2025
Neurodivergence Wellbeing Conference

Sonny Jane is a powerful voice in the neurodiversity space. After starting their advocacy and speaking career in 2018, they have since become a relatable and passionate public speaker with both a national and international presence.

Sonny was diagnosed as a child and grew up only hearing a deficit narrative about their neurodivergence. Since then, they have gone on to build an audience of over 100,000 people online, written two books, spoken at various conferences and summits and worked with organisations and services around Australia to help change the narrative around neurodivergence.

Through their workshops and public speaking, Sonny Jane encourages professionals and individuals to adopt Neurodiversity Affirming Practice as well as unpack and challenge neuronormativity.

Simon Rinne is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and the Founder of Mindful Men, a therapy service dedicated to supporting men’s mental health. With over 30 years of lived experience navigating co-occurring OCD, depression, and anxiety, Simon understands firsthand the challenges men face when it comes to seeking support. As a lived experience therapist, he blends personal insight with professional expertise to create a safe and relatable space for men to explore their mental health. Simon is passionate about helping men engage with therapy in authentic and meaningful ways, breaking the stigma and fostering real conversations about well-being.

Dr Gail Alvares is a senior researcher within CliniKids, The Kids Research Institute Australia) and The University of Western Australia. Her research focuses on improving mental health outcomes for children diagnosed with autism and their families. Her research program is embedded within CliniKids, The Kids' first clinical service for supporting children diagnosed with autism or other developmental delays and their families. She is also passionate about science communication and translating research outcomes into clinical practice.

Liam Spicer (he/him) is an Autistic and ADHD Psychologist, Academic and Researcher who currently holds a position as a Senior Lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute coordinating and teaching the Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma Informed Care. Liam is passionate about training, research, and collaboration with other neurodivergent individuals in the Neurodiversity Affirming Space. Liam has been a presenter at International and National conferences, a guest speaker at various organisations and has contributed to the Routledge International Handbook on Child and Adolescent Grief. Liam has published in top academic journals including his recent paper with colleagues on Understanding Early Maladaptive Schemas in Autistic and ADHD individuals which has gained widespread international attention.

Dr Erin Bulluss is an Autistic clinical psychologist who feels strongly about honouring neurodiversity in the pursuit of wellbeing. She has a great deal of experience working in areas specific to Autistic clients, such as identifying and managing Autistic burnout, differentiating between Autistic burnout and depression, exploring client experiences of masking/camouflaging, and exploration of Autistic identity and culture, particularly following late-identification of autism. Erin now disseminates this clinical knowledge by providing supervision and consultancy to mental health professionals interested in developing their skills in working with Autistic clients, including building cultural competence and humility. She has also presented her work at international conferences and been published in a range of publications, including peer reviewed journals.

Laurence is queer, neurodivergent, and has lived experience of an eating disorder. They obtained a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies at the University of Adelaide. She is currently doing a PhD at the University of New South Wales. Laurence’s research interests include psychoneuroimmunology, sensory processing, eating disorders, neurodiversity, and mental health. In their spare time, Laurence enjoys writing poetry, roller-skating, and traveling.Laurence is a graduate of the Autism CRC Sylvia Rodger Academy (Research Program) and the Founder of Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders’ (ANZAED) neurodiversity special interest group.

Dr Joey Lawrence, a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar, and Co-Founder of Neudle Psychology, is driven by lived experience as a proud neurodivergent person. She lives with Autism, ADHD, and PDA. Dr Joey is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity-affirming care. With years of therapeutic experience, Dr Joey blends neurodiversity, neuropsychology, and clinical psychology from a trauma-informed lense to support her valued clients. She stays informed on advancements in neuroscience and psychology and is herself passionate on developing our evidence base, particularly in the realm of neurodivergent phenomenology. Dr Joey is also interested developing what it means to be neuro-affirming, working tirelessly ensure neurodivergent people receive the support they deserve.

Monique is an Autistic and ADHD’er Clinical Psychologist and Co-Director of Divergent Futures training. She is a Board Approved Supervisor, has consulted on the National Autism Strategy and has co-authored ‘The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD’ (2024) by New Harbinger. Monique has an interest in Autism and ADHD particularly in women and girls, and co-occurring chronic pain/illness, and trauma. Monique also co-hosts The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast with Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Michelle Livock which shares free clinical and lived experience information on Neurodivergence in Girls and Women for professionals, neurodivergent people and their loved ones. The podcast has over 2 million downloads and is in the top 1% of podcasts on Spotify.

Dr Celia Falchi is a registered psychologist in Wellington, New Zealand, whose area of expertise is in tākiwātanga (autism) and aroreretini (ADHD). In 2021, she established Wellminded Psychological Services to provide comprehensive psychological services for the neurodivergent community. Her practice offers therapeutic services, diagnostic assessments, supervision, and consultancy with a focus on neurodiversity, advocacy for neurodivergent community needs, and professional development for mental health professionals and education providers.

Prior to founding her private practice, Dr Falchi set up and managed Kotahitanga Psychological Services, a charitable organization launched in 2016 that focused on similar client needs. Since 2020, Dr Falchi has been actively developing training resources and leading professional development workshops aimed at psychologists, intern psychologists, and teachers. She has shared her expertise through seminars, workshops, and presentations at conferences.

Dr Falchi also serves on the education committee for the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), a role she has held for the last 18 months. Her professional insights are further enriched by her personal experience as an individual with ADHD and as a parent of two neurodivergent children, which deepens her understanding and advocacy for the neurodivergent community.

Working in the autism field for over 20 years and as winner of the inaugural APS Psychology Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021, Kathleen Davey has seen the changing face of psychological services over two decades and the rise of the neurodiversity movement in different pockets of the world. Kathleen is a Clinical Psychologist and CEO of Social Science Translated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the not-for-profit AutismCRC. She is also the founder and director of Decipher Zone, a unique forensic-clinical psychological practice supporting the intersection between autism and the law. With years of experience growing the international distribution of the evidence-based Secret Agent Society program, Kathleen enjoys working with educational and clinical teams to help them establish sustainable innovation in their organisations.

Justine is a skilled strategic thinker and sleeves-rolled up leader with a passion for young people, education and innovation. She led the development of the Neurodiversity in Education Project, the Neurodiversity in Education Coalition and the Young Neurodiversity Champions from an earlier organisation, and has led or co-led the development of many other innovative organisations and projects including the 21C Skills Lab, TupuToa, Champions for Change, BrightSpots and the Starpath Project together with leading organisations such as NZ Global Women, Social Ventures Australia, the University of Auckland, the Knowledge Wave Trust and the NZ Institute.

Sandhya Menon (she/her) is an AuDHD Developmental Psychologist and Author of beloved books The Brain Forest, The Rainbow Brain and her new upcoming book, My Body's Power Pack. She helps guide children and families into early positive self-identity and a deep appreciation of their neurotype through assessment, workshops and resources. Hailing from Singapore from a multi-cultural family, she reflects deeply on intersectional issues, insists on nuance and embraces the diverse aspects that form self-identity.

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.