Join us to find out more about the experience of School Can't.

Hear from a Lived Experience panel including parents:

Dr Rachel Leslie (researcher & academic),
Tiffany Westphal (social worker), and
Emma Patten (home educator & former lecturer).

This event is funded by Tandem Carers (Prize for the 2023 Tandem Organisation Community Award).

Hosted by Natasha Siryj (School Can’t Australia board member & founder Practice Inclusion) with an introduction by Tandem CEO Marie Piu.

More about our panelists:

Emma Patten is a mum to 2 boys (9 & 6) who experience school can't. School can't has looked different for each of the boys, with their different
presentations of Autism/ADHD, and has resulted in various experiences within different education settings. Having worked as a lecturer and in
various public health roles for 20 years, she decided to move into supporting other carers in their caring role. Recently, stopping working to support her kids and because of the effect it has had on her health. She says "We are in the thick of it!"

Rachel Leslie is the parent of 3 wonderful neurodivergent children, 18, 15 and 13. Two of whom have experienced school can't for their entire schooling experience. She is an AuDHD former school guidance counselor, with over a decade of experience as a teacher and learning support coordinator.
Currently working as an academic and researcher with a focus on the affective experience of students and parents in education settings.

Tiffany Westphal is the parent of 3 neurodivergent young people (16, 21 & 23). Her youngest has experienced 10 years of on again off again school can't. Tiffany is a board member of School Can't Australia. She works as a social worker supporting families. She uses her lived experience and professional knowledge to educate others about school can't, and has created a resource to assist clinicians and educators in understanding and supporting young people experiencing school attendance difficulties.

Please note: If you make a donation and require a receipt, please email schoolcantaustralia@gmail.com