“Providing Meaningful, respectful and effective support to Neurodiverse individuals to thrive and grow in the community” – A comprehensive, interactive series of 5 workshops to understand how to best work with Neurodiverse individuals

For Support Workers, youth workers, OSHC staff, Sports coaches, program leaders, vacation care teams
Held Fridays: August 8, 15, 22, 29 & September 5 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Create inclusive spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel seen, safe and supported. These sessions equip Support workers and community workers to foster belonging and positive identity formation.

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.

Attendance at to all sessions is desirable, but not required.

A professional development certificate outlining the topics covered will be provided upon completion of all 5 sessions.

Cost $10 per session

August 8: Understanding the NDIS in Community Settings
Clarify how the NDIS intersects with community programs, and the roles of responsibilities of NDIS-funded supports to best work in a respectful, effective and person-centred manner.

• How to work within the NDIS Code of Conduct

• Learn about the NDIS and how it supports neurodiverse individuals

• Best practices for integrating NDIS-funded support within community programs

• Understand support worker roles and responsibilities, and respectful collaboration with the participant

• Discuss boundaries, safety and shared responsibility

• successful and positive examples of coordinated care in sport and recreation settings

August 15: Supporting Neurodiverse People in Community activities
Gain tools to make sports, art, OSHC, and other community activities and environments more accessible, empowering all individuals to participate fully.

• Learn how to support participation without forcing compliance

• Design an inclusive and accessible environment by using visuals, structure and choice

• Explore interest-based engagement

• Promote capability using a strengths-based lens

• Using clear and direct communication to avoid misunderstanding and increase predictability

• Case studies: Examples of successful community program adaptations

• Strategies for managing meltdowns and emotional dysregulation

August 22: Sensory Awareness in Community Spaces
Learn about sensory dysregulation; sensory sensitivities, sensory avoidance and hypo-sensitivities; how sensory environments affect participation, and how to reduce overwhelm with low-cost, high-impact accommodations.

• Understanding sensory profiles of sensory sensitivities and sensory seeking, and how they affect behaviour

• Creating sensory-friendly environments in sports, clubs, and recreational activities

• Strategies for co regulating, and helping neurodiverse individuals to self-regulate

• Real-life examples: How to handle sensory meltdowns in a group setting

• Identify sensory triggers and soothing tools for community settings

• Adjust your program setup, environment and expectations to promote sensory regulation and inclusion

• work with participants in collaboration, to provide meaningful support how they need, not what is easiest for you

August 29: How to Facilitate Neurodivergent Social Engagement as a support or community worker
Reframe your approach to engagement, communication, challenging behaviours and friendships through the eyes of neurodivergent youth and their social experiences.

• Explore alternative neurodiverse socialisation as different from social norms, and how to respectfully encourage participation

• Scaffold peer connections and group belonging, by being a social bridge

• Explore the indicators and impact of Social anxiety, masking, and exhaustion in social settings

• Strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals in social interactions, such as making activities optional and adaptable

• Case studies: How small adjustments create safe social spaces

• Use visual cues and low-pressure interactions to support transitions between environments and activities

• Case studies: How flexible approaches which support emotional regulation and tailored profile support lead to success

September 5: Understanding Autism, PDA, ADHD & Twice-Exceptional Profiles in Group Settings
Unpack complex behaviour and profiles with compassion. Learn proactive strategies to reduce distress and increase engagement.

• Recognise complex presentations and avoid mislabeling

• 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 co existing Autism (AuDHD)

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

• Understand profiles with high autonomy needs

• Navigate strength areas and support challenges

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

• Work with, rather than against, resistance and shutdowns

• Discover regulation-first approaches to tricky behaviour