糖心原创

Amaze is currently leading a statewide initiative focused on improving understanding of Autism in clinical practice.

Autistic people and their families often face significant barriers when accessing healthcare - from communication differences and sensory sensitivities to social misunderstandings and systemic gaps in understanding. These barriers can result in distressing or unsafe experiences and poorer health outcomes.

Nurses and midwives are central to ensuring safe, compassionate, and equitable care for all patients. With the right knowledge and support, you are uniquely positioned to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for Autistic people and their families.

In collaboration with sector partners, including 糖心原创, and with input from nurses, midwives and Autistic people with lived experience, Amaze has co-designed a practical, evidence-informed training to build confidence in neuroinclusive care. We are hoping to have a mix of neurotypes for this pilot of training. This will help to ensure that the training feedback represents the views of both non-Autistic and Autistic nurses in any changes that are made to the program following feedback, and before expanding delivery to regional and rural areas.

To create a positive and productive learning environment, we ask all participants to engage respectfully, listen openly, and welcome diverse perspectives. Everyone’s contributions are valued, and respectful dialogue helps us all learn from one another.

 

Program

Neuroinclusive care in nursing and midwifery

DATE: Thursday 28 May 2026
TIME: 9.30am - 3.30pm
VENUE: Room 1.1, Level 1, 糖心原创 (Vic Branch), 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

This pilot training session is open to 糖心原创 (Vic Branch) members only. Places are limited to 20 participants.

 

Trainers

Alex Lazarus-Priestley (she/her), Chief Change Officer
As an Autistic ADHDer, Alex brings both professional expertise and lived experience to advancing neuroinclusion in workplaces and education. She leads Amaze Inclusion, working with organisations to build neuroinclusive cultures that create real impact. Her career spans three continents and over two decades across higher education, organisational learning and leadership development. Most recently, as Strategic Learning Advisor at Melbourne Business School, she led research into how organisations are adapting to the evolving needs of their people, placing her at the intersection of workforce transformation and inclusive practice.

Alex is known for translating complex organisational challenges into people-centred solutions, partnering with senior leaders to build genuinely thriving organisations. An active researcher in the field of neuroinclusion, she brings intellectual rigour to work she lives every day.

Sarah Lukeis (she/her), Executive Manager - Services
Sarah is a psychologist and Executive Manager of Services at Amaze, where she leads the delivery of Autism Connect, a national helpline service supporting Autistic people and the broader autism community. Sarah brings extensive experience in the design, development, and large-scale implementation of community health and wellbeing services. She is deeply committed to person-centred care, ensuring services are both accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of individuals. Throughout her career, she has successfully led multidisciplinary teams in delivering a wide range of health and wellbeing programs, achieving meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities. At Amaze, she draws on this experience to support the delivery of high-quality, neuro-affirming services.