Our beloved Nelle truly cares about each and every client that passes through her door. Her kindness and attention to detail have helped many autistic individuals and their families through their journey. Her experience stems from raising a son on the Spectrum who had violent behaviours (well, and 25 years as a teacher and a few years in a psychologist’s office). Nelle stood her metaphorical ground and said, “This isn’t my boy”, remembering her sweet and loving child, and choosing to try to understand why he behaved the way he did rather than treating it as “bad behaviour”. She brings this to bear with all of her clients and helps to change perspectives wherever she goes.

Nelle's professional career:

- qualified teacher (primary school)

- Cert IV in Training and Assessment

- former HCWA Education Consultant

- book author

- registered NDIS Provider

- former organiser of the Adult Autism Support Group Sunshine Coast

- Workshop provider and speaker

- advocate for the autism community

Michael may have a gruff exterior, but his is a heart of gold — his anger is always directed at injustice. Having helped Nelle raise their son, he is well aware of the challenges that parents face with a child on the Spectrum. This perspective makes him a wealth of information for dads, grandads and male professionals who sometimes prefer the words of another man, so he can be quite popular at Nelle’s workshops. Michael quit work as a boilermaker to work with his wife over their long journey, and now conducts the Neurofeedback therapy, passing on a therapy that helped their son become the young man he is today. He is always happy to chat briefly with his clients, and tell people about how the Neurofeedback works.

We start the new month with introducing you to one of our most important team members: Anne-Marie! Though knowing from a young age that she was different to others, Anne-Marie went undiagnosed until the age of 29, after coming to work for NelleFrances and identifying so strongly with ASD traits that she pushed for a diagnosis herself. Her experience as an undiagnosed young woman on the Spectrum has shaped her views and enables her to identify with others like her, including offering views on how things are for young women with ASD, which is often different to men. Anne-Marie is now the most important person in our team since she became Nelle's Personal Assistant helping and supporting Nelle where she is able to.

Deb is a registered teacher specialised in Early Childhood. In her former profession she acquired different strategies to help autistic children succeed. Deb will be responsible for designing and delivering therapy, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the progress of our young clients. In the last couple of years, Deb has been a Carer for her elderly Mum and volunteered some time each week to the community. Now it's time to return to work and she is looking forward to working with you and your children. Her background includes working many years for Education Queensland and as a Kindergarten Teacher in long day care settings. Many of the children she worked with have been diagnosed with autism. Children learn best in play based activities and Deb looks forward to seeing your children thrive in our small group activities.

Having spent a number of years in the ACT working within a range of schooling environments as a teacher's aid ignited my passion for not only normalising disabilities but being able to support individuals and families.

With years of lived experience, having a son on the autism spectrum and a range of neurodiversities throughout my extended family I feel privileged and driven to be able to support individuals to thrive, meet all their goals and live their best lives.