'tips for autism' courses are facilitated by two people. One is a special education professional (such as a Speech-Language Therapist or Resource Teacher:Learning and Behaviour) and the other is a teacher (or equivalent) who is also a parent of a child or young person with ASD. There are currently 17 facilitators and a brief profile for each is included below:

'tips for autism' facilitator profiles

Alena Sampson is a Psychologist working in Early Intervention with Special Education, Ministry of Education in Hamilton after working for 4 years as a Special Education Advisor. She has a particular interest in children with ASD and has worked for a several years in a number of roles, including as a private therapist.

Anita Nicholls is a parent of a child with ASD and Fragile X syndrome. Anita is an early childhood teacher and runs the National Fragile X Trust.

Barbra Cowan is currently working as a Resource Teacher:Learning and Behaviour in Palmerston North. Previously she worked in Australia as the secondary team leader for Giant Steps, Sydney and at Kingsdene Special School, teaching children with autism. She has also taught in England and Japan and has done presentations on augmented communication systems. She has completed a Masters of Adult Education, with a major in communication and teamwork.

Beth Freeman is a Psychologist with Special Education, Ministry of Education in Whangarei. She has supported children and young people with ASD in various settings within New Zealand and in Glasgow, Scotland. She has delivered workshops on ASD and several visual-based approaches to intervention.

Cheryl Palmer is a Speech-Language Therapist and Lead Practitioner for Autism for Special Education, Ministry of Education, based in Palmerston North. Cheryl has a long-term involvement with ASD in many different settings. She presents many workshops in this interest area.

Irene Gregan is a Supplementary Learning Support teacher (SLS) in Christchurch and has previously worked at a special school and as a Special Education Advisor in Gisborne. She has a post-graduate diploma in the Education of Students with Special Teaching Needs. Irene really enjoys working with children on the autism spectrum and has a great passion for use of visual strategies and assistive technology.

Janine Moran is the mother of three boys, one of whom has autistic traits. She has had extensive experience as a Lecturer in communication at a tertiary institution and is currently studying full time at Massey University to complete a Master of Educational Psychology.

Jenny Lee has had many years experience teaching within the secondary sector. She is the parent of two children, one of whom is on the autistic spectrum.

Jocelyn Buxton is a Resource Teacher:Learning and Behaviour working in the Rangiora,  North Canterbury area since 2000. This work has focused on student need from transition to primary school through to the end of year 10, secondary school. Previously she was class teacher for 10 years at Sydenham school Christchurch, in a class set up for children with communication disorders and delays. Many of these children fell under the ASD umbrella. Being a parent of a son with Down syndrome and autism has added another perspective to living and working with people with differences. 

Juanita Davidson is currently working as a service manager with the Ministry of Education, Special Education. She is a qualified Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) and has worked in Special Education as an SLT for a number of years. She has had a long-term interest and involvement with children with ASD. She is also a Hanen-certified SLT and is experienced in leading the Hanen Programme ‘More Than Words’ for parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder. 

Julie Timmins is a Speech-Language Therapist with Special Education, Ministry of Education and with in West Auckland. Julie has a passion for working with individuals with ASD, their families and teachers and has worked in a range of settings both in the UK and New Zealand. Julie is Hanen trained in the 'More than Words' parent programme and is a part of the SCERTS project team.

Kerry McBride is the parent of a teenager with ASD. Kerry is also an Early Intervention Teacher at Special Education and considers that it has been a privilege to work with a large number of young children with ASD and their families. Kerry is also a trainer and support parent for Parent to Parent and believes that young people with ASD can teach us as much about the world as we can teach them.

Kerry Scott began teaching English in 2001 after a career in the public sector. She is also the parent of a teenager with ASD.

Kerryn Long is a Special Education Advisor with Special Education, Ministry of Education in Manukau. She has a long-term involvement with ASD as a specialist teacher in England and New Zealand. Kerryn has worked in special school, boarding and mainstream settings. She has been an advisor since 2003.

Keryn Mells is a journalist, a primary school teacher and parent of a child with ASD. She is the developer and Project Leader of 'tips for autism'. She is a member of the NZ ASD Guideline Implementation Advisory Group and the Intersectoral Advisory Reference Group. She has presented at several national forums and been involved in a number of national research and professional development initiatives.

Maree Rowland is a Speech-Language Therapist with Special Education, Ministry of Education. She has worked in special education in Taranaki for over twenty years and has a special interest in children with ASD. She strongly believes that working in a team with those supporting a child with ASD is both beneficial and a privilege.

Richard Belton has a background in secondary education. He is currently working with a centre for people with high needs disabilities and with Autism New Zealand. He has an adult son with ASD.