She/Her

PROJECT LEAD

Berinda Karp is an advocate, educator, and founder of Autism STEP Australia, offering person-centred consultancy and training to support autistic and neurodivergent individuals across all life stages. With over 35 years of experience in education and community development, she empowers clients through tailored programs that foster independence, resilience, and inclusive practices

He/Him

PROJECT LEAD

Brendan Chippendale is an autistic psychotherapist, educator, and counsellor with over 30 years of experience supporting neurodivergent and LGBTIQA+ communities. As founder of Achieve Collective, he offers person-centred, neuroaffirming therapy that empowers individuals to navigate identity, relationships, and life transitions with confidence and compassion.

They/Them

DIGITAL CONTENT AND MARKETING

Rudy Jean Rigg is a queer, trans, and neurodivergent advocate, presenter, and digital creator passionate about inclusion, education, and representation. They are best known for co-creating and hosting TransAthletica and ABC Queer, using media to amplify diverse voices and challenge societal norms.

He/Him

CONTENT ADVISOR AND PRESENTER

Haydn Payne is an autistic advocate, educator, and founder of Spectrumite, a neurodivergent-led initiative providing strengths-based mentoring and employability programs for autistic young adults . Through initiatives like the PRISM program and the Spectrumite podcast, Haydn empowers neurodivergent individuals to thrive in education, employment, and life

She/Her

WORKSHOP PRESENTER

Jade Belle is a neurodivergent support worker and founder of Belle Ability, offering respectful, person-led support grounded in neurodiversity-affirming practice. Drawing on her lived experience as an autistic adult and training in autism-specific approaches, Jade works alongside clients of all ages to build daily living skills, navigate sensory needs, and access community with confidence and dignity.

She/Her

CONTENT ADVISOR

Sarah Maniscalco is the founder and principal of The Holistic Centre for Neurodiversity, a therapeutic service based in Wentworth Falls, NSW, dedicated to supporting autistic and neurodivergent children through strengths-based, multisensory approaches. With a background in social welfare and education, she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on fostering emotional regulation, resilience, and authentic developmental growth.

He/Him

CONTENT ADVISOR

Dr. Wenn Lawson is an autistic psychologist, researcher, and author who has dedicated over three decades to advancing autism understanding through both lived experience and academic inquiry. As a theorist of monotropism and advocate for co-produced research, he has authored more than 20 books and serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Curtin University, contributing globally to neurodiversity, gender, and mental health discourse