Meet the team
Mandy Mason B.Com, M.Law(Tax)
Chief Executive Officer
Mandy founded LEARN in 2008 after her daughter was diagnosed with autism in 2006. Mandy became passionate about the use of the science of Applied Behavior Analysis in the field of autism and has overseen the growth of LEARN from 20 children on opening the centre in 2008 to a capacity of close to 100 children.
Mandy combines extensive organisational experience gained from working for large corporations for 17 years with the practical experience of running an intensive home based ABA program for her own daughter with autism. She is passionate about empowering parents to take an active role in their child’s program and in educating parents to use evidence based methodologies in all aspects of their child’s intervention program.
Mandy is currently enrolled to study for a BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst) which she will complete in 2011.
Charna Mintz BSc, MSc, PhD, BCBA
Clinical Director
Dr Mintz has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University, Bloomington USA (1992-1996), a Masters in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno (1999-2001) and a PhD in Psychology also from the University of Nevada (2001-2003).
Dr Mintz then completed her certification as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in 2004 (see http://www.behavior-consultant.com/whatisbcba.htm).
Dr Mintz is well versed in curriculum development, implementation and on-going assessment; a variety of instructional methodologies; functional assessment and behaviour intervention plan development, implementation and analysis; application of current research finings and best practices; and the overall improvement of existing systems utilizing empirically validated methodology.
Some of her specific experiences include:
- Five years as a special educator in Georgia and Nevada
- Six years of direct consultation to public and private schools that support children with autism spectrum disorders
- Development and implementation of annual and on-going staff development for public schools in New York. Approximately 50 staff trained annually over the last 4 years.
- Development and implementation of a parent training curriculum for families with children with autism spectrum disorders
- Multiple presentations of research projects at state and national Association for Behaviour Analysis conferences
- Ten years experience as an active member of Individual Education Plan team/annual meetings
- Program monitoring and quality reviews to ensure compliance with US state and federal mandates for children receiving special education services in public school settings in New York, California, and Nevada.
- Supervision and mentoring for 10 Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Dr Mintz is a energetic, highly organized and detail oriented individual with an excellent reputation. She is passionate about training, supervising and supporting individuals who impact the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Sharni Ashby
Centre Manager
Sharni is responsible for management of LEARN including booking of child’s sessions, social skills groups, speech and occupational therapy as well as organising children’s funding and co-ordination of children’s programs on entry to LEARN Sharni also assists the Clinical Direcor and is a key member in the running of the centre.
Renee Grigoroff
PA to CEO/Sharepoint Co-ordinator
Renee is responsible for implementation of Sharepoint and ensuring LEARN is a truely paperless office. She also assists the CEO with fundraising activities and promotion of LEARN’s services and website design.
Elaine Mellotte BA (Hons), MA (Hons), BCBA
Clinical Case Manager
Elaine has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis with First Class Honours from the National University of Ireland Galway. Elaine completed her certification as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in 2010.
Elaine has worked in an ABA specific school as both a Therapist and Senior Therapist teaching children with Autism ranging from 2.5 to 16 years. This role involved assessing skills, developing and implementing programs, assisting with functional assessments and developing behaviour support plans. She has also worked as Behaviour Support Specialist with a wider organisation, supporting people with challenging behaviour, their families and staff members. This role called for functional assessment of behaviours, development of support plans, staff training and family support in an effort to support the client/family unit in achieving their goals. Work was conducted in a variety of settings dependent on the need of the individual including home, school, respite and community settings.
She then worked for government in the Human Services Family Intervention Support Service in Melbourne providing behaviour support, intervention and training to families of children with a disability dealing with complex family issues.
Elaine is passionate about evidence based practice, functional skill development and communication.
Kirstin Uecker B.A. (Psych)
Case Manager
Kirstin has a psychology degree with honours from Keene State College in New Hampshire and significant ABA experience. She worked in a Preschool for young children with autism and developmental delays. Kirstin also comes to us with experience working in home ABA based programs and is enthusiastic about the application of evidence based practice to early intervention. We’re delighted to welcome her to our program.
Kate Minosora B.A. Psych (Hons)
Behavioural Therapist
Kate has a Bachelor Arts with High Second Class Honours in Psychology for the University of Western Australia. She is currently undertaking her Masters of Psychology at Murdoch University.
She is a qualified swim teacher and also responsible for swimming lessons for children at the LEARN centre.
Jacqueline Le Mesurier B. Psych., P Grad Dip Psych.
Behavioural Therapist
Jacqui has a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University and a Post Graduate Diploma from Murdoch University. Jacqui is currently enrolled in her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at Murdoch University.
Jacqui is passionate about providing on-going assessment and evidence-based behavioural interventions to children with autism. She is also passionate about assisting in the generalisation of skills learnt in one to one therapy to natural, group and social environments.
Nat Storer B. Psych (Hons)
Behavioural Therapist
Nat graduated from the University of Leeds in 2008 with a First Class Honours Bachelors in Psychology. During her degree she as worked part-time ABA Therapist under the supervision of Autism Partnership, to facilitate the inclusion of a child with autism into a mainstream school setting.
Nat previously worked for The Island Project School in the UK, a school using ABA to each children in a school setting.
Lia Ranson, B.S. Psych (Hons).
Behavioural Therapist
Lia has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with honours from the University of Western Australia. Prior to joining LEARN she had experience working as a private ABA therapist and as an Education Assistant in a Primary School Special Education Unit for a child with Autism. Lia is about to commence supervision under the Clinical Director to attain her Board Certified Associate Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) certification.
Molly Derriman B.S (OT)
Behavioural Therapist and Occupational Therapist
Molly studied a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at Curtin University. She has had many years of experience working with children with ASD, working in school, therapy and respite environments. Molly is very passionate about the evidence behind Applied Behavioural Analysis and how this can assist the way in which Occupational Therapy based programs can be implemented.
Molly is currently in the process of completing her Board Certified Associate Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA).
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