Michelle Newby's

Research, Publications & Conferences

Dr Michelle Newby PhD is an award-winning researcher, presenter, and mentor in occupational therapy, with a focus on children with neurodevelopmental conditions, and is an international speaker.

Peer-reviewed papers

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., & Tona, J (2025). Paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and occupational performance: A scoping review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 79, 7906205050 (https://10.5014/ajot.2025.051238)

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. (2025). Occupational performance patterns in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(1), e12995. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12995

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. (2025). Relationships between sensory reactivity and occupational performance in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(1), e12999. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12999

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. (2024). Sensory processing in children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(4), 475-485. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12935

Other publications

Newby, M. J. (2025). When compliance hurts: Rethinking occupational therapy for children with PDA. Connections Occupational Therapy Australia Magazine, 22(3), 32-33.

Newby, M. J. (2025). Supporting children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS): What occupational therapists need to know. Connections Occupational Therapy Australia Magazine, 21(4), 26-28.

Academic & Presenting Awards

Dr Michelle Newby's presentation, Interoception in Neurodiverse Children, was awarded Best Presentation of the Conference at OT Exchange 2026, Australia's leading national occupational therapy conference.

The presentation introduced a practical, evidence-informed framework for understanding and supporting interoception in neurodiverse children, translating current neuroscience and research into strategies that occupational therapists can confidently apply in everyday clinical practice.

The award recognises Dr Newby's ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between research and clinical practice by providing clinicians with practical, participation-focused approaches that improve outcomes for children and their families.

Conference presentations:

Podium

Newby, M. J. Interoception in Neurodiverse Children. OT Exchange 2026, Gold Coast, Australia, June 2026. Awarded Best Presentation of the Conference.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Occupational Performance in Children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). OT Exchange 2026, Gold Coast, Australia, June 2026.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Insights into Occupational Performance in Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025, Adelaide, Australia, 25–27 June 2025.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Sensory Processing in Children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). 2025 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, Philadelphia, USA, 3–5 April 2025.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Occupational performance patterns in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Occupational Therapy Australia Mental Health Forum, Melbourne, Australia, 28–29 November 2024.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Relationships between sensory reactivity and occupational performance in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). 2024 International Sensory Integration Congress, Sydney, Australia, 28–30 October 2024.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Sensory Processing in Children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Hunter Medical Research Institute Brain Neuromodulation Emerging Researcher Conference, Newcastle, Australia, 22 November 2023.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Sensory Processing in Children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). 2023 International Sensory Integration Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12–14 October 2023.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., & Tona, J. Impact of PANS on daily function and the role of occupational therapy. PANS Australia Conference: Multidisciplinary Approaches, Online (International), 5 June 2021.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., & Tona, J. Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and Occupational Performance: What Do We Know So Far? Royal College of Occupational Therapy Specialist Section Children, Young People and Families Annual Conference, London, UK, 16–17 September 2019.

Poster Presentations:

Newby, M. J. Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Occupational Therapy. OT Exchange 2026, Gold Coast, Australia, June 2026.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Relationships Between Sensory Reactivity and Occupational Performance in Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025, Adelaide, Australia, 25–27 June 2025.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Occupational performance patterns in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). 2025 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, Philadelphia, USA, 3–5 April 2025.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., Tona, J., Palazzi, K., & Lambkin, D. Sensory processing in children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. OT Exchange, Perth, Australia, 13–14 June 2024.

Newby, M. J., Lane, S. J., Haracz, K., & Tona, J. Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): What Do We Know So Far. Occupational Therapy Australia 29th National Conference and Exhibition 2021, Online, Australia, 23–25 June 2021.