The School Can't Experience

Leisa Reichelt speaks with autism researcher and clinical psychologist Dawn Adams (OTARC, La Trobe University) about what the latest School Can’t research is showing. 
Dawn shares international insights on how neuro-normative school policy and assessment can drive school distress, and why lived experience and co-designed research matter. She outlines OTARC findings that child anxiety can predict later school non-attendance years in advance, and that an autism-specific, parent-based anxiety prevention program in the preschool years was linked to far fewer school attendance challenges. 
They also discuss fluctuating capacity, autonomy, and student-identified school stressors from the Student Stress Investigation cards—highlighting that many improvements are low-cost and start with schools better understanding when students ‘seem okay’ but aren’t.
00:00 Welcome to the School Can’t Experience Podcast + Meet Dawn Adams (OTARC)
01:08 Dawn’s Journey: Clinical Psychologist to Autism Research Leader
04:05 Why Lived Experience Must Shape Research (and What Data Gets Missed)
06:11 Participatory Research & Co-Design: Catching Up in Autism Research
08:09 Conference Takeaways: Policy, Assessment Inequity & Systemic Drivers
13:26 Fluctuating Capacity: Autonomy, Trust, and the ‘Spoons’ Language
16:58 OTARC’s School Can’t Research: Longitudinal Findings & Anxiety Prevention
21:51 Practical Anxiety Supports: Intolerance of Uncertainty, Language & Modeling
27:49 Choice, Control & Advocacy: Building Safety and a Trusted Adult at School
32:33 Student Stress Investigation Cards: Top Stressors & What Kids Want Changed
39:04 Key Takeaways for Schools: Low-Cost Changes That Reduce Stress
40:47 How to Get Involved + Wrap-Up, Resources, and Support Lines

People & resources mentioned in this episode:
Dawn Adams on Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-adams-207653264
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) - https://www.latrobe.edu.au/otarc
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Support the show
School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

Psychologist Emma-Rose Parsons joins host, Leisa Reichelt to discuss how Individual Learning Plans (ILPs/IEPs) can become practical, neurodiversity-affirming tools rather than “tick-the-box” paperwork. 
Emma-Rose explains ILPs should document reasonable adjustments, support equal access to curriculum and school life, and help schools meet obligations under relevant disability and equal opportunity legislation—ideally through true collaboration with parents and, where possible, students.
They identify common red flags and Emma-Rose shares examples of better goals focused on access and regulation. The episode also covers school objections around “fairness” and staff capacity, noting the need for better whole-community understanding of equity and more teacher upskilling. 
They discuss how allied health can help by providing brief, prioritised recommendations with clear rationale, and how implementation often breaks down in high school without clear responsibility for sharing plans across multiple teachers. 

People & resources mentioned in this episode:
Emma Rose’s website: https://emmarosepsychologist.com.au/
Nuturing Sparkles Video Library” https://learn.nurturingsparkles.com.au/
Neurowild octopus iceskates cartoon re: equal vs equality - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02T5WZVb94KbcK5BzZannYZTNkRAnG39PWVqEVE9HS19PDY9LCJzErzE6KXzExV6Q5l&id=100087870753308
Neurowild on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurowild_
Lived Experience Educator: https://www.livedexperienceeducator.com/
 Onwards and Upwards Psychology: https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/
Yellow Ladybugs: https://www.yellowladybugs.com.au/
Send a text
Support the show
School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

This week we bring you a special live recording of the Lived Experience panel from the launch of the 'Understanding School Can’t' ebook. Featuring previous podcast guests Diana, Mark, Simone, and Yani, the discussion ranges draws from their personal journeys and explores the challenges they faced with School Can’t, and the wisdom they wish they had known earlier.

The panel offers powerful reflections on the importance of community, dealing with isolation and stress, and practical advice on navigating educational systems. They also touch on the significance of self-care and finding hope during difficult times.

Download the free ebook from the School Can’t Australia website (https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/minibook) and join us in this candid conversation about overcoming barriers and supporting young people through their unique educational challenges.

00:00 Welcome and introduction to the Lived Experience Panel
02:30 Meet the Panelists: Personal Journeys
09:15 Early Signs of School Can't
12:49 Bad Advice and Missteps
18:43 What Actually Helped: Breakthroughs and Support
24:05 Hope and Optimism in the Journey
27:18 The Importance of Self-Care
28:57 Final Thoughts and Resources

People & resources mentioned in this episode:
Download the ebook; Understanding School Can’t - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/minibook
Diana’s Lived Experience Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17687736
Mark’s Lived Experience Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17343389
Simone & Yani’s Lived Experience Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17807153
Naomi Fisher on Parental Burnout (and self compassion) episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17727352
Send a text
Support the show
School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

In the first episode of the 2026 School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt discusses the challenges 'School Can't,' with the Directors of School Can't Australia, Tiffany Westphal and Louise Rogers and discuss some of the content of the new ebook, Understanding School Can’t published by School Can’t Australia in January.
Download a copy of the Understanding School Can’t ebook here: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/minibook
We explore the early and often missed signs of School Can't, harmful but well-meaning advice, and why it's essential for parents and carers to invest in their own mental well-being. 

Our conversation explores stressors that impact children’s school attendance, building trust, self-regulation, and the importance of community support. 

Tiffany and Louise emphasise compassion, curiosity, and support for both children and their caregivers. 

00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast
01:57 Personal Summer Break Stories
03:08 Defining 'School Can't'
05:02 Distinguishing 'Can't' from 'Won't'
07:25 Early Signs and Patterns of School Can't
08:42 Parental Experiences and Insights
24:01 Common Stressors and Challenges
29:39 Effective Strategies and Support
32:29 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
44:40 Final Thoughts and Resources

People & resources mentioned in this episode:
Download a copy of the Understanding School Can’t ebook here: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/minibook
Dr Ross Greene, Lives in the Balance: https://livesinthebalance.org/
Shankar Self Reg - https://self-reg.ca/
Carers Gateway - https://www.carergateway.gov.au/
Send a text
Support the show
School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

You're invited to attend the virtual launch of School Can't Australia's new ebook. 
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/resource-launch-understanding-school-can-t-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers
Please help us plan content for next years episodes - send your feedback and ideas to [email protected] or send us a text.

Send a text
Support the show
School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.