Proudly Autistic-led

Our values

At Embrace Neurodiversity, we presume competence. This means that we start from the belief that everyone, regardless of disability or diagnosis, has the potential to think, learn, understand, and communicate.

We believe support should centre your dignity, autonomy, and right for choice and control. It should reduce stress, not add to it. It should be practical, clear, and tailored to each person and their life.

We seek to make everyday life easier, safer, and more meaningful, in ways that work for each person and the people who support them.

Frances McCafferty (they/them)

Director and Occupational Therapist

Frances is an Autistic/ADHD PDAer and occupational therapist. They draw on both their lived experience and professional insight to create a service that is by and for neurodivergent people.

Frances is passionate about building systems that honour autonomy, uphold communication rights, and nurture positive self-identity. They bring a strong clinical background in program design, mental health and disability rights advocacy, and a reputation for strategic, compassionate thinking. Known for their clear-eyed leadership, Frances is also a leadership mentor, university guest lecturer, podcast guest, conference speaker, and lived-experience researcher working to shift how neurodivergent people are supported across health and educational institutions.

When they're not working with clients or mentoring their team, you’ll find them gardening, reviewing research, or supporting their neurodivergent children to flourish in a world that is still learning to embrace them.

Meet our team

Matt McCafferty (he/him)

Speech Pathologist

Matt is an Autistic and ADHD speech pathologist and co-founder of Embrace Neurodiversity. With a background in business operations and a strong understanding of neurodivergent needs, Matt ensures the behind-the-scenes systems run as smoothly and flexibly as the support Embrace provides.

Matt is passionate about creating affirming, sustainable workplaces where lived experience is respected, and accessibility is designed in from the start. Through his lived and professional experience, he brings deep insight into the everyday realities facing neurodivergent families. His strengths lie in creating structure without rigidity, removing complex barriers with empathy, and building systems that support both staff and clients to progress towards their goals.

Outside of his clinical work, Matt enjoys gaming, computers, spending time with his family and caring for his beloved silkie chickens.

Ruby (she/her)

Practice Manager

Ruby supports the Embrace Neurodiversity team across operations, compliance, and policy, drawing on her background in law and current postgraduate study in occupational therapy. She is skilled in building systems that are clear, fair, and sustainable and that support clinicians in doing their best work.

As an Autistic and ADHD person, Ruby is attuned to understanding how processes can unintentionally create barriers. She believes that well-designed systems make life easier for everyone, regardless of their neurotype.

Ruby has a strong and focused interest in human rights and social justice causes. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys spending time with her husband and sausage dogs, who keep life grounded and joyful.

Beth (she/her)

Disability Support Worker

Beth is a disability support worker with a background in rural education and healthcare. Alongside her continuing study in education, she previously worked as a teacher’s assistant at a school for specific purposes and as a nursing assistant within an aged care facility. These experiences shape her calm, compassionate, and person-first approach to the support she provides.

Beth works alongside neurodivergent children, teens, and adults in home and community settings. She is known for building trust through her reliability, clear communication, and genuine respect for each person’s way of being. She brings a steady presence to every interaction. She helps clients feel safe, understood, and supported without pressure to mask or change who they are.

Outside of her role, Beth is passionate about gardening, baking, and exploring Newcastle and its surrounds.

Sophie (she/her)

Allied Health Assistant

Sophie is a final-year occupational therapy student and allied health assistant. 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.

Sophie is applying affirming, client-led approaches. She is especially skilled at building trust, supporting emotional regulation, and providing consistent, values-aligned care across a variety of settings.

Sophie is dedicated to becoming an occupational therapist who listens first and centres the needs and goals of the people she works with.

Outside of work, Sophie loves all things art and craft, and loves to draw and paint.

Emily (she/her)

Disability Support Worker

Emily is a disability support worker and a final-year occupational therapy student. She brings a warm, steady presence and a deep commitment to supporting her clients in ways that are respectful, practical, and strengths-based.

Emily is especially skilled at building trust, supporting emotional regulation, and providing consistent, values-aligned care across a variety of settings.

Outside of her role, Emily is a talented pianist and fitness enthusiast who loves running.

Maya (she/her)

Allied Health Assistant

Maya is a second-year occupational therapy student and allied health assistant. She brings her warm personality and a deep commitment to supporting Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent clients in ways that are respectful and strengths-based.

Maya is passionate about learning from lived experience and applying affirming, client-led approaches in her practice. She is especially skilled at building trust and providing consistent, values-aligned care across a variety of settings.

Outside of her professional role, she enjoys playing netball, baking and spending time outdoors.

Mark (he/him)

Disability Support Worker

Mark is an ADHD disability support worker at Embrace Neurodiversity with personal and professional experience in supporting neurodivergent people. Mark, also known as Mr Faith, is a seasoned primary school teacher with over 13 years of classroom experience. He brings his deep insight into the strengths and needs of neurodivergent individuals to the support he provides.

Mark is experienced in 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 working on his next handyman project, keeping active at the gym, or hanging out with his wife and three beloved dogs, Bella, Bernie, and Bosley.