Claire – Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)

I grew up in the UK in an inclusive family environment, which included extended family members with cerebral palsy. 

As a true Gen-X-er, I learned adaptability, problem-solving, and independence. Volunteering was a family tradition, and at the age of 15, I began supporting children and young people with life-limiting disabilities through creative activities like wheelchair rock climbing, canoeing, and dune buggy racing.

My family valued curiosity, resilience, and kindness, fostering a love for reading and education. After completing my BSc in Biology in 1996, I returned to support work, initially focusing on physical disabilities and later expanding into mental health. I became a keyworker, assisting men with drug and alcohol addiction.

In 2001, I began working as an ABA tutor in a research project on early intervention for children with developmental delays and Autism. This role required extensive training and supervision. I moved to Melbourne, Australia, in 2004, where I worked as an ABA tutor, team leader, and supervisor.

In 2007, I started my family and continued working part-time. In 2019, I pursued my Med in ABA at Monash University while completing the required 1500 hours of supervision to become a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). I achieved this goal in 2022 and was accepted as a Certified Behaviour Analyst (CBA) with the Australian Board (AUABA).

I have expanded my knowledge through attending various workshops in Acceptance and Commitment therapy workshops, learning to focus on the individuals’ values, building my understanding of how these neurodivergent children and young people experience the world around them.

In 2023, I become a Behaviour Support Practitioner and a Registered Specialist Behaviour Support provider with the NDIA commission in 2024.

 My loves are my family, my dog, walking on the beach, growing my vege patch, reading and musical theatre and my life long friends.  As parents to neurodivergent children, who have been in multiple therapies for the past 11.5 years, I have a deep appreciation for collaboration with families and other professionals for the best outcome of the individual who is needing support.

I strive to provide neuro affirming, interest led therapy utilising the science of behaviour analysis, to build trust and engagement and enrichment – focussing on changing the environment to further develop the individuals’ communication skills, interests, self-advocacy and joy.