River is a professional specialising in services for adults and children experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) currently living in Australia. Managing, developing and delivering services and programs to a wide range of adults and children with complex needs has been the forefront of his work over the past 13 years. His extensive experience comes from working in many secure settings and community based services in youth detention and accommodation services through Disability, Child Safety and Commonwealth funded programs. He has established several pilot and ongoing accommodation and respite services through a range of nongovernment service providers specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Mental Health. Training and sector development are now a large focus of his professional life and practical, direct support level education for staff and carers is an area of unmet need he is currently exploring. While clinical and academic understand is developing he sees a large and ongoing need for practical information, skills development and "what do I do when my child does this" type of seminars and workshops. River is not a psychologist and does not do assessment. He has qualifications in Special Education, Training and Assessment, Disability and Aged Care Service Coordination, Disability Support, Aged Care Support and Behaviour Intervention and is currently studying Psychology through QTAS.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

River's personal interest in ASD comes form his own experience having Asperger's Syndrome and his work with children and adults with the disorder. Starting within special education settings working with young people in primary and high school grades his interest developed from specialist teaching into disability programs and community services, mental health and clients with extreme behaviour. He has seen a range of interventions and services in this area which try to support people experiencing ASD and complex need and like many professionals he can see there is still a long way to go to see consistent and widely accessible, robust and effective programs across Australia and internationally. Much of this can come down to ongoing policy development and sector movements to see services that can respond to a growing client group experiencing what can be described as a mix of disability and mental health need. While acknowledging the real difficulties experienced by those with an ASD diagnosis his professional interest has focused on how Australian employers can utilise and integrate a diverse workforce and identify strength based employment with real economic benefit from employees with complex needs.

"There is a need for getting back to basics in our training and skills development for carers and staff working with children and adults experiencing ASD"

Please see our invitations and contact page for information about upcoming events and to book River for conference or seminar appearances. River is currently continuing his postgraduate study in community mental health at the University of Queensland in Brisbane and will need notice for planning any event attendance.