Australian Conference on Neurodevelopmental Disorders

27/07/2025

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emile Gouws about his personal experiences with DIR Floortime, a topic that will be featured at ACND 2025, presented by Dr. Jeffrey Guenzel.

Dr. Gouws is a prominent researcher, an Autism self-advocate, and an executive member of the Commonwealth Disability Forum and Autism South Africa. He also serves as an executive on the Steering Committee for South Africa's response to the United Nations. Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Inclusive Education at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Dr. Gouws is highly regarded for his advocacy and insightful presentations.

His academic work includes a deeply personal MA thesis, an auto-ethnographic exploration of his childhood as an autistic individual navigating a neurotypical world, followed by a doctoral thesis examining his experiences as a young adult and student.

Hear Dr. Gouws share his valuable insights and personal journey related to DIR Floortime.

27/07/2025

I am sharing this short interview with Dr. Jeffrey Guenzel, who will be presenting at the ACND 2025. We are very excited to welcome him and hear his insights on DIR Floortime!

Dr. Guenzel is the CEO of ICDL and a highly respected psychotherapist and leader, with over 30 years of experience specialising in child development, behavioural health, and autism. His impressive background includes roles as Deputy Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and Director of the New Jersey Division of Child Behavioural Health, where he led significant innovations in service delivery for children with developmental disabilities.

His global influence extends through lectures and consultations across numerous countries, making him a pivotal figure in the autism and mental health fields worldwide. Personally inspiring, Dr. Guenzel was a Paralympic swimmer and continues to bring immense passion to both his professional and personal life.

Watch this brief introduction to DIR Floortime, and join us in eagerly anticipating his upcoming presentation at ACND 2025!

22/07/2025

22/07/2025

As the conversation around neurodivergence continues to grow, we’re proud to present a line-up of speakers who are shaping a more inclusive, authentic and neuro-affirming future — through research, storytelling, advocacy and lived experience.

Here are just a few of the thought leaders you’ll hear from:

🧠 Dr Jeffrey Guenzel – Building the Essential Foundations of Development through Relationships, Movement, and Play
CEO of the International Council on Development and Learning, and Director of DIR Floortime®, Dr Guenzel brings his global expertise to ACND. DIRFloortime® is a joyful, relationship-based approach used around the world to support development in people of all ages, especially those on the autism spectrum.

🌱 Kelsie Olds – The Power of Play
Kelsie explores how playful, connected approaches build real-life capacity, and how supporting neurodivergent learners begins with curiosity and respect.

💬 Dr Michelle Garnett & Professor Tony Attwood – Becoming the Authentic Self
With a combined 80 years of experience, Michelle and Tony are two of Australia's most respected voices in autism. Their session focuses on embracing neurodivergence as a positive identity and the importance of self-acceptance in overcoming mental health challenges.

🎵 Allison Davies – Autistic Culture and the Use of Music as a Regulatory Tool
A neuro-affirming educator and autistic advocate, Alli blends lived experience with science to explore music as a tool for emotional regulation, expression, and self-connection.

📚 Sally Marshall – Wellness Through Fortitude
Social worker, author and passionate neurodiversity advocate, Sally shares her journey of supporting families through diagnosis with honesty, humour and inclusion at the core. Her lived experience shapes every resource and story she creates.
This year’s conference is about celebrating neurodivergent voices — and this incredible speaker line-up is doing just that.

📅 September 19–20, 2025
📍 Launceston Conference Centre, Tasmania (and online)
🔗 Register now: www.acnd.org.au

19/07/2025

ACND 2025 is only two months away… and as of August 1st, ticket prices will be going up, so register now to get your ticket at the current price. 🎉

With so many world-class experts joining us to speak across a wide range of subjects, including Behaviour, Play, Communication, Autism, and Neurodivergence, this conference is not to be missed.

Whether you are a professional or have lived experience, ACND provides the perfect place to learn, network and build lasting connections with those who understand the challenges and rewards of the neurodivergent life.

📅 September 19–20, 2025
📍 Launceston Conference Centre, Tasmania (and online)
🔗 Register now: www.acnd.org.au

16/07/2025

🧠 ADHD diagnosis — why this year's ACND Conference couldn’t be more timely.

With Tasmania in the middle of another election campaign, the Liberal Party's proposal to allow GPs to diagnose ADHD has sparked both hope and debate across the neurodevelopmental space.

Enter Professor David Coghill — internationally recognised ADHD expert and keynote speaker at this ACND 2025, in September. His presentation, “Diagnosing ADHD: Getting it right”, couldn’t be more relevant. In a time where access to timely diagnosis is front-page news, Professor Coghill will explore what an accurate, evidence-based ADHD diagnosis really involves — and what’s at stake when we don’t get it right.

For professionals, educators, advocates and families navigating the fast-evolving landscape of ADHD awareness and policy, this is a must-attend conversation. Whether you're for or against expanding diagnostic pathways, one thing’s certain: the need for informed, expert-led discussion has never been greater.

🎤 Join Professor Coghill — and a line-up of leading neurodevelopmental thinkers — this September at ACND 2025.

📅 Find out more and register: www.acnd.org.au

03/07/2025

Limited tickets now available to all Professional In Person registrations. Don't miss out, Register today and follow the link in your confirmation email. https://events.humanitix.com/acnd2025-connecting-through-play/tickets

25/06/2025

20/06/2025

What was your favourite game?

17/06/2025

Featured Presenters at ACND 2025: Allison Davies & Dr Jeffrey Guenzel 🧠
We’re proud to announce two inspiring voices joining ACND 2025, each bringing a powerful, neuro-affirming perspective on regulation, development, and the vital role of play and connection.
Allison Davies is a registered music therapist and educator who blends science, storytelling and lived experience to challenge traditional intervention models. In her session, “Autistic Culture and the Use of Music as a Regulatory Tool”, Allison explores how music can support sensory processing, emotional regulation and wellbeing.

Dr Jeffrey Guenzel, CEO of the International Council on Development and Learning and Director of DIRFloortime®, will join us in person to present “Building the Essential Foundations of Development through Relationships, Movement, and Play”. With decades of global experience, Dr Guenzel will share how evidence-based, respectful, and joyful interaction – through approaches like Floortime – can support engagement, co-regulation, and developmental growth for neurodivergent children and their families.

Together, these sessions highlight the heart of this year’s theme: Connecting Through Play.

📅 September 19–20, 2025
📍 Launceston Conference Centre, Tasmania (and online)
🔗 Register now: www.acnd.org.au

12/06/2025

We’re delighted to welcome Kelsie Olds, widely known as The Occuplaytional Therapist, to ACND 2025 as both our Opening Address speaker and a concurrent presenter 🎤

Kelsie will open the conference with “The Power of Play” – exploring the essential role of play in neurodivergent development and wellbeing.

In her concurrent session for professional delegates, “Play is a Compass: How Neurodiverse Bodies Move, Soothe & Set Their Course”, Kelsie dives deeper into how play supports regulation, identity, and connection. A passionate advocate for neuro-affirming care, Kelsie shares daily with thousands of families, educators, and professionals, as well as neurodivergent adults exploring their own inner worlds.
Her international experience (spanning rural Oklahoma, a UK Air Force base, and now Geelong) offers a rare, cross-cultural lens on how systems can better support childhood and neurodiversity.

Join us in Launceston or online to experience her powerful and affirming perspective firsthand.

📅 September 19–20, 2025
📍 Launceston Conference Centre, Tasmania (and online)
🔗 Register now: www.acnd.org.au