LaLYP Symposium 2026

10 October 2026 | Tickets $30

Limited release Curtin student discount tickets $10

Learning from Evidence & Experience

10 October 2026

Curtin University, Kent St Bentley Western Australia

In-person and online attendance available

We are pleased to announce the LaLYP Symposium 2026, hosted by the Language and Literacy in Young People (LaLYP) Research Group.

This year’s theme, Learning from Evidence and Experience, brings together research, practice, and lived experience to explore how we can better support children and young people with language and literacy challenges.

About the Symposium:

  • Latest research from LaLYP

  • Contributions from local, national, and international collaborators

  • Lived experience, clinical, and education perspectives

Who should attend:

  • People with lived experience of language and literacy challenges

  • Families and caregivers

  • Clinicians and allied health professionals

  • Educators

  • Researchers and students

Tickets are now available

Click here to register for in-person attendance.

Click here to register for online attendance via Teams.

❋ Tickets
❋ Contact

If you have questions about the conference, your submission, or have a suggestion for something you would like people to discuss please click here to contact the symposium organisers, Dr Robert Wells (9266 2597) & Dr Lizz Hill.

❋ Community Topics

We are inviting scientific community topics for discussion which cover lived-experience ideas with a range of formats.

A ‘community topic’ submission is for people who would like to talk about a topic, idea, or experience with others at the symposium on the day. This can be a presentation or discussion lead by a young person, a family member, or a clinician/professional stakeholder.

See below for information on submitting a community topic.

Portal open until 4 September, 2026.

❋ Scientific Abstracts

We are inviting scientific abstracts related to research on language and literacy challenges faced by young people across a range of formats.

A ‘scientific abstract’ submission is for people who would like to present or talk about a research project, study, or research findings at the symposium on the day. This can be lead by a researcher or clinician/professional stakeholder.

See below for information on submitting a scientific abstract.

Portal open until 4 September, 2026.

Approximate Programme

The day has been designed to focus on presentations centred on sharing evidence and experience related to language and literacy challenges.

A more detailed programme will be available closer to the day.


Doors Open

8:30 - 9:00am


Lunch

12:45 - 1:30pm

Presentations

1:30 - 3:30pm

Close

3:30 - 4:00pm

9:00 - 10:30am - Natalee Blakemore

Invited Keynote

Morning Break

10:30 - 11:00am


Presentations

11:00am - 12:45pm





Keynote Speaker Natalee Blakemore

Natalee is an Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Curtin University

alumna.

Since graduating from Curtin, she has maintained a strong connection with the

university through her involvement in research projects focused on Developmental

language disorder and mental health challenges in young people.

Natalee is the Director of Diversum Health Group in Fremantle, where she works with

clients and families across the lifespan. She has presented and facilitated workshops

locally and nationally, supporting greater understanding of divergent minds and bodies.

Natalee brings not only extensive clinical experience in this area of occupational

therapy, but also lived experience as an autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic person with

developmental language differences and a PDA profile. She is also the mother of three

neurodivergent children.

Creative in all aspects of life, Natalee brings warmth, insight, and authenticity to her

work and speaking engagements. She speaks candidly about the strengths and

challenges experienced by divergent minds, communicators, and learners, and

advocates passionately for the disabled community she supports and is part of.

Submission of scientific abstracts and community topics

Make a submission

Get tickets