Program

8.00am Registrations Open

8.30am Welcome from host Karni Lidell

8.50am Keynote Session: Breaking Barriers & Redefining Possibilities with Karni Liddell

Karni Liddell’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers. Born with a neuro-muscular wasting disease and given little chance of survival, she defied every expectation—becoming a world-record-holding Paralympian, disability advocate, clinical social worker, and sought-after speaker.

From breaking world records to leading the fight for the NDIS, Karni has dedicated her career to driving change. Her work in disability rights, inclusive employment, and domestic violence advocacy has transformed lives and challenged outdated perceptions.

With passion, humour, and powerful storytelling, Karni’s keynote will inspire you to rethink inclusion, push boundaries, and create real opportunities for the next generation.

9.30am to 10.00am From Diagnosis to Carer Burnout – Supporting Families Every Step of the Way

Pieta Manning, Maya Pinn & Hollie Feller

A diagnosis is just the beginning of a complex journey for families, often marked by uncertainty, emotional strain, and systemic barriers. This session features Pieta Manning, Maya Pinn and Hollie Feller who bring lived and professional expertise in advocacy, peer support, and inclusive communities.
They’ll share insights on navigating rare diseases, strengthening family-professional partnerships, and preventing carer burnout. Gain an understanding of how you can create more effective, compassionate support systems that truly empower families throughout their journey.

10.00am to 10.30am Morning Tea

10.30am to 11.15am Implementing Better Strategies to Engage Parents and Support Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health: Evidence for Allied Health Practitioners in Paediatric Practice

Helen Bourke-Taylor

Join Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor for an evidence-based session focused on strengthening the role of allied health professionals in paediatric care by elevating family engagement and emotional wellbeing strategies. Drawing on more than three decades of clinical and academic experience, Helen will share insights from her work with mothers of children with disabilities, including her co-designed program Healthy Mothers Healthy Families.

This session will explore practical approaches to build stronger therapeutic alliances with parents, support their mental health, and enhance overall family wellbeing—factors proven to positively impact child outcomes. Through real-world examples and current research, participants will leave with tools and perspectives to foster more collaborative, empathetic and effective care in everyday paediatric practice

11.15am to 11.45am Empowering Families: Advocacy, system navigation, and collaborative care

Karen Dimmock (CEO, ACD, VIC) & Kristy Sellers (NDIS Navigator & Parent Advocate)

For allied health professionals and educators, partnering with families is key to ensuring better outcomes for children with disabilities. Karen Dimmock, CEO of ACD (formerly Association for Children with Disability) in Victoria, will be joined by parent Kristy Sellers to share real-life experiences and practical strategies for advocacy, system navigation, and collaboration.

Learn how to support families through complex systems, build trust, and enhance communication to create stronger partnerships. With Karen’s expertise as both a sector leader and carer, this session will provide valuable insights into empowering families and improving professional-family collaboration.

11.45am to 12.15pm Therapy in Transition: Responding to Reform with Practical Solutions

Sarah Collison 

The disability sector is undergoing a major transformation, with new rules reshaping how supports are defined, funded, and delivered. This session unpacks the recent changes to the NDIS Rules, particularly the updated Supports for Participants rule and Section 33 funding periods. The session will explore their real-world implications for allied health professionals. 

Through practical examples and case-based discussion, we’ll translate policy into practice, highlighting key risks, emerging challenges, and actionable strategies to ensure service continuity and compliance. Whatever allied health discipline, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to navigate the reforms and continue delivering high-quality, participant-centred care.  

12.15pm to 1.15pm Lunch Break

1.15pm to 2.00pm Neurodiversity Affirming Practice with Children and Young People

Raelene Dundon

Join Raelene Dundon, an Autistic and ADHDer Educational and Developmental Psychologist, for an insightful session on neurodiversity-affirming practice. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Raelene champions approaches that honour neurodivergent identities, foster authentic self-expression, and improve mental health outcomes for children and young people.

This session will explore practical strategies for educators and allied health professionals to create inclusive, strengths-based environments that support neurodivergent children to thrive. Gain valuable insights into shifting away from traditional deficit-based models and embracing approaches that empower neurodivergent individuals to be their true selves.

2.00pm to 2.45pm Raising the Bar: Innovation & Engagement in Allied Health and Education

Dimitra Baveas, Robert Norman & Vathana Sackett

It’s time to push the boundaries of traditional practice and lead the way in innovation across allied health and education. In this forward-thinking session, Dimitra, Rob and Vathana will share groundbreaking strategies, emerging technologies, and creative approaches that are reshaping how professionals engage with families, schools, and communities.

Discover how bold ideas and collaborative innovation can drive better outcomes, strengthen connections, and create truly inclusive and engaging experiences for the children and families we support. This session is for those ready to be leaders and changemakers in this space.

2.45pm to 3.15pm Afternoon Tea

3.15pm to 3.45pm Less is more: Increasing family satisfaction through sustainable equipment provision

Joana Santiago

Ever found yourself adding “just one more thing” – just in case? You're not alone. Across five countries and diverse funding systems, Joana Santiago has seen a common thread: clinicians over-prescribe not from excess, but from care, caution, and pressure. Yet this well-meaning habit can dilute outcomes, overwhelm families, inflate costs, and erode professional satisfaction. In this session, Joana will explore how to identify the minimum effective dose, and how reflective practice and supportive teams can build confidence in clinical decision-making. Join this session to shift from clutter to clarity—and deliver more impactful, sustainable, and satisfying outcomes for families, funders, and the planet.

3.45pm to 4.15pm Supporting Siblings: Understanding the impact of disability and providing meaningful support

Madeleine Buchner (CEO Little Dreamers) & Jacqueline de Mamiel (Young Carer Advocate)

Siblings of children with disabilities often take on unique roles that shape their experiences, emotions, and future. In this insightful session, Madeleine Buchner, CEO of Little Dreamers, and Jacqueline de Mamiel, Young Carer Voice Lead at Little Dreamers, share their lived experiences navigating life as a sibling carer. Learn about the challenges siblings face, the emotional and social impact of growing up in a caring role, and practical ways to provide meaningful support. Discover how allied health professionals, educators, and families can better recognise, empower, and advocate for siblings, ensuring they feel valued, heard, and supported throughout their journey.

4.15pm to 4.30pm Program close

4.30pm to 5.30pm Networking Event