Defining Inclusion: Exploring International Inclusive Education Models That Empower Neurodivergent Learners
Tracks
Monarch - In-Person & OnAIR
| Monday, September 28, 2026 |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM |
| Monarch Room |
Overview
Jane Hickey, Saints Knowledge Institute
Key Learnings
1. Increase their understanding of educational barriers facing neurodivergent young people
2. Explore educational models in UK and Italy that empower students with disability, neurodivergence and mental health conditions
3. Discover neuroaffirming strategies to remove educational barriers for students.
Speaker
Dr Jane Hickey
Associate Director Of Diverse And Inclusive Learning
Saints Knowledge Institute
Defining Inclusion: Exploring International Inclusive Education Models That Empower Neurodivergent Learners
Presentation Overview
Dr Jane Hickey will explore how schools can create inclusive learning environments that truly empower neurodivergent young people. In this session, Jane will share insights and key learnings from a Creswick fellowship overseas research trip.
Australia has often focused on ‘integration policies’ when supporting neurodivergent students in education, but Dr. Hickey’s research calls for the removal of systemic barriers currently disabling young people and instead co designing new environments for learning.
Many Australian students remain isolated and excluded from mainstream educational settings. An educational system that fails to meet the sensory and academic needs of young people with co-existing diagnoses is creating profound barriers to learning and skyrocketing rates of ‘school can’t’.
The presentation will look across several education systems: from Italy’s 1977 legislative closure of segregated settings and focus on supporting teachers, to the UK’s innovative models, including learning communities within local community hubs to create a "generational ripple effect".
This session offers possibilities in how Australia can shift from managing exclusion to creating learning environments where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered. Australia needs to remove educational barriers, to enable the experiences of school ‘can’t’ transform into experiences of school can!”.
Participants will leave the session with a deeper understanding of inclusion in an educational context, how it differs from past integration models and tangible steps that schools can take to remove barriers to learning that exist for neurodivergent learners.
Australia has often focused on ‘integration policies’ when supporting neurodivergent students in education, but Dr. Hickey’s research calls for the removal of systemic barriers currently disabling young people and instead co designing new environments for learning.
Many Australian students remain isolated and excluded from mainstream educational settings. An educational system that fails to meet the sensory and academic needs of young people with co-existing diagnoses is creating profound barriers to learning and skyrocketing rates of ‘school can’t’.
The presentation will look across several education systems: from Italy’s 1977 legislative closure of segregated settings and focus on supporting teachers, to the UK’s innovative models, including learning communities within local community hubs to create a "generational ripple effect".
This session offers possibilities in how Australia can shift from managing exclusion to creating learning environments where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered. Australia needs to remove educational barriers, to enable the experiences of school ‘can’t’ transform into experiences of school can!”.
Participants will leave the session with a deeper understanding of inclusion in an educational context, how it differs from past integration models and tangible steps that schools can take to remove barriers to learning that exist for neurodivergent learners.
Biography
Dr. Jane Hickey is a disability advocate with expertise in education, youth and community work. Jane has a Master of Education and a PhD focused on the experiences of students with "hidden disability". Jane is now internationally recognized as a public speaker and workshop facilitator, using storytelling to build connection and remove barriers. Jane recognises the importance of neuroaffirming, strengths-based approaches, working alongside neurodivergent young people and amplifying the voices of those with a lived experience. Jane’s TEDx talk focuses on the benefits of universal design for the whole community. Jane is a current recipient of a Creswick fellowship.
