we are proudly Autistic-led

who we are

At Embrace Neurodiversity, our 100% neurodivergent team of disability support professionals have backgrounds in allied health, education and law, and are experienced and passionate about providing truly neurodiversity affirming support.

We recognise that you are the expert of you and through our lived experience we're here to provide the support you need to thrive.

Frances McCafferty (she/they)

Founder & Director, Occupational Therapist

Frances is an Autistic and ADHD occupational therapist, parent, and advocate with a deep commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice. She co-founded Embrace Neurodiversity with her partner, drawing on both lived experience and professional insight to create a service that genuinely understands and supports neurodivergent people.

Frances is passionate about challenging compliance-based models and building alternatives that honour autonomy, communication rights, and identity. She brings a strong clinical foundation, a background in mental health and disability advocacy, and a reputation for thinking strategically and compassionately. Known for her clear-eyed leadership, Frances is also a mentor, university guest lecturer, speaker, and researcher working to shift how neurodivergent people are supported across education, health, and community systems.

When she’s not working with clients or mentoring her team, you’ll find her gardening, reviewing research, or supporting her neurodivergent children to thrive in a world still learning how to include them.

Mark (he/him)

Disability Support Worker

Mark is a disability support worker at Embrace Neurodiversity with both personal and professional experience in supporting neurodivergent people. With a background in primary education and over 12 years in the classroom, Mark brings deep insight into the strengths and needs of Autistic and ADHD learners across different age groups.

As someone with lifelong lived experience of ADHD, Mark understands the importance of connection, patience, and flexible support. He is passionate about working alongside young people and their families to build confidence, support self-understanding, and create safe spaces for learning and growth.

When he's not supporting clients, you'll find Mark in the garden, working on a DIY project, keeping active, or hanging out with his two beloved sausage dogs, Bella and Bernie.

meet our team

Matt McCafferty (he/him)

Co-Founder & Practice Manager

Matt is an Autistic parent, systems thinker, and co-founder of Embrace Neurodiversity. With a background in business operations and a strong understanding of neurodivergent needs from lived experience, Matt ensures the behind-the-scenes systems run as smoothly and flexibly as the supports Embrace provides.

As a husband, father to Autistic children, and future speech pathologist, Matt brings deep insight into the everyday realities facing neurodivergent families. His strengths lie in creating structure without rigidity, solving complex problems with empathy, and building systems that support both staff and clients to do their best work.

Matt is committed to making neurodivergent-led business the norm and is passionate about creating affirming, sustainable workplaces where lived experience is respected, and accessibility is designed in from the start.

Maya (she/her)

Allied Health Assistant

Maya is a second-year occupational therapy student and neurodiversity-affirming allied health assistant at Embrace Neurodiversity. She brings a warm, steady presence and a deep commitment to supporting Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent clients in ways that are respectful, practical, and strengths-based.

As a proud ally, Maya is passionate about learning from lived experience and applying affirming, client-led approaches in everything she does. She is especially skilled at building trust, supporting emotional regulation, and providing consistent, values-aligned care across a variety of settings.

Maya is dedicated to becoming an OT who listens first, adapts with care, and always centres the needs and goals of the people she supports.

Beth (she/her)

Disability Support Worker

Beth is a disability support worker at Embrace Neurodiversity with a strong background in inclusive education and healthcare. She previously worked as a teacher’s assistant at a school for specific purposes and as a nursing assistant. These experiences shaped her calm, compassionate, and person-first approach to support.

Beth works alongside neurodivergent children, teens, and adults in home, school, and community settings. She is known for building trust through consistency, clear communication, and genuine respect for each person’s way of being.

Beth brings a steady presence to every interaction. She helps clients feel safe, understood, and supported without pressure to mask or change who they are.