Welcome to
NATCA & LOAPAC Expo 2026
9th – 10th July 2026
Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields & Online
Happy NAIDOC Week! 🖤💛❤️
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this conference takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us, in person and online, and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands from which our online community connects. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this conference takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us, in person and online, and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands from which our online community connects. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
💛 Thank you for being part of NATCA & LOAPAC Expo 2026
The Power of Community in Social Change — you proved it. Every recording and the slides are now here for you to enjoy for the next 6 months.
📝 Share Feedback & Win 2027 Tickets
Conference Spaces
Thank You!
What an incredible two days — share your feedback & enter to win 2 free tickets to 2027
Online Sensory Room
A calm space to decompress and regulate
Recordings
Access pre-recorded online presentations
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Expo
Visit our exhibitors' virtual booths
Food & Catering
Menus for both days with dietary info
Conference Handbook
Download the full conference guide
CPD Certificate
Enter your name and download your certificate of attendance instantly
Session Slides
Download slides from conference presentations — all in one folder
Need Help?
Thursday Schedule
8:45
Ceremony
Welcome to Country
8:55
Opening
Conference Open
9:00
Keynote
Reclaiming Humanity: Identity, State Based Violence, and Neurodivergent Resistance
A/Prof Monique Botha (they/them) — Online
10:00
Presentation
Exploring Neuronormativity, Sanism and Neurodivergent Identity across Cultures
Mish Kumar-Jonson (they/them) & Dr Xi Liu (they/them)
10:30
Break
Morning Tea
11:00
11:10
Presentation
Intergenerational Impacts of Unidentified Autistic Needs
Marie Camin (she/her)
11:30
Presentation
Relational Foundations for Supporting Nonspeaking ND Youth & Adults
Casey Brocksopp (she/her)
11:50
12:10
12:30
Break
Lunch
1:15
Panel
Neurodivergence in First Nations Communities
Damian Griffis (he/him), Rebecca Gannon (she/they) & William Ward-Boas (he/him)
2:00
2:15
Keynote
Pathology or Protection: Depathologising BPD and NPD
Sonny Jane Wise (they/them)
3:00
Break
Afternoon Tea
3:30
Presentation
Plurality and Neurodivergence
Steph Robertson (she/they) & Dr Miro Rainsford (he/they)
3:50
4:10
Panel
Autism and Chronic Health Conditions
Bianca Comfort (she/her), Dr Jason Lam (he/him), A/Prof Josephine Barbaro (she/her), Monique Mitchelson (she/her) & Lumen Gorrie (they/them)
5:00
Social
Social Event
Conference Spaces
Thank You!
What an incredible two days — share your feedback & enter to win 2 free tickets to 2027
Online Sensory Room
A calm space to decompress and regulate
Recordings
Access pre-recorded online presentations
LOAPACLOAPAC Expo
Visit our exhibitors' virtual booths
Food & Catering
Menus for both days with dietary info
Conference Handbook
Download the full conference guide
CPD Certificate
Enter your name and download your certificate of attendance instantly
Session Slides
Download slides from conference presentations — all in one folder
Need Help?
Friday Schedule
8:15
Wellbeing
Meditative Movement and Moments
Anna Kilpatrick
9:00
Keynote
What We Affirm: Clarifying the Values and Premises of ND Affirming Therapy
Professor Nick Walker (he/him) — Online
10:00
Panel
Autism, Psychedelics and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Nick Walker (Online), Alvita Sam (she/her) & Liam Spicer (he/him)
10:30
Break
Morning Tea
11:00
Presentation
Using Neuroscience Insights to Inform Affirming Therapy
Dr Olga Dobrushina (she/her)
11:30
LOAPAC
LOAPAC Lived Experience Practitioners Symposium
11:30 — Bec Secombe (she/her) & Sharmayne Bennett (she/they)
11:45 — Cath Fernando (she/her)
12:00 — Kelly Bettridge & Sarah Gurin (they/them)
12:15 — Lydia Meem (she/her)
11:45 — Cath Fernando (she/her)
12:00 — Kelly Bettridge & Sarah Gurin (they/them)
12:15 — Lydia Meem (she/her)
12:30
Break
Lunch
1:15
Research
Research Symposium (8 presentations)
1:15 — Prof Dawn Adams (she/her)
1:30 — Amber Lim (she/her)
1:45 — Kate Gore (she/her)
2:00 — Caitlin Hughes (she/they)
2:15 — Dr Lauren Lawson (she/her)
2:30 — Dr Miro Rainsford (he/they)
2:45 — Melanie Martinelli (she/her)
3:00 — Closing: A/Prof Monique Botha (they/them)
1:30 — Amber Lim (she/her)
1:45 — Kate Gore (she/her)
2:00 — Caitlin Hughes (she/they)
2:15 — Dr Lauren Lawson (she/her)
2:30 — Dr Miro Rainsford (he/they)
2:45 — Melanie Martinelli (she/her)
3:00 — Closing: A/Prof Monique Botha (they/them)
3:15
Break
Afternoon Tea
3:30
3:50
4:10
Presentation
Autistic & ADHD Relationships and Sexual Satisfaction
Annelil Desille (she/they) & Denise Abreu (they/them)
4:30
Presentation
Self-Care Isn't Optional: Nervous System Safety
Brianna Thomas (she/her) & Dr Jade Goodman (she/her)
4:50
Closing
Conference Close
Online Presentations
Online Research Presentations
🎬 Conference Recordings — Live Sessions
Conference Handbook
Your 2026 Conference Handbook
Everything you need for the two days — venue info, full program, speaker details, activities, accessibility information, and more. Download it to your device so it's always with you, even offline.
⬇ Download Handbook (PDF)
What's Inside
📋 Full two-day program & session times
🎤 Speaker & presenter information
📍 Venue map & getting to Hyatt Place Essendon Fields
♿ Accessibility information & quiet spaces
🎨 Conference activities
🍽️ Catering & dietary information
💜 LOAPAC Expo exhibitor guide
💬 Contact & support details
Food & Catering
Dietary key: V = Vegetarian · VEG/VGN = Vegan · GF = Gluten Free · DF = Dairy Free · EF = Egg Free · NF = Nut Free · H = Halal · GFO = Gluten Free Option
LOAPAC Expo '26 — Virtual Booths
Visit our incredible exhibitors! Tap a booth to visit their website, or scan the QR code with your phone.
