This practical professional development session will help early childhood educators, primary school teachers, support teams and OSHC teams develop a deeper understanding of the 4 most probable neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions affecting the children in their care.
Each year, approximately 1 in 7 Australian children experience a diagnosable mental or neurodevelopmental disorder.
Whether you work in a preschool or primary classroom, manage a learning support plan or run a busy after-school care program, you will be encountering children with these conditions every day. Some of the children will already have a diagnosis, and others will be displaying behaviours that have not yet have been identified.
About this professional development day
Supporting children with complex behavioural and emotional needs can be challenging, particularly when the reasons behind their behaviour are unclear.
This session will be delivered by Heather Irvine-Rundle, a highly regarded and experienced clinical psychologist. Heather will explore how Anxiety, ADHD, ODD and PTSD can influence children’s behaviour and learning.
This professional learning will encourage you and your team to consider what children may be communicating through their actions and how their responses can influence their wellbeing, relationships and participation.
Focusing on children aged 3 to 11 years, this practical session is designed to be highly engaging, reassuring and immediately useful for you and your team.
In this presentation we will explore
- Recognise complex classroom behaviours that may indicicate underlying, undiagnosed anxiety, ADHD, ODD or PTSD.
- Separate common myths from facts about each condition.
- Understand how these conditions can overlap and can be mistaken as distressed behaviour.
- Explore practical strategies to reduce conflict and de-escalate challenging situations.
- Learn strategies to regulate a child’s nervous system to allow them to focus and learn.
- Understand your role in observing and documenting behaviour to support professional assessment.
- Learn how to collaborate effectively with families, school leaders and health professionals to secure a diagnosis.
This professional development session combines evidence-based insights with practical strategies you can apply within your organisations.
Who should attend?
This professional development workshop is designed for people working with children aged 3–11, including:
- Early childhood educators and teachers.
- Primary school teachers.
- School leaders and principals.
- Learning support and student wellbeing staff.
- Outside school hours care (OSHC) educators and coordinators.
- School counsellors and other education professionals.
Educators of all experience levels are welcome. The day will also provide opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas and connect with others who work with children.
You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of these conditions, practical strategies and greater confidence in supporting the children in your care.
What else is included?
Meals and refreshments
Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee on arrival, along with morning tea and lunch. All attendees will be contacted before the event to confirm dietary requirements.
Certificate and presentation slides
All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and a copy of the presentation slides following the conference.
Parking
Free on‑site parking.
Details
Date: Friday 26 February 2027.
Time: 9:30am to 2pm (AEDT).
Location: Club Macquarie, 458 Lake Rd, Argenton NSW 2284
Speaker: Heather Irvine-Rundle, senior clinical psychologist and director of The READ Clinic.
Ticket price: $285 per person (including GST).
Booking form: Download the booking form
Purchase tickets: Purchase tickets
If you would like to purchase your ticket via bank transfer, please email (info@committedtochildcareconferences.com) the team and we will send you our banking details.
Professional accreditation
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
This presentation meets the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers:
- Standard 1 – Know students and how they learn.
- Standard 4 – Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.
- Standard 6 – Engage in professional learning.
About the speaker
Heather Irvine-Rundle
Senior clinical psychologist, Conjoint Professor of Practice, School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle and director of The READ Clinic
Heather is a senior clinical psychologist and the director of The Read Clinic, which is one of the largest psychology practises in Australia. As well as practising in Australia, Heather has also spent three years in the UK working with some of the most deprived families in Liverpool and London. She also led a service providing advice and consultations on mental health to all the schools in the South London area.
As well as practicing for over two decades Heather has also found time to become a published author with her latest book Hello Baby. Heather speaks regularly on local ABC radio, has appeared on a number of television shows including 60 Minutes, and writes regular articles for print and digital media.
In 2019, Heather was appointed as Conjoint Professor of Practice in the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle, NSW.
Registration policy
Read our registration policy.