August 19–20 | Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference
A two-day virtual learning experience centered on neurodiversity-affirming practice, lived experience, accessibility, and practical ways to better support neurodivergent children.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, August 19–Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM–3:00 PM AEST each day
Eastern Time: Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30 PM through Thursday, August 20 at 1:00 AM ET, depending on the session
Where: Online via Zoom Events
Cost: Full two-day ticket: $450 AUD; Day 1 recording-only: $350 AUD. Reduced pricing is available for those who would find the standard cost a barrier.
Hosted By: Play. Learn. Chat.
Registration: Required
Event Details: Visit the Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference website
About This Event
The Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference takes a different approach to professional learning, placing lived experience at the center of conversations about supporting neurodivergent children.
The two-day online event brings together neurodivergent speakers, educators, allied health professionals, advocates, and other people who support neurodivergent children. Topics include sensory supports, autistic burnout, AAC, fluctuating capacity, play, PDA, autistic joy, compliance, belonging, and supporting neurodivergent families.
Day 1 is structured more like a traditional conference, with presentations and panels. Day 2 takes a more interactive approach, with workshops, experiential learning, mentor-led conversations, and peer sharing.
Parents and caregivers are welcome, although the organizers note that the content is primarily designed for professionals who support neurodivergent children.
Accessibility Highlights
Features Participants May Appreciate:
Fully online format
Live Zoom captions
Day 1 recordings available for registered attendees
Planned breaks throughout both days
Content warnings provided for sessions
Flexible participation options
Cameras are optional on Day 2
Participants can move, stim, eat, fidget, step away, and return without needing to explain
Pre-event guide to help participants know what to expect
Reduced-rate pricing available
Day 1 transcripts available on request
Helpful Planning Tips:
Check the event schedule and convert the Sydney-based times to your local time before registering.
Review the speaker and session lineup to decide which topics are most relevant to you.
If you're a parent or caregiver, keep in mind that the sessions are pitched primarily toward professionals.
Take advantage of the Day 1 recording if the live schedule is difficult for your time zone.
Plan for Day 2 live if you want to participate in the interactive workshops and peer conversations, as it is not recorded.
Who Might Enjoy This Event?
This event may be a good fit for:
Parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children
Educators and teachers
Occupational therapists and speech-language professionals
Allied health professionals
Medical professionals
Disability advocates
Professionals looking to develop more neurodiversity-affirming practices
Anyone interested in learning directly from neurodivergent people and lived experience
What Families May Want to Know
Before you go:
The event is designed primarily for professionals, but parents and caregivers are welcome.
The event uses Australian Eastern Standard Time, so families in Central Indiana will need to account for the time difference.
Day 1 is recorded and available to registered attendees for three months.
Day 2 is live only and is designed around participation and connection.
A reduced rate is available for people who would find the standard ticket price a barrier, including neurodivergent and disabled attendees, students, new graduates, and First Nations people.
Why Families May Appreciate It
Families often spend a great deal of time explaining their child's needs to the professionals around them. Learning opportunities that center neurodivergent voices can help shift that responsibility by giving educators, therapists, and other professionals opportunities to listen, learn, and rethink traditional approaches.
For parents and caregivers, the (Un)Conference can also offer language, ideas, and perspectives that may be useful when advocating for more affirming support at home, at school, or in therapy.
The emphasis on lived experience, accessibility, autonomy, and moving away from compliance-based approaches makes this particularly aligned with the values of Neurodiversity Connection.
Plan Your Visit
☐ Review the schedule and convert the times to Eastern Time
☐ Choose sessions that are most relevant to you
☐ Check registration and reduced-rate options
☐ Download or review the pre-event guide
☐ Plan for breaks and flexible participation
☐ Consider watching Day 1 recordings if the live schedule doesn't work
☐ Plan to attend Day 2 live if interactive participation is important to you
What’s on Your Calendar?
Know about another sensory-friendly, inclusive, or family-friendly event happening in Central Indiana?
