NATCA & LOAPAC Expo 2026
Conference Hub — Registered Attendees Only
Incorrect password. Please try again.
Need help? Contact connect@neurodiversityaffirmingtherapyaus.org
Welcome to
NATCA & LOAPAC Expo 2026
9th – 10th July 2026
Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields & Online
Happy NAIDOC Week! 🖤💛❤️
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this conference takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us, in person and online, and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands from which our online community connects. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this conference takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us, in person and online, and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands from which our online community connects. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Conference Spaces
Live
Join Live Sessions
Enter the virtual auditorium
Online Sensory Room
A calm space to decompress and regulate
Recordings
Access pre-recorded online presentations
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Expo
Visit our exhibitors' virtual booths
Food & Catering
Menus for both days with dietary info
Conference Handbook
Download the full conference guide
Need Help?
Thursday Schedule
8:45
Ceremony
Welcome to Country
8:55
Opening
Conference Open
9:00
Keynote
Reclaiming Humanity: Identity, State Based Violence, and Neurodivergent Resistance
A/Prof Monique Botha — Online
10:00
Presentation
Exploring Neuronormativity, Sanism and Neurodivergent Identity across Cultures
Mish Kumar-Jonson & Dr Xi Liu
10:30
Break
Morning Tea
11:00
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Introduction
11:10
Presentation
Intergenerational Impacts of Unidentified Autistic Needs
Marie Camin
11:30
Presentation
Relational Foundations for Supporting Nonspeaking ND Youth & Adults
Casey Brocksopp
11:50
Presentation
Paddock Play
Nadine Delaney
12:10
Presentation
Becoming with Them
Amiee Pember
12:30
Break
Lunch
1:15
Panel
Neurodivergence in First Nations Communities
Damian Griffis, Rebecca Gannon & William Ward-Boas
2:00
Presentation
Why Are They So Obsessed With Us
Yalei Wilson
2:15
Keynote
Pathology or Protection: Depathologising BPD and NPD
Sonny Jane Wise
3:00
Break
Afternoon Tea
3:30
Presentation
Plurality and Neurodivergence
Steph Robertson & Dr Miro Rainsford
3:50
Presentation
The OCD of Being "Good"
Amrit Grewal
4:10
Panel
Autism and Chronic Health Conditions
Bianca Comfort, Dr Jason Lam, A/Prof Josephine Barbaro, Monique Mitchelson & Lumen Gorrie
5:00
Social
Social Event
Conference Spaces
Live
Join Live Sessions
Enter the virtual auditorium
Online Sensory Room
A calm space to decompress and regulate
Recordings
Access pre-recorded online presentations
LOAPACLOAPAC Expo
Visit our exhibitors' virtual booths
Food & Catering
Menus for both days with dietary info
Conference Handbook
Download the full conference guide
Need Help?
Friday Schedule
8:15
Wellbeing
Meditative Movement and Moments
Anna Kilpatrick
9:00
Keynote
What We Affirm: Clarifying the Values and Premises of ND Affirming Therapy
Professor Nick Walker — Online
10:00
Panel
Autism, Psychedelics and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Nick Walker (Online), Alvita Sam, Liam Spicer & panellists
10:30
Break
Morning Tea
11:00
Presentation
Using Neuroscience Insights to Inform Affirming Therapy
Dr Olga Dobrushina
11:30
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Lived Experience Practitioners Symposium
12:30
Break
Lunch
1:15
Research
Research Symposium (8 presentations)
3:15
Break
Afternoon Tea
3:30
Presentation
Situational Mutism and Beyond
Jessica Benson-Lidholm
3:50
Presentation
LEANS Australia
Inga Koops & Sharon Fraser
4:10
Presentation
Autistic & ADHD Relationships and Sexual Satisfaction
Annelil Desille & Denise Abreu
4:30
Presentation
Self-Care Isn't Optional: Nervous System Safety
Brianna Thomas & Dr Jade Goodman
4:50
Closing
Conference Close
Your On-Demand Library
Online Presentations
Online Research Presentations
Conference Day Recordings
Conference Handbook
Your 2026 Conference Handbook
Everything you need for the two days — venue info, full program, speaker details, activities, accessibility information, and more. Download it to your device so it's always with you, even offline.
⬇ Download Handbook (PDF)
👁 Or view it here in the app
What's Inside
📋 Full two-day program & session times
🎤 Speaker & presenter information
📍 Venue map & getting to Hyatt Place Essendon Fields
♿ Accessibility information & quiet spaces
🎨 Conference activities
🍽️ Catering & dietary information
💜 LOAPAC Expo exhibitor guide
💬 Contact & support details
Food & Catering
Dietary key: V = Vegetarian · VEG/VGN = Vegan · GF = Gluten Free · DF = Dairy Free · EF = Egg Free · NF = Nut Free · H = Halal · GFO = Gluten Free Option
LOAPAC Expo '26 — Virtual Booths
Visit our incredible exhibitors! Tap a booth to visit their website, or scan the QR code with your phone.
Virtual Auditorium
Welcome to the Conference Room
Now or Next
Loading session…
▶ Take Your Seat — Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 915 5185 2776
The Zoom room opens 10 minutes before each session.
Join and participate in whatever way feels right for you.
The Zoom room opens 10 minutes before each session.
Join and participate in whatever way feels right for you.
Take a Moment
A calm space, whenever you need it
Step away, settle your system, and return when you're ready. There's no right way to use this space — rev up or wind down, whatever you need.
🌊 Calm & Settle
Guided Breathing
Follow the circle — in and out
Gentle Doodling
Slow mindful drawing, no goal needed
Ambient Sounds
Mix rain, waves, fire & more (opens in new tab)
Rest Your Eyes
Soft drifting colours, nothing to do
⚡ Rev Up & Engage
Bubble Pop
Tap the bubbles as they float by
NATCA Memory Match
Find the matching pairs
Catch the Psi
Tap the LOAPAC symbols as they float past
Doodle Pad
Draw & doodle in conference colours
🎮 More Online Activities
Virtual Sandtray ⭐
Create scenes in a calming digital sandtray
Slow It Down ⭐
Gentle guided sensory activities
Cap Sort
Satisfying colour sorting (has ads)
Bubble Shooter
Classic bubble matching (has ads)
Colour by Number
Relaxing tap-to-colour (has ads)
Tap Color
Catch the floating shapes
⭐ = our top picks · These open in a new tab · Some free games include ads
🌿 More
Our Virtual Sensory Space
The full NATCA online sensory room with all activities
You're welcome to stay as long as you like.
The conference will be here when you're ready.
The conference will be here when you're ready.
Guided Breathing
Breathe in as the circle grows… breathe out as it shrinks. Stay as long as you like.
Breathe
Colour Drift
Nothing to do here. Just watch, rest, and breathe.
Bubble Pop
Tap the bubbles as they float past!
NATCA Memory Match
Find all 8 matching pairs
Moves: 0 · Pairs: 0/8
🎉 You found them all!
Ψ 0
Catch the Psi
Tap the LOAPAC Ψ symbols as they drift past — gold ones are worth 2!
Doodle Pad
Draw whatever you like — in conference colours 💛
NATCA & LOAPAC Expo 2026
Conference Hub — Registered Attendees Only
Incorrect password. Please try again.
Need help? Contact connect@neurodiversityaffirmingtherapyaus.org
Welcome to
NATCA & LOAPAC Expo 2026
9th – 10th July 2026
Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields & Online
Happy NAIDOC Week! 🖤💛❤️
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this conference takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us, in person and online, and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands from which our online community connects. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this conference takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us, in person and online, and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands from which our online community connects. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Conference Spaces
Live
Join Live Sessions
Enter the virtual auditorium
Online Sensory Room
A calm space to decompress and regulate
Recordings
Access pre-recorded online presentations
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Expo
Visit our exhibitors' virtual booths
Food & Catering
Menus for both days with dietary info
Conference Handbook
Download the full conference guide
Need Help?
Thursday Schedule
8:45
Ceremony
Welcome to Country
8:55
Opening
Conference Open
9:00
Keynote
Reclaiming Humanity: Identity, State Based Violence, and Neurodivergent Resistance
A/Prof Monique Botha — Online
10:00
Presentation
Exploring Neuronormativity, Sanism and Neurodivergent Identity across Cultures
Mish Kumar-Jonson & Dr Xi Liu
10:30
Break
Morning Tea
11:00
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Introduction
11:10
Presentation
Intergenerational Impacts of Unidentified Autistic Needs
Marie Camin
11:30
Presentation
Relational Foundations for Supporting Nonspeaking ND Youth & Adults
Casey Brocksopp
11:50
Presentation
Paddock Play
Nadine Delaney
12:10
Presentation
Becoming with Them
Amiee Pember
12:30
Break
Lunch
1:15
Panel
Neurodivergence in First Nations Communities
Damian Griffis, Rebecca Gannon & William Ward-Boas
2:00
Presentation
Why Are They So Obsessed With Us
Yalei Wilson
2:15
Keynote
Pathology or Protection: Depathologising BPD and NPD
Sonny Jane Wise
3:00
Break
Afternoon Tea
3:30
Presentation
Plurality and Neurodivergence
Steph Robertson & Dr Miro Rainsford
3:50
Presentation
The OCD of Being "Good"
Amrit Grewal
4:10
Panel
Autism and Chronic Health Conditions
Bianca Comfort, Dr Jason Lam, A/Prof Josephine Barbaro, Monique Mitchelson & Lumen Gorrie
5:00
Social
Social Event
Conference Spaces
Live
Join Live Sessions
Enter the virtual auditorium
Online Sensory Room
A calm space to decompress and regulate
Recordings
Access pre-recorded online presentations
LOAPACLOAPAC Expo
Visit our exhibitors' virtual booths
Food & Catering
Menus for both days with dietary info
Conference Handbook
Download the full conference guide
Need Help?
Friday Schedule
8:15
Wellbeing
Meditative Movement and Moments
Anna Kilpatrick
9:00
Keynote
What We Affirm: Clarifying the Values and Premises of ND Affirming Therapy
Professor Nick Walker — Online
10:00
Panel
Autism, Psychedelics and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Nick Walker (Online), Alvita Sam, Liam Spicer & panellists
10:30
Break
Morning Tea
11:00
Presentation
Using Neuroscience Insights to Inform Affirming Therapy
Dr Olga Dobrushina
11:30
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Lived Experience Practitioners Symposium
12:30
Break
Lunch
1:15
Research
Research Symposium (8 presentations)
3:15
Break
Afternoon Tea
3:30
Presentation
Situational Mutism and Beyond
Jessica Benson-Lidholm
3:50
Presentation
LEANS Australia
Inga Koops
4:10
Presentation
Autistic & ADHD Relationships and Sexual Satisfaction
Annelil Desille & Denise Abreu
4:30
Presentation
Self-Care Isn't Optional: Nervous System Safety
Brianna Thomas & Dr Jade Goodman
4:50
Closing
Conference Close
Your On-Demand Library
Online Presentations
Online Research Presentations
Conference Day Recordings
Conference Handbook
Your 2026 Conference Handbook
Everything you need for the two days — venue info, full program, speaker details, activities, accessibility information, and more. Download it to your device so it's always with you, even offline.
⬇ Download Handbook (PDF)
👁 Or view it here in the app
What's Inside
📋 Full two-day program & session times
🎤 Speaker & presenter information
📍 Venue map & getting to Hyatt Place Essendon Fields
♿ Accessibility information & quiet spaces
🎨 Conference activities
🍽️ Catering & dietary information
💜 LOAPAC Expo exhibitor guide
💬 Contact & support details
Food & Catering
Dietary key: V = Vegetarian · VEG/VGN = Vegan · GF = Gluten Free · DF = Dairy Free · EF = Egg Free · NF = Nut Free · H = Halal · GFO = Gluten Free Option
LOAPAC Expo '26 — Virtual Booths
Visit our incredible exhibitors! Tap a booth to visit their website, or scan the QR code with your phone.
Virtual Auditorium
Welcome to the Conference Room
Now or Next
Loading session…
▶ Take Your Seat — Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 915 5185 2776
The Zoom room opens 10 minutes before each session.
Join and participate in whatever way feels right for you.
The Zoom room opens 10 minutes before each session.
Join and participate in whatever way feels right for you.
Take a Moment
A calm space, whenever you need it
Step away, settle your system, and return when you're ready. There's no right way to use this space — rev up or wind down, whatever you need.
🌊 Calm & Settle
Guided Breathing
Follow the circle — in and out
Gentle Doodling
Slow mindful drawing, no goal needed
Ambient Sounds
Mix rain, waves, fire & more (opens in new tab)
Rest Your Eyes
Soft drifting colours, nothing to do
⚡ Rev Up & Engage
Bubble Pop
Tap the bubbles as they float by
NATCA Memory Match
Find the matching pairs
Catch the Psi
Tap the LOAPAC symbols as they float past
Doodle Pad
Draw & doodle in conference colours
🎮 More Online Activities
Virtual Sandtray ⭐
Create scenes in a calming digital sandtray
Slow It Down ⭐
Gentle guided sensory activities
Cap Sort
Satisfying colour sorting (has ads)
Bubble Shooter
Classic bubble matching (has ads)
Colour by Number
Relaxing tap-to-colour (has ads)
Tap Color
Catch the floating shapes
⭐ = our top picks · These open in a new tab · Some free games include ads
🌿 More
Our Virtual Sensory Space
The full NATCA online sensory room with all activities
You're welcome to stay as long as you like.
The conference will be here when you're ready.
The conference will be here when you're ready.
Guided Breathing
Breathe in as the circle grows… breathe out as it shrinks. Stay as long as you like.
Breathe
Colour Drift
Nothing to do here. Just watch, rest, and breathe.
Bubble Pop
Tap the bubbles as they float past!
NATCA Memory Match
Find all 8 matching pairs
Moves: 0 · Pairs: 0/8
🎉 You found them all!
Ψ 0
Catch the Psi
Tap the LOAPAC Ψ symbols as they drift past — gold ones are worth 2!
Doodle Pad
Draw whatever you like — in conference colours 💛