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...

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. Dra...

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 comp...

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 pro...

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...

In this episode, Aspect CEO Jacqui Borland and Autism Friendly Employment Manager Kristy Kelly speak with NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister about the Australian Government’s Thriving Kids program. Together, they explore what the program means for children with developmental delay and children on the autism spectrum, and how it will support families to access help earlier. Drawing on questions from th...

In this episode of A Different Brilliant , we speak with Craig Smith, Manager of Technology and Innovation for Positive Partnerships. Craig shares his valuable knowledge and experience which is informed by his experience as a classroom teacher along with his work and collaboration with experts from around the world in the area of inclusive and neurodiversity affirming education practices. This epi...

In this episode, Dr Chris Edwards (Aspect) and Dr Paul Constable (Flinders University) share what their recent eye care research reveals about the experiences of Autistic adults, parents of Autistic children and eye care professionals. Blending lived experience, research insights and hands-on clinical knowledge, they talk about why eye health is often overlooked, what makes typical eye care settin...

In this powerful episode of A Different Brilliant, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Eliza Tait, a recent Year 12 graduate, disability advocate and former Deputy Premier of the New South Wales Youth Parliament to explore what inclusive education truly looks like from a student’s perspective. Drawing on her lived experience as a twice-exceptional autistic student, Eliza shares her journey th...

This podcast episode explores Autistic people's experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Host, Madeleine Jaine Lobsey speaks with Dr Abbey Love from the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) about insights from her research into Autistic perinatal experiences, including the sensory, communication and systemic challenges many parents face alongside the strengths, competenc...

In this episode of A Different Brilliant , host Madeline Jaine Lobsey sits down with social worker and behaviour support practitioner Bella Smythe for an open and empowering conversation about neurodiversity, co-occurring experiences, and what it means to create genuinely neuro-affirming environments. Bella shares insights from her years of experience supporting Autistic people, including her work...

In this episode of a different brilliant , host Madeline Jane Lobsey is joined by Sandee Facy , Hd of Business Development for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand (via Bayley House), and Matt Oastler (he/they) , Aspect Autism Friendly Melbourne Team Leader, to explore how the Sunflower symbol and Autism Friendly practices work together to make everyday life more welcoming for...

In this episode, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey chats with Mel Spencer OAM, CEO of Different Journeys, who draws on her lived experience and professional expertise to discuss unpaid carers of Autistic people. Mel explores the key challenges and barriers carers face, the supports available, and what can be done to help carers balance their responsibilities with their own wellbeing, personal goals and...

In this episode of a different brilliant, Dr James Best reflects on his journey as both a father of an Autistic son and a GP, sharing the challenges and insights he’s gained along the way. He offers practical advice on staying connected, balancing family life and the important role fathers play in raising Autistic children. All rights reserved.

In this episode of a different brilliant, host Madeleine Jane Lobsey is joined by Jennifer Lowe, autism researcher and PhD candidate at La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, to explore a subject often avoided but deeply human: grief. Jennifer shares her lived experience alongside insights from her research into how Autistic people process grief and bereavement. Together, they...

In the latest episode of A Different Brilliant, host Madeleine Jane Lobsey is joined by Michael Theo and therapist and author Jodi Rodgers to explore relationships, dating, intimacy and consent. Together, they unpack common myths, including the idea that people on the autism connection don’t want romantic or physical connection, and highlight the diversity of neurodivergent experience when it come...

Join host Madeleine Jane Lobsey and Aspect’s Positive Behaviour Support practitioner Anna James as they discuss Pathological Demand Avoidance or PDA and autism strategies and why anxiety, not defiance, drives avoidance. Also known as Persistent Drive for Autonomy and Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, Anna offers examples and practical tips for parents, educators and employers when working with Autisti...

In this episode of a different brilliant, host Madeline Jaine Lobsey is joined by 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame — advocate, author, artist and proud autistic woman — for a powerful conversation about autism and masking. Together, they unpack the lived experience of masking: the conscious and unconscious effort many Autistic people make to hide or suppress their needs to feel safe, fit in...

Host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey, explores with Dr. Wenn Lawson and Prof. Sandra Thom-Jones why so many older Autistic people have gone undiagnosed, the lasting impact of late recognition and the critical need for autism-friendly accommodations in healthcare and aged care. A conversation that sheds light on an often-overlooked generation and the changes needed to create a more inclusive future. Dr. Wen...

Our host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey and Meghan Williams, Aspect's Education Autism Practice Manager, discuss school transitions. They explore the common challenges that are faced by starting a new school, returning to school, and also transitional periods during the day. They also discuss the strategies that can be implemented to help Autistic students adapt during this time of change. This episode is...

Join our host, Madeleine Jaine Lobsey as she chats with Dr Chris Edwards and Dr Abbey Love from the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) to explore the pros and cons of autism disclosure and what society can do to reduce the challenges and risks associated with disclosure. . We will also hear how sharing being Autistic can lead to acceptance and authenticity, but also to stigma and d...

In this episode, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Aspect's PBS & Safeguarding Manager, Jessica Degrassi to address the topic of "Positive Behaviour Support", or "PBS". They look at both the support for, and some of the misconceptions around, the subject. Note that this podcast addresses topics that may be sensitive to some listeners. If this causes you distress, please seek professiona...

In this episode, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) researchers, Dr Abbey Love and Dr Chris Edwards, and Occupational Therapist/Researcher/Parent, Leah Wiseman. Together, they discuss the worldwide epidemic of loneliness, debunk myths surrounding autism and loneliness, share effective strategies to reduce loneliness and discuss how a shift i...

In this episode, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Natalie Phillips-Mason and Lisa Whinnen, to discuss the importance of providing inclusive retail shopping experiences for Autistic shoppers. This is a must-listen episode for anyone working in the retail sector or retail shop designers and shopfitters. All rights reserved.

In this episode, host Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is joined by Michael Theo, star of hit TV shows Austin and Love on the Spectrum, to discuss the topic of navigating friendship in the high school years. All rights reserved.