Speakers

Allison Davies (she/her)

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.

Annelil Desille (she/they)

Annelil is an AudHD registered clinical psychologist. Annelil uses their personal experiences, along with evidence-based practice to work with Autistic and ADHD individuals.

Their special interests include neurodivergence, mind/body connection, sexual health, dating, intimacy, relationships, attachment, and spirituality

In her spare time, you will find Annelil doing a select few activities, including spending time with her cats Subu and Eos, doing yoga and sitting in front of the heater watching their favourite tv shows.

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Annie Crowe (she/her)

Annie Crowe is a proud multiply neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled human rights lawyer and the CEO of NeuroAccess a consulting and coaching business specialising in building resources, education and awareness of neurodivergent accessibility needs and supports.

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Chelsea Luker (she/her)

Chelsea Luker is an Autistic/ADHDer psychologist and is the proud owner of Connect Us Psychology. With a deep-rooted commitment to the Autistic/ADHD community, Chelsea primarily supports Autistic/ADHD individuals across various life stages.

Chelsea is also a parent to two young neurodivergent children and has recently released a new book "Square Me, Round World: Stories of growing up in a world not built for you".

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Chenai Mupotsa-Russell (she/her)

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.

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Christina Keeble (she/her)

Christina Keeble is an Autistic & ADHD (AuDHD), Educational Consultant, delivering professional development, training, and consultations on Autism, PDA, ADHD & Neurodiversity Affirming Practice through Christina Keeble Consulting. She is also the COO of National PEKE Centre, a neuroaffirming allied health practice. However, Christina's most joyful and important job is being the mother of 2 beautiful neurodivergent PDAers.

Christina has been in the field of specialist education and disability since 2002 teaching, working with, and supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She has been consulting for families, schools and early childhood centres, allied health, disability, and government organisations since 2016 where she brings her lived and professional experience to the services she provides.

Christina has a Masters of SpEd, a GradDip in Primary Ed, and a BA with Honours (Psych). She frequently is a keynote speaker at conferences and is a published researcher and writer.

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Dr Alberto Veloso (he/him)

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.

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Ebony Birch-Hanger (she/her)

Ebony is a Special Education Teacher, Teacher of the Deaf, Education Consultant, Public Speaker, 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.

Over the past 18 months, during and after experiencing extreme and prolonged autistic burnout, Ebony has shifted her attention to well-being. She is looking forward to sharing her recent experiences, during which, she’s learned that developing self-awareness, mindfulness, and well-being practices is absolutely crucial for both recovery and the ongoing sustainability of life and self. Combining this with her decades of experience and training in education, Ebony will highlight the importance of adopting a well-being focus for autistic individuals during their schooling years.

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Eliza Fricker (she/her)

Eliza Fricker is an author & illustrator, and an advocate & consultant for PDA, autism and learning.

She has published several books, including the Sunday Times Bestselling title “Can’t Not Won’t”, and the acclaimed autobiographical “Thumbsucker” released in November 2023.

Eliza offers a range of support for parents and educators on navigating autism and education, including one-to-one consultations, webinars, presentations, a podcast, and the enduring original Missing the Mark illustrations & blog.

MISSING THE MARK was launched in early 2020, when amongst continued struggles with gaining support and understanding within the English education system for her child, Eliza began documenting her frustrations and experiences through her illustrations.

Not only an artistic expression of difference in today’s society, Missing the Mark aimed to serve as a thought provoking and valuable contribution to the visibility, acceptance and support of families like Eliza’s. An attempt to communicate difficult circumstances with teachers, educators, social workers, other parents and friends of those also experiencing these issues.Building on a surge of gracious personal responses and industry acclaim, Missing The Mark evolved, alongside Eliza's parental journey, to offer much needed support in a broader capacity.

Eliza lives and works in Brighton & Hove on the South coast of England.

Em Hammond @NeuroWild (she/her)

Em is an Autistic and ADHDer speech pathologist, and Mum to three neurodivergent kiddos. She is also an artist and illustrator and shares much loved content over at the highly successful Instagram and Facebook accounts @NeuroWild.

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

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Em Rusciano (she/her)

Writer, singer, stand-up comedian and podcaster Em Rusciano is truly one of Australia’s most well-rounded performers.

Em’s podcast ‘Emsolation’ was picked up as Australia’s FIRST Spotify exclusive and came second in the Australian Podcast awards in the People’s Choice category. Emsolation is now produced by Em’s production company Down The Hill Studios, and they debuted at number one on the Apple podcast comedy charts on their first week of independence. They’ve also launched a hugely successful premium subscription offering, Emsolation Extra on top of their weekly regular episode.

Em’s best-selling book Try Hard: Tales from the Life of a Needy Overachiever went to the top of the iBook charts before it was even released with great critical and public acclaim.

Em’s social media community is fierce, loud and passionately loyal with 242,000 fans on Instagram and a huge weekly social media reach of up to 10 million, Em is an extremely in-demand content creator.

Em is an engaging and unique keynote speaker; she has addressed the prestigious National Press Club of Australia on the subject of ADHA and her son’s autism. She has been widely praised for the speech and the effect it’s had on helping remove the stigma around neuro-divergence.

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Frances Brennan (she/her)

Frances Brennan (Owner/Director) is an experienced speech pathologist currently leading the team at The Speech Tree, a private speech pathology practice in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.

Frances is autistic with ADHD. Together, Frances combines her professional and personal experience to support children/young people, families and schools with a focus on advocating for a safer environment for autistic people to be their authentic selves.

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Kaitlin Pradhan (she/her)

Kaitlin is an Autistic ADHDer, studying a double major in creative writing, and disability and inclusion, online. She hopes to use her experiences to create more safe, supportive and accepting environments, for Autistic students. She is also passionate about helping Autistic students to feel more empowered within themselves. In any spare time, you would currently find Kaitlin knitting or drawing. She also likes to read, write and watch most things fantasy-related (as long as it has a happy ending.)

Katie Koullas (she/her)

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.

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Kelly Mahler (she/her)

Kelly Mahler is an Occupational Therapist, Educator, Research Enthusiast, Trying-her-Best Mom and Interoception Groupie! She teaches professionals, caregivers, and self-helpers how to use evidence-based supports that facilitate discovery and validation of each person’s unique interoception experience, which in turn empowers people with self-understanding, self-regulation, health, well-being, andsocial connection.

Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L, earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. She has been an occupational therapist for 20 years, serving school-aged children and adults. Kelly is winner of multiple awards, including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award & a Mom’s Choice Gold Medal. She is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA as well as at Misericordia University, Dallas, PA.Kelly is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma & autism.

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Khadija Gbla (she/they)

Khadija Gbla is multi hyphenate high profile, passionate and inspiring African Australian woman. She is a single mum, carer, black, non-binary, queer, neurodivergent and disable award-winning human rights activist, model, inspirational speaker, writer and mentor. She has displayed great courage and determination in achieving her aspirations of giving women, youth and minority groups a voice at a local, state and international level.

Khadija utilises her powerful and inspired voice to advocate for structural change and everyday simple everyday actions we can all take to achieve true equality and inclusion for all people.

Khadija provides advocacy, training, coaching, mentoring speaking on domestic and family violence, sexual health, racism, FGM, human rights, gender equality, intersectionality, inclusion and diversity, bias, mental health, disability, ndis, migrants and refugees and cultural diversity and so much more through her cultural consultancy, khadija Gbla Cultural Consultancy.

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Marie Camin (she/her)

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.

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Patrick Saunders (he/him)

My name is Patrick Saunders and I’m a 14-year-old non-speaker who communicates with a letter board. I am Autistic and I love to spell, bushwalk, listen to and watch music, swim and move.

I have Apraxia and Developmental Coordination Disorder which affects my motor planning and how I move.

You might remember me from when I cycled a bicycle across America with my mum and dad and from the ABC podcast The Parenting Spectrum.

If you would like to contact me or collaborate on something please head to my website thestoryspeller.com The Story Speller is a website where I share experiences and stories about non-speaking autism using spelling to communicate.

Ruby Wiggins (she/her)

Ruby Wiggins is an 18-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. She graduated high school last year in the class of 2023. She is currently in her first year of university studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at La Trobe University, Melbourne in order to advance the way neurodivergent individuals are cared for in the allied health sector.

Ruby is multi-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. She also won the ISV student poetry competition in 2022 where she performed her poem about her love for performing and musical theatre.

Sandhya Menon (she/her)

Sandhya Menon is a proud Autistic/ADHDer Psychologist whose SpIn lies in helping AuDHD children understand their identity and for those in their environment to understand Au/DHD ways.

She is the author of several books, The Brain Forest and The Rainbow Brain, and releasing My Body's Power Pack this year to help achieve this and speaks to organisations about creating inclusive and neuro-affirming spaces.

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Sarah Gurrin (she/her)

Sarah is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and fully registered teacher who works in private practice on the Gold Coast. She specialises in Neurodiversity especially in women and girls. Sarah provides therapy to children and assessments for children and adults.

Sarah is an AuDHD’er who and has found her Ikigai in working with neurodiverse individuals. Sarah practices Neurodiversity Affirming therapy and assessments helping neurodivergent people explore their unique profiles and thrive. Sarah uses a lot of Lego in her work and has an assistance dog named Hamilton who is the star of the show.

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Shadia Hancock (they/them)

Shadia is a proud Autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) advocate and the proud owner and founder of Autism Actually, a consultancy and advocacy service. They are currently studying Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) and Cert IV in Animal Behaviour and Training, with the long-term goal of specialising in Autism and animal-assisted therapy.

Shadia was formally identified with Autism at the age of three, Generalised Anxiety Disorder at 14, and ADHD combined type at 23. Being non-binary, they enjoy discussing the intersectionality of Autism and gender diversity. They are very passionate about sharing information about what being Autistic is like.

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Sonny Jane Wise (they/them)

Sonny Jane is a multiply neurodivergent advocate, author, creator and public speaker with a national and international presence.

Sonny was diagnosed with Autism as a child and grew up only hearing a deficit narrative about their neurodivergence. Since then, they have gone on to build an audience of over 100,000 people online, written two books, spoken at various conferences and summits and worked with organisations and services around Australia to help change the narrative around neurodivergence.

Through their workshops and public speaking, Sonny Jane encourages professionals and individuals to shift to the neurodiversity paradigm and both unpack and challenge neuronormativity.

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Summer Farrelly (they/them)

Summer Farrelly (They/Them) is a 17-year-old inclusion advocate, education consultant, public speaker, animal behaviourist, creator, and facilitator of an animal assisted learning program.

Summer conducts workshops that educate educators from the perspective of an autistic student. They also share the benefits of human and animal connection.

They are a valuable contributor within the animal assisted learning/ therapy and education sectors presenting on international and national platform.

Summer is homeschooling student and a 2nd year Zoology student at university focusing on Animal Behaviour.

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Veronika Miller (they/she)

Veronika is a student activist from Western Sydney finishing her final year of high school. With a passion for supporting community led justice and equality programs Veronika plans to become a politician to create a better future for all.

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