Speech Pathology Workshop: Assessing Social Cognition & Social Communication in Children & Youth

Deepening Clinical Insight into Social-Emotional Functioning for Speech Pathologists

Assessment and formulation in complex neurodiverse presentations, focusing on communication and social-emotional functioning in childhood and adolescence.

This advanced-level professional development workshop facilitated by Kym Robsinson, Advanced Speech Pathologist in Mental Health, is designed for Speech Pathologists supporting upper primary and adolescent clients with social-emotional and communication challenges.

26 September 2025

  • Friday, 26 September 2025

  • 9:00am - 3:00pm

  • Morning, lunch and refreshments included

  • 6 Hours CPD

  • In-person only

  • Brisbane, QLD - Venue TBC

About The Facilitator

Kym Robinson | Director, Advanced Speech Pathologist (Mental Health)

Kym is an internationally recognised clinician in mental health and neurodivergence, with more than 30 years of clinical practice as a Speech Pathologist, specialising in social-emotional and communication challenges within mental health.

Her work spans childhood to adulthood, with a particular focus on neurodiversity, trauma-informed care, and forensic settings. Drawing from her extensive training, including Hanen programs and Social Thinking®, Kym brings a rich, holistic perspective to assessment and intervention. A seasoned presenter and passionate advocate for the profession, she’s known for delivering practical, evidence-based insights grounded in empathy and inclusion.

Development

Assessment

Functional Impact

⋆ Development ⋆ Assessment ⋆ Functional Impact

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe key foundations of social-emotional development in childhood and adolescence, including attachment, co-regulation, and the neurobiological underpinnings of emotional and interpersonal functioning.

  • Discuss current models of social-emotional learning and intervention, including CASEL, Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking, and the SCERTS framework, with consideration of their practical relevance in clinical and educational settings.

  • Identify common clinical presentations where social-emotional functioning is impacted, such as Autism, ADHD, Developmental Language Disorder, intellectual disability, trauma-related conditions, and internalising and externalising disorders.

  • Understand and apply core principles of assessment and formulation of social-emotional functioning, including the use of both formal and informal tools, contextual information, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

  • Explore the impact of social-emotional difficulties on academic performance, social relationships, mental health, adaptive functioning, and family dynamics.

  • Differentiate the concepts of neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and understand how language and framing influence practice, inclusion, and support pathways for children and adolescents.

Who Should Attend

This is an advanced training with the following prerequisites:

  • Experience working with upper primary and adolescent clients

  • Familiarity with neurodivergent presentations

  • Interest in social-emotional learning and diagnostic formulation

What’s Included

  • 6 hours of face-to-face learning

  • Morning tea and lunch

  • Case-based discussions and applied learning

  • Certificate of attendance (CPD-ready)

  • Invitation to join a Special Interest Group (SIG) focused on formulation and treatment

“This workshop is grounded in evidence, clinical experience, and consumer voice. It is not affiliated with or promoting any specific program or methodology.”

Friday 26 September

  • 9:00am - 3:00pm

  • Brisbane, QLD (Venue TBC)

  • In-person only

  • Fully Catered

  • Contact Therapywell for a reduced rate when purchasing for groups of 3 or more.

Early Bird Tickets

Full Price

Frequently Asked Questions


Your top questions answered. Don’t see an answer here? Reach out to us, we’d love to answer all your questions.

  • This workshop is designed for experienced Speech Pathologists who work with high-functioning neurodivergent clients aged 8-18. It is best suited to professionals who:

    • Have clinical experience with primary and adolescent populations

    • Are familiar with neurodivergent presentations, including ASD, ADHD, and Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder

    • Have an interest in social-emotional learning, diagnostic reasoning, and assessment practices

    This is an advanced-level training and is not intended as an introductory course.

  • This full-day, in-person workshop focuses exclusively on the assessment and diagnostic considerations of social cognition and social communication in neurodivergent youth. Key topics include:

    • Developmental and neurological foundations of social cognition

    • Diagnostic differentiation across conditions (e.g., ASD, ADHD, trauma-related presentations)

    • Interpreting assessment data across tools, informants, and contexts

    • Navigating diagnostic complexity in high-functioning adolescents

    • Case-based discussions to apply clinical reasoning

    • Evidence-informed insights drawn from literature, clinical experience, and consumer perspectives

    Please note: Intervention and formulation are not covered in this workshop. The focus is on enhancing diagnostic clarity and assessment confidence.

  • No. This is a face-to-face workshop only, designed for in-person learning, discussion, and interaction. A follow-up Special Interest Group (SIG) will be available for those interested in exploring formulation and intervention in future sessions.

  • Yes. All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance, which includes CPD hours applicable to Speech Pathology Australia’s self-recorded learning. A certificate will be emailed following completion of the workshop.

  • As this is a hands on and highly interactive workshop, participants are discouraged from from using their laptops or other technology to assist with note taking.

    Participants receive a hard copy interactive program workbook, containing all the information presented in the slides, which will be utilised throughout the day.

    *Please contact us if you have an accessibility need so that we can assist you with this.

  • Participants will receive a hard copy interactive program workbook, containing all the information presented in the slides, however the presentation slides will not be distributed electronically.

  • Cancellation Policy for Workshops

    We understand that circumstances may change, and cancellations may be necessary. Below is our cancellation and refund policy for the Workshop:

    1. Cancellations Requests received more than 30 Days Prior to the Event

      • Cancellations received more than 30 days before the event date are eligible for a 50% refund of the registration fee.

    2. Cancellations Between 15 and 30 Days Prior to the Event

      • Cancellations made between 15 and 30 days before the event date are eligible for a 25% refund of the registration fee.

    3. Cancellations Less than 15 Days Prior to the Event

      • Unfortunately, no refunds will be provided for cancellations made less than 15 days before the event.

    4. Registration Transfer

      • Registration is transferrable to another professional, provided the individual meets the minimum attendance requirements. Please contact us at info@therapywell.com.au to arrange a ticket transfer.

    All transfer requests, cancellations and refund requests must be submitted in writing to info@therapywell.com.au. Refunds will be processed within 10 business days.

  • By registering for our Workshops, attendees agree to the following terms and conditions:

    1. Photography and Video Consent

      • As a condition of attendance, participants consent to being photographed and filmed during the event. Therapywell reserves the right to use any photographs or video footage for promotional, educational, or marketing purposes. If you do not wish to appear in photographs or video, please notify event staff in advance.

    2. Confidentiality

      • Participants are expected to maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive information shared during the workshop. This includes discussions, case studies, and any personal or professional experiences shared by other participants.

    3. Privacy

      • Therapywell is committed to protecting your privacy. Any personal information collected during registration or throughout the event will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which complies with Australian privacy laws. We will not share your personal information with third parties without your consent.

    4. Content Ownership and Sharing

      • All materials, including but not limited to presentations, handouts, and any other content shared during the workshop, are the intellectual property of the facilitator and/or Therapywell. Participants are strictly prohibited from copying, distributing, or sharing any content without express permission from Therapywell.

    5. Recording

      • Audio or video recording of the workshop by participants is strictly prohibited unless prior written consent is obtained from Therapywell.

    By attending, you acknowledge that failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in removal from the event without refund.