Presented by Cassandra Dunn and Amy Buckingham

Friday July 3rd, 2026

Course content :-

This course is designed for Occupational therapists and Occupational therapy students wanting to develop their understanding of autism to improve their provision of therapeutic support for autistic people. It will provide a framework for understanding autism, and practical strategies for adapting the framework to meet the individual strengths and support needs of each person with autism.

This course will provide you with a brief overview of the national bodies driving change for a more optimistic future for autistic people. Linkages will be made with the National Autism Strategy specifically in relation to intersectionality and priority cohorts to ensure that the diversity within the autistic population is considered in the support that we provide.

WAOTA is pleased to collaborate with the Autism Association of Western Australia to provide this course which will be presented by Occupational Therapists working directly with Autism Association of Western Australia

About the Presenters :-

Cassandra Dunn

Manager – Early Childhood (Therapy & Clinical Services) – Autism Association of WA

Cassie Dunn is an occupational therapist with extensive experience working in paediatrics. Her roles have involved supporting young Autistic children and their families across private practice and not-for-profit settings. She currently works as the Manager of Early Intervention services at the Autism Association of Western Australia. Cassie is deeply passionate about play-based, child-led therapy that celebrates each child’s strengths. Grounded in family-centred practice, she is driven by the belief that every child deserves the best possible start in life. Cassie embraces a holistic approach that empowers each child to thrive in their everyday roles as players, friends and learners.

Amy Buckingham

Program Leader | Senior Occupational Therapist | Behaviour Support Practitioner – Autism Association of WA

Amy Buckingham is a Program Leader working in Therapy and Clinical Services with the Autism Association of WA. Amy has been a practicing Occupational Therapist for more than eight years, working exclusively with autistic clients since 2019.

She has worked across both paediatric and adult therapy services, providing direct therapy with individuals, group-based programs and consultative support. Amy works from a transdisciplinary and collaborative model, working closely with families, other NDIS or health-care providers, employers, schools and higher-education settings.

She currently works with adult clients who have a range of support needs. From clients with high support needs requiring full-time living assistance through to clients that live with independence in the community and maintain full-time work roles. She is experienced in bringing a wholistic and person-centered approach to therapy assessment, goal setting and intervention planning for autistic people.

Amy has also undertaken further professional development in the areas of mealtime support and Positive Behaviour Support. She previously worked within the Autism Association’s specialist mealtime team and is currently a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner.

In her current role, Amy balances her clinical work as an OT and Behaviour Support Practitioner with clinical mentoring and management support for other therapists and practitioners. She delivers training and supervision for clinical staff, as well as autism-specific training and workshops.