Last night we celebrated record attendance as our Community gathered for the third lecture in The Ultimo Series, where Professor Adam Guastella delivered an inspiring and deeply insightful presentation on helping neurodiverse children and young people thrive at home and at school.
Drawing on more than 20 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, Professor Guastella shared stories that highlighted both the challenges and triumphs of neurodiverse individuals. From an 85-year-old man who overcame a lifetime of social anxiety through CBT to young people navigating university, workplaces and personal relationships, his reflections emphasised the life-changing impact of early intervention and clear, supportive communication.
Professor Guastella shed light on the rapid rise in autism diagnoses – up 787% over the past two decades – and the urgent need for integrated services that connect education, health and disability supports. He talked about the government’s new Thriving Kids initiative, designed to provide earlier and more coordinated pathways for children and families.
The talk explored a wide range of strategies and research-backed approaches, including programs like Jasper and Early Start for autism, as well as the importance of strengths-based frameworks that celebrate what children can do rather than focusing only on challenges. He also addressed the stigma surrounding treatment decisions, the complexities of school refusal, and the critical role families, schools and professionals play when working together.
At the heart of the lecture was a message of hope: with the right support, flexibility and collaboration, neurodiverse children and young people can flourish – academically, socially and emotionally.
We are grateful to Professor Guastella for sharing his expertise and for sparking such important conversations in our Community. Thank you to Thom Marchbank Deputy Principal Academic and Year 12 Matilda R for hosting this enriching event, and special thanks to everyone who joined us for such an engaging evening. Your presence, questions and reflections made the event a true success. We look forward to continuing these conversations in our final lecture of the year, Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Resilience with Psychologist Marina Bailey on Wednesday 22 October.
Tickets are available here.