Blue wrens have ADHD brains: Identity and belonging in nature-based practice
Tracks
Diversity and inclusion (General)
Mental health and wellbeing (General)
Occupational justice, human rights, equity, and social inclusion (General)
Trauma-informed practice (General)
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 1:10 PM - 1:35 PM |
| Great Hall 1 & 2 |
Speaker
Mrs Bronwyn Paynter
Director
Nature Ot Pty Ltd
Blue wrens have ADHD brains: Identity and belonging in nature-based practice
Presentation summary
Introduction
Nature-based interventions are increasingly promoted as universally therapeutic, with narratives like "nature is for everyone" dominating health and social prescribing discourse. However, this romanticised view overlooks significant barriers and fails to acknowledge that nature does not feel safe or comfortable for all people. Drawing from geographic psychology, ecopsychology, and occupational therapy's understanding of person-environment-occupation relationships, this presentation critically examines assumptions in nature-based practice and explores how occupational therapists can support individuals to find meaningful relationships with natural environments.
Learning objectives
-Understand barriers to nature-based occupation including economic access, safety concerns related to racism and discrimination, physical accessibility, trauma history, and psychological safety
-Explore eco-identity as a tool for assessing individual relationships with nature
-Apply occupational justice principles to nature-based practice, recognising occupational therapy's unique value in social prescribing contexts
Audience engagement
The presentation uses the blue wren as metaphor—its rapid song patterns revealing complexity when slowed, reflecting how ADHD brains might find their place of flow in the right environment. This playful illustration demonstrates the importance of connecting people with environments supporting their identity and nervous system needs rather than prescribing nature generically. Eco-identity and health coaching tools will be shared to support individualised nature-based occupation across diverse populations. Discussion explores how occupational therapy's person-centred, justice-oriented lens differentiates practice in nature prescription.
Relevance to occupational therapy practice
This presentation challenges practitioners to move beyond assumptions that nature is universally beneficial, demonstrating how nuanced assessment and individualised environmental matching reflects core occupational therapy values of meaning, access, and justice.
Nature-based interventions are increasingly promoted as universally therapeutic, with narratives like "nature is for everyone" dominating health and social prescribing discourse. However, this romanticised view overlooks significant barriers and fails to acknowledge that nature does not feel safe or comfortable for all people. Drawing from geographic psychology, ecopsychology, and occupational therapy's understanding of person-environment-occupation relationships, this presentation critically examines assumptions in nature-based practice and explores how occupational therapists can support individuals to find meaningful relationships with natural environments.
Learning objectives
-Understand barriers to nature-based occupation including economic access, safety concerns related to racism and discrimination, physical accessibility, trauma history, and psychological safety
-Explore eco-identity as a tool for assessing individual relationships with nature
-Apply occupational justice principles to nature-based practice, recognising occupational therapy's unique value in social prescribing contexts
Audience engagement
The presentation uses the blue wren as metaphor—its rapid song patterns revealing complexity when slowed, reflecting how ADHD brains might find their place of flow in the right environment. This playful illustration demonstrates the importance of connecting people with environments supporting their identity and nervous system needs rather than prescribing nature generically. Eco-identity and health coaching tools will be shared to support individualised nature-based occupation across diverse populations. Discussion explores how occupational therapy's person-centred, justice-oriented lens differentiates practice in nature prescription.
Relevance to occupational therapy practice
This presentation challenges practitioners to move beyond assumptions that nature is universally beneficial, demonstrating how nuanced assessment and individualised environmental matching reflects core occupational therapy values of meaning, access, and justice.
Biography
Bronwyn Paynter is an occupational therapist with over 30 years' experience. Founder of Nature OT and board member of Outdoor Health Australia, she is an international leader in nature-based occupational therapy, supporting practitioners globally to create innovative, sustainable services connecting people with nature for wellbeing of people and planet.
