About Autistics' Guide to Adulthood

A proud neurodivergent individual, Amanda Porter graduated university with a Bachelor of Education in 2007, followed by a Masters of Education and Diploma of Counselling in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2015 Amanda graduated from university in 2015 with her second Masters of Education, this time specialising in Disability Education. Amanda has taught in schools and is now doing consultancy work for disability organisations. She is a Future Leader graduate through the Sylvia Rodger Academy and received the Autism SA Recognition Award in 2017 for the Hendercare Special Inspiration Award.

Bruce Meatheringham is a National Project Advisor for Autism SA for developing modules for autistic adults to live the life they choose. Bruce has been involved in the writing and reviewing of the education module and the employment module. Bruce also reviewed other modules including self-advocacy, independent living, friendship and physical health modules. Bruce is a 2018 Sylvia Rodger Academy Future Leaders Program Graduate and is a guest lecturer in the autism topic at Flinders University, who has an interest in autism advocacy and autism sensory experience. Bruce is an autistic co-production researcher and has an Honours Degree of Behavioural Science and has majors in Psychology and Neuroscience from Flinders University. Bruce has also completed the Horizon Professional Development Award to Platinum Level with a specialisation in Leadership.

Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, Dorian is a third generation Italian-Australian and is very proud of his European heritage. Finding out he was autistic after graduating from school, Dorian’s eyes were opened for the first time in his life. Using the analogy of a blind fold being taken off his eyes, Dorian’s vision of how he sees the world became something of an adventure and in this was able to find some confidence in himself to never quit. Dorian has a double degree in journalism and writing and creative communication from UniSA. A wordsmith through and through, Dorian believes that the right form of language is so important, especially in the neurodiversity community. A firm believer in identity first language, Dorian believes his people deserve to have their voices heard and for any matters concerning autistic people to be left in the hands of the wider autistic community only. In addition to being a member of the National Advisory Committee at various stages, Dorian was employed as part of the Project Team as a Content Writer.

Geraldine Robertson is an autistic educator and advocate with over 20 years working in the field. Geraldine is a parent and grandparent to autistics. Her passions have included chairing Autism Tasmania, supporting families through the IEP process, and supporting organisations in becoming autism inclusive.

I was always a quiet, creative, and quirky kid; finally diagnosed autistic at 18 and ADHD a few years after. Joining the neurodivergent community is the greatest thing that's happened to me. I've found friendship, clarity, and acceptance. Adulthood is tricky, especially for autistic people navigating neurotypical spaces. I'm excited to have been involved in this project which I think will be a valuable addition to the "adulting" toolkit.

An adult, Jen was officially diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum in 2011. Jen holds a Bachelor Degree in Commerce (Accounting and Banking Majors) and a Bachelor Degree in Ministry (with a lot of counselling units). She works in a big supermarket on the check-outs. She also works for Spectrum Space as a co-facilitator of The Women’s Council. Jen completed Autism CRC’s Research Academy in 2017 and provides feedback to various researchers on their research. Jen also completed Autism CRC’s Future Leaders Program in 2019. She has also been a member of co-design projects for various organisations. Jen has also delivered speeches, on autism and her life experiences, to various audiences.

A 25-year-old male, high functioning autistic with minor adhd, Nathan Guy has a car, motorbike and forklift license and is holding down multiple jobs at once (pizza delivery, water meter reading, and golf course maintenance). He is now looking forward to working as a full-time motorbike postman. He enjoys gaming, motorbike riding, bowling, basketball, and writing nonfiction. He got involved in this project as a way to help open doors for the next generation and show people we can do whatever we put our minds to, even through hardships and tough times. He saw it also as a way to see where he needed improvement so he could be an even better person and perhaps role model to others.

A 33-year-old Tasmanian, Pen Brake has been involved in speaking at multiple autism conferences, education workshops, and in the development of autism related resources. They are currently developing a board game, and enjoy spending time with their dog and family, sewing, and reading.

Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2007 (when that was still a diagnosis), Zoran Bekric has worked in a variety of industries, but is currently employed at Autism SA, where his interest in the history and nature of autism serves him well. In addition to being a member of the National Advisory Committee at various stages of the project, Zoran was employed as part of the Project Team as a Content Producer.

Grace Colsey is a proud queer and neurodivergent actor, cabaret artist, and singer songwriter. They are exceptionally enthusiastic about seeing neurodiversity and neurodiverse issues represented in art and theatre and take a particular interest in playing autistic-coded characters as an actually autistic person. They are a graduate of Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s Class of Cabaret and currently undergoing the Undergraduate Certificate of Acting at Flinders University. They made their directorial debut by writing, directing and producing Musical! The Musical at Star Theatres and are currently self-producing their new cabaret, Smiling Through the Human which aims to bring the weird, wonderful (and quite unwonderful) experiences of living with mental illness to light. Recently they have notably been featured as Dr Drew Kepler in Quasar Arts’ Escaping The Burning Sun, and performed in The Stirling Player’s production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged. Grace occasionally busks in Rundle Mall to test material and keep their musical performance and crowd work skills sharp. Throughout their schooling they were awarded 5 times for Service to the Arts, and Excellence in both Drama and Music.

Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, Dorian is a third generation Italian-Australian and is very proud of his European heritage. While academics and athletics were never his biggest achievements in school, his love for the arts was – and still is to this day – very much a part of who he is. Finding out he was autistic after graduating from school, Dorian’s eyes were opened for the first time in his life. Using the analogy of a blind fold being taken off his eyes, Dorian’s vision of how he sees the world became something of an adventure and in this was able to find some confidence in himself to never quit. Against all odds, Dorian earned a double degree in journalism and writing & creative communication from UniSA. A wordsmith through and through, Dorian believes that the right form of language is so important, especially in the neurodiversity community. A firm believer in identity first language, Dorian believes his people deserve to have their voices heard and for any matters concerning autistic people to be left in the hands of the wider autistic community only.

Hi. My name's Andy. I discovered I had high-functioning autism (or Aspergers as I still prefer to call it) about 2 years ago. I have 3 different chronic medical conditions but have no doubt that my autism (or Aspergers) has by far the most impact on my life, due to the difficulties it causes in finding and keeping jobs, friends, and girlfriends. However much of this impact is good, and it makes me who I am! Despite the difficulties this causes me, I do still maintain a positive attitude and think of myself as a positive person.

Richelle Patrick is an autistic adult and mother to two autistic children. She has enjoyed acting on and off screen as well as singing and modelling. In her free time, she is a long-distance runner and dreams of completing the 6 Majors – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. She runs (literally double-runs) her local parkrun with her husband. She has a passion for all things Neurospicy, and often spends her free time volunteering to help those in the neurodiverse community.

Hi! I’m Mel, and I’ve spent nearly 50 years trying to navigate my way through this world without a map. I constantly pondered why existing was effortless for most yet so challenging for me? So I decided to figure it out! I initially dismissed being on the spectrum. I thought “autistics” (hate that word) were like Raymond Babbitt from Rain Man, Aspergers or ADHD was just for boys and when girls didn’t behave as expected, it was “hormones”. It wasn’t until I took a deep dive into neurological disorders around 5 years ago that I began to consider myself as having one. So, I booked a formal assessment, (waited an eternity), and low and behold, it was proven that I have superpowers in the form of Autism with the added bonus of ADHD! Knowing the root cause of something is so empowering. It not only gave me an explanation for so many things in my life but it also gave me access to so many toolboxes and an orienteering kit!

Hi, I’m Rory Snow. I’m an Engineering student at UniSA Mawson Lakes, hoping to specialise in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I’m interested in computers and how they’ve shaped our world over the decades. I’d love to be involved in some of the exciting ways computers are being applied now and in the future, such as virtual reality, spacecraft and space travel, and methods of transportation that use renewable energy. I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 8. I enjoy all forms of media including movies, tv shows, books and video games. Exercising and keeping fit. Stargazing with my telescope. Creating music and art. Performing.

I'm Tristan, Autistic and ADHD who works as a support worker helping people achieve their unique goals. I also love playing online games where I shine seeking dopamine and living the dream.

Niki Welz is a neurodivergent individual who has worked as the Project Manager, alongside the Project Team and the National Advisory Group, to develop the Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood. She is passionate about co-production and is thankful to everyone that has supported in the development of the project over the past four years. She has been employed at Autism SA for the past 13 years, where has worked with autistic individuals across the ages through a range of roles. She has worked with various organisations including Sunpork and HP to support the employment of autistic employees in a range of sectors and is currently the Chair for the Autism SA Professional Practice Committee, she is passionate about translating research into practice. She has developed resources for the Autism SA community including the Fringe Access and Inclusion Guide and the Labor Party Language Guide and has previously worked to develop The Spectrum website, a website providing information for autistic individuals and their families, and the Autism Friendly Charter, focused on increasing access and inclusion in the community. Niki hopes that the Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood is a supportive and useful resource for the Autistic and autism community.

Greg Healy has worked at Autism SA for the past 23 years in many different services and roles. He co-ordinated Employment Services, and Day Options, and supported individual contracts with autistic adults. Greg moved into the Family Support Team in 2007, where he started using his counselling training to support parents and adults, as well as running many different social, therapeutic and parent support groups and worked as a guide for adults and their families on their journey. He has also mentored many staff members with his supportive nature through training and individually. With the support of Autism SA and Adelaide University, Greg had the last 9 years of his therapeutic group researched and it highlighted the effectiveness of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) with autistic adults. He presented these findings at the APAC 19 Conference which received a warm interest from his professional peers. Greg specialises in providing Counselling services to autistic adults and their families and has been for over 15 years. He co-wrote and facilitated an adult social skills group for 10 years and helped establish the Autism Mixer social group which he still volunteers on their committee. With the guidance of many autistic adults, he has recently helped co-write the Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood, sharing his concept of adult learning, and hopes this resource benefits many adults now and for years to come.

Zoran Bekric was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2007 (when that was still a diagnosis). He has worked in a variety of industries, but is currently employed at Autism SA, where his interest in the history and nature of autism serves him well. He supports Autism SA to build capacity across its workforce, by supporting the implementation of autism specific training. In addition, he shares his knowledge and experience by co-presented workshops to professionals and the wider community, covering the history of the diagnosis and its statistical prevalence. He has also served as an ambassador for Autism SA, talking to community groups and organisations about autism and answering questions to help spread knowledge and awareness of the condition.

Isabella Collins has worked at Autism SA for over five years across several roles, using her passion for digital strategy to drive access and inclusion in the community. As the Digital Marketing Project Officer, Isabella worked alongside the Project Team and National Advisory Group to facilitate the development of the digital platform for the Autistics Guide to Adulthood, ensuring best practice access and inclusion standards. She has also driven national promotion of the project, ensuring the resource is available and accessible for adults across Australia. Isabella also maintains a number of other digital projects initiated by Autism SA to build access and inclusion, including The Spectrum and Autism Friendly Charter.