Perform Ability Leading RAD Professional Development
Autumn CPD Intensive
Perform Ability x Royal Academy of Dance
We’re incredibly proud to share that Miranda Daisy and Ashleigh Olsen, two of our deeply committed inclusive dance educators from Perform Ability, will be leading a professional development session with the Royal Academy of Dance this April.
Session Details:
Teaching RAD Syllabi to Children with Autism and ADHD
with Miranda Daisy & Ashleigh Olsen
In-Person Session
📅 Wednesday 15 April 2026
⏰ 1.30pm – 4.30pm (AEST)
📍 Sydney
Online Session
📅 Friday 17 April 2026
⏰ 9.30am – 12.00pm (AEST)
💻 Online
Teaching RAD Syllabi to Children with Autism and ADHD
This session supports dance teachers working with neurodivergent dancers by providing practical, studio-ready guidance grounded in inclusive practice. It explores understanding neurodiversity in dance, alongside positive behavioural strategies and redirection techniques that support focus and engagement in structured training environments.
Through practical application and real-life case studies, teachers are guided in responding positively to unexpected behaviours while maintaining kindness, compassion, and syllabus expectations. The session builds confidence in creating inclusive, syllabus-aligned classrooms that support students with Autism and ADHD, including preparation for RAD examinations.
Grounded in their extensive work with neurodivergent dancers, Miranda Daisy and Ashleigh Olsen support teachers to adapt RAD syllabi in ways that help students with Autism and ADHD feel safe, capable, and empowered to reach their potential.
About Miranda Daisy & Ashleigh Olsen
Miranda Daisy
Miranda Daisy is a highly respected advocate, educator, and performer dedicated to advancing accessibility in the performing arts. As the founder and director of Perform Ability, she has pioneered a world-class program that empowers performers with disabilities and neurodiversities to engage in dance, drama and music. Her innovative, student-led approach fosters confidence, creativity, and self-expression, setting new benchmarks for inclusive arts education. Miranda’s early training was under the guidance of Marie Walton-Mahon, renowned founder of the Progressing Ballet Technique. She later earned a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Brent Street, one of Australia’s premier performing arts institutions. Her extensive performance career includes the Kiss Me Kate Revival Tour in China and engagements at Universal Studios Japan. She has also taught dance, singing, and acting at Brent Street, mentoring aspiring performers and educators.
In 2012, Miranda launched Dance for Inclusion, a pioneering instructor training program that has been adopted by over 50 educators worldwide. Her expertise in inclusive education has made her a sought-after guest speaker, presenting at leading industry events such as the Leading Together – Curriculum Change in Creative Arts Classrooms Conference, the Australian Dance Festival, and various Department of Education initiatives. Additionally, she has contributed to vocational education by teaching Dance for Well-being at TAFE, equipping aspiring teachers with the skills to create inclusive learning environments and support students of all abilities through movement.
Committed to excellence and innovation, Miranda continues to collaborate with industry leaders to enhance accessibility in the performing arts. Through her work, she ensures that every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate fully and meaningfully in the creative arts.
Ashleigh Olsen
Ashleigh Olsen A.R.A.D. is a Royal Academy of Dance registered teacher with over 25 years of international teaching experience across Zimbabwe, South Africa, England, Japan, and Australia. Ashleigh delivers classes for Perform Ability, a therapy-aligned dance and performing arts school for people with disabilities and also teaches neuro-compromised adults in collaboration with allied health physiotherapists at Diverging Pathways. Her inclusive approach ensures that students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to explore movement with confidence.
An active RAD member, Ashleigh is committed to promoting accessibility, diversity, and excellence in dance, inspiring enjoyment, engagement, and personal growth in every student she teaches.
What Teachers Will Gain
Participants will leave with:
Practical strategies for supporting learners with Autism and ADHD, including preparation for RAD examinations
Effective teaching approaches for nurturing expressive performance as students transition from grades to vocational levels
Practical tips and preventative practices to support nutritional wellbeing in dance students
A greater understanding of turnout range and the factors contributing to a penché, with exercises to support safe and strong execution
Why This Matters
Inclusion sits at the heart of Perform Ability. This session represents our belief that when teachers are supported, dancers are supported too especially those who learn and experience the world differently.
We are incredibly proud to see Miranda and Ashleigh sharing this work with the wider dance community, helping shape inclusive, confident, and informed RAD teaching practices where every dancer is given the opportunity to succeed.
