A Different Brilliant

"School can’t" is more than simply not wanting to go to school. For some Autistic students, the demands and stresses associated with school can become so overwhelming that attending feels difficult or even impossible.
In this episode of a different brilliant®, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Tahlia Morgan, Head of Wellbeing at Aspect Vern Barnett School, and Tiffany Westphal, Director of School Can’t Australia, to explore what "school can’t" is and how parents, carers and educators can better support Autistic students experiencing school-related distress.
Together, they unpack why the language we use matters, including the move away from terms such as “school refusal” that can suggest a student is making a deliberate choice not to attend. The conversation explores some of the sensory, social, cognitive and physiological stressors that can contribute to school can’t, as well as early signs of distress including masking, changes in behaviour, physical symptoms and difficulty transitioning into school.
Whether you’re a parent or carer, educator, allied health professional or someone supporting an Autistic young person, this episode offers practical insights into recognising school can’t and working together to create learning environments where students can feel safe, supported and understood.
Please note: This episode discusses school distress and difficult school experiences that some listeners may find upsetting. If you experience distress, please seek support through Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Further Resources:
Aspect information sheet: School Can't https://www.aspect.org.au/uploads/documents/Information-Sheets/School_Refusal_information_sheet_March_2025.pdf
School Can’t Australia – Understanding School Can’t and Parent / Carer Resource: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/resources-1
School Can’t Australia – Parent Guide to School Attendance Difficulties: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/parentresources/
Amaze – School can’t resources for parents/carers and teachers: https://www.amaze.org.au/support/resources/school-cant-resources-for-parents-carers-and-teachers/
Amaze – My School Experiences toolkit: https://www.amaze.org.au/2026/02/my-school-experiences-toolkit/
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) – Aspect Distance Education: https://www.aspect.org.au/our-services/going-to-school/aspect-distance-education
Lifeline Australia – Crisis support: https://www.lifeline.org.au/?_ga=2.55905443.926984944.1788849754-959480927.1788849753&_gac=1.155258569.1788849754.CjwKCAjwwfnUBhAtEiwAfQpAYt9OEdmMgUgiiVNqEhj_C8dV16QZscXvJRnwbmkUrHeIFccEHuQikBoCrZUQAvD_BwE

Learning to drive is a significant milestone but for Autistic young people there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
In this episode of a different brilliant®, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Brad Williams, Founder and CEO of Williams OT, occupational therapist, driver assessor and driving instructor, and Jérôme Etteridge, Aspect teacher aide, former Aspect student and licensed driver.
Drawing on professional expertise and lived experience, Brad shares practical insights on recognising driving readiness, building skills at the right pace and supporting learner drivers, while Jérôme reflects on his own experience of learning to drive, the challenges he overcame, and the independence and opportunities that driving has brought to his everyday life.
Whether you're an Autistic young person, parent, carer or professional, this episode offers practical guidance, expert insights and lived experience to support learning to drive.
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Further resources:
Learning to drive – NSW information module: Independently prepared by Jérôme Etteridge, this resource provides a summary of learning to drive in NSW, including the driving process, road rules, available supports and information about the NDIS. The information was current as at 6 August 2026 and is based on NSW road rules.

In this episode of a different brilliant®, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Dr Fiona Aldridge, Clinical Psychologist and Manager of Aspect Assessments, to unpack the difference between an autism assessment and a functional capacity assessment.
Dr Aldridge explains what each assessment is designed to do, why they answer different questions, and how they work together to provide a more complete understanding of an individual's strengths, support needs and experiences.
The conversation also explores why an autism diagnosis can be about much more than accessing services. For many people, it provides clarity, validation, self-understanding and a foundation for more personalised, autism-informed support.
Whether you're an Autistic person, parent, educator, health professional or someone exploring an autism diagnosis later in life, this episode provides practical, neuro-affirming information to help you navigate the assessment journey.
To learn more about Aspect Assessments, visit: https://www.aspect.org.au/our-services/autism-assessment-diagnosis
Understanding autism, ADHD and neurodiversity:
https://www.aspect.org.au/about-autism/information-sheets/understanding-autism-neurodiversity-info-sheets

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In this episode of a different brilliant®, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey speaks with Autistic social entrepreneur, researcher and systems innovator Dr Sharon Zivkovic about why entrepreneurship can be an employment pathway for Autistic people.
Together, they explore the barriers Autistic people often face in traditional employment, including workplace culture, sensory challenges and recruitment processes, and discuss how self-employment and social entrepreneurship can offer greater autonomy, flexibility and wellbeing.
Dr Sharon Zivkovic shares insights into Autistic strengths such as deep interests, systems thinking, pattern recognition and innovative problem-solving, explaining why these qualities can make Autistic people exceptional entrepreneurs and changemakers.
The conversation also examines how Autistic thinking differs from neurotypical approaches, why society needs Autistic innovation, and how strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming supports could help more Autistic people thrive.
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This episode of A Different Brilliant explores what inclusive recruitment really looks like in practice, and why current hiring systems are failing Autistic people.
Host, Madeline Jaine Lobsey is joined by Kristy Kelly, Manager of Aspect’s Autism Friendly Employment Service, and Jana Zafirovska, Director of Customer Success and Principal Architect (APAC) at HireVue Australia. Together, they unpack the systemic barriers that prevent highly capable Autistic candidates from progressing through recruitment, despite strong motivation and skills.
Drawing on Aspect’s Autism Friendly Employment (AFE) approach and HireVue’s work in reimagining hiring through technology and design, this conversation explores how traditional recruitment processes, often built on outdated assumptions, continue to filter out the very talent organisations are seeking to include.
The episode also highlights Aspect and HireVue’s collaboration on developing an inclusive recruitment guide and broader thought leadership, offering practical insights into how employers can design fairer, more accessible hiring processes. From job descriptions and screening tools through to interview design and workplace adjustments, this discussion challenges “the way we’ve always done it” and provides a pathway forward.
Whether you’re an employer, recruiter, or Autistic jobseeker, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating more inclusive, effective and human-centred employment practices.
Further resources and reading:
Autism Friendly Employment: https://www.aspect.org.au/our-services/aspect-autism-friendly-employment
About Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia):
Aspect is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the world’s most extensive autism-specific educational programs. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum to co-develop, co-produce and co-deliver supports and services that are individualised, goal driven and grounded in evidence-based practices.
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