The AWETISM 2021 virtual expo is a free event targeted at Autistic and neurodivergent students both primary and secondary, who are aware of their Autism diagnosis.
Now in it’s seventh year, our expo showcases the awe-inspiring talents of Autistic students by giving them a platform to present on their unique passions, theories and skills.
It also provides opportunities to build meaningful career pathways for Autistic adults and school leavers.
I CAN Network employs Autistic adults to deliver mentoring programs, insights and professional development workshops in schools, workplaces and online.
With 79 staff, 63 are Autistic mentoring over 2000 Autistic individuals nation-wide, I CAN has grown into Australia’s largest Autistic-led organisation. I CAN School® mentoring directly empowers Autistic students with optimism, belonging, self-acceptance, pride and confidence. Our annual expo celebrates Autistic young people and we hope you can join us to do so. If you would like to know more about I CAN visit our website at: icannetwork.online

• 82 I CAN School® Programs Featured. • 10 I CAN Online Interest Group Webinars & Live Q&A’s.
• 20 Exhibition Booths: Featuring Specialist Sponsors & Partners.
• All Day Specialist Presentations including I CAN Student Talks.
• Lounge Area for Interactive Support Workshops.
• Employment Pathways & Opportunites. • Scavenger Hunt -Find the “Quokka” to win!
• Quizzes & Surveys • A Leaderboard Challenge with Prizes.
• Take-home ResourceS & All Day Live Chat.
Once you register you will be given your own personal Login In details to access the event from your computer, tablet or phone.
You will enter our virtual foyer where you will be able to choose which sessions you attend, areas you explore and people you interact with.
Each session will be supervised by qualified I CAN Ltd staff.
I CAN ONLINE AUDITORIUM
This year we are dedicating a whole audirotium to our I CAN Online program. Our program has grown over 300% over the last few years and these showcases are a celebration of the success stories which have developed from the mentoring.
The I CAN Online groups are designed for Autistic children, teens & young adults and cover numerous topics including but not limited to: self esteem, change, transitions, Autistic identity, self-care, relaxation, stress, strengths and many more topics that change on a rotating basis. These groups offer a safe space for participants to connect with peers who they can relate to due to shared experiences. We hope you enjoy the videos and we hope to see you in 2022.
MINECRAFT

Minecraft Group Presentation by Cody, Edmund & Mason = 14.35

Minecraft Group Presentation by Aiden, Lara & Pip = 6.50

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POKEMON

Pokemon Group Presentation by Belle, Harper, Ruby & Eban = 9.47

Pokemon by Jettlyn = 4.44

Pokemon by Riley = 1.48

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Dungeons & Dragons Group Presentation by Jordan, Madeline & Chloe = 10.15

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DINOSAURS

Dinosaurs by CT = 3.24

Dinosaurs by Jack = 5.11

Dinosaurs Group Presentation by Thomas & Anders = 6.31

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AFL

AFL by Ethan = 1:47

AFL by Caitlin = 4:56

AFL by Rowan = 4.05

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ANIME

ANIME by Flynn = 4:45

ANIME by Ella = 1.41

ANIME by Evan = 3.45

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DRAWING & ART

Drawing & Art Group Presentation by Cass, Bailey & Mia = 7.09

Drawing & Art by Rosie = 4:13

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FEATURED CONTENT - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
INSIGHTS FOR EDUCATORS FROM AN ALL-AUTISTIC PANEL
Facilitator - I CAN Founder and Chief Enabling Officer (CEO) Chris Varney
Autism Education Expert - Dr Emma Goodall
I CAN Regional Manager Northern Victoria - Kate Andrews
I CAN Mentor - Lana Wheatfill

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STAR WARS

Star Wars Group Presentation by Thomas, Dylan, Isaac, Nishan & Raf = 7.32

Star Wars by Iris = 1.56
HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter Group Presentation by Morgan, Emma, Poppy & Austin = 10.12

Harry Potter by Finn = 2.48

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MARVEL

Marvel by Joshua = 2.09

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LGBTIQA+

Group Presentation by Emiko, Paige & Ethan = 12:14

FEATURED CONTENT – SUPPORTING AUTISTIC LGBTIQA+ YOUNG PEOPLE
Sam Rose - I CAN Network Leader
“I wanted to become an I CAN mentor so that I could be someone I needed when I was in high school.” Since joining our team last year, Sam has become “that someone” for so many Autistic mentees by helping them feel understood, accepted and celebrated. Sam is also an integral part of our efforts to provide meaningful support for Queer (LGBTIQA+) Autistic young people.

LIVE Q&A WITH SAM ROSE
FEATURED CONTENT – UNDERSTANDING AND EMPOWERING YOUR AUTISTIC STUDENTS

Facilitator - I CAN Founder and Chief Enabling Officer (CEO) Chris Varney
Author & Ambassador - Tim Chan
I CAN Regional Manager Northern Victoria - Kate Andrews
I CAN Mentor’s - Lana Wheatfill, Kyal Kay, Caitlin Downie Kempson, Sam Rose, Ayesha Carson

EVENING SESSION
I CAN NETWORK ZOOM SESSION WITH PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY
TIM RICHARDSON (NO LIVE Q&A)
10 Victorian students discuss how they got through Lockdown with Tim Richardson MP, State Member for Mordialloc and Parliamentary Secretary for Schools.
I CAN SCHOOLS AUDITORIUM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

Opening Address from Chris Varney, Founder and Chief Enabling Officer, I CAN Network

Keynote by The Hon. James Merlino MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers - 5:13

Keynote by Tom, Parade College Preston student, presenting ‘Tom’s Urban Farm: a passion project during Lockdown’ - 10:08

Live Q&A with Chris Varney, Founder/ CEO, I CAN Network Ltd - 8:00

Keynote The A List by Co-Founders Nicole Gamerov and Bianca Shapiro - 6:03

Live Q&A with The A List Co-Founders Nicole Gamerov and Bianca Shapiro.

Keynote from the Assistant Deputy Secretary Scott Widmer the Victorian Department of Education and Training

Live Q&A with Assistant Deputy Secretary Scott Victorian Department of Education and Training

Ms Jessica Feary, Coordinator Victoria and Tasmania, Positive Partnerships - 4:48

Live Q&A with Ms Jessica Feary, Coordinator Victoria and Tasmania, Positive Partnerships

Mr Jim Mullan, CEO, Amaze Inc

Live Q&A with Mr Jim Mullan, CEO, Amaze Inc
Meet some of our I CAN Mentees from our I CAN Schools Program throughout Victoria and Queensland. These videos below can be viewed at any time, on demand.
MELBOURNE
John Paul College I CAN Program Showcase by Riley, Alanna, Hannah, Ryley, Stirling, Adhvay, Emily and Jayden- 4:43
Boronia K-12 College I CAN Program Showcase by Andrew, Cat and Deakin = 9.20
St Bede’s College Bentleigh East I CAN Program Showcase by Xavier and Patrick = 8.30
St Bede’s College Mentone I CAN Program Showcase by Luke = 4.40
Mt Lilydale Mercy College I CAN Program Showcase by Kaitlyn = 0.56
Parkdale Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Olivia, Daniel, Karla, Adon, Jack and Cass = 6.39
Parkdale Secondary College - Adon Cooks! = 1.38
William Ruthven Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Kristian = 3.39
Aquinas College I CAN Program Showcase by Amelia, Sophie, Hudson and Kath = 5.25
Cranbourne Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Seth and Lucas = 4.34
Alkira Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Ethan - 3:25
NORTHERN VICTORIA
Euroa Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Elliot and Kent - 3:53
Northern Victoria Mentor Team by Tom, TJ and Nick - 9:44
Kyabram Inter-School Program I CAN Program Showcase by Lara - 1:23
Numurkah Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Nathan, Ethan and Iri - 2:59
SOUTH WEST VICTORIA
Mercy Regional College Camperdown I CAN Program Showcase by Jaron and Tiffany - 6:10
QUEENSLAND
Capalaba State College I CAN Program Showcase by Jack, Madi and Bella -10:41
Bray Park State High School I CAN Program Showcase by Luke, Caleb and Jacob - 2:35
Indooroopilly State High School I CAN Program Showcase by Hannah, Kit, Georgia Rae, Boyd, Clay, Finn and Amy -10:25
Foxwell State Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Ryder, Blake, Jasper, Perry, Freyja, Texas and Beau - 12:14
Redcliffe State High School I CAN Program Showcase by Kassidy and Jordan 4:46
Kelvin Grove State College I CAN Program Showcase by Grace and Tashrir - 9:50
Caboolture State High School I CAN Girls’ Group Program Showcase by Julia, Natasha and Lily - 7:29
Dakabin State High School I CAN Program Showcase by Lachlan - 2:41
Woodcrest State College I CAN Program Showcase by Benjamin, Ethan and Xander - 7:22
Burpengary State Secondary College I CAN Program Showcase by Stephen, Maya and Hunter - 6:49

After discussions with partnering organisations, students, staff and educators there is overwhelming need to support the mental health of students, especially at this time. This year we are focusing on promoting the mental health of students and the family unit.
To do this, we are bringing together a specific group of organisations and providers to assist our participants to offer vital support and encouragement to familes during this truly challenging time.
We are also asking “ What can you say I CAN to?” to invite students and participants to tell the world about their individual strengths and passions so they’re reminded of what they love and what they can control at this uncertain time. What makes them happy? What achievements have they made? What do they strive to do in their future?
“I CAN be myself without judgement.
I CAN have fun.
I CAN make friends who understand me
I CAN forget about being instantly labelled incorrectly.”
I CAN Online Mentee (10), NSW
The event networks Autistic and neurodivergent students, their families and support networks with educational staff and employment professionals in a celebration of the unique strengths of Australia’s Autistic youth. The stories told will tug at your heart strings and make you laugh out loud. You might also learn a new fact or two!
We would love to hear what you can say I CAN to by sending us your written or video pledges: marketing@icannetwork.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!

