About Us
Melissa’s Approach
Melissa, our Developmental Educator and Therapist, is passionate about supporting individuals with disabilities (including neurodivergent and autistic individuals and their families) to achieve real outcomes to improve their daily functioning and wellbeing. She believes in the value of offering support away from traditional settings, and in more relaxed natural spaces that can enhance the learning process and reduce the stress in individual’s during sessions. She has many years of experience and is well qualified, including recent training in ecotherapy and trauma informed practice, to deliver tailored support and therapy programs at Glenwood Farm, as well as in home and community settings. With a focus on increasing independence, skills and community participation, providing behaviour support, sensory regulation and communication strategies, Melissa works in partnership with participants and their support networks to create a goal-focused plan to achieve the individual’s NDIS goals and aspirations.
The natural spaces of the farm, with its friendly animals, vegetable gardens, and beautiful nature spots, provides a versatile and flexible environment for individuals to be supported. Our programs can be delivered in our spacious, rustic stable equipped with the requirements for daily living skill programs, play and sensory areas, and views of the surrounding forest, or we offer participants the chance to be in nature if they choose, both these differ from usual conventional room settings. As well support programs can be delivered in individual’s homes, community or education/work
Melissa is also a qualified and experienced teacher/trainer and assessor of disability courses, a current NDIS Support Coordinator, parent of neurodivergent children, advocate and uses trauma informed, evidence-based approaches. She also has post graduate qualifications in Counselling. Melissa has a deep understanding of the NDIS system, barriers facing people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan and is equipped with the knowledge and tools to maximise individual outcomes.
What is a Developmental Educator?
A Developmental Educator (DE) must hold a professional practice Degree in disability studies and is a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary professional who specialises in promoting the skills, empowerment and independence, and quality of life of individuals with developmental and/or acquired disabilities. DE’s work within a human rights framework to promote full and effective inclusion and participation in society. As a registered and qualified Allied Health professional, their goal is to help children and adults reach their full potential and achieve greater independence in all areas of life. They use practical, evidence-based strategies to help individuals overcome challenges and develop new skills.
Developmental Educators are recognised by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and listed in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits under Capacity Building Supports, and in the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Practice Standards Verification Module.
For further information on Developmental Educators refer to: https://www.deai.com.au/ and for the Scope of Practice see: DEAI_document_v1.0_240423_web.pdf