**Synopsis**
“I Am an Exceptional Kid” is a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-focused, and evidence-informed social–emotional competence curriculum designed for children with diverse neurodevelopmental profiles. The program integrates contemporary understandings of neurodiversity (Judy Singer, 1999), social–emotional learning frameworks (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning [CASEL], 2020), and research on emotional regulation and co-regulation (Ross W. Greene, 2014; Stephen W. Porges, 2011). It moves beyond compliance-based behaviour models toward identity development, interoceptive awareness, relational safety, and authentic participation.

**Aims of presentation**
This presentation will (1) outline the theoretical foundations underpinning the curriculum; (2) describe the co-design and iterative development process; (3) present preliminary implementation data; and (4) demonstrate practical strategies that align social–emotional competence with occupational participation and wellbeing.

**Target audience**
Occupational therapists working with neurodivergent children across clinical, school, and community settings.

**Key outcomes**
Attendees will:
• Understand how neurodiversity-affirming principles can be operationalised within structured curriculum design.
• Identify strategies that support emotional literacy, cognitive flexibility, and relational competence.
• Gain tools to embed strengths-based language and collaborative problem-solving in practice.

**Potential value for the profession**
This work contributes a structured, theoretically coherent alternative to deficit-based social skills training, aligning practice with contemporary ethical and evidence-based standards in child development and occupational therapy.

Synopsis
Digital mental health tools can meaningfully support participation, daily routines, and wellbeing which are core goals of occupational therapy. While many of these tools are evidence based and widely available, occupational therapists often report uncertainty about which tools to use and how to integrate them confidently and safely into their work. This presentation by the Australian Government funded eMHPrac project provides a practical overview of digital mental health resources relevant to occupational therapy. Real-world examples will demonstrate how digital tools can be embedded into occupational therapy workflows across settings and populations.

Aim of Presentation
• Increase occupational therapist awareness of safe, evidence-based digital mental health tools
• Build confidence in selecting and integrating tools to support client goals and participation
• Provide practical strategies to incorporate digital tools into routine practice

Target Audience
Occupational therapists working across mental health, primary care, disability, community, and private practice settings, including early-career and experienced clinicians.

Key Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
• Identify appropriate digital mental health tools aligned with client needs and occupational goals
• Support client engagement and digital literacy
• Recognise common barriers (e.g., motivation, access, safety concerns) and strategies to address them

Potential Value for Profession
This session supports occupational therapists to integrate digital mental health into practice. By extending care beyond sessions and supporting self-management, digital tools can enhance access, continuity of care, and client participation. It aligns with emerging models of hybrid care and strengthens the profession’s role in digitally enabled, person-centred health systems.

Synopsis
This practice‑focused session presents a sustainable framework for incorporating music‑based rhythmic drumming into dementia care. Drawing on evidence from motor dual‑task training and neuropsychology, it outlines an occupation‑based session format for clinical use. The session will discuss strategies for grading rhythmic patterns across different cognitive and physical levels, along with key considerations for residential and community settings. It will also highlight how brief rhythmic routines can support co‑regulation, and how carers can be actively engaged as co‑facilitators.

Aims of presentation
To demonstrate how music‑based rhythmic drumming can be used as an occupation‑focused group intervention to support psychosocial well‑being in dementia care.

To provide clinicians with a practical framework for facilitating drumming groups across different functional levels and care settings.

To explore how participation in rhythmic group activities may also support carer well‑being through shared experience and co‑regulation

Target Audience
This session is relevant to therapists working with older people and their families, especially those seeking practical, low‑cost, engaging ways to support people living with dementia and their carers in mental health and community settings.

Key outcomes
Participants will be able to describe how rhythmic drumming may support cognition and emotional well‑being in dementia care, identify practical group formats for exercise‑ball drumming, and outline strategies for involving carers to enhance connection and reduce stress.

Potential value for the profession
This session translates current evidence into a practical occupational therapy approach that can be embedded in routine dementia services, highlighting OT’s role in designing low-cost, person-centered, participation-focused group programs.

Synopsis
Burnout in private practice occupational therapy is often attributed to individual factors; however, increasing evidence suggests that system design plays a significant role. This presentation explores how unrealistic caseload expectations and misaligned performance measures can contribute to practitioner fatigue, reduced job satisfaction, and workforce attrition. It will examine how alternative practice structures can better support clinician wellbeing and long-term sustainability.



Aim/s of Presentation
To explore how service and workforce design can reduce burnout risk and support sustainable careers in private practice occupational therapy.

Target Audience
Occupational therapists in private practice, practice owners, and leaders involved in workforce design and service delivery.

Key Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

Identify systemic contributors to burnout in private practice settings

Understand the impact of workload expectations and performance metrics on clinician wellbeing

Describe key supports that improve sustainability, including peer networks, business structures and centralised supports

Consider how practice design can better align with professional values and workforce retention

Potential Value for Profession
This presentation contributes to ongoing workforce sustainability discussions by shifting the focus from individual responsibility to system-level solutions that support clinician wellbeing and quality care.