Claire is passionate about empowering and supporting autistic people and has had the privilege of working with some incredible individuals over the past ten years.
Claire has a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) and post-graduate qualifications in Business Management & Information Systems.
She also brings lived experience of autism to her work.
In her spare time (which she vaguely remembers...) she enjoys spending time with her children and walking her dog Ziggy.
Kylie joined the Autism Abilities team in 2021 and has been empowering and supporting her participants and their families to live happy and fulfilling lives ever since.
In 2022, Kylie moved into the position of Operations Manager.
Having previously worked in the education sector supporting autistic children along with a personal lived experience supporting an autistic family member Kylie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to both roles.
Kylie is passionate about what she does and is honoured to be able to share her knowledge and experience with others in assisting them in achieving their goals.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family/friends, eating out and keeping active.
Dr Rucha has been working as a positive behaviour support specialist for the past ten years. Having completed a Master of Neuropsychology (UK) and a PhD in Gender Differences in Autism Spectrum Conditions (La Trobe University), she has presented at various national and international conferences, and published articles for websites and peer-reviewed journals.
Rucha has previously worked with children and young people with severe behaviours, cognitive and developmental impairments and trauma affected children.
Rucha has extensive expertise in conducting workshops, and has delivered training across Victoria to parent groups, schools and professional groups on various topics related to autism, positive behaviour support, trauma, and girls with autism.
Brooke has been working in the disability field supporting people with Autism, intellectual disability, and physical disability for 25 years. This has been as a support worker, House Supervisor, and Operations manager for DHHS prior to the roll out of NDIS.
For the past 4 years Brooke has been working in the Positive Behaviour Support space as a behaviour support practitioner, clinical supervisor, clinical lead and team leader.
Brooke has a passion for supporting people to learn new skills, increase their independence, experience new and exciting things so that they can live their best life.
Brooke has completed a cert IV in community services, Advanced Diploma in Disability studies and Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis.
When Brooke is not working she spends her time with her wonderful husband and 4 amazing children, passionately supporting the Carlton Football Club and Melbourne United Basketball team listening to and singing loudly to music and reading a book any chance she gets.
Bridgette has worked in disability services for seventeen years, fourteen of which have been supporting autistic adults, working in many different areas such as day programs, supported accommodation, employment and as an independent support worker.
Bridgette has extensive experience with dual diagnoses and is passionate about bringing more awareness and support for mental health into the autistic community.
Bridgette has a strong understanding of active support, believing that anything is possible with the right support. She believes removing the barriers of communication can lead to great opportunities and experiences for people to live their best lives.
She prides herself on building strong relationships with everyone involved in the supports of a person to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Bridgette also has lived experience within her family.
In her spare time Bridgette enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, gardening, watching the footy when its on, Essendon is her passion, hopefully do better next year, travel and catching up on the latest binge worthy shows.
Maryelle is absolutely passionate about helping people and meeting their needs. She has worked with children and adults with a range of complex needs and behaviours of concern.
Maryelle joined the PBS team in January 2024 bringing five years' experience in the NDIS space. She has a double Bachelors degree in criminology and psychological science.
In her spare time Maryelle loves to go on day trips and spend time with her family and friends.
Constance is a warm and caring Positive Behaviour Support practitioner who loves working alongside autistic people. She works in a strengths-based, person-centered way to provide calm, safe, trauma-informed and inclusive support.
Constance has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Social Work. She has 8 years experience working in the mental health, disability and homelessness sector.
Constance is returning to work after a year traveling Australia in a van and another year living in Europe. Travel and music are Constance’s two main passions, however she also enjoys cooking, gardening, rock climbing and yoga.
Janelle is passionate about empowering and supporting autistic people and their families. Janelle has experience working with individuals who are autistic and building on their individual strengths to reach their goals.
Janelle joined Autism Abilities in 2020 and has been empowering and supporting her participants as an NDIS Support Coordinator ever since. In 2022, Janelle has moved in to the role of PBS Practitioner.
As a qualified social worker, Janelle also brings thirteen years of experience working for Services Australia.
Janelle understands the complexities families experience when they have a child who is autistic and brings a lived experience to the role.
Her skills and knowledge ensure she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a support coordinator.
In her spare time, Janelle enjoys baking (eating), Pilates and spending time with her family and two miniature schnauzer dogs.
Prior to joining Autism Abilities in 2023, Jessica worked for more than eight years in both mainstream and special education settings for the Department of Education with a passion for inclusion and supporting inclusive environments. She is passionate about and focused on a person-centred, strength-based approach that allows everyone to learn and thrive.
Jess has a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and completed a Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching Students with Autism and a Master of Inclusive Special Education. This additional study created a strong interest in understanding different behaviours and creating supportive approaches and environments.
In her spare time Jess enjoys playing basketball in social teams with her friends. She also enjoys learning new skills and hobbies with the company of her two rescue cats. These hobbies include sewing, crocheting, designing, and creating a variety of things using her Cricut.
Beth has over twenty years of experience in the disability sector in the UK, Brazil, and Canada in service/support coordination and quality management roles.
Beth joined Autism Abilities in 2020 and has been empowering and supporting her participants as an NDIS Support Coordinator ever since. In 2022, Beth has moved in to the role of PBS Practitioner.
With a degree in Psychology and additional qualifications in supporting people with a disability and leadership for health and social care Beth brings a wealth of skills and experience to her work. Beth’s biggest motivation is to improve the quality of life of people with disability as well as the people who assist them.
Beth is a native Portuguese speaker. In her spare time, Beth likes to be outdoors cycling and camping. She also likes yoga and travelling to new places.
Miriam joined Autism Abilities in 2020 as an NDIS Support Coordinator having a great passion for working with autistic people.
Miriam understands the complexities of autism and the incredible outcomes that can be achieved when people are supported in an individualised way.
In September 2023, Miriam made the move from Support Coordination to join the PBS team as a PBS Practitioner working in Geelong and surrounding regions.
Outside of work, Miriam spends most of her time with her young family, exploring Victoria and going on as many adventures as possible.
Steph is a bubbly PBS Practitioner that joined the team in March 2024. She has spent the last year building her skills in another PBS role supporting participants with a range of diagnosis’.
Steph has a passion for supporting and caring for those around her, ultimately leading her to complete her Nursing degree.
Steph has primarily worked in the aged care and disability sector before embarking on her PBS journey.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, shopping and reading.
Jacki brings over 25 years’ experience in the Disabilities Sector to Autism Abilities.
She has previously worked in integration at state primary schools, has 18 plus years’ experience with DHHS managing adult disability accommodation homes, has been a coordinator of an adult disability day service and in early 2019 commenced work as an NDIS Support Coordinator.
Jacki is passionate about working with people with disabilities in particular autistic people and brings a wealth of knowledge with her to this position. Her qualifications include Certificate IV in Disabilities, Behaviour Management, Epilepsy Management and Communication.
Jacki develops trusting and caring relationships with her participants and their families and is always focussed on achieving the best possible outcomes. In her spare time, she likes to travel and spend time with her family and her dog.
Lee has enjoyed empowering and supporting autistic people for over 25 years. A highlight during this time was the establishment of a disability respite service, gaining years of experience with people on the spectrum through disability, youth and child protective services.
Lee's qualifications include Certificate IV in Disability, Certificate IV in Small Business Management and training focused on autism, epilepsy management, acquired brain injury and schizophrenia.
Lee, along with her husband and son, were lucky to welcome a beautiful foster daughter with autism to become part of their family, raising her from infancy through to adulthood.
Lee is passionate and continues to support and advocate for autistic people on a daily basis.
Lee is based in Bendigo and provides support coordination services in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria.
David has worked in the disability sector since 2014 and has always worked hard to support the people he meets and works with.
David joined the Autism Abilities Bendigo team in October 2021. He is passionate about working with autistic people and their families.
David has a Certificate IV in Disability Services and has completed intensive NDIS Support Coordination training.
In his spare time David enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, riding his motorcycle and is also an avid gamer.
Caitlin has been empowering and supporting autistic people at Autism Abilities since December 2018.
Caitlin brings a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to her work including support coordination, positive behaviour support and education. She has made an incredible difference in the lives of the people she works with and their families.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, doing yoga, painting and walking her dog.
Julie joined the Autism Abilities support coordination team in October 2022. She brings extensive experience in the disability sector to the role of NDIS support coordination. Her previous experience includes customer engagement coordinator, art therapist and disability support worker.
Julie also brings her own experience supporting an autistic family member to the role.
Julie is based in regional Victoria near Heathcote.
Kerri joined the Autism Abilities support coordination team in March 2023. She has worked in the disability sector for more than 20 years, working in many areas including disability support work, employment, and more recently accommodation SIL/SDA/ILO management.
Kerri's youngest son has a diagnosis of autism/ADHD. Kerri believes this has helped her within her career to not only be the carer for families loved ones, or to guide them on a new journey but to also be able to really understand the challenges that we all sometimes have.
Kerri is the proud mum of 3 wonderful young men and loves being a mum.
Outside of work Kerri enjoys being at home with her boys on the weekend. She also really enjoys her own company, watching a movie, gardening and meditating every day.
Kerri lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
Carolyn (Caz) joined the Autism Abilities team in September 2020.
Caz has worked in the disability sector since 2012 and immediately fell in love with the work she was able to do. Prior to joining Autism Abilities, she worked for various private organisations and DSSH (now DFFH) in client residential units and private homes.
Caz has worked extensively with autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities. She is "person-centered" and fully focused on enabling others to live their best lives.
Caz has a Cert. IV in disability and a diploma in counselling.
Caz's children, her 2 dogs and 3 cats and travel are her other passions.
Trent is an NDIS Support Coordinator at Autism Abilities. Trent is a person with disability themself and has lived experience in Psychosocial Disability, making them uniquely qualified to assist others in similar situations. They are also neurodivergent and passionate about disability advocacy.
In their free time, Trent enjoys playing video games, gardening, creating art, and spending time with friends.
They hold a Certificate IV and Diploma in Mental Health and wishes to return to university to complete their studies in the future.
Trent is open-minded and approaches situations holistically, always willing to learn and explore innovative solutions with you.
Helen joined the Autism Abilities team in January 2023. Helen is usually the first person you will speak to if you call Autism Abilities. She is kind, caring, professional and extremely organised!
Helen previously worked in the financial services sector and more recently in the healthcare industry in a fast-paced customer service role where she spent eleven years gaining insight in to the support needs of people with additional needs.
Outside of work Helen enjoys spending time with her two sons (mostly going out to eat!!), going out with friends (to eat again!), and walking her new puppy.
Mikaela has been working in allied health marketing and management for the past seven years.
She has a strong passion for inclusive and accessible communication and believes information and resources should not be only available to those who can afford them but to everyone in the general public.
She absolutely loves working for value-led and neuroaffirming organisations (just like Autism Abilities)!
Coupled with her communications experience and qualifications, Mikaela holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and has experience volunteering and providing support calls on the Anxiety Recovery Centre's helpline and in their Cares4me program.
We are currently accepting referrals for Positive Behaviour Support.
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