A national, clinically focussed event designed for occupational therapists working with children and families across disbaility and neurodiversity.
Thursday 19 November 2026
to
Friday 20 November 2026
We are incredibly honoured to welcome Mironne Golan as the keynote speaker for the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Conference Australia 2026.
Mironne is in her 35th year of practice as an occupational therapist, with extensive experience working across a variety of mental health settings in both the public and private sectors. She has worked closely with children and families navigating complex trauma and family systems, and has also supported countless clinicians through supervision and professional development. Mironne has spent many years lecturing in Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney.
In addition to her occupational therapy background, Mironne is a Couple and Family Therapist, a Certified Sandplay Therapist, and a Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist, bringing a deeply integrative and nuanced perspective to her work with families and clinicians.
Mironne is one of those OT minds you could listen to for days and still walk away with more to learn. Her depth of thinking, clinical wisdom, and ability to make sense of complexity in families is truly exceptional. And beyond that, she is simply one of the loveliest humans you could meet.
Mironne’s keynote for POTCA 2026 is titled: “Trauma: Depth, Complexity and the Body.”
In this keynote, Mironne will explore the depth and complexity of trauma within children and family systems, and how it lives and expresses itself through the body. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, she will share insights into how therapists can better understand and respond to trauma in ways that honour both the child and the family system they are part of.
And truly, there could not be a more fitting way to open this conference. Trauma, regulation, family systems and the body are threads that run through almost every family that walks through our therapy doors. Beginning our two days together with this conversation sets the foundation for everything that follows.
We cannot wait for you to learn from Mironne at POTCA 2026.
Discover more about Mironne at www.mironnegolan.au
Alyce Svensk is a paediatric occupational therapist and founder of The OT Coach Australia. She develops the OT workforce through mentoring, supervision, national workshops, podcasts, and the OT Coach Academy. Alyce is known for practical clinical frameworks, reflective leadership, and strengthening therapist confidence across Australia.
At the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Conference Australia 2026, Alyce will be sharing a session focused on how we set therapy up effectively from the very beginning so that it truly fits the family. Drawing on her work supporting therapists across Australia, this session will explore the foundations that make therapy meaningful and sustainable including therapeutic contracting, supporting caregivers, and setting goals that translate into real-world change. Alyce will bring practical frameworks and reflections to help therapists structure therapy in ways that are clearer, more collaborative, and more impactful for the families we work alongside.
Discover more about Alyce at www.theotcoach.au
Claire Britton is a neurodivergent occupational therapist, educator and advocate based in Perth, Australia. She is the Founding Director of Neuroinclusion, a national occupational therapy and professional training service dedicated to neurodiversity-affirming practice across the lifespan.
Claire’s work is grounded in both lived and professional experience. She has supported thousands of Autistic, ADHD, PDA and multiply neurodivergent individuals and families, and has seen firsthand how deficit-based systems often fail to meet neurodivergent needs. Her work focuses on developing strengths-based, rights-based approaches that centre authenticity, autonomy, sensory safety and mutual respect.
Claire is a regular conference presenter across Australia, including at the Yellow Ladybugs Conference, the Neurodivergent Health Professionals Symposium and the Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy Conference. She also lectures in Occupational Therapy at the University of Notre Dame and consults with schools, universities and organisations on inclusive curriculum design and workforce reform. Claire is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership at Curtin University.
Through her social media platform, where she connects with more than 40,000 followers, Claire shares resources, amplifies marginalised voices and challenges systems that expect neurodivergent people to mask and conform. Her work prioritises psychological safety, co-design and evidence-based neurodiversity-affirming care.
At the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Conference Australia 2026, Claire will present “Leading With Lived Experience: Integrating Personal and Professional Knowledge in Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice.” She will also sit on the panel for “Neurodiverse Affirming Practice in the Real World”.
We can not wait to hear Claire talk and learn from her!
Discover more about Claire at www.neuroinclusion.com.au
Occupational Therapist Pippa van Wijk is an Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience working with children and families, and a long-standing passion for helping children who experience feeding challenges. She is the OT half of the Brisbane Feeding Clinic, where she works alongside a speech pathologist to support children with mealtime issues. She also travels to Central Queensland several times a year as part of a Child Development Project supporting educators, parents and children in regional communities. A significant part of Pippa’s work is supervising and mentoring occupational therapists, as well as running practical workshops to help clinicians build confidence and skills in feeding therapy and everyday OT practice. She is based in Brisbane and is passionate about supporting therapists to feel more capable and connected in their work. At the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Conference Australia 2026, Pippa will be presenting on screening for airway difficulties in children and the functional impact these can have on feeding, development and everyday participation. Her session will support clinicians to recognise potential airway-related concerns and understand when further investigation or referral may be needed. https://brisbanefeedingclinic.com/
Discover more about Pippa at www.brisbanefeedingclinic.com
Kate McMahon is Director and Senior Occupational Therapist at Kids + Co.Lab, a paediatric practice supporting children with complex disabilities and their families across the Sunshine Coast. She has over a decade of experience working with children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and developmental delay, specialising in assistive technology assessment and prescription.
Kate runs a values‑led practice, prioritising family-centred care, inclusion and participation in all aspects of service delivery. She also provides clinical supervision and mentorship to paediatric OTs, supporting their professional growth through reflective, evidence-informed guidance that strengthens confidence, capability, and outcomes for children and families.
Discover more about Kate at www.kidsandcolab.com.au
Dr Kobie Boshoff is an occupational therapist with over 30 years’ experience across clinical practice, leadership, academia, research, and mentorship in local and international contexts. Her work spans private, school-based, and community settings, across the lifespan, with particular experience with children. She leads workforce and system design initiatives that strengthen delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed services for families. Grounded in social justice, equity, and ecological perspectives of child development, her approach emphasises co-design, lived experience, innovation, and capacity building within education/care environments and with parents. Her career testifies of accumulated, integrated experience, and she currently serves as Director of Therapy at Motivate Kids, leading strategic service initiatives.
Discover more about the OT Brain Trust and Dr Kobie Boshoff at www.otbraintrust.com.au
Cindy brings over 25 years of experience as an OT, supporting children and families in a variety of settings. She is passionate about attuning with a child, the therapeutic use of self and helping other OTs to develop their clinical reasoning skills in supervision and training. Cindy works, blogs and creates resources at Your Kids OT. She created APOT (Australian Paediatric OT FB group) in 2017 and loves supporting this online community!
Discover more about Your Kids OT and Cindy at www.yourkidsot.com
Dave Jereb is a paediatric occupational therapist, author, and co-founder of MoveAbout Therapy Services, with clinics in Sydney, the Central Coast, and Newcastle. With over 20 years of experience, he is passionate about helping families and professionals rethink how we understand and respond to challenging behaviours.
His book, Challenging the Story: A Surprisingly Simple Approach to Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviours, became an Amazon international bestseller. Dave is the creator of the Challenging the Story of Behaviour course, which provides a child and family-centred, relationship-based approach to supporting behaviour and participation through the ABC-IDEAS framework.
Discover more about Move About Therapy Services and Dave at www.moveabout.com.au
Kate is an AuDHD paediatric occupational therapist and Director of Outcomes Therapy, with nearly two decades experience supporting children with multiple/complex physical disabilities, alongside neurodivergent families across sectors. She specialises in relationship-based, neuroaffirming practice, clinical and professional supervision, and is a strong advocate for ethical, evidence-informed systems that truly support children, families, and clinicians.
Discover more about Outcomes Therapy and Kate at www.outcomestherapy.com.au
Samantha Harris is an Occupational Therapist, and the Director of H2OT Allied Health, based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. She leads a small, values-driven team supporting children and adolescents aged 0–18 with disability and developmental differences across home, community and aquatic environments. Samantha has a strong clinical interest in aquatic therapy, using the water as a dynamic medium to support regulation, engagement, skill development and participation in everyday activities. She is passionate about creating innovative, family-centred therapy approaches that are practical, evidence-informed and meaningful to her clients and their families.
Discover more about H2Ot Allied Health and Samantha at www.h2otalliedhealth.com.au
Hanna Corfield is an Occupational Therapist who runs a small clinic dedicated to providing tailored, relationship-based support for children and their families. With a strong focus on each child being “one of a kind,” Hanna integrates evidence-based approaches including sensory integration, play therapy, and cognitive based interventions such as PRPP and COOP into her practice.
Hanna’s main passions lie in supporting children to do what they want to do in their everyday life through building child and family capacity with collaborative, strengths-based care; and supporting clinicians’ approach case conceptualisation and goal setting. Hanna has worked across private practice, Education, and CYMHS across her career and is currently creating her clinic dream in Brisbane’s Bayside.
Discover more about Oak Family Therapy and Hanna at www.oakfamilytherapy.com.au
Rachel has been supporting children and families since 1993, working across Australia and the UK. She’s passionate about helping children navigate learning and daily activities through relationship-based practice in natural settings. Over 30+ years, Rachel has integrated approaches from sensory processing to neurodiversity-affirming practice, parent coaching to clinical supervision. She believes in working within natural routines and building genuine partnerships with families. Rachel is also deeply committed to empowering fellow paediatric OTs, supporting colleagues to reflect on and enhance their clinical reasoning.
Discover more about Play and Learn Occupational Therapy and Rachel at www.playot.com.au
Kerry Evetts is a Master’s level occupational therapist with almost 3 decades of clinical experience across London, South Africa, and Australia. Based in Queensland, she is the founder of SenseUp Training, a globally recognised online education provider dedicated to upskilling occupational therapists in trauma-informed, neuroaffirming sensory integration practice.
Kerry developed The SenseUp Model™, a unique five-level developmental framework grounded in nervous system safety, Ayres Sensory Integration theory, Polyvagal Theory, and interoception research. Her approach bridges the gap between complex sensory concepts and practical, relatable clinical application.
To date, Kerry has trained over 3,500 occupational therapists worldwide through online courses, team training, and in-person workshops. She is a sought-after speaker at professional development events, including the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.
Kerry’s mission is to ensure every sensory child feels understood, supported, and able to fully participate in life, whatever that looks like for them.
Discover more about Sense Up Training and Kerry at www.senseup.org
Debbie brings over 20 years of experience working across paediatric occupational therapy, supporting children, families and educators to better understand and respond to behaviour.
Her work focuses on helping children with anxiety, sensory processing differences and learning challenges to thrive, with a strong emphasis on making sense of behaviour in a practical, real-world way.
Across her career, Debbie has worked in community paediatrics, private practice, sole clinician roles, and mobile services across homes and schools. She has also led a sensory resources business, managed clinic-based teams, and brings experience across adolescent and adult mental health.
Debbie is also an author of multiple books and an international conference speaker, bringing both clinical depth and practical insight to her work.
At POTCA 2026, Debbie will be facilitating a focussed session and we can’t wait to be a part of it!
Discover more about Life Skills 4 Kids and Debbie at www.lifeskills4kids.com.au
Meg Doherty is a late-diagnosed AuDHDer, mother, and dedicated occupational therapist. She is the founding director and principle Occupational Therapist of Eli’s Place Allied Health. Throughout her extensive career over the past 7 years, Meg has utilized evidence-based practice with clients and their families to achieve their goals. Her personal journey with neurodivergence has deepened her commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practices, enriching both her professional and personal life. Meg brings a deeply informed and compassionate perspective to supporting neurodivergent families.
Discover more about Eli’s Place Allied Health and Megan at www.elis-place.com.au
Leah Snowdon is a paediatric occupational therapist with a deep clinical interest in praxis, motor planning and the complex interplay between body, regulation and participation.
Leah brings thoughtful clinical reasoning, grounded practice and a strong understanding of how motor challenges present in real-world paediatric settings. Her work supports therapists to look beyond surface behaviours and identify the motor, sensory and planning components influencing a child’s functional engagement.
At POTCA 2026, Leah will be presenting on praxis. Breaking down what it really looks like in everyday therapy sessions, how it intersects with regulation and participation, and how to translate theory into practical intervention strategies that therapists can apply immediately in their work.
In addition to presenting, Leah is the Presenter and Program Coordinator for the conference. She has played a central role in shaping the program, liaising with speakers and curating a schedule that reflects the clinical depth and practicality that underpins this event.
Leah’s contribution extends beyond her session, she has been instrumental in building a conference designed for therapists working on the ground, navigating complex clinical presentations every day.
Discover more about Little TheraPeas and Leah at littletherapeas.com.au
Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and the Director of Verve OT, specialising in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments for NDIS participants. She leads a team of 55 OTs servicing the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions, delivering in-home and community-based supports to NDIS participants.
As a trainer and presenter, Sarah has educated thousands of OTs across Australia, equipping them to confidently navigate the complexities of the NDIS. She is the founder of Verve OT Learning, an education hub that empowers OTs to deliver high-quality, evidence-based services.
Sarah is also the facilitator of the NDIS OT Community of Practice, a network of over 11,500 OTs, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy for better participant outcomes. In addition, she is the co-host of the OT Unplugged podcast, where she brings real conversations and practical insights to OTs navigating the NDIS space.
Discover more about Verve OT and Sarah at www.verveotlearning.com.au
Danni is a senior Occupational Therapist at Kid Link OT, having been part of the team since graduating with a Masters in Occupational Therapy Practice from Monash University in 2017. With a background in Applied Sciences and Psychology, Danni brings a grounded, multidisciplinary lens to her clinical work with children aged 5–16.
Endorsed by OT Australia to practice within the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health program, Danni’s clinical interests centre on child and carer regulation, parent coaching, executive functioning, and mental health. She is a passionate presenter with a track record of developing content that is both evidence-informed and practical. Alongside her caseload, Danni provides supervision to internal and external paediatric OTs and supports the broader Kid Link clinical team.
Discover more about Kid Link OT and Danni at kidlink.net.au
Jackie is the founder, Director, and Practice Principal of Kid Link OT, which she established in 2013 following her graduation from Deakin University in 2008. An endorsed Mental Health practitioner, Jackie leads the strategic, operational, and clinical direction of the service, while remaining actively involved in day-to-day practice.
Her clinical interests include mental health, school inclusion, parent coaching, and social participation, with a strong commitment to neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-informed care. Jackie is a sought-after supervisor and mentor, supporting both clinicians and practice owners, and consults regularly with organisations, schools, and companies. She is passionate about positive workplace culture and building services and that genuinely make a difference.
Discover more about Kid Link OT and Jackie at kidlink.net.au
Sarah Cavallaro is the Director and Principal Occupational Therapist of Exceptional Kids – a small private practice with a big heart for sharing our knowledge with others. She has worked with families and neurodivergent kids for over twenty years and has a passion for neurodiversity affirming practice. Sarah has completed training in inter-personal neurobiology and combines her love for science with her love for connection in clinical supervision groups for all levels of clinicians. She is also the co-host of OT podcast – Research and Reality.
Discover more about Exceptional Kids and Sarah at www.exceptional-kids.net
Chelsea is an occupational therapist, founder of Pop-Up Therapy, and a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University. Her research explores the lived experience of autistic adolescents learning daily living skills throughout high school, and the phenomena of support as these young people transition beyond school.
She has published two papers in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal: Daily living skills of autistic adolescents and young adults: A scoping review, and Daily living skill support for autistic people through a neurodiversity-affirming practice lens. Across her clinical and academic work, Chelsea advocates for approaches that honour identity and lived experience. At Pop Up Therapy, she champions empowering, strengths-based support for neurodivergent young people and their families. She brings to the panel a blend of research insight, clinical experience, and a strong passion for creating meaningful, affirming change in everyday practice.
Discover more about Pop-Up therapy and Chelsea at popuptherapy.com.au
Isabel is an Occupational Therapist with a strong passion for supporting families and caregivers in their role as the caregiver.
At POTCA 2026, she will be delivering a focused session on family support, exploring how we can better understand, support and empower caregivers within the realities of everyday life.
This is not about adding more to families.
It is about helping them feel more confident, more supported, and more able to navigate the demands placed on them.
Isabel brings a thoughtful and grounded approach to her work, with a strong focus on connection, collaboration and creating strategies that actually translate beyond the therapy room.
Alongside her clinical role, Isabel is also our Marketing and Communications Coordinator, playing a key role in how we connect with and support our community.
Her session will be practical, relevant and immediately applicable.
Discover more about Little TheraPeas and Isabel at www.littletherapeas.com.au
Rebecca Lockyer is an Occupational Therapist with over thirteen years of experience inpaediatric practice, having worked exclusively in private practice environments across disability, neurodiversity and family-centred care.
Her clinical work has always been grounded in real world application. Supporting children and families navigating complex presentations. Working within the NDIS framework. Partnering with private pay families. Building teams. Mentoring clinicians.Writing functional capacity assessments. Holding space for regulation, behaviour,motor challenges and family systems in everyday therapy rooms.
As the Director of Little TheraPeas and the founder of The TheraPeas Pod: Mentoring and Development, Rebecca has spent years supporting paediatric occupational therapists not only clinically, but professionally. Through supervision, mentoring and professional development, she has seen first hand the depth of skill, knowledge and innovation that exists within Australian paediatric OT practice.
And she has also seen the gap.
Discover more about Little TheraPeas and Rebecca at www.littletherapeas.com.au
