Acceptance, Autonomy, and Authenticity Practitioner
Neurodivergence isn't just something I work with, it's woven into my everyday life. I live in a wonderfully neurodivergent household, and my energetic son, who has hyperactive ADHD, has completely changed the way I see the world. Through him, I've come to appreciate ADHD not simply as a diagnosis, but as a genuine superpower filled with creativity, passion, curiosity, and out-of-the-box thinking. His journey has also helped me better understand my husband, myself, and the many ways brains can be beautifully different. Alongside my lived experience, I've spent more than 10 years working in the disability sector, supporting neurodivergent individuals and families across a range of settings. Combining professional knowledge with personal insight has given me a deep appreciation for neurodivergent strengths, the challenges that can arise in a neurotypical world, and the importance of creating environments where people feel understood, accepted, and empowered to thrive.
For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by the brain and the incredible ways humans learn, communicate, and make sense of the world. Somewhere along the way, that curiosity became a bit of a special interest, particularly around language deprivation in Deaf children and the lifelong impact that accessible language (or the lack of it) can have on development, identity, and wellbeing. My long-term passion is pretty simple: I want to leave the Deaf community a little better than I found it. Whether that's advocating for systemic change, supporting families to access language early, helping a Deaf child feel understood, or empowering parents to see their child's strengths, I hope to create meaningful ripples because sometimes the smallest changes in a child's world can have the biggest impact on their future.
My hyperfocus has always had a crafty streak, and honestly, I don't think that's ever going away! I'm one of those people who cycles through creative obsessions like they're seasons. One month it's crochet, the next it's sewing, quilting, embroidery, or some other fibre art I've convinced myself I absolutely need to master.
Emotional regulation for me usually involves getting my hands busy so my brain can have a little holiday, especially when I can feel burnout quietly knocking at the door. I've learnt that prevention works much better for me than recovery. Those quiet creative hours help me process the day, regulate my emotions, and recharge so I can show up as the best version of myself the next day.
My favourite part about working for IAU is that people are genuinely seen. Whether you're an employee or a client, there is an underlying message of, 'You don't need fixing; you deserve understanding, support, and the opportunity to thrive as you are'. That level of acceptance and empowerment is incredibly refreshing. Instead of focusing on changing behaviours to make someone appear more neurotypical, there is a real commitment to understanding the why behind behaviours, identifying unmet needs, and supporting people in ways that honour their neurotype, communication style, and lived experiences.
As someone who believes that behaviour is communication and that masking often comes at a significant cost; it's inspiring to work within a team that prioritises compassion, authenticity, and getting to the root cause. Rather than simply managing what is seen on the surface and that for me, that's where meaningful and lasting change happens.
I primarily provide services via telehealth, Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich area.