and weekends away for young disabled people and on camps for Autistic young people and their families through Autism Camp Australia. They also volunteer at Yellow Ladybugs Events

Siena works in both out of school hours care and disability support work and is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary and Special Education) full time.

She is also a recent graduate of the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) Young Leaders Program. Siena is passionate about youth advocacy, sharing her voice, and making positive differences throughout her life.

Website | Instagram (Business) | Instagram (Personal) | Youtube

Ruby is 17-year-old autistic and ADHD young woman who hopes to work one day as a health professional sharing her lived experience to help young women and girls embarking upon the same journey that she took.

Ruby is an award-winning writer who won the 2021 Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers, with her autobiographical story, “Watching The Wheels Spin” recounting her experiences growing up as an early diagnosed autistic girl.

Loren is a 17-year-old late diagnosed autistic year 12 student. She is an aspiring poet, author, influential speaker and change maker.

Faelan (Fae) is a 16-year-old autistic teenager. They are passionate about sharing their lived experiences with mental health and neurodiversity.

Some of his interests include reading, writing, art, animals and costume design.

Instagram

Ellen is an 18-year-old autistic girl who graduated from high school last year. She is interested in the intersection between mental health and eating disorder and autism.

She is passionate about embracing her authentic autistic identity, and interested in discovering more about autism in girls, women, and gender diverse individuals.

Lana (She/ Her) is a 16 Year old Autistic and ADHD advocate, she is passionate about the empowerment and wellbeing of Autistic Girls and Women and strives for equality and inclusion for all neurodivergent and disabled people.

She was diagnosed with Autism at 15 and ADHD at 8 and she hopes to be a psychologist so she can help Autistic and Disabled girls like herself who may be struggling to function in a neurotypical society.

She is also extremely passionate about mental health especially surrounding Autistic girls as she believes there is a prominent crossover.

Katie is our conference host and the passionate creator and CEO of Yellow Ladybugs – an autistic led charity dedicated to supporting autistic girls, women, and gender diverse individuals. Being part of a neurodivergent family, and accessing a range of mental health services, Katie will share both her lived experience and represent the wider community, in order to deliver much needed change in this space.

Katie has presented at many conferences, been nominated for Australian of the Year for her advocacy and worked hard to create systemic change with the state and federal government to better support neurodivergent individuals. Her career has been a windy road of discovery, like many fellow ADHDers can relate to, including professional roles as accountant and tax advisor, marketing and events manager, HR and recruitment advisor and even a university teacher!

But her favourite role has been working alongside her neurodivergent team and helping YLB grow to make as big of an impact in the community and for her community as possible. She is also passionately obsessed with cat and kittens, anything that sparkles and Golden Girls.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Email

Enara (They/Them) is an autistic graduate teacher, disability worker, musician, performer, and writer from Melbourne. They have been working with children of all abilities for 5 years whilst studying primary teaching at Deakin University as an OSHC educator and a disability support worker. In their personal time they have been writing a neurodivergent advocacy blog for almost 2 years, which you can follow @neuroqueenvibes on Instagram.

You can also find them running around Naarm/Melbourne as the neurodivergent drag queen, Autistique, chuck them a follow-on Instagram.

Instagram

Christina Keeble is a Neurodivergent Educational & Family Consultant, the founder of Christina Keeble Consulting and co-founder of National PEKE Centre a neurodivergent affirming allied health practice. She is also an Autistic/ADHD mother of 2 beautiful, neurodivergent PDAers.

Christina has been in the field of disability and specialist education since 2002 working with children and their families and has been consulting for families, schools, businesses, and organisations since 2016 where she brings her lived and professional experiences to the services she provides.

Christina has a Masters in SpEd, a GradDip in Primary Education and a BA with Honours in Psychology. She has spoken at conferences globally and is a published researcher and writer.

Website

Ebony (She/Her) is a well-known Public Speaker, Special Education Teacher, Teacher of the Deaf, Education Consultant, Neurodevelopmental Therapist, Kodaly Music Specialist and Yellow Ladybugs Ambassador.

She has been a popular speaker at previous Yellow Ladybugs events with her combined lived and professional experience offering practical and insightful strategies to support autistic individuals.

Going through her entire education as an undiagnosed Autistic individual as well as having worked in the education system as an integration aide, a classroom and specialist teacher, and a consultant on mixed therapy teams, Ebony has wide-ranging knowledge of what works and what doesn’t work when trying to support Autistic individuals at school.

Her number one belief is that people are only limited by the limitations placed on them by others.

Website (Business) | Website (Personal) | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter

Adina is an AuDHDer and Speech Therapist that Supports parents, carers, therapists, teachers, and educators who have or work with autistic and ND children in affirming, understanding, and practical ways.

Website | Instagram

Renae is secondary educator, psychology student and mum who received a late diagnosis of autism in adulthood. She is embracing her neurodivergent identity while creating safe, neuro-affirming classrooms for all students.

Instagram

After being groomed and raped by her maths teacher when she was just 15 years old, Grace Tame has turned her traumatic experience into advocacy for survivors of child sexual abuse and has been a leader of positive change for over a decade.

Recognising the injustice of Tasmania’s gag order that prevented survivors from self-identifying publicly, Grace offered her story to the #LetHerSpeak campaign created by Nina Funnell, along with the stories of 16 other brave survivors. In 2019, she finally won a court order to speak out under her own name, making her the state’s first female child sexual abuse survivor to do so.

Now, 26 and based in Hobart, Grace is dedicated to eradicating child sexual abuse in Australia, and supporting the survivors of child sexual abuse.

Her focus is around enabling survivors to tell their stories without shame, educating the public around the process and lasting effects of grooming and working with policy and decision-makers to ensure we have a federal legal system that supports the survivors, not just the perpetrators.

She is also a passionate yoga teacher, visual artist, and champion long-distance runner, having won the 2020 Ross Marathon in a female course record time of 2:59:31.

An open book about her experience, but even more passionate about preventing this from happening to other children, Grace speaks from the heart and will have her audience simultaneously inspired and in tears. Grace is the 2021 Australian of the Year.

Annabelle is an 11-year-old autistic girl. She loves reading, swimming under the waves, chilling with her dogs (and the ones she finds on the street), and info-dumping on the wonders of neurodiversity (and dogs)!

Annabelle has an endless vocab list and loves to find new words to add to it. She lives in Sydney with her Dad, Mum, 2 brothers, and 2 German Shepherds- Ruby, an obstinate genius, and Jack, a dim and tender-hearted floof-ball.

Clinical Psychologist & PhD candidate

Marie is a multiply neurodivergent clinical psychologist, researcher, & advocate. She loves animals (especially cheetahs) and creating art.

She spends her time playing piano, guitar, & Nintendo, and watching her favourite TV shows on repeat.

Website | Instagram | Twitter

Sandhya Menon is an Au/ADHDer psychologist. She is the author of The Brain Forest, a children’s book on neurodiversity, and The What’s Up Flip Chart, which helps children identify their stressors and communicate their needs non-verbally.

She runs Onwards and Upwards Psychology in Yarraville, Melbourne, which conducts assessments and supports parents via short-courses to understand autism and ADHD from a neuro-affirming perspective.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Kristy Forbes is an Australian based autism & neurodiversity support specialist with experience working with clients both nationally and internationally. This includes neurodivergent people and their families; and professionals who wish to support them, such as educators, psychologists, paediatricians, allied health professionals, support workers and integration aides.

Her work is informed by her extensive professional experience as an educator (Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary teaching), as an integration aide to children with social, emotional, and behavioural differences, and as a childhood behavioural and family support specialist. Kristy has degrees in Political and Social Science, Education, Literature, Film and Art; but her most valuable insights, however, come from lived experience.

Kristy is formally identified autistic, (ADHD) and (PDA) as well as being a parent to four neurodivergent children.

Website | Instagram

Kay Kerr is an autistic author and journalist based on the Sunshine Coast. She has published two novels for Young Adults, and her first non-fiction book, Love & Autism, is out now.

Kay’s freelance writing has appeared in The Guardian, SBS Voices, Daily Life, Broadsheet, and Peppermint Magazine. She writes about autistic representation, disability, parenting, pop culture, gardening, and feelings.

Nicole is an artist and Occupational Therapist who is extremely passionate about working with children and young people of all ages and abilities and their families to support them to reach their full potential. Nicole uses a neuro-affirming, strength-based and play based approach in her work as an Occupational Therapist, meeting the child where they are at and then developing fun, play based games and activities based on the children’s interests which also work towards their goals. Nicole believes in improving the quality of life of the children she works with so that they can participate in society and lead fulfilling lives.

All of us are unique and we all have our own individual differences therefore she strongly believes that everyone should be given opportunities in life, regardless of their differences.

After experiencing bullying throughout school, Nicole now uses her own lived experiences to support others to embrace their differences and be themselves. Nicole has several years volunteering in the early intervention setting, assisting with group therapy for which she has been nominated for and recognised with awards. Nicole is also the founder of AllheART which aims to create positive experiences and raise awareness and fund through the arts.

Facebook | Instagram

Louise Rogers realised that her children needed her at home not long after qualifying as a primary school teacher in 2014. Her career would have to wait. She accepted a role as an early childhood music presenter, hoping to work as a classroom teacher once her boys were older.

Then came the day in 2018 when she found herself stuck in the school car park, with a boot full of instruments and puppets, 5 minutes from work, but unable to get there, because her little one could not be convinced to go into school.

Now Louise is an administrator of the School Can’t Facebook Group, a peer support group for parents supporting children and young people who struggle to attend school. The group provides peer support for over 7000 members across Australia.

In a former life, Louise was an IT consultant, holding various roles from programmer to business analyst. She loves to sing, listen to audio books, and to go on walks with her golden retriever, Draco.

Facebook | Website

Tiffany Westphal wears a number of hats. She is a social worker at Rookery Road where she works with families whose neuro-divergent children experience school can't. Along with Louise Rogers she is one of several admins who run the School Can't (School Phobia School Refusal) Australia Facebook page which has over 7,000 members.

Her lived experience involves having supported a child through on again off again school can't for the past 8 years. In her private practice and her volunteer work she's fan of taking an ecosystems perspective, using Collaborative Proactive Problem Solving and examining things through a neuro- biological lens. She views school can't as a stress behaviour not as misbehaviour.

In her spare time, she enjoys hyper-focusing on textile arts projects.

Facebook | Website

Gilly is late diagnosed autistic ADHD and mother to an autistic ADHD ladybug. She is finalising her PhD in autism and physical activity. She is also involved in autism research in the areas of mental health and education. She is on advisory committees and offers her lived experience aiming to create increased understanding.

Gilly is very conscious of how researchers need to improve their engagement with the autistic community and is very committed to ensuring she plays her part in bridging this gap. Autistic people have been excluded and stigmatised for too long. My aim is to help change this!

Instagram

Annie is a proud Fat Autistic ADHD Lawyer and Autistic Empowerment Coach who is passionate about disability and health equity. She supports Autistic folx in self-advocating for their needs through education on disability rights and navigating systems (including health, education and employment).

In 2022, Annie successfully founded and set up a not-for-profit, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA), that has singlehandedly put neurodivergent people on the map (finally) in the eating disorder sector to ensure our unique needs are met by the mental health system. EDNA helped develop the first National Eating Disorder Strategy in Australia that is due out in August 2023.

Annie spends her time supporting our neurodivergent community through systemic advocacy, self- advocacy coaching, global speaking engagements, and with her wonderful podcast Princess and the Pea - except when she’s burnt out, which she says is still far too often with a toddler to keep up with. Annie is a campaigner of radical acceptance and creating neurodiversity-affirming environments where our community can not only survive but thrive.

Annie is currently writing an advocacy book to support Autistic folx navigating pregnancy with sensory processing, executive functioning, and communication differences who need accommodations and disability supports in the perinatal period.

Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

Josephine Moon (She/Her) is the author of 'The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose,' Australia's first commercial fiction book with an openly Autistic female author, an openly Autistic female lead character, and a nearly entire Autistic supporting cast.

She is also a home-schooling mum and the host of Autistic Retreats on the Sunshine Coast in Qld. She has a lifelong love of horses.

Website | Facebook

Dr Alberto is a specialist Child and Family Psychiatrist and General Paediatrician. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and the Royal Australian College of Physicians.

He is passionate about Child and Family Mental Health with a particular focus on understanding and assisting the emotional development of children and adolescents.

He has specialist training in the assessment of mental health disorder including Mood disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis, Substance Abuse Disorders, PTSD, Eating Disorders, ADHD and also supports many neurodivergent and autistic clients and their families.

Dr Alberto is passionate about using connection-based strategies, driven by the attitude of Playfulness Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy to support and promote good mental health.

Website

Annelil is a neurodivergent registered psychologist and clinical psychology registrar. Annelil uses her personal experiences, along with evidence-based practice to work with neurodivergent individuals. She recognises the importance of holistic practice, whereby incorporating movement is crucial for both body and mind.

She is passionate about advocating for and understanding neurodivergence, sexual health, relationship intimacy, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, attachment and, the mind-body connection. In her spare time, you will find Annelil playing with her cat Subu.

Website | Instagram

Sonny Jane (they/them) is multiply neurodivergent - or more specifically, an Autistic ADHDer living with Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder. They're also an internationally recognised lived experience educator, consultant, and advocate who's passionate about neurodiversity and supporting professionals and organisations to better support and understand neurodivergent individuals.

Sonny Jane is also a former peer support specialist with experience in developing and implementing peer support programs and guidelines and is also the founder and director of a non-profit community centre for LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent individuals on Kaurna Land.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Monique Mitchelson is an Autistic Clinical Psychologist working in private practice in Brisbane. Monique specialises in trauma and chronic illness and has an interest in Neurodivergence particularly in women and girls.

Monique is co-host of The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast with Dr Michelle Livock - available on Spotify and Apple/Google Podcasts with over 250,000 views. The podcast shares quality psychological information on Neurodiversity in Girls and Women as well as interviews women about their lived experience of neurodiversity.

Website | Podcast

Karen is the CEO of the Association for Children with Disability (ACD). At the heart of ACD is our love for our children and our vision that children with disability and their families have the same rights and opportunities as all children.

Karen has held a range of leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector and has been a foster carer almost 20 years.

Karen is the mother of two boys. Her eldest son is 18, is autistic and has an intellectual disability. He is building a life out of Lego.

Sarah is a qualified Social Worker who has many years' experience as an NDIS specialist support coordinator. Sarah has a special interest in trauma informed care, neuroplasticity, developmental trauma, adoption, autism, complex family dynamics and the justice system.

She has done extensive further studies with the Australian Childhood Foundation, Knightlamp and Vanish to name a few and is currently studying equine therapy and is also training to become a Pilates instructor.

A dedicated volunteer, Sarah has counselled refugees and asylum seekers, and provides emotional support and psychological first aid to disaster affected people during the bushfire season. She was a foster carer for many years and is also a mum to 5 amazing kids, including world renowned actress, author and autism Advocate Chloe Hayden and her youngest two were adopted through intercountry adoption.

Chenai is the Founder and Co-Director of Rainbow Muse Clinic which offers art therapy, psychology, play therapy and yoga in an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity.

She is also founder of Tandara Pa Rainbow a not-for-profit initiative, born from Rainbow Muse Clinic.

It is a community-focused space for creativity, connection, culture, and collective care. Chenai is passionate about working with who are minoritised and have intersecting identities.

She is also doing her PhD is Community Psychology and is a mum to a magical toddler.

Website | instagram | LinkedIn

Allison Davies creates online resources for parents, educators and support staff and works with schools to deliver professional development around the topics of childhood brain development and the use of music as a regulatory tool.

She is an independent liberatory scholar currently exploring the gatekeeping and classism of the social construct ‘musical vs non-musical’.

A former Registered Music Therapist of 16 years, Alli left the Allied Health industry in 2021 in order to align her work more deeply with culturally responsive practices and to switch her focus from individual change to socio cultural change.

Alli is an autistic person with attention, sensory processing, and executive functioning difficulties.

She works within a neurodiversity framework that favours deep acceptance and regulation over assimilation and intervention and shares her lived experience of autism openly within her seminars, workshops, and conferences as part of her ‘emotive storytelling mixed with science’ approach to education.

Website

Cherie is an award-winning digital marketer and founder of the highly successful agency - The Digital Picnic!

As an autistic entrepreneur, Cherie has combined her creativity & passion for people to create her dream career.

Website | Facebook | Instagram (Business) | Instagram (Personal) | LinkedIn