Meet our Support Coordinators and the Team!

Claire is passionate about empowering and supporting people with autism. She has had the privilege of working with people with autism for the past 7 years in roles involving administration, positive behaviour support & NDIS Support Coordination. Claire has a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) and has additional qualifications in Business Management & Information Systems and crisis counselling training. 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.

Kate is our awesome team leader!  

  Kate loves working with people in an individualised way that suits them, empowering them to determine what works best. She has over 10 years experience working with people with a variety of disabilities, but has focused solely on autism since joining the team at Autism Abilities in July 2019. Kate has a Bachelor of Social Work and Behavioural Science and has lived experience of the impact of autism on families, friends and others. Kate loves music, anything creative, and being in fresh air. Most of her time of weekends is spent with her husband, kids and two dogs (it can get loud). 

Danielle has always been passionate about empowering people with autism and hopes to make a great and positive impact in the disability sector. Having grown up with family members with Autism, as well as a parent working as a disability support worker, Danielle has lived insight into the challenges, struggles and needs of individuals and families living with Autism. Equipped with a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce majoring in Marketing and Management from Monash University, and a background as a Marketing Coordinator, Social Media Manager and Public Relations Intern, Danielle hopes to bring more awareness to Autism Abilities and the valuable  support services it offers. Danielle is also a self-confessed word lover, so if she's not whipping up some new copywriting, you can find her broadcasting as a volunteer radio host for her Church organisation!

Lee has enjoyed empowering and supporting people with autism for over 25 years.  A highlight was the establishment of a disability respite service, gaining years of experience with people on the spectrum through disability, youth and child protective services. 

Her qualifications include Certificate IV in Disability, Certificate IV in Small Business Management and training focussed 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 people with autism on a daily basis. She is based in Bendigo and provides support coordination services in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria.

Heather has been providing exceptional NDIS Support Coordination to our wonderful clients since joining the team in February 2019. During this time she has developed an impressive breadth of knowledge and skill in all areas of support implementation and has a wonderful connection with all of the families she works with.   

Heather has a Bachelor in Health Sciences (Disability Studies) and 18 years prior experience working in the Disability Sector with people with a variety of Disabilities including ASD. Outside of work she enjoys tending to her vegetable garden, spending time with her family and walking her dog. 

Miriam joined Autism Abilities in June 2020 and is already an invaluable member of the Autism Abilities team.   

Miriam is delighted to be working as part of the Autism Abilities Support Coordination Team, having a great passion for the NDIS. Previously working as a Disability Employment Consultant, Miriam understands the importance of supporting participants in achieving their life goals. Miriam has a background in the arts having worked as a stage manager in live events for several years, bring her experience of organisation and creativity to support coordination. Outside of work, Miriam spends most of her time with her young family, exploring Victoria and going on as many adventures as possible. 

 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 those with Autism 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 outcome for them. In her spare time, she likes to travel and spend time with her family and her dog. 

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. 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 as a support coordinator. Beth’s biggest motivation is to improve the quality of life of people with disability as well as the people who assist them. She 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. 

Jess joined the Autism Abilities team in April 2020. She is a qualified Social Worker with experience in Mental Health and Disability. Like many of us Jess brings both personal and professional experience of the NDIS to the role including over 2 years of previous experience as an NDIS Support Coordinator as well as lived experience with carers, Autism, mental health, disability, and the NDIS. Jess is passionate about empowering and supporting all her clients to reach their full potential and believes that people need to have 'the dignity of risk' and 'the right to fail'.

In her spare time, Jessica enjoys anything MMOPRG (which apparently means Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game – we had to ask!), Marvel, and Disney related. She considers herself a Padawan rather than a Jedi, is working on her Dungeons and Dragons skills and identifies as a Hufflepuff. Jessica is also an avid Horror and Fantasy fan.  

We are delighted to welcome Marissa to Autism Abilities in September 2020. Marissa worked in the health care sector for over twenty years before life and a career change brought her to the disability sector. She has worked with children and adults with autism in a variety of settings during this time and has supported many participants and their families with NDIS plan reviews and implementation of supports as well as in mainstream services including health and education. With technical knowledge of the NDIS and professional and lived experience of autism, we are delighted to welcome Marissa to the team. She is renowned by all those who know her for her professionalism, care and nurturing personality. Outside of work Marissa enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dogs and horse riding.

Carolyn (Caz) has worked in the disability sector since 2012 and immediately fell in love with the work she was able to do. During this time, she has worked for various private organisations and DHHS in client residential units and private homes. Caz has worked with a variety of diagnoses including Autism and intellectual disabilities. She is "person-centred" focused in 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. We are delighted to welcome Caz to the Autism Abilities team in September 2020.

Caitlin has been empowering and supporting people with autism at Autism Abilities since December 2018. Caitlin brings a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to the work she does and has made an incredible difference in the lives of the people with autism she works with and their families. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family,  doing yoga, painting and walking her dog.

Janelle is passionate about empowering and supporting people with autism and their families. Janelle has experience working with individuals who are autistic and building on their individual strengths to reach their goals. 

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. 

 Will has a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and has 5 years of experience in the disability field.  Will most recently worked in crisis accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness.

Will is passionate about creating positive change for those of all abilities. He strives to work with each person to  deeply understand them and their unique situation,  then work to help them live their best life. He wants to celebrate the little wins and be there through the tougher moments. Being calm and friendly, Will aims to get to know and understand all those that he comes into contact with.

Will is a huge music fan, loving all genres. He is a big football fan, enjoying watching his beloved Richmond Tigers play. Will likes to keep fit and enjoy the outdoors, his favourite activities include running, walking his dog and bike riding.