Learning Differently is an umbrella term used by DAS to describe individuals who face challenges in their learning journey—not only due to specific learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, or dyspraxia, but also as a result of other cognitive, emotional, behavioural, or environmental factors.

Many of these students may not have a formal diagnosis, or they may fall outside the strict criteria of recognised learning profiles. Yet they still struggle to thrive in conventional educational systems—and they deserve to be seen, understood, and supported.

This stream focuses on:

• The needs of struggling learners who are often overlooked or underserved

• Practical strategies that support learning without relying on labels or diagnoses

• Early intervention models and flexible frameworks that respond to learners’ needs in real time

• Insights into how educators, parents, and specialists can work together to build confidence, resilience, and positive learning identities

• The role of technology, AI, and digital tools in widening access to personalised support, especially for learners who might otherwise fall through the cracks

Empowering Those Who Learn Differently is about moving beyond a one-size-fits-all mindset. It’s about designing environments where difference is not just accommodated, but embraced. It’s about making sure every learner, regardless of label or level, is allowed to succeed on their own terms.

Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions.

UNITE includes an Advocacy stream to allow organisations and individuals to share how they may support students with learning differences. The Advocacy stream is dedicated to your story, how you can make a difference and how you can “close the gap” for students who struggle to learn.

Students who learn differently encompass a diverse group of learners facing challenges in their educational journey. These challenges may stem from specific learning differences such as dyslexia or ADHD, gaps in foundational knowledge and skills, executive functioning difficulties, attention and focus issues, or emotional and behavioural concerns.

This theme invites educators, practitioners, specialists, psychologists, curriculum developers, and parents to share how they support students who learn differently, in classrooms, at home, and beyond.

"About Learning Differences" seeks to:

• Build a clearer understanding of what it truly means to learn differently

• Showcase practical strategies that promote success and inclusion

• Empower students to take ownership of their learning

• Clarify expectations so that learners feel guided, not lost

• Highlight how educational technology and AI tools can personalise learning pathways, support executive functioning, and remove barriers to access when applied thoughtfully

Through personal stories, classroom insights, and research-informed practices, this theme paints a rich picture of how we can support diverse learners, not by changing the student, but by changing the way we teach, engage, and believe in their potential.

Early Identification and Intervention refers to the timely recognition of learning difficulties and the implementation of targeted support strategies that address individual needs before challenges escalate. The goal is to provide students with the right help, at the right time, so they can access learning effectively and build confidence from the earliest stages of development.

Today, advancements in educational technology and AI-powered tools are transforming how we detect learning differences and deliver personalised support. From adaptive learning platforms and AI-informed screening tools to data-driven progress monitoring, technology is enabling more responsive and inclusive practices.

The Identification and Intervention stream provides a platform for educators to showcase how teaching can be tailored to the unique needs and strengths of students with diverse learning profiles. This includes innovative applications of tech-enabled solutions that enhance access, engagement, and outcomes for those who learn differently.

This stream welcomes educators, specialists, practitioners, researchers, and parents who are committed to enabling students to realise their full potential through responsive teaching, evidence-based interventions, and strengths-focused support.

Together, we aim to shift the narrative from “catching up” to thriving through difference, with the support of both human insight and technological innovation.

The Research in SpLD stream highlights current studies and emerging evidence that inform how we identify, understand, and support students with Specific Learning Differences.

This stream offers a platform for researchers, practitioners, and evidence-informed educators to:

• Share findings that shape best practices in intervention and assessment

• Explore innovations in diagnosis, cognitive profiling, and inclusive pedagogy

• Examine the role of educational technology and AI in enhancing research, personalising learning, and improving accessibility for learners with SpLD

• Contribute to the ongoing dialogue that is advancing the field of SpLD

Whether you’re presenting cutting-edge data or translating research into real-world application, this stream is about bridging the gap between insight and impact, and ensuring that our support for diverse learners is rooted in evidence and empathy.

The Early Childhood Education stream focuses on the foundations of learning, where early identification, intervention, and nurturing environments can make all the difference.

This stream will spotlight:

• Evidence-based practices for supporting preschoolers with emerging learning needs

• Early literacy strategies that promote language, phonological awareness, and engagement

• Intervention approaches that work in home, school, and specialist settings

At its heart is the goal to catch them before they fall, by giving young children the support they need before difficulties take root. This stream invites educators, therapists, researchers, and caregivers to share how we can build strong, confident learners right from the start.

Teachers are on the front lines of learning, adapting, innovating, and advocating every single day. The Educator Perspectives stream honours the voices of those who work directly with students who learn differently.

This stream invites educators to:

• Share real-world experiences from classrooms, learning centres, and beyond

• Reflect on challenges, breakthroughs, and “a-ha” moments

• Offer practical strategies that have made a difference in supporting diverse learners

• Highlight the emotional labour and everyday wins that often go unseen

• Explore how technology and AI are shaping (or reshaping) teaching practices, whether as tools for personalisation, platforms for inclusion, or points of critical reflection

Whether you’re in early years, primary, secondary, or tertiary education, this is your space to speak truth, celebrate creativity, and remind us all of the human heartbeat at the centre of education.

At UNITE 2026, we recognise that learning differently is not simply about academic performance — it’s about how individuals think, plan, organise, and belong. This combined stream brings together two powerful drivers of student success and human potential: executive function and inclusivity.

Executive Function

This stream explores the cognitive processes and neural networks that underpin goal-setting, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and decision-making.

We welcome presentations that:

• Examine the developmental science behind executive function

• Share tools and strategies to support learners who struggle with planning, focus, or self-control

• Offer insights that are relevant across education, psychology, leadership, and organisational development

• Explore how educational technology and AI can scaffold executive function skills—from time management apps and gamified planners to intelligent feedback systems

Strong executive function builds resilient, independent thinkers — and it’s vital to nurturing lifelong learning.

Inclusive Practices

Inclusivity isn’t just a goal — it’s a practice. A mindset. A commitment.

This part of the stream is dedicated to showcasing:

• Innovative strategies for inclusive teaching and learning

• Research-informed approaches to building supportive, equitable environments

• Success stories from schools, workplaces, and communities that prioritise belonging, respect, and accessibility

• The role of digital platforms, AI, and assistive technologies in designing accessible learning experiences and reducing barriers

From Universal Design for Learning to classroom co-regulation, we’re exploring what it means to ensure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, and how technology can support, but never replace, human connection.