Psychology of Intellectual Disability & Autism

Committee Information

Below are details of the current committee and vacancies. The APS is always on the look out for members who are interested in joining a Member Group committee, to help support and promote members, the profession, and the APS. For more information about joining a Member Groups committee, click here.

Have questions? Please feel free to contact committee members via PsyCommunity direct message here or reach out to APS Member Groups via [email protected].

 

Convener

Ms Renee Dela Cruz
Renee is an experienced psychologist with a passion for improving the quality of life of individuals with a disability. She has spent the last 20+ years working with neurodivergent infants, children, adolescence & adults delivering evidence-based behavioural, relationship and developmental therapy approaches that focus on improving quality of life. Renee is a neurodivergent affirming psychologist who aims to assist families to understand behaviour and build relationships that are pivotal in guiding individuals to reach their full potential.

Renee has extensive experience working as a senior and principal practitioner within the public, not-for-profit & private sectors. She also has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the NDIS space.

Renee is a passionate advocate who believes that all individuals have the right to access high quality support. She brings her knowledge and strong leadership skills to her role as Convener to support other psychologists in the disability space.

Secretary

Dr Sarah Milsome
Sarah Milsome is a clinical psychologist and is particularly interested in the mental health of people with intellectual disability. Sarah completed her doctoral thesis on depressive disorders in adolescents with intellectual disability. She has also worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities on other research projects, in community-based settings, and public health settings.

Treasurer

Mrs Deanna Gough
Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor, who predominately works in the disabilities space supporting individuals and their families with neurodiversity and disabilities across the lifespan.
I have two private practices in Brisbane located at Ashgrove and Mitchelton, where we provide training and support for students wishing to enhance their skills in the disabilities sector.

Committee Member

Ms Lyndel Kennedy
Lyndel Kennedy is a PhD candidate at La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, psychology tutor, editor and parent of neurodiverse young adults. Her PhD on"Factors contributing to higher education success for neurodiverse students" aims to discover the differences between neurodiverse students who succeed in higher education and those who do not, using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Her goal is to improve higher education experiences and completion rates for this important and growing student population. She has been actively involved at Aspergers Victoria since 2008 and currently coordinates their Events and Young Adults Group. In 2020 she co-founded the CANDID peer support group at LaTrobe Uni for neurodiverse and/or students with disability. Her book, 'The Hidden Diffability: Discovering Aspergers' (2012) examined Australian lived experiences via 15 case studies. She is a member of the Institute of Professional Editors, ASfAR, INSAR and APS-PIDA.

Committee Member

Mr Nicholas Hurford
Nicholas is Co-Director of The Psychology & Consultancy Group, Dubbo NSW. Clientload includes NDIS Participants, Workers Compensation and private clients. Nicholas has a particular interest in psychometric testing and assessment, and providing evidence-based interventions for a broad range of clients across the lifespan.

Committee Member

Mrs Anita Gardner
I am a Research Psychologist at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead (Sydney, Australia) and member of the Westmead Feelings Program Team (emotion-based learning for autistic children). Since 2000 I have specialised in Autism, working across the lifespan, but with a particular interest in adolescence. I am passionate about providing caring, professional and evidence-based programs that improve short and long-term outcomes, including quality of life. My clinical background provides a strong foundation to my current research into understanding and improving emotions competence in autistic young people. Guided by inclusive research practices, and the importance of the lived experience, I am the lead researcher in a current study being conducted in partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia. Over the years, I have conducted workshops to parents, teachers and allied health professionals. I have also presented at national & international conferences.

Committee Member

Ms Sarah Pitts
I am a Registered Psychologist with a previous background working in state government disability and health systems. I have worked extensively with the forensic disability cohort and neurodiverse individuals working across research, practice development/leadership, and clinical roles. I am currently working within the private sector with a focus on neurodiverse children and youth.

Committee Member

Mr Samuel Arnold
I am a Research Fellow based at the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN), University of New South Wales. Please see my full bio here https://3dn.unsw.edu.au/people/dr-samuel-arnold-0

Committee Member

Position vacant

Student Representative

Position vacant