Katie (she/her) 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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Natasha Staheli (she/her) is a dedicated and trusted ally and one of the founding directors of Yellow Ladybugs. Passionate about amplifying autistic perspectives, she works to create resources and content that empowers and supports ladybugs of all ages. With a policy background, and years of experience parenting neurodivergent teens and supporting the Yellow Ladybugs community, Natasha brings a deep understanding and commitment to fostering meaningful change.

Adina Levy (she/her) is a proud AuDHDer (Autistic ADHDer), Speech Therapist, Professional Educator, Podcaster, Speaker, and Business Coach for Neurodivergent folks. She runs Play. Learn. Chat. and Neurodivergent Business Coaching & Consulting. Adina is on a mission to shift the perception of the global community, to understand neurodivergence as difference (which is fine!). She believes (and lives) that it's possible to be Neurodivergent and thrive. To live outside of burnout and stress. This takes greater acceptance of neurodivergence from others, shifting environments to be most supportive, and a dash of self-acceptance.

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Em (she/her) 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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Ebony (she/her) 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.

Ebony went through her schooling years as a high-achieving, very high-masking individual whose academic results and the way she presented in the classroom did not at all reflect the extreme effort she had to expend nor the myriad of challenges she experienced just being present at school. Therefore, she, like many other speakers at our conference, received no accommodations or support at all during her schooling years. Later, Ebony experienced the education system as a classroom teacher and education consultant in both mainstream and specialist settings, across the early childhood, primary and secondary years. 

She is looking forward to sharing her insights from both her lived experience and extensive involvement in the education system, to support conference attendees to create the most inclusive classrooms possible for all ladybugs. 

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Chelsea Luker (she/her) 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 (she/her) 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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Claire Britton (she/her), Director and Principal Occupational Therapist at Neuroinclusion, brings over nine years of experience, enthusiasm and commitment to empowering neurodivergent clients and therapists across Australia. Passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practices, Claire offers top-tier clinical mentorship, training, and support. She shares her insights on Neuroinclusion Instagram, where she engages over 30,000 followers, and speaks widely as an advocate and podcast guest. With extensive experience in schools, private practice, and community settings, Claire combines her professional and personal neurodivergent insights to promote best practices that support clients' success in daily life.

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Mel Spencer (she/her) is a fierce Autistic advocate. As a parent to 3 Autistic teenagers and identifying as Autistic herself (Mel realised as a result of her own children being diagnosed she too is on the Autism spectrum), she is committed to ensuring that the world is more accommodating and accepting of the Autism community, which includes supporting both the Autistic individual and their family, including parents and carers. She is very passionate about making a difference and finding creative ways to overcome the challenges and obstacles that present along the way. Mel is the co-founder and current Executive Officer of Different Journeys to ensure that her children had the opportunity to connect with a wider world than their bedrooms. Her vision for Different Journeys is to provide opportunities for our Autistic community to find meaningful ways to connect and empower both themselves and their families, ensuring they have every opportunity that is afforded to them so they can lead a fulfilling life.

Sarah (she/her) a social worker, mother and neurodivergent author who has many years' experience as an NDIS specialist support coordinator. Sarah was a foster carer for many years and is also a mum to 5 amazing kids (including Yellow Ladybugs ambassador and world renowned actress, Chloe Hayden author and autism Advocate Chloe Hayden and her youngest two were adopted through intercountry adoption. Sarah has a special interest in trauma informed care, neuroplasticity, developmental trauma, adoption, autism, complex family dynamics and the justice system.

Cassandra Allen (she/her) is a Clinical Counsellor, Psychotherapist, and Team Leader of Counselling & Coaching at Carer Gateway, dedicated to supporting individuals who care for others, particularly parents and carers managing the complexities of raising neurodivergent children and loved ones with complex needs.

Cassandra will present practical strategies for managing parental stress, setting boundaries, and prioritising self-care in this panel discussion. Her goal is to empower carers by demonstrating how Carer Gateway provides tailored support through counselling and coaching sessions and other dedicated services, helping them navigate challenges and enhance their well-being in their caring roles.

Amy (she/her) is an ADHDer, an OT, developmental psychologist and the co-founder of Autism Level UP! 

Autism Level (she/her) UP! is a partnership of two developmental psychologists, one autistic and the other allistic (ADHD). Our philosophy is that through education, accessible resources, practical strategies and a commitment to consistently incorporating the experiences and perspectives of autistic people, we can support the leveling up of society when it comes to autism and neurodiversity. 

Amy enjoys supporting Autistic individuals and their partners, co-conspiring as an ally to Autistic people and creative design of useful and accessible tools and supports. Amy has many sensory needs that she meets through running, yoga, dance, paddle boarding and even resistance training as prescribed by her trainer, Jac.

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Jac Fede (she/her) is a self-described “super fun, super goofy and super-duper nerdy” autistic advocate. As the co-founder of Autism Level UP! in Rhode Island, Fede supports autistic individuals and their partners. She works in program evaluation, data and statistics, and app and web development.

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Frances Brennan (she/her) (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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Annelil (she/they) 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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Caitlin Hughes (she/they) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and Autistic ADHDer. Through their private practice, Cathartic Collaborations, Caitlin offers neuro-affirming therapeutic support to Autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals. Passionate about fostering growth in others, they support other Social Workers in developing their neuro-affirming practice. As a published researcher and PhD candidate focused on Autistic mental health, Caitlin combines academic and personal insights to drive change. They also co-host, Divergent Dialogues, a podcast dedicated to educating others about Neurodivergent mental health through the lens of lived and professional experience.  

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Ine (she/they) is a proud multi neurodivergent individual (Audhd and Dyslexic), and is a Senior Occupational Therapist and Educator with lived and living intersectional experience and a passion for affirming care. Ine has led innovative programs in youth and adult mental health, focusing on equity, diversity, and addressing systemic barriers to support marginalised communities.

Natasha Staheli (she/her) is a dedicated and trusted ally and one of the founding directors of Yellow Ladybugs. Passionate about amplifying autistic perspectives, she works to create resources and content that empowers and supports ladybugs of all ages. With a policy background, and years of experience parenting neurodivergent teens and supporting the Yellow Ladybugs community, Natasha brings a deep understanding and commitment to fostering meaningful change.

Kelly Mahler (she/her) 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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Caroline Gaddy (she/they), MFA, MA, CCC-SLP (they/she) is a speech-language pathologist, AAC specialist, disability advocate, and neurodiversity educator. They have presented at both state and national conferences and co-authored articles on neuro-affirming practices, AAC, and Autistic communication styles. Caroline is passionate about disability justice and inclusion, and firmly believes that communication is a fundamental human right.

Dr Alberto (he/him) 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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Dr. Megan Anna Neff (she/they) is a clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Neurodivergent Insights. She is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People and has an upcoming book on autistic burnout. Dr. Neff contributes regularly to Psychology Today and has been featured in outlets like CNN, PBS, and The Los Angeles Times. After discovering her own neurodivergence at age 37, she became passionate about raising awareness of non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Through Neurodivergent Insights, she creates educational and wellness resources for the neurodivergent community, while also co-hosting the Divergent Conversations podcast.

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Dr Ritu Campbell (she/her) is a Perth-based Clinical Psychologist specialising in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ritu completed her Doctorate in Psychology at Murdoch University, Perth, and has specialised in diagnosis and therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder since 1999. She worked as a Clinical Psychologist at Disability Services Commission and the State Child Development Centre, before opening her private practice in 2004. Ritu specialises in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in complex cases and is particularly experienced in the diagnosis of women and girls on the Autism Spectrum.

Dr Miriam Kirby (she/her) is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has worked within the areas of Autism and Mental Health for over 20 years. She is committed to helping neurodivergent individuals of all ages to understand their identity, identify and advocate for supports and accommodations, and manage co-occurring mental health conditions across different settings.
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Tash (she/her) is an AuDHDer with Yorta Yorta lineage. She is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist on the Koori Kids Team at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and constantly leaves a trail of glitter across the Preston VAHS site. Her special interests are the ocean, Lego and Halloween.

Mel (they/them) is a non-binary autistic ADHDer and Social Worker from Naarm (Melbourne) with over a decade of experience in youth services, counselling, and systemic advocacy. As a late identified AuDHDer at 33, Mel uses their lived experience to reframe challenges and foster inclusive, affirming spaces for neurodivergent and gender-diverse individuals. Their passion for dismantling oppressive systems and building trust through personal and professional insight makes them an inspiring voice at the Yellow Ladybugs conference.

Rebecca (she/her) is a neurodivergent Occupational Therapist with lived experience of chronic illness. Known on social media as The Chronically Resilient OT, she has a small private practice, Chronic Resilience: Lived Experience Occupational Therapy, and is passionate about working with neurodivergent and chronically ill people to support them to do the things that are important to them. She also creates worksheets and graphics, writes blogs, and develops and delivers trainings. Current special interest areas are neurodiversity affirming practice and sensory processing. She lives in New Zealand and loves board games, books and gentle nature walks.

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Matthew (he/him) is an AFAB trans-masc late identified PDA AuDHD-er and currently supports autistic kids and the VIC carer team at Autism Camp Australia. He has deep interests in communication, connection, and play, and a big passion for seeing neurodivergent kids and adults alike find joy in their authentic selves.

As a support worker, Matthew has had the incredible privilege of doing life alongside a number of kids. Believing that the role of a support worker is one of the most uniquely placed and under-utilised roles in the support teams of young people, he hopes to create opportunities for support workers to understand their role and impact, and access the kinds of supervision and professional development commonplace in allied health.

Dr. Wenn (he/him), (Phd) autistic lecturer, British psychologist, researcher, advocate, writer and poet has passionately shared professional and personal knowledge of autism over the past 3 decades. As a autistic trans man, Wenn has written/contributed to over 30 books and many papers. In 2008 he won 4th. place as Victorian Australian of The Year & in 2017 he presented to the United Nations on matters of Autism and ageing.

Helen (she/her) is late identified Autistic and a parent to two neurodivergent children. Helen is a former Early Years/Primary teacher and worked for 20 years in SEND Early Years / Primary settings in the UK (specialising in supporting those with profound and multiple learning disabilities). Helen regularly delivers neurodiversity-affirming educational training and workshops for those supporting young people who may be experiencing barriers to education and Autistic Burnout. Her special interest lies in the neurodiversity-affirming theory of Monotropism.

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Katie (she/her) 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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Em (she/her) 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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Sarah (she/her) is an autistic ADHDer with a passion for understanding neurodivergence with a dialectical focus. Sarah believes that dialectical thinking gives us a way to understand and acknowledge the conflict we often find within our lived experience of neurodivergence and disability. Over the last 2 years, Sarah has built NeuroDialectical; an online space for those who want to unpack and embrace being a walking contradiction.

Sarah is continually working with the challenging reality that comes with being neurodivergent, and hopes to help others do the same. NeuroDialectical aims to be a safe place for people to let their minds be messy, and get comfy with the uncomfortable.

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Veronika (she/her) 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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Monique (she/her) is an Autistic and ADHD’er Clinical Psychologist in Brisbane Australia. She is Co-Director of Divergent Futures which focuses on neurodiversity affirming training, has consulted on the National Autism Strategy and has co-authored ‘The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD’ (2024) by New Harbinger with Jennifer Kemp.   Monique has an interest in Autism and ADHD particularly in women and girls, and co-occurring chronic pain/illness, and trauma.  Monique also co-hosts The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast with Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Michelle Livock which shares free clinical and lived experience information on Neurodivergence in Girls and Women for professionals, neurodivergent people and their loved ones. The podcast has over 1.7 million downloads and is in the top 1% of podcasts on Spotify.

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The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast:

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Sandhya Menon (she/her) is an AuDHD Developmental Psychologist and Author of beloved books The Brain Forest, The Rainbow Brain and her new upcoming book, My Body's Power Pack. She helps guide children and families into early positive self-identity and a deep appreciation of their neurotype through assessment and educational services. Hailing from Singapore from a multi-cultural family, she reflects deeply on intersectional issues, insists on nuance and embraces the diverse aspects that form self-identity. Sandhya balances passion for social justice issues with deep rest, and enjoys reading in solitude, whale watching and happy stimming at the small things in life. 

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Dr Theresa Kidd (she/her) is a clinical psychologist, research fellow, and clinical director of The Kidd Clinic, a private, bicoastal psychology and allied health practice across Melbourne and Perth. Her work focuses on Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), ADHD, and mental health across the lifespan. Dr Kidd works to support Autistic people and the larger community by providing affirming psychological services, education, and advocating for inclusive, strengths-based approaches. Her experiences as an AuDHDer and as a parent within a neurodivergent family, including children with PDA, shape her commitment to enhancing the well-being of neurodivergent families.

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"The Kidd Clinic provides a range of evidence-based assessment and therapeutic services to neurodivergent children, adolescents and adults, and others experiencing social and emotional difficulties.
We embrace diversity and respect the unique perspectives, values and needs of each client."

 

Marie (she/her) 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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Akii Ngo (they/them) is a passionate advocate and activist for neurodivergent inclusion and disability rights, with lived experience as an Autistic, ADHD, and physically disabled individual. They are dedicated to improving support systems for neurodivergent and disabled communities through genuine co-design, policy reform, and intersectional advocacy. Akii has played a key role in shaping national disability and LGBTIQA+ strategies, ensuring that neurodivergent individuals receive meaningful, accessible, and affirming support. Their work spans education, workforce inclusion, and violence prevention, always centring lived experience. Through their leadership, Akii champions neuro-affirming approaches that empower individuals to access the accommodations and support they deserve.

Khadija Gbla (she/they) is a 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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Christina Schmidt (she/her/hers) is a Black African-American-Australian multicultural and multidialectal AuDHD woman who proudly embraces her identity in all facets of her work and advocacy. As the founder of Free to Be Me Speech Pathology, she supports paediatric and adult clients with neuroaffirming care that honours individual communication strengths and needs. Beyond her clinical work, Christina is a passionate racial, cultural and disability advocate, weaving her lived/living experiences and professional expertise to create meaningful impact. She lives, works, plays and creates on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People in Naarm (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), and is deeply committed to amplifying diverse voices and stories.

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Sarah (she/her) 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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Sonny Jane (they/them) 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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Katie (she/her) 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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