Who are we?
Darin Cairns, B.A., B.Sc., M.A.Psych, MAPS
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Darin Cairns is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the field of autism and child development for over 10 years. In that time he has worked both privately, as well as within the Disability Services Commission where his roles included co-ordinator, Country Services Autism, and manager, Early Intervention Services state-wide.He has given over 150 workshops and presentations on autism, developmental disability, developmental psychology and learning principles. These have addressed a wide variety of audiences, including speech therapists, government agencies, school psychologists, teachers and families. In recent times he has worked extensively on training psychologists and teachers in best practice interventions for children with autism and special needs.
Darin’s own research has specifically focussed on learning principles and methods, with a strong emphasis on identifying the best ways to accelerate a person’s ability to L.E.A.R.N. independently and efficiently. His ideas on these principles and applications have been sought and used in the United Kingdom and the United States, in areas ranging from language acquisition, attachment and more effective teaching methods.
Darin believes strongly in the importance of evidence based practice in all areas of therapy and has worked to foster organisational systems and practices that are inclusive and empowering of families. He is passionate about the importance of individually designing and tailoring programs for each child.
Darin is best known for his work and support of ABA due to its scientific rigour and the support it has attracted. However, he remains concerned that ABA has too often been simplified and diluted into methods that do not consider the whole child, with a result that often does not address the broader needs of a child’s development. He has worked tirelessly to educate families, therapists and educationalists in the myriad techniques that have been shown to work for children with Autism and other learning needs.
Mandy Mason, B.Com, M.Law(Tax)
Chief Executive Officer
Mandy combines extensive organisational experience gained from the working for large corporations 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 home and school based curricula.Her responsibilities within L.E.A.R.N. include:
- initial contact with families to establish an early intervention program;
- initial sessions with children and commencement of programs;
- employment, training and supervision of behavioural therapists and other team members at L.E.A.R.N;
- provision of feedback to psychologists to allow for regular updates to the program;
- supporting families through the period of establishing an early intervention program for a child;
- advising on the practical and administrative aspects of early intervention;
- liaising with schools and kindergartens to establish Individual Education Plans and funding applications for school aides; and
- management of professional development to the team at L.E.A.R.N.
Mandy is also responsible for administrative aspects of L.E.A.R.N. including fundraising for expansion of programs.
Mandy is currently enrolled to study for a BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst) which she will complete in 2010.
Sharni Ashby
Centre Manager
Sharni is responsible for management of the L.E.A.R.N. centre 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 L.E.A.R.N. Sharni also is personal assistant to the Senior Clinical Psychologist and Client Services Co-ordinator and a key member in the running of the centre. Thanks Sharni!Lucius Arco, B.Psych, M.Psych(Clinical), Ph.D., MAPS (CCP)
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Lu Arco is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years experience in assessing and treating behavioural and emotional disorders of adults and children. He specialises in behaviour analysis and treatment of various problems including conduct disorders, cognitive and behavioural problems associated with neurological or developmental disorders, and staff performance management in treatment programs.He is an experienced instructor and coach of psychologists, behavioural therapists, nurses, teachers, and support staff; and has coached and counselled many family members caring for children or adults with severe psychological problems.
Lu is a former university lecturer in clinical psychology and now works as a private consultant. Prior to consulting and lecturing, Lu was a senior clinical psychologist with the W. A. Disability Services Commission.
Lu has researched and published a wide range of clinical interventions in international journals including Behavior Therapy, Behavioral Interventions, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, and Behavior Modification.
Pip Meredith
Case Manager
Pip is qualified as a Social Trainer and has 10 years experience working as a Behavioural Therapist with children with autism.She was trained at Mildred Creak Early Intervention Service and has since worked with a large number of families in setting up programs for children with autism.
Her responsibilities at L.E.A.R.N. include –
- training parents and therapists to undertake therapy and to incorporate natural learning opportunities into all aspects of a child’s day;
- lead therapist in a child’s program, overseeing therapy performed by other therapists and parents and ensuring consistency throughout the program;
- working with parents to establish behaviour management plans
- assisting parents to generalise skills taught into all aspects of a child’s life, to ensure skills are functional and utilised in environments outside of the principal therapy setting.
She has a very special ability to connect with kids on the spectrum and her enthusiasm and dedication to the job is obvious to anyone who sees her sessions. Pip is adored by the children she works with.
Louise Thornton, B.Sc.(Hons) Psychology
Case Manager
Louise graduated with first class honours from her B.Sc (Hons) Psychology degree undertaken at Lancaster University, UK in 2006.She subsequently undertook training as an ABA therapist with PEACH and has worked as a therapist in both home and school settings for the past 3 years.
Louise is currently undertaking her supervision to become a Registered Psychologist to allow her to use her extensive practical experience to write programs for children with autism.
In addition, Louise is responsible for the running of programs targeting social skill development in L.E.A.R.N. Peer Play Programs and educational goals in L.E.A.R.N.’s Education Program.
Louise brings extensive experience along with a passion for learning theory to L.E.A.R.N.
Bex Walding, B.Sc.(Hons) Psychology
Case Manager
Bex has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology from the University of Reading, U.K. She undertook extensive training with the Autism Partnership in the UK and before joining L.E.A.R.N. has worked for a number of years as a self employed Behavioural Therapist while continuing to undertake training.
Bex is currently undertaking supervision to become a Registered Psychologist and to take her extensive practical experience and apply it to programming for children.
Bex is actively involved in the training and supervision of therapists at L.E.A.R.N., in the supervising parents in Natural Environment Teaching as well as delivering L.E.A.R.N.’s Education Program to children.
Bex is an enthusiastic and energetic therapist who is passionate about kids on the spectrum and a very popular team member at L.E.A.R.N.
Jodie McKenna, B.Sc.(Hons) Psychology
Case Manager
Jodie graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Psychology from Lancaster University in 2007. Whilst at University Jodie worked as a behavioural therapist for children with autism and continued to do this full time after finishing University. Jodie is enthusiastic about ABA and finds the job very rewarding. She has worked in both home and school settings and implements programs with a positive and fun manner.
Jodie is actively involved in training and supervising behavioural therapists and acts as Program Manager for her children. Her exceptional organisational skills and dedication to evidence based practices make her a stand out therapist and trainer in L.E.A.R.N.’s program.
Katia Haines, Bachelor of Psychology
Program Manager
Katia is currently completing her Honours in Psychology at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup. She has more than 8 years experience working with children with autism, and is passionate about ABA therapy and conducting research that will enhance the lives of those living with an ASD.Sarah McCay,BMus, Dip.Ed
Senior Behavioural Therapist
Sarah has worked in diverse teaching positions for over 6 years. Having completed her Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium in 2006, Sarah undertook ABA Therapy Training with C.A.R.D. and worked in a full time program for 12 months. She recently moved to Perth and completed her Diploma of Education (Primary). Sarah is a passionate and energetic member of the L.E.A.R.N. team, who is dedicated to extending her expertise in educating children with Autism. Sarah is also responsible for the running of education programs for children in L.E.A.R.N’s Education Program which incorporates direct instruction, fluency and precision teaching.
Heather Orr, B.A.
Senior Behavioural Therapist
Heather has a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, specialising in psychology from Cambridge University and extensive experience with children in a variety of settings She joins us from Treehouse School in London where she worked as a Class Leader and ABA Tutor. Heather has been responsible for the delivery of programs to children at Treehouse as well as training of ABA Tutors and a breadth of experiences in working with children with autism and special needs. We’re delighted that she’s made the trek from London to join as at L.E.A.R.N.
Emily Royer, B.A. (Soc.)
Senior Behavioural Therapist
Emily has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and has significant experience in working with developmentally delayed and at risk children. She undertook training as an ABA therapist in New York and comes to us having worked at an ABA Therapist at the Manhattan Children’s Centre, as well as having implementing programs in the home environment. Emily is a highly motivated and enthusiastic staff member and is passionate about learning and motivation.
Kirstin Uecker, B.A. (Psych)
Senior Behavioural Therapist
Kirstin has a psychology degree with honours from Keene State College in New Hampshire and significant ABA experience. She has spent the last 12 months working 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.
Annabel (Bell) Simpson,
Behavioural Therapist
Annabel, or Bell to her kids, has had significant experience working with children. While undertaking her Law Commerce Degree at UWA she undertook training with L.E.A.R.N. to become a Behavioural Therapist and as a result is now enrolled to study psychology at Curtin University to further her career within the field of Developmental Psychology.She has a passion for working with children with autism which is evident in her enthusiasm and interaction with our children. She continues to undergo training in all aspects of ABA and Relational Frame Theory.
Bell is an exceptional therapist whose dedication to measurement and program delivery consistency makes her a very popular team member.
Bell is also regularly involved in L.E.A.R.N.’s Social Skills Group, Peer Play Program and Sociallearning Programs.
Richard Harries, Bachelor of Psychology (Hons.)
Behavioural Therapist
Richard has a bachelor of psychology with Honours from Curtin University and a wide variety of experience, including working as a private ABA therapist while studying. In addition to working as a therapist at L.E.A.R.N., Richard liaises with schools, day cares and other service providers to ensure consistency across children’slearning settings.Richard is currently undergoing supervision to become a registered psychologist and is the a very popular team member and the “go to” person at L.E.A.R.N. when any program assistance is required.
Kate Minosora, Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons.)
Behavioural Therapist
Kate has a Bachelor Arts with High Second Class Honours in Psychology for the University of Western Australia. She’s a key member of team of behavioural therapists at L.E.A.R.N.She is a qualified swim teacher and also responsible for swimming lessons for children at the L.E.A.R.N. centre. Kate is also involved in the Sociallearning Program at L.E.A.R.N. and is one of the therapists in the Social Skills Group team.
Laura McTaggart, B. Psych. (Hons.)
Behavioural Therapist
Laura has a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours from Murdoch University and extensive experience working as a private ABA therapist and Educational Tutor.She is a key member of the team of Behavioural Therapists at L.E.A.R.N. and is also involved in the delivery of academic programs to children in L.E.A.R.N’s Education Program which incorporates direct instruction, fluency and precision teaching.
Laura also has significant experience in home care to children with special needs and often gets involved in the delivery of programs to children in day care and kindergarten settings.
Jacqueline Le Mesurier, B. Psych., P Grad Dip Psych.
Behavioural Therapist
Social Skills Co-ordinator
Jacquie has a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University and is currently enrolled in her masters at Murdoch University.As well as working as a behavioural therapist, Jacquie is the Social Skills Co-ordinator at L.E.A.R.N. and responsible for delivery of Sociallearning Programs and report preparation at the conclusion of Social Skills Groups. Jacquie works closely with L.E.A.R.N.’s Senior Clinical Psychologist and Speech Pathologist in developing social skills programs to the children at L.E.A.R.N.
Aden Date, B. Psych.
Behavioural Therapist
Aden has a Bachelor of Psychology from Edith Cowan University and is in the final stages of his Honours at Murdoch University.
Amongst other roles, Aden has worked as a private ABA therapist prior to joining L.E.A.R.N. He is currently undergoing training to extend his already broad knowledge of Verbal Behaviour Analysis to incorporate Relational Frame Theory into child’s programs. He works closely with the Senior Clinical Psychologist to write up program goals for delivery to the children at L.E.A.R.N.
Melissa Gamble
Behavioural Therapist
