School-related distress and attendance difficulties are highly prevalent among Autistic children and adolescents and are a common presentation in psychological practice.
In this evidence-informed, neuro-affirming webinar, Drs Kidd and Kirby explore why “school refusal” is more accurately understood as School Can’t - a capacity-based response driven by nervous system overload, cumulative stress, and unmet needs.
This session supports psychologists to deepen their formulation of school attendance difficulties and to move beyond compliance-based approaches. Participants will learn how to identify contributing factors, intervene early, and guide families and schools toward sustainable, wellbeing-focused pathways.
Psychologists will gain:
- A contemporary framework for conceptualising School Can’t
- Tools for assessment and formulation of school-related distress
- Practical strategies to support regulation and re-engagement based on Dr Kidd’s AAA Model
- Guidance for collaborative work with families and schools
- Strategies for advocacy and systemic consultation
This webinar is designed for psychologists working with Autistic children, adolescents, and their families in clinical, educational, and community settings. Participants will receive a copy of the AAA School Reintegration Model and accompanying guide along with other practical templates and resources to assist with identifying and working therapeutically with clients experiencing school attendance difficulties.
About our presenters: Dr Theresa Kidd and Dr Miriam Kirby
Dr Theresa Kidd is a psychologist with clinical endorsement, a research fellow, and clinical director of The Kidd Clinic, a private, bicoastal psychology and allied health practice across Melbourne and Perth. Her work focuses on Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), ADHD, and mental health across the lifespan. Dr Kidd works to support Autistic people and the larger community by providing affirming psychological services, education, and advocating for inclusive, strengths-based approaches. Her experiences as a neurodivergent parent within a neurodivergent family, including children with PDA, shape her commitment to enhancing the well-being of neurodivergent families.
Theresa is dedicated to equitable education and employment and practical, research-based psychological services. Her early work was in disability and employment services before her honour’s degree where she researched the experiences of mothers’ home educating their Autistic children. Her PhD focused on adapting a family-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy program to help Autistic adolescents manage anxiety. Concurrently, she co-developed and directed the Curtin University Autism Peer Mentoring Program, supporting Autistic students in navigating university life and beyond. Later, during her postdoctoral fellowship at Macquarie University, she led a national trial aimed at reducing anxiety and bullying victimisation among children.
As a respected speaker, Theresa presents both nationally and internationally on Autism, PDA, ADHD, mental health, and the transition to adulthood for Autistic and PDA young people. She supervises clinicians in neurodiversity-affirming practices and has co-authored several publications, including her recent book, Helping Autistic Teens to Manage Their Anxiety, a valuable resource for families and allied health professionals alike.
Dr Miriam Kirby is a psychologist with clinical endorsement who has worked within the areas of Autism and Mental Health for over 20 years. She is committed to helping neurodivergent individuals of all ages to understand their identity, identify and advocate for supports and accommodations, and manage co-occurring mental health conditions across different settings. Miriam has found her “spiritual home”, The Kidd Clinic in Fremantle, a private psychology and allied health group practice with clinics also in North Perth and Melbourne. She loves both the location and being able to work with like-minded colleagues to support diverse individuals in ways that align with her values and passions.
Miriam has a particular interest in supporting Autistic women and girls from a neurodiversity affirming perspective, including those who have been identified as Autistic later in life, inspiring her to pursue her own late diagnosis. In this space, she undertakes Autism assessments, provides therapeutic support (individually and in group settings), and provides training and development opportunities to other clinicians, educators, parents, and community members.
In addition to her clinical work, Miriam is the Training and Consultancy Lead at The Kidd Clinic, and regularly facilitates training for parents, educators and professionals on topics such as Autism and co-occurring mental health conditions, Pathological Demand Avoidance, and neurodiversity in the workplace.
Webinar timing: 7:00 – 8:00 pm AEDT
Access to the recording of this webinar: A recording of this webinar will be available through the CPD Webinar Library, but for the best experience and the opportunity to ask your questions, join us live. Everyone who registers will be advised via email as soon as the recording is available. Members have unlimited access to the recording, and non-members will have access for 6 months.