Consulting, Education, and Professional Development

Our Clinical Director and Occupational Therapist, Dr Nicole Sharp is an experienced researcher and academic. She holds a PhD in Disability Studies from the University of Wollongong and a Cert IV in Training and Assessment in addition to her Honours degree in Occupational Therapy. She is an Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University and is currently involved in industry funded research projects. She is passionate about research co-designed with people with lived experience and about sharing stories through qualitative design. 
 

Our Play Therapist, Bree Barker is also an experienced researcher and educator, with a PhD in Human Resources and peer-reviewed journal publications, previous experience working as a research assistant on numerous disability-focused projects, and sessional academic at Western Sydney University. Bree is currently completing a Master of Autism at the University of Wollongong. She is passionate about supporting people with disabilities and their families to live authentic lives in ways that align with their goals and values.

 

We are committed to supporting and enabling self-advocacy and self-determination through education and training. We support people with disability to understand their neurotype, strengths and rights, build new skills, advocate for themselves, have control over their lives, and connect with like-minded people in meaningful ways. We can help people to build the knowledge needed to understand and navigate support systems. We are also dedicated to raising awareness of diversity and providing education to the broader community around neurodiversity, disability rights and inclusion.

Nicole and Bree have significant experience educating, training and delivering professional development activities, including having presented at National and International Conferences. Speak to us about your early learning centre, school, workplace, peer support group or community organisation training or professional development needs. We have special interests in the areas of positive neurodivergent identities, neurodiversity-affirming practices, life transitions (e.g. transition to school, transition to the workforce), and developing self-determination and advocacy skills.