CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES
We value teaching skills necessary for forming positive relationships, living independently and enjoying a quality live. Whilst passionately advocating for and celebrating individual differences.
OUR TEAM
Emma Davidson
Managing Director
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Emma has been the Managing Director of Freedom Social Skills since it began in 2019. Since then she has helped expand the business from two social skills classes at a sporting facility to over 11 social skills classes, with the addition of a brand new clinic space. Emma is a Psychology Graduate from the University of Wollongong and has a Masters in Education (Applied Behaviour Analysis) from Monash University. Emma has over 8 years experience providing Behavioural Intervention to children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum and those with various other special learning needs progressing from a junior support worker role to a Program Supervisor. Emma has worked with both children and teenagers, from a variety of backgrounds.
Emma's mission at Freedom Social Skills is to ensure that children with special needs are nurtured in a supportive and inclusive community and given equal opportunities to thrive.
Hitarthi Shah
Program Designer
Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst
Hitarthi has a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from her home country of India. She then studied through Florida Institute of Technology to become a Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst. Hitarthi is a BCaBA and has over five years of experience in the field of ABA. Hitarthi’s ABA journey started more than five years ago, when she started ABA therapy for her own daughter. She saw amazing results with her daughter and wanted to know more about the theory and structure behind Applied Behaviour Analysis. Ignited by a passion for more knowledge, Hitarthi began working with other children on the Autism spectrum in different settings, including preschools and the home environment.
Hitarthi is enthusiastic about using ABA techniques to assist
children with skill acquisition and to overcome the barriers to their learning. She believes in empowering parents by practical training and giving the parents the tools, they need to help their own children, in order to reach their highest potential.
Kristen O'Donnell
Class Supervisor and Behaviour Therapist
Krissy has worked with children of all ages for six years, both within Australia and internationally and for the past two years as a Behavioural Therapist for Freedom Social Skills.
Krissy's enthusiasm, motivation, skill set and ability to build easy rapport with our children and families has led to her taking on the responsibility for supervising most of our weekly social skills classes.
Krissy is undertaking an education degree, with a desire for continued training in the ABA field.
"I love working at Freedom Social Skills because no two days are the same. I love to see the continued growth in each student and the staff are very welcoming and fun."
Julie Davidson
Office Manager
Julie has been working with Freedom Social Skills since September 2020. She has worked in a variety of industries within Administration, Office Management and Sales.
Nicole Carvalho
Administrative Assistant
Nicole is working with Freedom Social Skills as an Administrative Assistant. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Wollongong. Previously she’s worked as an assistant manager at Subway. Nicole is passionate about providing children with the necessary skills they need to navigate through life. She believes that they deserve the opportunity to have a better future. Nicole loves and enjoys working at Freedom Social Skills because it motivates her to continue to pursue her dream of becoming a primary school teacher. Nicole also enjoys helping those around her and feels like she can achieve that while she is working at Freedom Social Skills. Nicole takes pride in being a productive and organised person and puts these skills to good use in her role. Nicole’s hobbies include gaming, design, baking and anything to do with good food! She also enjoys listening to music and singing along, as well as making the people around her laugh or smile.
Jacob Hopkins
Class Leader and Behaviour Therapist
Jacob has completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at the University of Wollongong and is currently studying a Masters in Speech and Language Pathology. He has years of experience in providing support for individuals on the autism spectrum as well as aged care. His goal is to help improve the quality of life for individuals at a disadvantage (mental health, disability support, aged care) by using his knowledge and experience of mental health support.
Aryan Sehgal
Class Leader and Behaviour Therapist
Aryan is currently studying Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Western Sydney University.
"I love this job as I am motivated with working with kids and enjoy every step when working with them. One fun fact about my personality is that I don't read much and when I do it it is only because I have to or because I really, really want to."
Shiven Bansal
Online Class Facilitator
Shiven is a full time University student studying a Bachelor of Information Systems. Shiven has volunteering experience and his technological and video game experience allows him to facilitate our online social skills classes.
"Working with children is something I enjoy, whether it be volunteering at school camps or through tutoring. Being able to take it a step further by supporting them as they develop their social skills through online activities and games that I’ve grown up with, is also very fulfilling."
"I love everything when it comes to the world of art and technology! Often, I mix both interests and find myself working on digital art pieces for personal projects. Currently I have the wonderful opportunity to exercise this hobby as an executive member at my university’s Save the Children Action Group, when it comes to fulfilling all our marketing and design needs!"
Ashley Crofton
Therapy Assistant and Class Facilitator
Ashley is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She has spent three years working as a medical receptionist part time. She holds a volunteer position assisting the Sutherland Titan Soccer Club to help children and teens with disabilities participate in team sports. Ashley is passionate about supporting and helping children to achieve their goals in a fun and encouraging environment. In her down time Ashely loves to play soccer and swim. She enjoys being a Youth Leader and also loves to spend time with her friends.
Dianne Scott
Early Childhood Educator
Dianne has been working in children’s services for over 25 years, predominantly as an early childhood educator, writing and implementing programs for children of 0-5yrs. Dianne has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a passion for helping children with ASD achieve their full potential!
"I love Freedom Social Skills as it links directly to my passion and motivates me to further develop my experience in child education. I also love my family time, plants and gardening."
Dorothy Chan
Therapy Assistant and Class Facilitator
Dorothy is now studying her Bachelor Degree of Occupational Therapy, and is currently on her medical placement. She previously worked in a medical clinic as a medical assistant for 1 year in Hong Kong. She is now a social skills class instructor and therapy assistant at Freedom Social Skills.
Dorothy aims to break language barriers between clients and herself. Therefore, she has been learning different languages. She can currently speak four languages which includes Cantonese, Chinese, English and Korean. She is also currently learning Spanish and medical Spanish at the same time.
Daniella Sleiman
Support Worker
Daniella has achieved a Cert III in Fitness Training and also a Bachelors in International Studies with a Major in Sustainable Development. Daniella is currently studying a Masters in Counselling.
"I love people and dogs. My happy place is when I'm in nature, or with friends, hiking, rock climbing, at the gym or just having a good laugh!"
Melissa Davidson
Support Worker and Behaviour Therapist
Melissa is currently studying a Bachelor of Primary Education and for the last three years she has been working as a swimming teacher. She has also been working at Freedom Social Skills for the last 6 months.
"My favourite things to be doing are reading books and playing with my puppies!"
Hayley Thompson
Behaviour Therapist and Support Worker
Hayley's background and professional experience includes attaining her year in a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at ACU. Hayley has experience working with young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and experience with play therapy and ABA therapy. Hayley has a strong passion for helping young children reach their potential and achieve in all aspects of life. Hayley's biggest motivator is her late cousin who received many supports during his short life. In her spare time Hayley enjoys keeping active by going to the gym and running. Hayley also loves animals of all kinds.
Sheetal Mangipudi
Support Worker
Sheetal has worked with a variety of age groups and has developed a great communicative foundation with any persons due to her experience as Clinic Assistant with an Occupational Therapist. She is currently studying a Bachelors of Medical Science at UTS and is passionate about paediatrics and working with children.
"Outside of work, you’ll find me at the cinemas, spending time with friends or walking my dog or rather my dog walking me."
Jessica Pope
Class Facilitator
Jess is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Jess has worked as an educator in Before and After school care for the past two years. Her experience also includes working in school and clinic settings to support and provide intervention to children with a variety of disabilities.
"I am passionate about working with children and supporting the growth and development of each child. I love everything to do with art and spending time at the beach!"
Thomas Alston
Support Worker and Class Facilitator
Tom is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Macquarie University. Tom is passionate about working with children in order for them to grow more independent and achieve their potential.
“I love all sorts of sports and activities, and I’ve played soccer my entire life! I also really enjoy skiing and spending time with my dogs.”
Jamie Vangarden
Support Worker and Class Facilitator
Jamie is currently studying a Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (GDPA) at Monash University. Prior to this he completed a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (GDP) with a Distinction Average at UNSW. He also has several different certificates and degrees that he completed prior to or alongside his GDP and GPDA including, Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and Criminology), Certificate III in Business, as well several certificates, a Diploma, and an Advanced Diploma in Music.
Professionally, he has been working at a Psychological Clinic for almost 2 years where he has become very familiar with psychological practices, business, and therapeutic practices. Prior to this he participated in a psychological research project where the team he was a part of developed artificial intelligence for Apple Inc.
"I am working in this field, firstly because I enjoy helping people – this being one of the motivational factors that led me into psychology - but secondly so that I can broaden my experience to become as well rounded as a I possibly can as a psychological practitioner."
"I am deeply interested in culture, history, and human behaviour. I also enjoy producing music and cooking when I have the opportunity."
Deborah Jalloh
Behaviour Therapist and Class Facilitator
Deborah is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology at the Australian Catholic University. She is planning on completing her Masters as well as becoming a Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst.
She has previously volunteered at Reading for Life which assists children from low socio-economic status with literacy and numeracy skills.
“I have a passion for working with kids and find each session extremely rewarding. I love working at Freedom Social Skills because it honestly feels like such a safe space.”
Hamzah Alameddin
Behaviour Therapist and Class Facilitator
Hamzah is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Cognitive and Brain Sciences at Macquarie University. He aspires to further pursue his studies into masters and register as a practicing Clinical Psychologist in the future.
Hamzah has worked as a one-to-one and class tutor for three years, both under employment and in private practice. His experience has ranged from working with primary school students as young as six, to high school students as old as sixteen. Hamzah has tutored primarily in Mathematics and English, as well as secondary level Science. He has been working as a Behavioural Therapist and Social Skills Teacher for one year under Freedom Social Skills with several clients.
"For the past three years, I have developed a passion to mentor and aid students in their educational development as a tutor. My one-to-one experience has granted me the satisfaction of appreciating the true reward in seeing how my own work can make a difference within a client’s personal performance and wellbeing. I have chosen to extend my passion into the field of ABA as a Behavioural Therapist, where I aim to expand my ability to make a difference within the lives of children, parents, and families."
"I enjoy socialising with people and getting to know their interests, ambitions, and backgrounds. I am also interested in culture, history, neuroscience, and human behaviour."