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.

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 looks forward to supporting NDIS participants throughout the Geelong Region and Western Victoria.

Miriam joined Autism Abilities in June 2020 having a great passion for working with participants on the Autism Spectrum. She understands the complexities of Autism and the incredible outcomes that can be achieved when people are supported in an individualised way. 

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.  

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.

Kylie is thrilled to be part of the autism abilities team and is looking forward to supporting and empowering people to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Having previously worked in the education sector supporting children with autism and other needs, along with a personal lived experience supporting someone with autism she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. Kylie understands the challenges people with autism face every day, the impact it can have on families and people’s lives. She is very 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.

Katie is thrilled to join the Autism Abilities team in August 2021 and is looking forward to providing quality NDIS Support Coordination for participants in the Albury-Wodonga and North East Victoria regions.

Katie has over 10 years experience in a variety of settings supporting people with autism to live life well. With experience in various planning roles at the NDIA, Katie is passionate about creating opportunities for people with autism to use their choice and control to make the NDIS work for them.

Katie has a Certificate IV in Disability and is due to complete a degree in Psychology in 2022. Outside of work, Katie is an avid fan of the US quiz show Jeopardy! and enjoys bushwalking with her family

Amanda enjoys inspiring and empowering autistic people and their families to advocate for their needs. She has been working in the disability sector for over 15 years with a speciality in Autism, during this time she has been providing her community with advocacy, mentoring services and building networks to link them in with services. Amanda is a proud autistic woman and mother to 3 autistic children.

Over the past 4 years Amanda has found a passion in understanding the NDIS and learning about how to make it work for those in her family and her community.

Amanda completed her diploma of Community services and loves reading, learning new things and she thrives on finding solutions to situations that others find challenging. We are delighted to welcome Amanda to our team in July 2021.

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. 

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.