Meet the team at
Leaps Ahead Early Intervention
Meet our AMAZING team!
We are here to work with you, build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.
Michelle is a Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA), Certified Behaviour Analyst-Undergraduate (CBA-U), and founder of Leaps Ahead Early Intervention. With over 28 years’ experience supporting neurodivergent children across Australia, Michelle holds multiple qualifications in Psychology, Inclusive Education, Behaviour Analysis, and is completing her Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced).
She has presented nationally and internationally, contributed to a published book chapter on toilet training, and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles. As an Executive Board member of the Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia, Michelle advocates for ethical, self-regulated practice.
Michelle has trained numerous ABA therapists, delivered programs in educational settings, and worked closely with families to foster children’s growth and independence. Her special interests include functional communication, toileting, puberty, social skills, and life skills. Based in Hobart, she provides services across Tasmania.
Jess has worked with neurodiverse individuals for 25 years and has extensive experience as a direct therapist and Behaviour Support Practitioner for children and teens. She has provided supervision and training for parents, staff and other organisations. Along with sharing knowledge and experience with fellow colleges, Jess loves coaching parents and working directly with participants. As a lifelong learner, Jess continues to seek professional development opportunities in various domains of education, behaviour analysis and evidence based methodologies.
Jess is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and Developmental Educator with a Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis, a degree in Disability Studies and Early Childhood Education. Jess is currently working remotely from Canada. When not at work you can find Jess climbing 100m rock faces, mountain biking and hiking!
When Simon is not helping business owners take control of their cashflow and build beautiful businesses, he is playing outside in the mountains either climbing, mountain biking, running or hiking. Sometimes, instead of getting high up in the mountains, he dives into the depths of the underwater world to explore the marine life.
Based at our Glenorchy centre
Theresa joined Leaps Ahead in 2020. Returning to the workforce now that her children are school-aged, she was eager to join a team that makes a difference in peoples lives and believe in the advantages that early intervention makes to a children and their families. She has over 25 years experience working reception, accounts and administration roles.
Theresa's youngest child has additional needs and she believes that this gives her an advantage in understanding what some parents are going through and gives her a better perspective in her role at Leaps Ahead.
In her own time, she loves travelling the world and spending time with her family.
Romy has a Masters of Business, Masters of Social Work (with training in disability and youth), and completed a Masters of education in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Romy is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA/CBA) and is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support.
Romy has over 10 years experience working in disability supporting individuals as a therapist, social worker, and as a behaviour support practitioner. She is also the LAEI Procedural Integrity Coordinator which allows her to work in collaboration with the LAEI members to enhance the quality of therapeutic programs implementation. Romy is passionate about supporting individuals to channel their strengths and supporting families along the way.
Romy is from Peru and has been living in Australia for almost 20 years, she enjoys bringing her Peruvian culture into her life and teaching her son Spanish.
Jamie joined the LAEI team in 2024 after moving to Tasmania from Canada. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) with a specialisation in ASD and has worked in this field for over 8 years.
Jamie has an interest in working with children and families. She loves to see the meaningful impact that our work does for the lives of her clients and their families. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys travelling, spending time with her family and friends, and being out in nature.
Jess began working at LAEI in 2015 and is passionate about supporting families to achieve their personal goals. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Behavioural Science and a Diploma of Counselling and is currently completing a Masters of Counselling, specialising in mental health support. She has completed extensive training in ABA, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), adolescent grief & trauma, and crisis prevention. Jess has over 10 years’ experience in the disability/mental health field and is recognised by the NDIS as a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Roni joined the LAEI team in 2015 as an ABA therapist and under the guidance of Michelle, became a Program Supervisor in 2023. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Behavioural Science and is currently studying a Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
Roni has always had an interest in children's development and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with ASD, and their families. She enjoys supporting children to express themselves and learn new skills through ABA-based therapy.
Bridget joined the LEAI team in 2023. She hold Bachelor's Degrees in both Arts and Psychological Science and a Post Graduate Degree in Counselling.
Bridget has over 20 years experience working as a counsellor and case manager in community services. She enjoys supporting children and their families, working together using ABA to create opportunities for growth and connection.
Bridget is also a singer and singing teacher and has been running her singing school for 28 years. She loves to spend time with her family, perform in theatre productions around Tasmania and relaxing at the beach.
Sarah has been working in the disability field for over 10 years. Prior to moving to Tasmania, she worked with children and in aged care in Melbourne.
Sarah is now a motivating ABA Therapist and has truly found her calling at LAEI. For her, the best thing about her job, is the positive changes in the kids. Sarah enjoys spending time with her family.
Nasi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology of children with Special Needs and a Master of Clinical Psychology. She has over 10 years of experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and achieve their goals. Nasi joined LAEI in 2020, shortly after moving to Australia.
What Nasi loves most about her role is building strong, trusting relationships with children and their families, and seeing the joy that comes with progress whether it’s a new skill learned, a challenge overcome, or a moment of connection.
Outside of work, Nasi enjoys spending time with her family and her little girl, who keeps her busy, makes her laugh, and teaches her patience every day.
Joel joined the LAEI team in 2021 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences at UTAS. He enjoys working closely with and engaging in the children's interests and passions. Joel tailors his sessions to be supportive, uplifting, and productive while prioritising his client's enjoyment and self-expressions.
Outside of work Joel enjoys writing, playing games, swimming and hanging out with dogs.
Based in Northern Tasmania
Caitlin started training and working as an ABA therapist with another company in 2015 before moving to Western Australia, where she worked full-time as an ABA therapist for a number of years before returning to Tasmania. She joined the LAEI team early 2024.
Caitlin completed an Honours Degree in Psychology in 2016 and a Masters in ABA in 2023. She loves seeing the positive impacts that ABA can have on the individual and those around them.
Petria holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Diploma of Counselling. She is currently completing her Honours in Psychology and aims to progress to a Master’s degree to become a registered psychologist. She works as a research assistant at the University of Tasmania on a project exploring sibling influence in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Petria enjoys working with families and children within the spectrum of neurodiversity, autism spectrum, and comorbities. She is committed to providing tailored therapeutic supports that maximise each child’s individual potential.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, yoga, and spending time with family. A former half-marathon competitor, she now runs to support charities such as Autism Australia, Vision Australia, and the Black Dog Institute.
Kaylee has a background in early childhood education in childcare settings, where she supported a diverse range of children.
She is passionate about working with neurodiverse children and developing resources to assist with their individual challenges.
Kaylee is enjoying learning more about ABA therapy and the impact this has on children's learning and wellbeing. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her children and their two dogs.
