June 17 7:30pm
Presented by:
Lewina Schrale
BPhty (Hons), Post Grad Cert Phty (Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation), BTeach (Primary), Mstr Edn (Leadership and Management)
Cost: Free
About the Webinar
Autistic children and young people do not necessarily have difficulties with toilet training or continence, but if they do and these are not addressed, continence difficulties may affect all areas of life and lead to secondary problems and co-occurring conditions.
This webinar is tailored to health professionals who are involved with continence management who may have clients or patients with autism or would like to know more about how to support autistic children and their families. It is hosted by Continence Health Australia and its newly formed Paediatric Special Interest Group.
Recordings will be made available to registrants post-event.
Key understandings include sensory processing, language and communication, transference of skills in different settings and environments, toileting environments and routines, and the importance of supporting families and carers.
Families and carers are also directed to find resources at www.continence.org.au or phone the Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66.
About the presenter
Lewina has a long career in paediatric physiotherapy and educational consultancy. She graduated in 1991 from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) degree and quickly moved into her area of interest, paediatrics. In 1999 due to the move to open a Children’s Continence Clinic in Tasmania, and the need for allied health involvement, she completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation at the University of Melbourne.
Paediatric continence became an area of special interest and Lewina has worked in this area for 27 years in the health, disability, and education sectors. Due to concerns about equity for students with disability in education, Lewina completed a Bachelor of Teaching at the University of New England in 2012 and followed this with a Master of Leadership and Management in Education at the University of Newcastle in 2022. This training has been invaluable in supporting students with disability in schools, and particularly those with continence issues. She was the first Physiotherapist in Tasmania to be recognised by her professional body, the Australian Physiotherapy Association, as a titled Paediatric Physiotherapist.