What do we provide?
Youth Services
Helping Hands Youth Services provide integrated programs to address the physical, social and emotional needs of young people aged between 8 and 25 years.
Behavioural Intervention
The Helping Hands Centre specialises in the scientifically validated methods of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) to attain lasting improvements in a child’s behaviour, communication, cognition, motor skills, independent living skills, play and social interaction.
School Consultation
Case Managers at Helping Hands work closely with schools to maintain behaviours, academic skill and social interaction.
Psychological Services
At Helping Hands we provide a range of psychological services to help families in need, including
– diagnoses and assessments
– early intervention programs
– kinder and school observations and programs
– social skill programs
– anxiety and behaviour support
– parent training
– counselling
Kindergarten/School Therapists
The Helping Hands Centre provides experienced therapists to attend kindergartens and schools. We support, guide and teach vital social and academic skills to the client in the class environment. Case Managers and Psychologists are available to speak to relevant school staff and provide strategies for the child’s on going needs.
What they say about us
“Our son has come so far since starting at Helping Hands. He is like a different child. I can’t rate them highly enough. AMAZING and worth every cent. Love you guys!”
Susie A
“Our little boy Peter has been going to Helping Hands for almost two years and has come a long way in that time. Simone has worked very closely with me to help Peter in every possible way. I will never be able to thank them enough. Great team and love them all”
Roy J
“My son Zack has been coming to Helping Hands for about six months and we have seen a HUGE improvement. The therapists and staff at Helping Hands are all amazing! Thank you for all the support. You guys rock!”
Chloe K
Meet the Team
Simone Anderson
Simone is the founding Director of Helping Hands and overseas all aspects of the Helping Hands clinical program.
She has worked in the field of Autism for over 16 years and is committed to providing a centre based ABA early intervention service that enables transition to the kinder/school environment.
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She is an advocate for understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and is passionate about creating an individualised therapy plan to suit the child’s age and development. As Case Manager she conducts ongoing supervision of therapy teams, parent training, consulting with kinder/school and running home based programs.
Katie Wells
Katie Wells is a dedicated and enthusiastic Psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) from Monash University.
Katie has 17 years practical experience working with children, young adolescents and families within a range of areas including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Early Intervention and ABA programming. Additional areas include kindergarten and school programming, social skills development, behavioural support programming and anxiety. She works closely with parents and other professionals to formulate programs that support the development of children with ASD or behavioural challenges within an integrated environment or special support setting.
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Sarah Backholer
Sarah is a founding director of Helping Hands and has worked in the Autism community for over 10 years.
She is committed to providing flexible, cost effective and family focused ABA programs and is passionate about delivering a high quality service to benefit the amazing children she cares about.
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Sarah oversees all aspects of Helping Hands clinical program and she ensures the centre’s clinical practises are strongly influenced by current research findings in Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis. She is committed to providing the training and materials needed for optimal learning through raising funds, corporate events and community functions.
Victoria Chapman
Victoria has been part of the Helping Hands leadership team since 2010 when she began working at the centre after completing her Bachelor of Science (Youth Studies).
It was during her study period that her passion for helping children and young adults on the spectrum was consolidated. The Youth Centre was established in 2012 and since then Victoria has guided and supported her clients through a variety of programs, including emotional regulation, behaviour management, language development, social skills, life skills and community access. Victoria is fully committed to making a difference to the lives of young people.
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Leadership Team
The leadership team at Helping Hands comprises of Tracy Kirk, Heidi Chapman, Johanna Koenig and Sasha Day.
They work intensively with Helping Hands Case Managers to implement and support the management of programs and are fully committed to working with team members in a mentoring and training role. They are a multidisciplinary team with backgrounds in Autism, Education, Psychology and Counselling. Collectively they share a passion for children’s wellbeing, family collaboration and helping each client reach their full potential.
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Our Therapists
Our therapists have a wide range of qualifications, most are currently completing Masters in Psychology, while others are completing tertiary degrees in Teaching, Social Work, Youth Services or Counselling.
They are trained in Autism, behaviour management, principles of ABA, data collection and ethics. They work intensively with our case managers and leadership group to refine their skills and technique. Our therapists are passionate, dedicated and committed to each child. Their primary role is to facilitate, encourage and support the development of social skills, communication, life skills and behaviour. All therapy is one on one and is primarily undertaken at the centre but can be conducted at kindergartens, schools and home. All have current working with children checks and anaphylaxis certificates.
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