Kate Smith (Chair)

Kate Smith is a clinical psychologist who has been working with people with disabilities and autism since 1983. She was senior psychologist and subsequently manager of state autism services (then Mildred Creak Centre) from about 1994 to 2005, and helped establish WAADF. She believes in bringing together families and all others committed to helping in this area.

Ritu Campbell (Vice Chair)

Ritu Campbell is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, with a wide range of clinical experience and a specific interest in ASD. She has previously worked as a Senior Psychologist with Disability Services Commission. Ritu is a recognized specialist ASD assessor. She has been a long term member of WAADF, was the group’s initial Meeting Coordinator, and has been a board member and Vice Chair since its incorporation.

Jane Klinken (Treasurer)

Jane Klinken is a Psychologist currently working with Disability Services Commission. Jane has extensive experiences working with individuals with a wide range of developmental disabilities, across all age groups. She has also worked in school based settings as an Educational Psychologist. Jane is recognized as a specialist autism assessor and has been a long time member of WAADF. She is currently in her second year as a board member.

Wendy Marshall (Secretary)

Wendy Marshall is a Western Australian trained Speech Pathologist currently working in private practice.  She has been a senior member of multidisciplinary assessment and intervention teams in rural and metropolitan communities for both the Department of Health and Disability Services Commission.  She has a special interest in working with people with autism spectrum disorders, especially in the area of communication and social interaction.  As an experienced autism assessor, she is currently studying for her Master of Health Professional Education at UWA to help progress training for other health professionals in the area of autism spectrum disorders.

Bernadette Benson (Web Manager)

Bernadette Benson is a Registered Psychologist in her home province of Alberta, Canada and her adopted home, Western Australia. She received her M.Sc. in School and Community Psychology from the University of Calgary in 1998 and is currently a PhD candidate at UWA. Before moving to Australia in 2008, Bernadette worked in private practice, consulted to schools, and was actively involved in several pediatric research studies. In addition, she was the psychologist on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Clinic before moving to the Developmental Clinic at Alberta Children’s Hospital. Bernadette received specialist training in autism assessment at both the University of Toronto Autism Research Unit and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York).

Teresa Davidson (Ordinary Member)

Teresa Davidson is a Speech Pathologist who currently works in private practice. Her practice specialises in autism diagnostics and she has recently completed further training in this field through the Institute of Child Health in London. She has a background in rural health and continues to be a strong advocate for families living in rural areas to improve their access to quality diagnostics and intervention through both the public and private sectors. Teresa is an active member of Speech Pathology Australia and is currently a representative on the WA Branch Executive Committee.

Sarah MacDermott (Ordinary Member)

Sarah MacDermott has a B.App.Sc in Speech and Hearing Science and an MA in Education. She has always worked in the disabilities field, initially as a Speech Pathologist in Western Australia and then in early intervention programs in Los Angeles, as a home based provider, a classroom teacher and then the Education Director of a specialist ASD early intervention school. Sarah currently works at the WA Autism Register and is involved in a range of ASD related projects. Sarah was WAADF’s Chairperson from the group’s incorporation in May 2004 until September 2010.

Suzanne Midford (Ordinary Member)

Suzanne Midford is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. She has extensive experience working with a wide range of clinical populations across the paediatric, adolescent and adult age groups. Suzanne is a recognized specialist ASD assessor. She has been a long term member of WAADF and a board member and Treasurer since the group’s incorporation.

Jaimee Smith (Ordinary Member)

Jaimee Smith is a Psychologist with ISADD who specializes in ASD early intervention, cognitive assessment and autism diagnosis. She also works in counseling and ABA program management. She is based in Perth, WA, but also travels periodically to work with clients who live inter-state and overseas. Jaimee has been a WAADF member for the past three years and has recently joined the Board.

Robyn Weinstein (Ordinary Member)

Robyn Weinstein is a Speech Pathologist with a wide range of experience working in both her native South Africa and in Western Australia. She has a particular interest in ASD and is a recognized ASD specialist assessor. Robyn has been a long time member of WAADF and is currently in her second term as a board member.

Andrew Whitehouse (Ordinary Member)

Profile to come.

John Wray (Ordinary Member)

John Wray is a Developmental Paediatrician. He is currently Head of Department, Community and Developmental Paediatrics, at State Child Development Centre and Princess Margaret Hospital in Western Australia. John has been a past chairperson of WAADF and is a participant in a wide range of professional, public and community groups and committees. He is also a reviewer for several peer-reviewed Australian and international publications and a senior lecturer in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia.