Embrace Neurodiversity

01/03/2026

Embrace Neurodiversity

28/02/2026

2026 Newcastle Show Horticulture Champion! 🌱🏆

It’s our team’s proudest achievement so far! This produce was grown in ‘Common Ground’, the gardening space of our soon-to-be clinic in Abermain.

What is planting seeds but to believe a better future is possible, and to invest in it before there is proof it will succeed?

The same is true for people, and for building inclusive and affirming services.

Common Ground is our way of doing that. It was created for and by the neurodivergent young people, adults and families in our community. Thank you for trusting us, growing with us, and being part of what we’re building here.

- Frances & Matt 🌈

28/02/2026

Sneak peek at our clinic garden 🌈🌻

We love the families stopping to look for our chickens on the way to school, and neighbours asking about the pumpkins.

Sharing our love of nature-based therapy with our little community is something we’re really proud of.

Thank you to the Embrace team for everything 💛

10/02/2026

Did you know our OT Frances is also a Peer Researcher for the Westmead Children's Hospital?

A peer researcher is someone who uses their own lived experience to help shape, guide, and improve research.

As an Autistic person, Frances has used her lived and professional experience to amplify the voices of Autistic children, young people, and carers in mental health research.

| “The most meaningful aspect of my role as a Peer Researcher with the Westmead Feelings Program team is amplifying the voices of autistic children, young people, and carers in shaping research. In this role, I draw on my lived and professional experience as an autistic clinician, carer, and consumer to help shape the team's research.

There is no typical day! Much of my work involves advising on accessibility, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and co-design so that the program materials better reflect the needs and perspectives of autistic children and their families. I value bringing lived experience to conversations where it has often been missing, and increasing awareness of the research questions and priorities that matter to our community.

I was drawn to paediatrics by the incredible impact my own children’s therapists have had on their quality of life, well-being, and development. Seeing the difference the right support can make for a child and their family motivates me to contribute to this work.

I recently presented at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025, an international event and the largest audience I have spoken to so far! Having the opportunity to share the progress that is being made in public health research and the benefits of autistic leadership was a moment I felt proud of.

I hope that, in the future, roles like mine become standard across health services, so that people with lived experience are not only involved in shaping the research and services that affect their lives but also leading them” – Frances McCafferty, Peer Researcher and Occupational Therapist, Westmead Feelings Program, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

26/01/2026

We recognise January 26th as a date that is not neutral, and is widely experienced as painful and harmful by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the ongoing impact of colonisation that continues to shape the present.

Allyship means listening to those most affected when they speak about the issues that affect their own lives and communities, respecting their leadership, and acting in ways that support what they say is needed. Our commitment to this practice continues beyond today.

19/01/2026

We provide neuroaffirming speech therapy for children and young people.

At Embrace Neurodiversity, we work alongside families using collaborative strategies that promote self-expression, regulation, autonomy, advocacy, and success. Speech therapy is delivered in children's schools, homes and communities so strategies can be used where communication actually happens.

Matt (he/him) is a speech pathologist at Embrace Neurodiversity. His lived experience as a neurodivergent adult and parent shapes his strengths-based, family-centred approach.

Matt supports a range of communication needs, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and PDA-informed approaches. He also provides support in articulation, language, fluency, and literacy, while recognising and valuing the unique ways each child’s brain and communication style work. Matt has immediate availability, so if neuroaffirming, family-centred speech therapy sounds like the right approach for your family, enquire now to discuss next steps.

Embrace Neurodiversity is an occupational therapy, speech therapy and disability support service based in the beautiful city of Newcastle NSW, committed to embracing neurodiversity and providing personalised care. Partner with us on this incredible journey to live a vibrant and fulfilling life.

29/12/2025

🌈 Immediate Capacity for Speech Therapy & Disability Support 🌈

Embrace Neurodiversity is currently accepting referrals for speech therapy and disability support services for 2026.

Our supports are neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and founded on respect for each person's communication style, autonomy, and lived experience.

◦ No waitlist - appointments available from January 2026
◦ Evidence-informed speech, language and communication therapy
◦ Individualised disability supports at home and in the community
◦ Flexible scheduling
◦ Support for children, teens and adults

📍 Mobile services available in Newcastle & Hunter, NSW
🌈 Telehealth available nationwide for speech therapy
📞 Contact us on (02) 4965 7635 to get started!
🔗 Enquiries via https://embracend.com/request-our-services

24/12/2025

🌈 Immediate Capacity for Speech Therapy 🌈

Embrace Neurodiversity is accepting referrals for speech therapy services in 2026.

Matt is an Autistic adult and father of Autistic children, who offers strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming speech therapy services built around the respect and celebration of neurodivergent communication styles.

• No waitlist - appointments available January 2026
• Neurodiversity-affirming support for speech, language, and communication needs
• Evidence-based approaches in a fun, engaging environment
• Flexible scheduling
• Serving toddlers to adults
• Accepting new referrals now

📍 Mobile services available in Newcastle & Hunter, NSW
🌈 Telehealth available nationwide
📞 Contact us on (02) 4965 7635 to get started!
🔗 Enquiries via https://embracend.com/request-our-services

29/10/2025

Happy OT Week 2025 🌈

This year’s theme, Occupational Therapy in Action, shines a light on the role OTs play in supporting independence, dignity, and participation across all stages of life.

14/08/2025

Thank you! I’m so grateful for the support of our community 🌈✨

After presenting our work embracing lived experience voices in mental health and autism research, The Feelings Program Team were honoured to be awarded the Australian Consumer Partnerships in Research 2025 Award for Excellence in Consumer Partnerships in Non-Commercial Research presented by AccessCR. 👏

It’s been a privilege to amplify lived experience voices in research in a role that is the first of its kind in public health, years in the making, and shaped through the long-standing consumer partnerships that make our work possible.

- Frances
🙏🌈✨

Alt Text: A glass award is displayed on a wooden table with green plants in the background. The inscription reads: Congratulations The Feelings Program Team Judge’s Choice Award Winner A: Excellence in Consumer Partnerships in Non-Commercial Research ACCESSCR AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER PARTNERSHIPS IN RESEARCH AWARDS 2025

28/07/2025

The Feelings Program team are finalists in the 2025 Australian Consumer Partnerships in Research Awards! 👏

Thank you to everyone who voted and supported our work.

The existence of this award speaks to the ongoing work of countless consumer advocates who care deeply about making research useful to the communities it's meant to serve.

We believe that research is better when we do it together. A belief that is reflected in our genuine partnership between Autistic people, families, and researchers. It has been a privilege to contribute as NSW Health's first Autistic Peer Researcher, alongside colleagues who value lived experience.

Congratulations to my team and to the young people and families whose voices lead the way.

This recognition belongs to all of us.

Alt text: Graphic announcing that The Feelings Program Team is a finalist in the 2025 Australian Consumer Partnerships in Research Awards, Category A: Excellence in Consumer Partnership in Non-Commercial Research, presented by AccessCR.

18/06/2025

🌈 June 18th is Autistic Pride Day! ♾️

Did you know Autistic Pride Day was started by Autistic people, for Autistic people?
Unlike many awareness campaigns often led by outsiders, today is about celebrating neurodivergent identity on our own terms.
What Autistic people want is simple:
✔️ To be accepted
✔️ To be heard
✔️ To be supported in ways that respect how we think, feel, move, and connect

We don’t need to be “fixed”, we need to be understood.
Not just acceptance, but appreciation for Autistic people.