Do you...

• Have young tween or teen clients with autism, neurodivergence and disability?
• Feel unsure which strategies, interventions and resources to utilise to best support your clients with puberty related occupational performance issues?
• Wish you had a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the additional occupational challenges of puberty for people who are autistic or neurodivergent?
• Want to know how to approach puberty and its related life skills in a neuro-affirming way?
• Want to learn from occupational therapists with years of practical experience and skills in delivering fun, age appropriate and engaging puberty and life skills education?

Did you know?

• Occupational therapists, as a profession, are neglecting to address puberty-specific challenges of autistic adolescents? (American Journal of OT, 2021)
• Practitioners lack confidence to address and support their clients' puberty related challenges due to limited academic literature and lack of training opportunities. (OT Practice Magazine - American Occupational Therapy Association, 2022)
• Occupational therapists are uniquely placed to identify challenges impacting menstrual hygiene management, as well as promoting independence in this essential activity of daily living. (OT Practice Magazine - American Occupational Therapy Association)

Our training is informative and FUN!

Professional development shouldn't be boring - and this topic doesn't need to be scary! We make this training interactive, informative and fun!

You will walk away with knowledge, resources and skills allowing you to assist your clients straight away. But most importantly, you will come away from this training with the confidence to openly broach this subject with your clients and families. 

Every child will go through puberty, so your ability as a paediatric occupational therapist, to support them through this often daunting period will greatly enhance your practice and professionalism.

Knowledge is power - both for our clients and ourselves! 

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the impact of autism and disability on the experience of puberty
• Recognise the occupational performance issues that arise for people with autism, neurodivergence and disability during puberty - categorised under the NDIS functional domains​
• Understand the connection between autism and neurodivergence, and gender non-conformity; and how this impacts on the puberty experience for young people
• Review the current literature and evidence based strategies for puberty support in occupational therapy
• Understand the role of Occupational Therapy in supporting young people with disability to manage puberty
• Be aware of the practical strategies, tools and resources available for intervention - focused in the areas of: body changes, hygiene, personal care, menstruation (understanding and management), emotional regulation, friendships and social skills, gender stereotypes, confidence and resilience and consent and bodily autonomy.
• How to integrate puberty-management and life skills goals, into client therapy plans
• Understand Occupational Therapy scope of practice in this field, and onward referral channels