I CAN Expo 2026
On Friday 4th of September, a small group of 7-9 students, teachers, and classroom support staff attended the I CAN Expo, run by the I CAN Network, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The I CAN Network is Australia’s largest peer-led neurodivergent organisation. At a school level, trained Autistic and neurodivergent facilitators run small term-long group programs for students, designed to build confidence, self-acceptance, and social connection. These sessions provide a safe, structured environment where students explore their strengths, share experiences, and develop key communication skills alongside peers who truly understand them.
I CAN Expo is full-day celebration and showcase of Autistic young people across Victoria, built around connection, community, strengths and what Autistics CAN do.
I CAN Expo brings together Autistic and neurodivergent students, families, carers, educators and community organisations for a day of talks, presentations, pathways and shared pride. The day is about forming connections and community, celebrating the wonderful strengths of Autistics, and creating an uplifting event where young people can share what lights them up.
To be invited to present at the Expo, you must be nominated by your program facilitator. Facilitators are asked to look for students that showed the below traits and qualities:
· Leadership qualities and an I CAN attitude
· Passion and excitement
· Engagement and growth in I CAN
· An interest in sharing
This year, one of our awesome Year 9 students, Ian B was nominated to present at the Expo, and he has kindly shared his perspective below. Ian did such a great job with his presentation, and we are incredibly proud of him!
We were also proud to have a group of our students volunteer to participate in a student panel interview, where they had the opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives and insights with the wider I CAN community. This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to use their voices, celebrate their strengths and demonstrate the many things they CAN do.
Ian’s I CAN Expo experience as a presenter:
I was lucky enough to attend the 2026 I CAN expo and have been asked to write about my experience.
For context, I CAN is an autism-lead organisation that helps neurodivergent youth at schools throughout Australia through in school programs, online support, ETC, ETC.
After we arrived at the expo, we were welcomed by one of the leaders of the I CAN network. After her speech, we had to sit through a speech from a politician who went way off script and messed up the scheduling for the rest of the day and a speech from a youth member who’d gone to parliament regarding autism at one point. After this we had morning tea which consisted of biscuits and tea (the tea was optional) and a chance to look at the various stalls around the place set up by similar organisations.
After morning tea, the youth talks began. Each talk was 5 minutes long and focused on a special interest of theirs (a special interest (also known as hyper fixation in this context) is a piece of media, physical thing, or concept that a usually neurodivergent person takes a great interest in. as the name says.)
My talk wasn’t supposed to be till 1:40 (but because of the politician earlier it was 1:50) and I was getting overstimulated so I made use of the sensory room that I Can provided us with. It had this thing that shone light onto the ceiling so that it looked like stars shining. Anyway.
Lunch was sausage rolls, party pies, and more wandering around. The people at I CAN had set up drawing boards that were used for their intended purpose.
After that, I sat through more talks (and a band), until it was my time to shine.
I talked about Helldivers II, the 3rd person multiplayer shooter game that has been actively stuck in my mind since September 2025. It’s basically if starship troopers, terminator, and war of the worlds, and HALO had a kid together.
After my presentation (and questions), it was time to finally go home.
10/10 would recommend.
Ian B – Year 9