Sarah MacDermott
(Chair)

Sarah qualified as a Speech Language Pathologist at W.A.I.T. (now Curtin University) and then worked in a range of roles within Disability Services Commission. She then lived and worked in Los Angeles California and completed an MA in Education. Over the course of her career Sarah has worked in a variety of roles in home, clinic, centre based and school settings and increasingly specialised in working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Sarah is Hanan Certified, is an SAS (Secret Agent Society) social skills program facilitator, and a Certified Special Needs Quality Life Coach.

Sarah is also the proud mother of twin daughters who are now young adults and who are both on the Autism Spectrum (this was included with their permission).

Sarah has been a long-time WAADF Board member and was the founding Chairperson of WAADF when it became incorporated in 2004.

Karen Lee Seymour
(Co-Vice Chair)

Karen is an accomplished psychologist with over 35 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families across educational, private practice, and mental health settings. Her career is characterised by a deep commitment to supporting refugee, humanitarian, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) students, as well as a strong focus on neurodiverse individuals.

Her expertise has been recognised with several awards, including the Inaugural Research Psychologist of the Year in 2013 and the School Psychologist of the Year in 2018. She has played a pivotal role in providing specialist consultation and support to the School Psychology Service (SPS) on CaLD matters and continues to make significant contributions to their professional development and annual conferences.

Karen has authored and published two influential chapters on evaluating CaLD and refugee students who are acquiring a second language. She is actively contributing to global research in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology through instruments she has devised, including her most recent Adaptive Behaviours Functioning (ABF). Her work illuminates the complexities of assessment processes and the path to becoming a culturally competent school psychologist. Karen presented her research at the 121st American Psychological Association Conference in Hawaii in 2014.

Her dedication to supporting neurodiverse students led her to become an endorsed autism assessor and a member of the WA Autism Diagnosticians’ Forum. As a board member of the WAADF, Karen is committed to sharing her extensive knowledge and expertise, particularly in the CaLD domain, to further the mission of enhancing support and understanding within the field.

Brodie Cooper
(Co-Vice Chair)

With a profound commitment to advancing the understanding and support of neurodiversity, Brodie Cooper brings over a decade of experience in psychological practice and in the fourth year of their private practice dedicated to working with Autistic and ADHD adults to the WA Autistic Diagnostic Forum. Holding a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) from Murdoch University, Brodie integrates their knowledge and training from working with acute mental health, trauma-informed practice, and vocational areas to provide psychological support for newly diagnosed Autistic and ADHD adults.

In their practice, Brodie upholds the principles of neurodiversity-affirming practices, recognising the intrinsic value of different ways of thinking, learning, and being. They are deeply invested in promoting environments where Autistic and ADHD individuals can thrive, emphasising respect, dignity, and the celebration of individual differences.

As a board member of WAADF, Brodie is committed to driving initiatives that enhance the well-being and capabilities of neurodiverse individuals, aligning with their belief in supporting meaningful participation and self-determination. Their approach is informed by ethical mandates that prioritise person-centred care and the amplification of autistic voices in shaping the services and support they receive.

Brodie advocates continuous learning and collaboration, drawing upon the latest research and engaging with the neurodiverse community to ensure that their contributions to the forum are impactful, relevant, and grounded in respect for each person’s unique experiences and aspirations.

Julie May
(Treasurer)

Coming Soon

Emina Cholich
(Secretary)

Emina Cholich is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working with neurodivergent people and their families. She has worked across various community and hospital settings with children and adults, and currently works in the private system. Her interventions are person-centred, collaborative, incorporate family and consider functional capacity across all systems the individual engages with.

She has a particular interest in Autism diagnostic assessment. She is committed to providing an evidence-based, neurodiverse-affirming, and collaborative assessment process which focuses on the individual learning more about themselves, and integrating their diagnosis as a unique and positive aspect of their identity. As well as learning to manage the challenges that come along with it.

She has completed research in the area of Autism Diagnostic assessment gold standard processes, and received a National Prize from the APS for her research and clinical work throughout her Clinical Psychology Training at University.

Emina has travelled abroad and done outreach work in Indonesia and Lithuania. In Lithuania part of her role was to work with the education department and provide training to their teaching staff in practical ways to support autistic and other neurodivergent children to safely and successfully engage in mainstream classrooms.

Jacinta Law
(Membership Officer)

Coming Soon

Scott Sadler
(Web Manager)

Scott has worked on the WAADF website since late 2012 and currently works at Spectrum Space (formerly Autism West) since July 2013, managing all IT related matters such as the website, social media, newsletters and membership. He also assists with event management and administration duties.

Scott grew up with autism and previously worked almost 10 years in a library. He has studied his Certificate 3 and 4 in IT, and enjoys snooker, reading, movies and supports the West Coast Eagles.

In 2017 Scott was a semi-finalist for the Western Australian Young Achiever Awards in the Community Service and Volunteering Award category.

After 10 long years with WAADF, Scott is stepping down from his role, though he is continuing to support WAADF until a replacement can be found.

Diane Kounis
(Ordinary Member)

Diane has been involved in education over 30 plus years in early childhood, primary and high school contexts and joined WAADF in 2019.

She holds degrees from W.A.I.T (Curtin) and ECU.

As a Consultant her role is to support schools in managing inclusion and assuring the adjustments for students with disabilities are made so that curriculum access is equitable.

Working with students with disabilities and their families has allowed her to experience and advise on pathways for families to consider in their child’s education and transition into adult life.

Robyn Weinstein
(Ordinary Member)

Robyn Weinstein qualified as a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and in addition has a Diploma in Remedial Education.

Robyn has worked for over 30 years in the areas of the diagnosis and management of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Social Skill Difficulties, Speech (including Dyspraxia), Language & Literacy Development & Difficulties, Auditory Processing Disorders, Neuro-rehabilitation (including Traumatic Brain Injuries), and Rehabilitation of children with Hearing Losses.

Ongoing education and attendance of various conferences, lectures, workshops and courses on current research and treatment methods is a priority for Robyn.

Robyn is committed and passionate about working as part of a team, with families and most importantly the individual.

Trish Kennedy
(Ordinary Member)

Coming Soon

Natara Brown
(Ordinary Member)

Coming Soon

Miriam Kirby
(Ordinary Member)

Coming Soon