Neurodiversity Homeschooling Summit — Connect. Learn. Empower.

Building Agency & Independence in Neurodiverse Young People

We know that schools are not doing a good job with neurodiverse young people — and it’s our young people who identify as having a neurodivergence who are most affected. This session looks at how you can support your neurodiverse young person’s need for agency and control over their lives, and help them develop that need in a healthy, respectful way, drawing on self-determination theory and the purpose of education.

A Late Diagnosis: A Mother and Son’s Journey

Jillina shares her family’s journey supporting their neurodivergent son and how he came to receive a diagnosis after graduation. She reflects on his childhood and homeschooling without a diagnosis, why it came later than expected, and the question: would an earlier diagnosis have made a difference? She shares the big challenges they have faced, the people who have stood in his corner, and those who have not — with the journey only just beginning with the NDIS, higher education, employment and the shift from dependence to independence.

Why ‘Just Try Harder’ Doesn’t Work

Every homeschool parent has heard it: if they’d just try harder, the day wouldn’t unravel. But executive function isn’t a willpower problem. This session breaks down a simple framework for what’s actually happening — planning, prioritising, task initiation, working memory — busts the common myths parents are told about ADHD, and shares workarounds you can use tomorrow morning.

The Disappointments and Delights of Dyslexia

Diagnosed with dyslexia at 17, Sheena finally had clarity on the years of torment through school and the struggles of learning to read, write and do maths. Joined by Micarlé for a real and honest conversation, Sheena talks about living with dyslexia, helping our children arrive at adulthood with intact self-esteem and useful strategies — and the creativity dyslexia has given her, including training as a teacher and writing a 10,000-word university dissertation.

‘What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?’ Preparing Your Kids for Life After School

It’s easy to say you’ll prepare your child for life after school — it’s another thing to do it, especially when your child can’t travel the usual path and the responsibility of planning an alternative falls exclusively on you. This session is about creating a unique pathway for your unique child, covering:

• Acronyms, rules and an overview of the ‘school to work’ system
• What ‘career counselling’ is and when to start it
• How a homeschooled child obtains a school leaver’s certificate
• Options when a child isn’t interested in finishing year 12
• Who can help create a post-school pathway and support you along the way
• The minimum requirements every child should aim for

Navigating Learning Disabilities: A Personal ExperienceDetails soon

Mental Health and Parenting

Understanding how a parent’s mental health impacts the whole family, especially when we’re stuck in survival mode. This session explores recognising when support is needed, building a stronger support network, practical strategies for coping, and tools and resources available both online and in the community.

Supporting Your Child into Higher Education: Understanding the Support Available

The path from homeschooling to university or further study can feel uncertain when your child is neurodivergent. Micarlé sits down with Patricia to unpack the practical realities of supporting a neurodivergent learner through the transition into higher education — navigating disability support services, advocating for accommodations, and building confidence and independence along the way.

Deschooling: A PDA Parent Journey

Marissa shares her personal journey through deschooling, learning about ableism and recognising her own ableist thinking — and how changing her perspective helped her find her feet in home education while supporting her neurodivergent children.

A Chat About Homeschooling with Down Syndrome

Join Micarlé as she chats with Jacquelyn about what homeschooling looks like through the lens of Down Syndrome — early decisions, the rhythms of daily life, the resources and people that have made the biggest difference, and what thriving looks like in Jacquelyn’s family. A real conversation, not a lecture, about a journey that deserves to be heard.

Learning on the Days When Nobody Has Much Left

Not every homeschool day is a beautifully planned unit study. This session offers a toolkit for low-capacity days — when executive functioning, sensory overload, burnout, appointments or simply life make formal learning difficult — with an emphasis on meaningful learning that can happen with minimal preparation, writing and parental energy.

Three Years Ahead and Two Years Behind: Teaching Maths to a Child Who Doesn’t Fit a Year Level

A workshop on teaching maths to a child who doesn’t fit neatly into a year level — presented by Richard Wilson of Reflective, sponsor of the summit.

Navigating Registration & Reviews with a Neurodivergent Child

Representatives from across Australia and New Zealand discuss how to approach registration and reviews, including what to share about your child’s neurodiversity and how much detail you really need to include.

Beyond Academics: Finding the Path That Fits

Not every young person’s path needs to centre around traditional academics or university. In this panel, we’ll explore what learning and preparing for adulthood can look like beyond the traditional academic pathway — from building practical skills and exploring interests to work, further learning and finding a path that genuinely fits. A reassuring conversation for parents wondering, “If the traditional path isn’t right for my child… what could come next?”

Ask Us Anything!

Got a question about homeschooling, neurodiversity, learning, or supporting your child? Bring your questions to our Ask Us Anything session for practical insights from our panel in a relaxed, supportive conversation. No question is too big, small, or specific!