MEET OUR TEAM

Helen has focused her 20 year career specifically working with children and adolescents. She has gained extensive experience and knowledge from working in the private and public sector. Helen's main goal is to help children with different learning needs reach their full potential to have an enjoyable and happy life. Helen implements a hol

Helen has focused her 20 year career specifically working with children and adolescents. She has gained extensive experience and knowledge from working in the private and public sector. Helen's main goal is to help children with different learning needs reach their full potential to have an enjoyable and happy life. Helen implements a holistic approach when treating children and bases her therapeutic model on evidence based interventions. Helen provides psychological, educational and behavioural interventions for children with Autism, ADHD, ODD, Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Learning difficulties, Speech delays, emotional, behavioural and social problems. Helen and her team at Learn to Shine are open to working with any child and their family. 

 Growing up in the UK, I started working in the field of disability 30 years ago when I volunteered as a 15-year-old, to be an outward bounds instructor, taking kids with genetic terminal illness on adventures – abseiling, canoeing etc, once a month. After graduating with my BSc [hons], I continued to work in the field of disability advoc

 Growing up in the UK, I started working in the field of disability 30 years ago when I volunteered as a 15-year-old, to be an outward bounds instructor, taking kids with genetic terminal illness on adventures – abseiling, canoeing etc, once a month. After graduating with my BSc [hons], I continued to work in the field of disability advocacy and support, working within the field of mental health and homelessness. 

· I became interested specifically in Autism and developmental delay, after working with adults in a residential setting in 1999 who had been moved from institutions to a homebased setting and we were using what I now know as behaviour techniques and PECS to teach the residents life skills and communication. 

· Some of these adults had been institutionalised for over 40 years however with individual goals, they learned to eat at a dining table, travel within the community, and of course enjoy a trip to the pub!

· After my interest was sparked, in 2001 – I took the opportunity to become a ABA tutor with the Educational Psychology department in my local council, who were participating in a research Study run by the University of Southampton, quickly moving up to being a team leader, working with a number of families in Sussex. 

· In 2004, we relocated to Australia and I continued to work as an ABA therapist, Team Leader and Therapist coordinator – training therapists for an ABA service provider.

· In 2009, I started working as a programme Supervisor, and Consultant continuing to progress. 

· I have now been working in the field of ABA for 18 years and in 2019 with my 3 children now at school, I started working at Learn to Shine as a Behavioural Consultant, supervising ABA programmes for Learn to Shine Families. I also started my MEd ABA, at Monash University to solidify my understanding of the science behind the work I do. 

· I gain so much from my work with children and young adults with Autism and developmental delay, it never feels like work!

Favourite saying: 

“If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

This is ABA, find that motivator, change the environment – teach the child!

Marisa has worked with children, teenagers, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Anxiety, and a range of other behavioural and developmental concerns.

Marisa utilises a family approach when recommending strategies to assist childre

Marisa has worked with children, teenagers, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Anxiety, and a range of other behavioural and developmental concerns.

Marisa utilises a family approach when recommending strategies to assist children with developmental and behavioural difficulties, and works on the client's presenting issues through learning and play.