Interview with Tharon, our neurodivergent consultant

April 3, 2025

At helpz, we believe that engaging with individuals who have lived experiences of disability is essential for creating inclusive and effective support services. We are proud to introduce Tharon, our new Neurodivergent Consultant, who brings invaluable insights and knowledge to our team.


Tharon will be contributing to our monthly newsletter, sharing his perspectives on various topics, as well as developing his own course on understanding autism. With his wealth of knowledge and personal experience, Tharon plays a pivotal role in guiding our efforts to be more neuroaffirming. Join us as we delve into an insightful interview with Tharon, exploring his vision for enhancing the lives of neurodivergent people.


Q: Hi Tharon, thank you for joining me today. We are excited to introduce you to our network and would love for them to get to know you. Let’s talk about you! Where are you from and what are your interests?


I live in the “silver city” (Broken Hill) – I love Broken Hill, even when I am not living here my heart is always there.


Broken Hill has a few claims to fame, one is that it was home to the artist Kevin Charles “Pro” Hart. When I left Broken Hill briefly as a child, “Pro” Hart gave each of my family members a New Testament bible with a hand-painted picture on the back of it. I still have mine, it is a cherished possession.


I am a late-diagnosed autistic at 25 years old, now 40 years old. I am single (and looking).


I am an avid reader – The Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan, is my absolute favourite. I will read anything and everything – I once read the dictionary backwards for fun - I am kidding, I did it more than once.


I have aspirations in breeding birds. I absolutely love birds and flying things – ask me about the Battle of Midway!


I also love Doctor Who, Star Wars (before Disney got involved), sci-f i in general, and games like chess, Monopoly, Dungeons and Dragons, and other TTRPGs, Ace Combat, Kingdom Hearts, Sid Meier's Civilisations, and War of Thunder, just to name a few.


Q: What brought you to this position and what are your goals?


I was running out of NDIS funding and completing assessments when I met Danny Burgess as a behaviour support practitioner.


Before I had the help of therapists, I had already researched everything. Danny asked me, “ What can we do for you?” I told him that I had already done all the research and was doing all the things already. From there, after he heard my knowledge and advocacy skills, Danny offered me a job.


Danny employed me to create a training program to help others understand Autism from the inside perspective, which is a work in progress, and we hope to have the first component available in the next month or so. I want to start developing peer support groups for people with ASD to help them understand themselves and help people avoid the mistakes I made.


Q: What does being neuroaffirming mean to you, and why is it important for disability organisations?


Neuroaffirming to me means treating me like everyone else, but having consideration that I am not like everyone else. We are often treated with casual cruelty – comments like “suck it up” or “everyone does that.” So many of us mask our autism because we feel that we cannot be ourselves around others.


We are not masking for us; it is painful and stressful for us; we are masking for you so that you are comfortable around us. Being neuroaffirming is about acceptance and letting people be who they are, without treating us differently or lesser.


We are not broken; we are different. Living in a world that you are not built for is traumatic. Neuroaffirming is about being kind and understanding. We know that some things we do are not acceptable, but we need to know why and how to do it differently, and sometimes we need this explained to us 10-15 times before we get it, and sometimes we will never get it.


Q: What are some common misconceptions about neurodivergence that you encounter, and how do you address them?

“We are not empathetic” – This is not true. We have empathy; we often do not know how to communicate that we care and are worried for you. We also often do not have control over our facial expressions and tone of voice. People misconstrue this as having no empathy, but it’s simply false.


“We are giving you a hard time” – Nope! We are just having a hard time. We might not know or understand the situation and need your help to understand it. If we are annoying you, say something. It does not need to be in the moment; it can be later on. We often do not realise we do something that makes you upset. Try to look at things f rom our perspective. Parents will bond so much better if they can draw themselves into their child’s world


“Autistics are all super smart” – We have the same spectrum of intelligence as neurotypical people.


Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your vision for enhancing neuroaffirmation at helpz?


Neuroaffirmation is not a term I would use, but it is about being kind to one another, accepting each other for who they are, and understanding the ‘why’ of actions.


I don’t really care about the term 'neuro-affirming', it doesn’t really cross my mind, what I do care about is helping people understand each other so people can treat each other with kindness and consideration - just treat us like everyone else without forcing us to do something we aren’t ready for, or can’t do.


If I could sum it up in one phrase it would be - be the person we feel safe enough to unmask in f ront of. My goal is to help autistics understand themselves better, and for neurotypicals to understand autistics better.






News & Insights

Check Our Latest Resources

Your Referral Journey at helpz

August 23, 2026
At helpz, we understand that navigating referrals can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our intake team is committed to making the process as smooth, transparent and efficient as possible while ensuring each client is connected with the right supports at the right time. This roadmap outlines what you can expect from referral through to service commencement.

Disability Awareness Hub: Understanding Brain Injury

August 23, 2026
When we hear the term brain injury , it's easy to think of the physical impacts first. However, for many people living with a brain injury, the challenges are often far less visible. Changes to memory, emotions, fatigue, communication, concentration, and everyday routines can affect a person's life long after the initial injury has occurred. Brain Injury Awareness Month is an important opportunity to increase understanding, challenge misconceptions, and recognise the resilience of the many Australians living with a brain injury every day. What Is a Brain Injury? A brain injury occurs when damage to the brain affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves, or functions in daily life. Some injuries are caused by external events such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, sporting injuries, or assaults. Others may result from medical conditions such as stroke, infection, lack of oxygen, brain tumours, or substance-related injuries. No two brain injuries are the same. The effects depend on the area of the brain affected, the severity of the injury, the person's supports, and their individual strengths and circumstances. For some people, the impacts may be relatively mild and short-lived. For others, they can be lifelong and require ongoing support. The Invisible Challenges One of the most misunderstood aspects of brain injury is that many impacts cannot be seen. A person may walk, talk, and appear physically well, yet experience significant difficulties with: Memory and recall Planning and organisation Attention and concentration Managing emotions Processing information Problem-solving Managing fatigue Social communication These challenges can affect a person's confidence, relationships, employment, education, and participation in the community. Because the impacts are often invisible, people living with brain injury can sometimes face unrealistic expectations or misunderstandings from those around them. What Does Recovery Look Like? Recovery from a brain injury is rarely a straight line. For many people, recovery is less about returning to exactly how life was before and more about learning new ways to achieve meaningful goals. Progress may happen over months or years, and every person's journey is unique. Recovery can include: Relearning daily skills Developing new strategies to manage challenges Building confidence in social situations Returning to study, work, or volunteering Increasing independence at home and in the community Strengthening relationships and support networks Importantly, recovery is not defined solely by clinical outcomes. It is also about quality of life, choice, participation, and finding ways to live a fulfilling life. A person who independently catches public transport, reconnects with friends, manages their weekly routine, or advocates for their own needs may be achieving incredible milestones that deserve recognition. The Importance of Support The right support can make a significant difference in helping a person navigate life after a brain injury. Support may come from many different sources, including: Family members and carers Support workers Occupational therapists Speech pathologists Psychologists Physiotherapists Behaviour support practitioners Support coordinators Peer support groups and community networks Effective support focuses on a person's strengths, goals, interests, and aspirations rather than solely on their challenges. Common Strategies That Can Help While every individual is different, a range of practical strategies are commonly used to support people living with brain injury. External memory supports Phone reminders Visual schedules Diaries and calendars Checklists and task planners Structured routines Maintaining consistent daily schedules Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps Planning activities ahead of time Fatigue management Building rest breaks into the day Prioritising important tasks Using energy conservation strategies Communication supports Providing information clearly and simply Allowing extra processing time Using visual supports where appropriate Emotional regulation strategies Mindfulness and relaxation techniques Identifying triggers and early warning signs Developing personalised coping strategies These approaches are often most effective when tailored to the individual's needs, preferences, and goals. Looking Beyond the Diagnosis People living with brain injury are often navigating challenges that others cannot see. Yet they are also raising families, building relationships, pursuing careers, volunteering, participating in their communities, and achieving personal goals every day. Brain Injury Awareness Month reminds us that disability is only one part of a person's story. By increasing awareness, promoting understanding, and focusing on strengths, we can help create communities where people living with brain injury feel valued, included, and supported to live the lives they choose. Because behind every diagnosis is a person with their own experiences, abilities, aspirations, and potential. Sometimes the most powerful support we can offer begins with understanding.

Assistive Technology That Improves Everyday Life

August 23, 2026
When people hear the term assistive technology , they often imagine expensive equipment, complex devices, or the latest high-tech innovations. While those types of supports certainly exist, assistive technology is often much simpler than people realise. Sometimes it's a phone reminder that helps someone remember an appointment. Sometimes it's a visual timer that makes daily routines feel more manageable. Sometimes it's a communication app that gives a person a way to express themselves more confidently. Often, it's the small things that end up making the biggest difference. At its heart, assistive technology is about helping people do more of the things that matter to them. It can support independence, increase confidence, reduce frustration, and create opportunities that may not have been possible before. For many people living with disability, everyday tasks can require significantly more mental energy and planning than others realise. Remembering appointments, managing medications, organising a shopping trip, finding the right words in a conversation, or navigating unfamiliar places can all present challenges. The right piece of technology can ease some of that load and make daily life feel a little more achievable. What's particularly exciting is that many of the tools people use every day can also become powerful supports. Smartphones have become portable organisers, communication devices, navigation systems, and memory aids all in one. A simple calendar alert can increase independence. A checklist app can help someone complete a complex task step by step. GPS navigation can provide the confidence needed to travel to new places. These supports may seem ordinary to some, but for the person using them, they can be transformational. Assistive technology can also open doors to greater connection. Communication is central to our relationships, our choices, and our ability to participate in the world around us. For people who experience communication difficulties, technology can provide alternative ways to express thoughts, preferences, needs, and ideas. Whether it's a communication app, a speech-generating device, or voice-to-text software, these tools can help ensure a person's voice is heard. Technology is increasingly helping people create environments that work better for them too. Smart home devices, voice-controlled assistants, automated lighting, and digital reminders can provide greater control over everyday routines. Something as simple as being able to turn lights on with a voice command or receive a reminder to take medication can promote both independence and confidence. For others, the most valuable supports are those that help manage stress, sensory needs, or emotional wellbeing. Noise-cancelling headphones, sensory tools, visual schedules, and mindfulness apps can help people feel more comfortable and prepared to participate in daily activities. These supports aren't about changing who a person is. They're about creating environments where people can feel safe, regulated, and able to engage in the things they enjoy. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that assistive technology isn't really about technology at all. It's about people. The success of any support is measured by what it allows someone to do. It might mean attending a community event independently, maintaining a job, reconnecting with friends, managing a household routine, or simply feeling more confident in daily life. The device itself is only a tool. The real outcome is the increased choice, participation, and freedom that comes with it. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the opportunities for people living with disability. Yet some of the most meaningful changes don't come from the most advanced innovations. They come from finding the right support, at the right time, that helps a person take one more step towards the life they want to live.  Sometimes, a little bit of technology can create a whole lot of possibility.