Assist Disability Services proudly provides behaviour support intervention for participants with challenging behaviours. Behaviour support focuses on creating personalised strategies for people with disability that are responsive to the individual’s needs.
Behaviour support utilises evidence-based strategies and person-centred supports that address the needs of the person with disability and the underlying causes of behaviours of concern, while safeguarding the dignity and quality of life of people with disability who require specialist behaviour support.
Our behaviour support practitioners work with a variety of participants. One of their main areas of expertise is creating behaviour support plans (BSP). A BSP is a document prepared in consultation with the person living with disability, their family, carers, and other support people.It addresses the needs of the person identified as having complex behaviours of concern.
BSP intervention works with a participants’ network of support and provides training and education so everyone uses the same strategies and works towards common goals.
Positive Behaviour Support
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach that aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by addressing challenging behaviours.
At Assist Disability Services, we understand that each person is unique, and our PBS services are tailored to meet the specific needs of NDIS participants. Our dedicated team of professionals works collaboratively with individuals, their families, and support networks to develop comprehensive and person-centered plans.
What is Support Coordination?
Support Coordination is an NDIS capacity building support service designed to assist participants in understanding and accessing support services as per their NDIS funding. Support coordinators assist participants by connecting them with NDIS support service providers who are best suited to the participants needs and goals.
At Assist Disability Services, our Support Coordinators:
Our team values every person we have the privilege of providing support for. We are by your side as you increase your capacity to:
Support coordinators can help participants in many ways depending on each individual's circumstances, preferences and choices.
At Assist, our support coordinators ensure you have choice and control over goals and support services. This may include assistance by providing you with a break down of all your choices. This may help you understand the decision-making process or show you various options.
Assist Disability Services offers specialist support coordination. This is a higher level of support coordination ideal for those with complex needs who may require high intensity support. Specialist support coordinators undergo additional training and have extensive experience to navigate the nature of creating NDIS plans that will tailor to people with complex care needs.
A specialist support coordinator plays a major role in facilitating each participant's access to a variety of support services and opportunities. Specialist support coordination can help participants with:
The goal of specialist support coordination is to provide support and assistance for participants to manage challenges in their environment through consistent delivery of service.
Western Sydney
Newcastle & Hunter Region
Shelley
Key Behavioural Support skills:
Spoken languages: English
Meet Shelley, Assist Disability Services’ expert Behavioural Support Practitioner based in the Central Coast and Sydney. With her Bachelor of Psychological Science and Master of Counselling, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Shelley's background includes extensive experience as a behavioural support practitioner, as well as roles in counselling, leading youth groups with a focus on female youth, and experience as a crisis intervention operator with a National Suicide Prevention Organisation. This diverse experience has equipped her to work effectively with individuals of different backgrounds and circumstances.
Driven by personal connections to individuals with disabilities within her own family, Shelley is passionate about empowering people to reach their full potential and ensuring their unique ways of communicating their wants and needs are understood. Shelley was excited to join the team at Assist as there is great alignment between Assist’s values and her own.
With dedication and compassion, Shelley collaborates with participants to provide transformative care, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Lesa
Key Behavioural Support skills:
Spoken languages: English
Meet Lesa, Assist Disability Services’ talented Behavioural Support Practitioner based in Newcastle. Backed by years of experience and a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, you can be assured that Lesa is well equipped to provide exceptional support.
Lesa’s diverse career has seen her working in Child & Family Services in residential and case management and as a Behavioural Support Practitioner, managing a caseload encompassing a diverse range of client presentations and disabilities.
Lesa was initially drawn to working as a behavioural support practitioner as she was exposed to the role through her experience as a residential support worker. She loved the idea of being able to support and train carers, parents and a variety of stakeholders to better support their loved ones and clients through proven intervention methods.
Lesa finds fulfillment in her work within the behavioural support field as it allows her to contribute positively to the lives of people with disabilities and their support systems. Her passion for mental health, disability advocacy, and facilitating individual growth through capacity building and skill development drives her dedication to her role. Lesa was drawn to working for Assist because of the mission, values and commitment to serving all clients alongside the shared passion for showcasing meaningful change.
Choosing Assist means having Lesa; a caring and experienced Behavioural Support Practitioner, guiding and encouraging each participant she has the privilege of working with, every step of the way.
Keryn
Key Behavioural Support skills:
Spoken languages: English
Meet Keryn, Assist Disability Services’ talented Behavioural Support Practitioner based in Newcastle. With her Bachelor of Business, Certificate 3 in Children’s Service and Masters in Teaching (0-5 years), she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.
Keryn has extensive experience working with children with disability. Before joining Assist, Keryn operated a Family Day Care service where she provided care to children aged 1-6 years old, living with various disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Global Delays, Language Delays and ADHD.
Keryn believes that all children require individualised programs that integrate the support for their caregivers and professional input from additional allied health professionals they’re engaging with via their NDIS plan.
Keryn has been interested in understanding the background and reasoning related to children's behaviours, finding purpose and how this can be altered through skills and strategies. Her interests combined with her passion to advocate for independence for people with disability drew her into a career in behavioural support within the disability sector.
Keryn is dedicated to supporting people with disability in skill building to ensure their autonomy is promoted and they have the opportunity to live their life with less barriers and greater ease.
As a highly skilled behavioural support therapist with a passion for helping people, Keryn is an asset to the Assist team. She is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their communication goals and live their best lives.
Matthew
Key Behavioural Support Skills:
Spoken languages: English
Meet Matthew, Assist Disability Services highly skilled Behavioural Support Practitioner based in Sydney. Matthew has a Bachelor of Psychology and through his career has had the opportunity to engage with numerous NDIS participants. Matthew has found a real purpose working with people living with behavioural and intellectual based disabilities.
Matthew was drawn to the behavioral support sector and through his studies and career experience has developed the right skillset to work effectively with participants facing challenging behaviours.
Mathew understands the importance of taking an active role in each individual's behavioural support system, and understands barriers towards achieving milestones are overcome by maintaining a high standard of communication.
Matthew is passionate about working in the disability sector. He loves being a part of the Assist team as everyone supports one another through teamwork and collaboration to positively impact every participant's life.
With dedication and compassion, Matthew collaborates with participants to provide transformative care, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Sarah
Key Behavioural Support Skills:
Spoken languages: English
Meet Sarah, Assist Disability Services talented Behavioural Support Practitioner based in the Gold Coast. Graduating with her Bachelor of Psychological Science and currently undergoing her Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.
Sarah's background encompasses diverse roles, from intensive family support to out-of-home care, where she delivered personalised, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive therapeutic aid. Her journey has taken her across remote and rural communities in Western Australia and Far North Queensland, engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. With a focus on case management and adept delivery of psychoeducation, Sarah has empowered vulnerable families and children grappling with complex needs.
An unwavering ally of First Nations Peoples, Sarah has observed firsthand the profound impact tailored interventions can wield in enhancing independence and life quality. Her passion for understanding the intricacies that come with human behaviour coupled with her love for holistic care has drawn her to working in the behavioural support field.
Her expertise extends to navigating the complexities of individuals with complex trauma and mental health concerns, including FAS-D, ODD, and RAD, while prioritizing culturally sensitive plans. Additionally, Sarah harbors a keen interest in guiding adolescents and youth in the juvenile justice system, fueling her dedication to creating an inclusive society.
Choosing Assist means having Sarah; a caring and experienced Behavioural Support Practitioner, guiding and encouraging each participant she has the privilege of working with, every step of the way. With her genuine care and dedication, Sarah is determined to help every participant achieve their goals and enhance their overall well-being and quality of life.
Lauren
Key Behavioural Support Skills:
Spoken languages: English and a little bit of sign language
Meet Lauren, Assist Disability Services’ Clinical Lead and Behavioural Support Practitioner. With her extensive experience and degree in Social Work, you can be assured that Lauren provides exceptional services and support to all of her clients.
Lauren has extensive experience in the disability and NDIS sector having worked as an NDIS Local Area Coordinator, an Allied Health and Business Development Manager and a Clinical Lead and Advanced Behavioural Support Practitioner.
Lauren loves working in behavioural support and the diversity that comes with her role. She enjoys being able to work with a variety of people aged from two to 65 years old, who are living with a range of different disabilities.
Lauren is passionate about working in the disability sector. She is extremely familiar with disability, as her husband is deaf and her son lives with autism spectrum disorder. Lauren knows life isn’t always fair, which makes her more willing than most to assist people living with a disability to live a fulfilling life. Lauren says working in behaviour support often means working with people who have either been let down by the system or misunderstood and she believes that everybody is deserving of a service when in need.
Lauren’s dedication, expertise, and genuine care makes her the right Behavioural Support Practitioner to support NDIS participants in achieving their goals.
Brendan
Key Behavioural Support skills:
Spoken languages: English and key word sign
Meet Brendan, Assist Disability Services’ expert Behavioural Support Practitioner (BSP) based in Newcastle and Sydney. With his Bachelor of Psychology and passion and experience in the disability sector, Brendan proves to be a trusted and effective BSP.
Brendan’s career began as a disability support worker, where he assisted participants with their community access needs. Soon after while completing his studies, Brendan began work as a behavioural support technician.
Brendan has always held a desire to better understand people and how they function. His studies and profession taught him that to do so means you have to look at a person and their life experience holistically and for example consider multiple factors including: sensory input, environment, disability, health, and trauma.
Playing a part in the lives of people living with disability, namely to assist them in facing daily challenges and supporting them towards reaching their goals, leaves Brendan feeling fulfilled in his career each day.
