Lydia Meem is an experienced clinical psychologist, author, speaker and clinical supervisor wildly passionate about improving the psychological assessment experience for Autistic people and their families, and assisting them to advocate for the accommodations and supports they need to survive and thrive.

Lydia has been sharing her passion and expertise through presentations at conferences, workshops for teachers and psychologists, and an assessment handbook for psychologists. She is a casual leacturer for the University of New Englnd's Master of Clinical Psychology program.

302 Autism Understanding Lydia


Key Topics

Neurodiversity Affirming Practice - so much more than a language update, truly affirming practice is about understanding, celebrating and accommodating all human brain styles, not holding up one brain style as the gold standard way of being human. It's about listening to the individual about their goals and what works for them, and learning from the experiences of neurodivergent adults.

Beyond IQ Scores ~ looking at behaviours during cognitive & developmental assessments, how to modify assessments, and practical recommendations.

Beyond DSM ~ creating a neurodiversity affirminging autism assessment experience.

Supporting Autistic Students - Lydia draws on over 20 years of working with Autistic children, adolescents and adults to share her go-to strategies for building self-esteem, confidence and connection through passions, reducing stress, avoiding sensory overload, and making life more predictable and fun.

Autistic Girls & Women - discussing reasons some girls and women are often missed in autism assessments that have been based on research with Autistic boys and men; common presentations among Autistic women and non-binary people as well as Autistic men and boys who don't fit the 'classic' profile.

Autistic Adolescents - there is often a focus on early identification and supports, but we need to adjust strategies as Autistic teens face the increased social demands of high school, including creative study and employment options when mainstream high school is not meeting a student's needs, and ways to build confidence, self-esteem and  independent living skills.

Autistic Adults - with so many adults discovering that they are Autistic, let's discuss strategies around special interests and passions, employment, study, ways of building connection and strengthening relationships.


Experience

Lydia has presented at Australian and international conferences: 

  • School Psychologists Association Western Australia (Perth, 2025)
  • NSW Corrections Psychology (Sydney, 2025)
  • Occupational Therapy Australia (Adelaide, 2025)
  • Australian Psychological Society (Gold Coast, 2025)
  • Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatry (2025)
  • Child & Adolescent Mental Health (Gold Coast, 2025)
  • Royal Australian College of General Practice  (Perth, 2024) 
  • APS & NZPsS Symposium on Neurodiversity/Trauma (NZ, 2023)
  • Activated Probiotics 'Women in the New World' (Hobart, 2022)
  • Autism in Education (2016, 2018)
  • Psychologists Working in Developmental Disability (2015, 2017)
  • Asia Pacific Autism (2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, Singapore 2019)
Customised Training

Lydia has provided seminars, workshops, webinars and Q&A sessions for disability providers, health and mental health services, workplaces, training organisations, and public, catholic and independent schools. 

Availability

Lydia Meem is based in Newcastle, NSW Australia, and is available to speak at virtual and face-to-face events in Australia and around the world (with notice). 

She is also available for media and podcast interviews, lectures and panel discussions.

Travel and speaking fees may apply, contact us for more information.

Invite Lydia To Speak

Lydia's Featured Interviews & Presentations

Activated Probiotics

'Women in the New World' Symposium Speaker Interview

Q&A TV

Ep36: Autism specialist & clinical psychologist Lydia Meem shares teaching secrets.

Creative Piano Teaching Podcast

TTTV060: Unpacking Autism with Clinical Psychologist Lydia Meem.