About Helping Hands
About Us
The Helping Hands Centre is a purpose-built centre catering for children and young people.
Our founding Directors, Sarah and Simone, have had a variety of experiences working in the field of special needs – focusing mainly on neurodivergent clients and working closely with hundreds of families.
The Helping Hands journey began more than 20 years ago in a single room at the front of a suburban home. Since then, we have moved to a shop front in Cheltenham and from there to a larger premises in Cheltenham and finally, our new home in Mentone of over 900 sq metres of floor space.
At each stage we have been driven by a passion to deliver quality therapy to as many
individuals as we could and as cost effectively as possible. Our multi-disciplinary staff are equally as determined and enthusiastic in their relationships with our clients. We pride ourselves on sharing the lives of our families and developing individual programs that reflect our holistic approach.
Our Values
Neuroaffirming
We believe in honouring and championing the unique strengths and contributions brought to society through neurodiversity. We believe in supporting all individuals in developing a healthy personal identity and positive sense of self.
Inclusion:
We acknowledge that every child is unique. In an inclusive learning community, this diversity is respected and seen as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to implement changes that benefit the whole community.
Respect
Our centre promotes a culture which values respectful treatment of others. We value equity and diversity and a safe and supportive working and learning environment. We are committed to developing and maintaining a working and learning environment in which mutual respect, dignity and inclusion prevail.
Passion
Our staff are all highly motivated in their desire to deliver the highest quality therapy services. Their enthusiasm, dedication, commitment and devotion is an outstanding feature of the daily program we offer at the centre.
Family Focused
All individuals and their families are different and have their own personal needs. By working with our families we aim to improve outcomes by developing family engagement and effectiveness in handling associated challenges.
Neuroaffirming
We believe in honouring and championing the unique strengths and contributions brought to society through neurodiversity. We believe in supporting all individuals in developing a healthy personal identity and positive sense of self.
Inclusion:
We acknowledge that every child is unique. In an inclusive learning community, this diversity is respected and seen as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to implement changes that benefit the whole community.
Respect
Our centre promotes a culture which values respectful treatment of others. We value equity and diversity and a safe and supportive working and learning environment. We are committed to developing and maintaining a working and learning environment in which mutual respect, dignity and inclusion prevail.
Passion
Our staff are all highly motivated in their desire to deliver the highest quality therapy services. Their enthusiasm, dedication, commitment and devotion is an outstanding feature of the daily program we offer at the centre.
Family Focused
All individuals and their families are different and have their own personal needs. By working with our families we aim to improve outcomes by developing family engagement and effectiveness in handling associated challenges.
Our Team
Shannon Ayton
Speech Pathologist
Shannon is speech pathologist with an undergraduate degree in psychology and linguistics and master’s degree in speech pathology. She has been working as a speech pathologist at Helping Hands since 2019 and has additional training and experience in feeding and eating difficulties, literacy, AAC and gestalt language learning. Shannon works with paediatric, youth and adult clients. She enjoys working with families and multidisciplinary teams to support optimal outcomes for clients. Shannon particularly loves working with the Helping Hands team as it allows unique opportunities to generalise communication and eating skills in many different settings such as in groups with peers and in the community. She also enjoys using the many different spaces available at Helping Hands, such as the kitchen, sensory room, PMP room and group social areas to facilitate engaging and functional therapy sessions for her clients. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pet dog and horses, as well as running and horse riding. She is looking forward to welcoming her first child later in 2024.
Vision
Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia. Dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt.
Vision
- Neque porro quisquam
- Modi tempora incidunt
- Dolorem ipsum quia dolor
- Ipsum quia dolor sit
- Numquam eius modi tempora
- Sed quia non numquam
Sarah Backholer
Founding Managing Director
Sarah is a founding director of Helping Hands and has worked in the Autism community for over 20 years. She is committed to providing neuro-affirming, flexible, cost effective and family focused programs and is passionate about delivering a high quality service to benefit the amazing individuals she has the pleasure of supporting at Helping Hands .
With a background in counselling and behavioural science, Sarah has a keen interest in working with families as a unit and providing necessary supports to ensure growth. She is committed to providing the training and materials needed for optimal learning through raising funds corporate events and local community functions.
When she isn’t working , Sarah loves spending time with her family and watching her two boys grow and flourish.
Simone Anderson
Founding Managing Director
Simone is a founding Director of Helping Hands and oversees all aspects of the Helping Hands programs. She has worked in the field of Autism for over 24 years and is committed to providing a centre based early intervention service that enables transition to the kinder/school environment. Additionally, Simone recognises the importance of neuro-affirming youth aged programs that develop and foster an individual’s true potential.
Simone is an advocate for understanding autism spectrum disorder and is passionate about creating an individualised therapy plan to suit the child’s age and skill level. As Case Manager, she conducts ongoing supervision of therapy teams, parent training consulting with schools and running home based programs for the children she works with as well as providing consultation and support for school/kinder/day centres.
Katie Wells
Psychologist
Katie is a registered psychologist with AHPRA (Psychology Board of Australia) and is a full member of the APS (Australian Psychological Society). Katie holds a Master’s degree in psychology (educational and developmental). Katie brings over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults with diverse needs. She has worked in both private practice and educational settings, where she has developed an interest in assisting individuals with anxiety, low self-esteem, school related and social challenges, and behavioural and emotional regulation concerns.
She has extensive experience with neurodivergent profiles, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, intellectual disability, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Katie practices a client-cantered and holistic approach to therapy and offers a range of services, including cognitive, academic, behavioural, and social-emotional assessments, alongside care team support and treatment support.
Her therapeutic approach is diverse and includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy and systematic desensitisation, psychoeducation, mindfulness, functional behaviour analysis (FBA), applied behaviour analysis (ABA), positive psychology, and coaching. Katie provides personalised and thorough care that addresses the multifaceted nature of mental health and wellbeing.
Shannon Ayton
Speech Pathologist
Shannon is speech pathologist with an undergraduate degree in psychology and linguistics and Master’s degree in speech pathology. She has been working as a speech pathologist at Helping Hands since 2019 and has additional training and experience in feeding and eating difficulties, literacy, AAC and gestalt language learning.
Shannon works with paediatric, youth and adult clients. She enjoys working with families and multidisciplinary teams to support optimal outcomes for clients. Shannon particularly loves working with the Helping Hands team as it allows unique opportunities to generalise communication and eating skills in many different settings such as in groups with peers and in the community.
She also enjoys using the many different spaces available at Helping Hands, such as the kitchen, sensory room, PMP room and group social areas to facilitate engaging and functional therapy sessions for her clients. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pet dog and horses, as well as running and horse riding. She has welcomed her first child in August 2024 and is enjoying 12-months maternity leave.
Isabel Costa
Certified Speech and Language Pathologist
Isabel (but you can call her Izzy) is a certified speech and language pathologist who is passionate about supporting children with complex communication needs, and those requiring eating and mealtime support. Her areas of interest include speech and language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), as well as feeding and swallowing.
Izzy strives to create trust, connection and safety with her clients. She likes to follow their lead and include their special interests in therapy. She has experience working with autistic children and she is committed to supporting them through a neurodiversity affirming approach to therapy. In her free time, she likes to play tennis, listen to music, play the piano, catch up with her friends and FaceTime her family in Italy. Izzy is fluent in both Italian and English.
Nina Lindsey
Psychologist
Nina is a dedicated psychologist specialising in the mental health and well-being of neurodiverse children and adolescents. She is passionate about working closely with families and schools to foster environments where every child feels understood and valued. Her approach is rooted in neuro-affirming practices, which emphasise the acceptance and celebration of all different types of brains. She believes in empowering children by recognising their unique strengths and providing tailored support that meets their individual goals. Through a combination of evidence-based therapies, Nina strives to create a positive impact on the lives of the children and families she works with, helping them navigate challenges and thrive in their own way. In addition to intervention, Nina completes a range of assessments, including cognitive and educational assessments.
Nina has a key area of interest in the following:
- neurodiversity [e.g., autism, PDA, ADHD, and learning difficulties]
- emotional regulation
- anxiety
- identity and understanding of self
- self-esteem and confidence
Nina enjoys spending time with friends and family and going to the beach with her dog when she is not at work.
Maddy Roberts-Tims
Psychologist
Maddy is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and has received additional training in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADOS-2).
Maddy works with individuals of all ages, addressing a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and behavioural problems. She also provides support for neurodivergent individuals, including those on the Autism Spectrum and with ADHD. Maddy employs various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness.
At Helping Hands, Maddy enjoys collaborating with the team to provide comprehensive, neuro-affirming therapy. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets and getting outdoors.
Tracy Kirk
Case Manager
Tracy has been part of the Helping Hands Centre since 2009, starting as a behaviour therapist and advancing to her current role as a case manager. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Tracy is passionate about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) and their role in enhancing functional living skills. She is also dedicated to supporting clients with complex behaviours and helping them increase their participation in the community.
Additionally, Tracy runs neuro-affirming social groups that provide a safe environment for her clients to meet like-minded peers and develop meaningful social connections.
In her free time, Tracy enjoys going to the gym, watching footy and playing with her dog, Panda.
Victoria Chapman
Case Manager
Victoria is currently on maternity leave, cherishing time with her newborn son, Zayn, and her family. With a degree majoring in Youth Work and 15 years of experience as a behaviour therapist, she has dedicated her career to helping children and youth form meaningful connections and navigate complex social situations.
Victoria is passionate about fostering social development in group settings and enjoys creating supportive environments where young people can thrive. Outside of work, she expresses her creativity through painting and drawing, finding fulfillment in art and spending quality time with loved ones.
Sally Backholer
Case Manager
Alice Burke
Case Manager
Alice is a dedicated Case Manager with a background in counselling and play therapy. She is passionate about providing support to autistic children, adults, and their families in a way that respects and affirms their neurodiversity. Alice prioritises teaching functional life skills, building independence, fostering self-advocacy, promoting autonomy, and helping clients build meaningful connections with others. She is committed to participating collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Alice places importance on working closely with each family to support her clients’ overall development in a strengths-based and engaging way. In her spare time Alice enjoys cooking and spending quality time with family & friends.
Ana Begic
Case Manager
Ana is a Case Manager at Helping Hands and has been part of the team since early 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Swinburne University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Monash University. Ana works with clients of all ages, with a special passion for applying play-based learning in her work with younger clients.
She is dedicated to supporting all aspects of personal development and creating a safe, nurturing space where her clients can thrive. Ana is focused on teaching essential life skills while fostering independence, and she places great importance on collaborating with practitioners, families, and clients to set and work towards meaningful goals. In her free time, Ana enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking with her daughter and visiting the beach.
Ashleigh Conn
Case Manager
Ashleigh is a case manager and has been a part of the Helping Hands team for the past decade. Ashleigh is a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association and holds a Master’s degree in Music Therapy. She also holds a Neurologic Music Therapy degree.
Ashleigh has over 10 years’ experience working with neurodivergent individuals within the community health space and private practice. Over this time, she has worked with a wide range of individuals requiring various support. She has a particular interest in achieving early intervention goals and assisting individuals with a Pathological Demand Avoidance presentation (PDA).
At Helping Hands, Ashleigh works with individuals of all ages. She values team collaboration and believes it is integral to supporting client goals. Ashleigh utilises a neuro-affirming and client centred approach and brings her unique set of skills to provide meaningful and individualized therapy.
Outside of work Ashleigh enjoys singing, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Michele Backholer
Office Manager
What can you say about a job that you say “I’ll give it a go” and then find thirteen years later, you still love every second of it? Michele was a primary school teacher (for more years than she cares to mention here) and after working with special needs children in her classroom she jumped at a chance of being involved in a different capacity.
Helping Hands was a small centre when she first began thirteen years ago – five therapists and two Directors, Simone and Sarah in a shop front in Station Road, Cheltenham. She found the work they did with the children was inspirational and obviously so did others because as word spread, the demand for a bigger centre also grew.
And so today the brand-new purpose-built facility at Mentone has a current staff of 42 and the love, care and devotion to improving the lives of all clients is still a top priority. Michele couldn’t be prouder than to say she has shared a most inspirational journey the highlights of which still touches her heart whenever she thinks about them!
Nigel Anderson
Finance Manager
Nigel Anderson is the Finance Manager at Helping Hands with over 25 years’ experience in the finance industry. Nigel has been with the company since it was founded over 20 years ago and seen its growth and development over the years. He holds certificates 1 and 2 in finance, information technology and middle level management from the Swinburne University of Technology. He has also held positions as a production planner supervisor at Boral Ltd and program planner/finance at Emerald Community Centre. Outside of work Nigel enjoys his footy, barracking for the Saints, Aqua exercises, gardening and socialising with family and friends
Sarah Backholer
Founding Managing Director
Sarah is a founding director of Helping Hands and has worked in the Autism community for over 20 years. She is committed to providing neuro-affirming, flexible, cost effective and family focused programs and is passionate about delivering a high quality service to benefit the amazing individuals she has the pleasure of supporting at Helping Hands .
With a background in counselling and behavioural science, Sarah has a keen interest in working with families as a unit and providing necessary supports to ensure growth. She is committed to providing the training and materials needed for optimal learning through raising funds corporate events and local community functions.
When she isn’t working , Sarah loves spending time with her family and watching her two boys grow and flourish.
Simone Anderson
Founding Managing Director
Simone is a founding Director of Helping Hands and oversees all aspects of the Helping Hands programs. She has worked in the field of Autism for over 24 years and is committed to providing a centre based early intervention service that enables transition to the kinder/school environment. Additionally, Simone recognises the importance of neuro-affirming youth aged programs that develop and foster an individual’s true potential.
Simone is an advocate for understanding autism spectrum disorder and is passionate about creating an individualised therapy plan to suit the child’s age and skill level. As Case Manager, she conducts ongoing supervision of therapy teams, parent training consulting with schools and running home based programs for the children she works with as well as providing consultation and support for school/kinder/day centres.
Katie Wells
Psychologist
Katie is a registered psychologist with AHPRA (Psychology Board of Australia) and is a full member of the APS (Australian Psychological Society). Katie holds a Master’s degree in psychology (educational and developmental). Katie brings over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults with diverse needs. She has worked in both private practice and educational settings, where she has developed an interest in assisting individuals with anxiety, low self-esteem, school related and social challenges, and behavioural and emotional regulation concerns.
She has extensive experience with neurodivergent profiles, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, intellectual disability, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Katie practices a client-cantered and holistic approach to therapy and offers a range of services, including cognitive, academic, behavioural, and social-emotional assessments, alongside care team support and treatment support.
Her therapeutic approach is diverse and includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy and systematic desensitisation, psychoeducation, mindfulness, functional behaviour analysis (FBA), applied behaviour analysis (ABA), positive psychology, and coaching. Katie provides personalised and thorough care that addresses the multifaceted nature of mental health and wellbeing.
Shannon Ayton
Speech Pathologist
Shannon is speech pathologist with an undergraduate degree in psychology and linguistics and Master’s degree in speech pathology. She has been working as a speech pathologist at Helping Hands since 2019 and has additional training and experience in feeding and eating difficulties, literacy, AAC and gestalt language learning.
Shannon works with paediatric, youth and adult clients. She enjoys working with families and multidisciplinary teams to support optimal outcomes for clients. Shannon particularly loves working with the Helping Hands team as it allows unique opportunities to generalise communication and eating skills in many different settings such as in groups with peers and in the community.
She also enjoys using the many different spaces available at Helping Hands, such as the kitchen, sensory room, PMP room and group social areas to facilitate engaging and functional therapy sessions for her clients. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pet dog and horses, as well as running and horse riding. She has welcomed her first child in August 2024 and is enjoying 12-months maternity leave.
Isabel Costa
Certified Speech and Language Pathologist
Isabel (but you can call her Izzy) is a certified speech and language pathologist who is passionate about supporting children with complex communication needs, and those requiring eating and mealtime support. Her areas of interest include speech and language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), as well as feeding and swallowing.
Izzy strives to create trust, connection and safety with her clients. She likes to follow their lead and include their special interests in therapy. She has experience working with autistic children and she is committed to supporting them through a neurodiversity affirming approach to therapy. In her free time, she likes to play tennis, listen to music, play the piano, catch up with her friends and FaceTime her family in Italy. Izzy is fluent in both Italian and English.
Nina Lindsey
Psychologist
Nina is a dedicated psychologist specialising in the mental health and well-being of neurodiverse children and adolescents. She is passionate about working closely with families and schools to foster environments where every child feels understood and valued. Her approach is rooted in neuro-affirming practices, which emphasise the acceptance and celebration of all different types of brains. She believes in empowering children by recognising their unique strengths and providing tailored support that meets their individual goals. Through a combination of evidence-based therapies, Nina strives to create a positive impact on the lives of the children and families she works with, helping them navigate challenges and thrive in their own way. In addition to intervention, Nina completes a range of assessments, including cognitive and educational assessments.
Nina has a key area of interest in the following:
- neurodiversity [e.g., autism, PDA, ADHD, and learning difficulties]
- emotional regulation
- anxiety
- identity and understanding of self
- self-esteem and confidence
Nina enjoys spending time with friends and family and going to the beach with her dog when she is not at work.
Maddy Roberts-Tims
Psychologist
Maddy is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and has received additional training in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADOS-2).
Maddy works with individuals of all ages, addressing a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and behavioural problems. She also provides support for neurodivergent individuals, including those on the Autism Spectrum and with ADHD. Maddy employs various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness.
At Helping Hands, Maddy enjoys collaborating with the team to provide comprehensive, neuro-affirming therapy. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets and getting outdoors.
Tracy Kirk
Case Manager
Tracy has been part of the Helping Hands Centre since 2009, starting as a behaviour therapist and advancing to her current role as a case manager. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Tracy is passionate about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) and their role in enhancing functional living skills. She is also dedicated to supporting clients with complex behaviours and helping them increase their participation in the community.
Additionally, Tracy runs neuro-affirming social groups that provide a safe environment for her clients to meet like-minded peers and develop meaningful social connections.
In her free time, Tracy enjoys going to the gym, watching footy and playing with her dog, Panda.
Sally Backholer
Case Manager
Alice Burke
Case Manager
Alice is a dedicated Case Manager with a background in counselling and play therapy. She is passionate about providing support to autistic children, adults, and their families in a way that respects and affirms their neurodiversity. Alice prioritises teaching functional life skills, building independence, fostering self-advocacy, promoting autonomy, and helping clients build meaningful connections with others. She is committed to participating collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Alice places importance on working closely with each family to support her clients’ overall development in a strengths-based and engaging way. In her spare time Alice enjoys cooking and spending quality time with family & friends.
Ana Begic
Case Manager
Ana is a Case Manager at Helping Hands and has been part of the team since early 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Swinburne University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Monash University. Ana works with clients of all ages, with a special passion for applying play-based learning in her work with younger clients.
She is dedicated to supporting all aspects of personal development and creating a safe, nurturing space where her clients can thrive. Ana is focused on teaching essential life skills while fostering independence, and she places great importance on collaborating with practitioners, families, and clients to set and work towards meaningful goals. In her free time, Ana enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking with her daughter and visiting the beach.
Ashleigh Conn
Case Manager
Ashleigh is a case manager and has been a part of the Helping Hands team for the past decade. Ashleigh is a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association and holds a Master’s degree in Music Therapy. She also holds a Neurologic Music Therapy degree.
Ashleigh has over 10 years’ experience working with neurodivergent individuals within the community health space and private practice. Over this time, she has worked with a wide range of individuals requiring various support. She has a particular interest in achieving early intervention goals and assisting individuals with a Pathological Demand Avoidance presentation (PDA).
At Helping Hands, Ashleigh works with individuals of all ages. She values team collaboration and believes it is integral to supporting client goals. Ashleigh utilises a neuro-affirming and client centred approach and brings her unique set of skills to provide meaningful and individualized therapy.
Outside of work Ashleigh enjoys singing, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Michele Backholer
Office Manager
What can you say about a job that you say “I’ll give it a go” and then find thirteen years later, you still love every second of it? Michele was a primary school teacher (for more years than she cares to mention here) and after working with special needs children in her classroom she jumped at a chance of being involved in a different capacity.
Helping Hands was a small centre when she first began thirteen years ago – five therapists and two Directors, Simone and Sarah in a shop front in Station Road, Cheltenham. She found the work they did with the children was inspirational and obviously so did others because as word spread, the demand for a bigger centre also grew.
And so today the brand-new purpose-built facility at Mentone has a current staff of 42 and the love, care and devotion to improving the lives of all clients is still a top priority. Michele couldn’t be prouder than to say she has shared a most inspirational journey the highlights of which still touches her heart whenever she thinks about them!
Nigel Anderson
Finance Manager
Nigel Anderson is the Finance Manager at Helping Hands with over 25 years’ experience in the finance industry. Nigel has been with the company since it was founded over 20 years ago and seen its growth and development over the years. He holds certificates 1 and 2 in finance, information technology and middle level management from the Swinburne University of Technology. He has also held positions as a production planner supervisor at Boral Ltd and program planner/finance at Emerald Community Centre. Outside of work Nigel enjoys his footy, barracking for the Saints, Aqua exercises, gardening and socialising with family and friends