“Working with Neurodiverse students to maximise their engagement and potential in educational settings” – A comprehensive, interactive 2-day workshop for Educational Professionals

For teachers, SSOs, principals, school counsellors and school leadership teams
Held: December 17 & 18 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Attendance at both days is required)

A Comprehensive workshop tailored for educational settings to best support educators of neurodiverse students to thrive in learning in the classroom and schoolyard. Support your students to shine by embracing a neuroaffirming, inclusive approach in education. These workshops help educators deepen their understanding of neurodivergence through a lens of dignity, capability and potential, in line with Social Role Valorisation (SRV) principles.

Your Presenter, Katie Baylis, is a neuro-affirming Developmental Educator, Behavioural Consultant and Therapist specialising in Autism, Neurodiversity, and Anxiety. Katie has a Masters of Disability Policy and Practise, Bachelor of BBSc (Psychology), as well as specific additional training in Augmentative and alternate Communication (AAC), Functional Capacity Assessments, NDIS policy and legislation, Education Policy and Legislation, Sensory Profile assessments, and Child development assessments and measures.

Katie has been working with, and advocating for, infants, children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder/ ADHD/ Pervasive Demand Avoidant profiles for over 20 years in the Adelaide metropolitan area, and has a vast knowledge of the learning profile and needs of neurodiverse individuals, as well as the availability of educational options for individuals with disabilities legislation in the NDIS space. As well as working directly with neurodiverse individuals and their families, Katie has been passionately conducting training workshops for families, educators, support workers and other Allied Health in schools and the community for several years.

A professional development certificate outlining the topics covered will be provided upon completion of both days

Cost: $50 per person

December 17

Session 1: Autism, PDA, ADHD, Giftedness, dyspraxia & Complex Learners
Unpack the layered profiles of complex learners and how to adapt support plans using strength-based, relational, and predictable strategies.

• Learn strategies for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) – rewire your language

• Explore ADHD – find the focus through navigating the balance between motivation, challenge, interest and boredom; and the internal conflict of those with coexisting Autism (AuDHD)

• Examine the Giftedness profile and the intersection of neurodiversity in twice exceptional students

• Understand profiles with high autonomy needs

• Navigate strength areas and support challenges

• Learn about 'demand avoidance' and how to respond effectively

• Adapt support plans through compassion and predictability

• Explore the impact of coexisting specific learning disabilities: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia

Session 2: Creating a Neuroaffirming Classroom
Explore practical ways to design learning environments that support regulation, engagement, and authentic inclusion for neurodiverse learners.

• Learn about structure, predictability, and co-regulation

• Learn visual and environmental scaffolds to support engagement

• Plan transitions and routines that work for all learners

• The essential role of sensory tools and movement breaks

• see examples from real classrooms using neuroaffirming best practices and strategies

December 18

Session 3: Sensory Needs & Supporting Regulation in Schools
Understand the impact of sensory hyper- and hypo-sensitivities on learning and behaviour, and learn strategies to meet individual regulation needs in your classroom.

• Understand the 7 senses of the sensory system, and how disruptions to these can cause dysregulation

• Identify key signs of overwhelm and shutdowns – not all are obvious

• Design sensory-friendly spaces for students to regulate

• Learn proactive, overreactive, strategies to support optimal regulation

Session 4: Neurodivergent Social Experiences in School
Delve into how autistic, ADHD, and PDA students experience socialisation differently, and how we can shift practices to promote genuine belonging.

• Explore differences in neurodiverse play, communication, and peer interaction

• Why traditional social skills training is problematic

• Supporting neurodiverse students in forming authentic friendships

• Creating structured, low-pressure social opportunities

• Move away from neurotypical social norms and toward real inclusion

• building trusted relationships with authentic connection, over compliance and fear-based strategies

• Use SRV to increase social value and belonging

Session 5: The NDIS & the Role of Allied Health Professionals in Education
Learn how to partner effectively with NDIS-funded professionals and understand their roles within the school context to strengthen student outcomes.

• An overview of the NDIS and ideas to integrate NDIS supports into the school day

• Clarify the roles and boundaries of external professionals and support workers

• Learn how to build collaborative relationships with support teams

• Explore case studies on successful inclusive partnerships