ABI provides evidence based therapy for children with ASD and their families. We use a family centred approach to best meet the family’s needs and believe in working in collaboration with other professionals to provide the best learning environment for the child with special needs.
At ABI we believe in helping families face the challenges of Autism by providing you with the tools to help your child.
ABI received funding from the Department of Disability Ageing and Home Care (DADHC) in June 2006 to start a program for families who could not access services for the child with autism due to financial reasons. This program was launched in December 2006 under the name of Family Support services. To find out more about this program visit the Family Support Services page on our website. Families unable to access the Family Support Services program because they do not meet eligibility criteria now will soon be able to access our Private ABA services.
Our ABI team Consists of:
Sam Lo Ricco was the founding Chairman of ABI in 2004. As a parent of a child with autism that underwent an intensive ABA program, Sam founded ABI as a not for profit organization to raise awareness of ABA and to provide an ABA service to the wider autism community that was otherwise unable to afford an intensive ABA program.
Sam is Chartered Accountant of more than 15 years experience both in Australia and overseas. Sam has an Economics and a Law degree from Sydney University.
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Micaela Middleton is a Senior Behaviour Support Educator at ABI. She joined ABI in August 2006 and has been a frontrunner in pioneering the Family Support Services program now currently in its pilot stage.
Micaela holds an undergraduate degree in Education from University of NSW and a Master of Special Education from Macquarie University.
She began working with children with a range of disabilities in 1996 when she worked in early childhood settings for children aged 0-5 years. From there she developed a passion for working with children with autism and went on to work as an independent ABA therapist from 2000.
In 2003, Micaela joined the Early Autism Project in Sydney as a Supervisor. She was then promoted to Clinic Supervisor in 2004. In her years of working in the field of ABA, she has provided one-to-one ABA therapy, supervised intensive ABA programs, developed curriculum and conducted workshops and trainings for therapists, parents and professionals. In 2007 Micaela joined MULTILIT, an intensive literacy program for low-progress readers ranging from Grades 2-6. Her role as a Tutor allowed her to use explicit teaching methods and positive behaviour support to teach literacy skills to struggling readers.
Micaela’s work with ABI allows her to further develop her knowledge and interest in the areas of developing communication and play skills for children with ASD. Click here to contact us.
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Jill Hellemans is a Senior Behaviour Support Educator at ABI. She joined ABI in August 2006 and has been a leader in pioneering the Family Support Services program.
Jill has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at Macquarie University, a Postgraduate Degree in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Master of Special Education from Macquarie University.
Jill began working with children with autism in India in 1999 and from there became a trained ABA therapist in 2001. Her role expanded when she became a Supervisor at the Early Autism Project in 2004. Her role as a Supervisor entailed one-to-one therapy, managing teams, training therapists and parents and program development.
Another passion of Jill’s is her work and dedication to a NGO based in Bangalore, India for street, slum and orphaned children. Jill travels to India every year to offer her skills and expertise as a Special Educator training teachers in the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Her role as a Behaviour Support Educator at ABI has allowed her to fulfil her interests in working with families from a range of cultural backgrounds. Click here to contact us.
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Michelle Valero is a Senior Behaviour Support Educator with ABI. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney. She joined ABI in February 2007.
In 1996, Michelle’s involvement in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) began while studying Psychology at the University of Sydney. She became one of the first ABA therapists trained by a Centre for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) consultant in Sydney.
Michelle joined CARD, Sydney from 2001 to 2007. She provided ABA services such as program supervision and one-on-one behaviour therapy as well as therapist, parent and teacher training in ABA theories and techniques for clients in Sydney and the United Arab Emirates.
In 2007, Michelle joined the ABI team to assist in implementing the Family Support Services pilot program funded by the Department of Aging and Disability Home Care (DADHC). She is now also providing ABA services for adolescent and adults with ASD through ABI’s private services. Michelle maintains an active role in the autism and ABA community by presenting to parents and professionals. She continually updates her skills and knowledge by attending conferences, trainings, workshops and supervision.
Her current role as Behaviour Support Educator with ABI allows Michelle to cultivate her special interest in training parents and professionals, including children with ASD into mainstream education, as well as providing affordable, effective services for families with children with ASD. Click here to contact us.
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Amanda Milmlow is a Behaviour Support Educator at ABI. She joined ABI in
May 2008.
Amanda is due to complete her degree in Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
in October 2008. It is through studying Occupational Therapy that she developed
her passion for working with children with Autism.
In 2006 Amanda was trained as an ABA therapist through the Early Autism Project
(EAP) and for the past two years Amanda has been providing ABA therapy to a variety
of families.
In february 2008, Amanda took on the role of class room support for children with
special needs in an early education setting. Amanda’s new role as a Behaviour Support Educator for ABI will allow her to expand
her skills in working collaboratively with families and her enthusiasm for working
with children with disabilities.
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Funda Yolal is a Behaviour Support Educator at ABI. She joined ABI in May 2008.
Funda has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology at the University of New South Wales, and is currently studying a Master of Health Science (Behavioural Science) at Sydney University. Upon completion of her degree she will have provisional 
registration with the NSW Psychologists’ Registration Board.
Funda’s passion for working with children with Autism began when she was trained as an ABA therapist in 2005 by the Early Autism Project (EAP). Since then, Funda has provided one-to-one behaviour therapy to a variety of families with programs provided by EAP, Annie’s Centre, Lizard, and C.A.R.D. She has also had experience working with families who have incorporated Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s DIR (Floortime) model. Funda has great interest in cultural awareness and has published two articles in the Turkish newspaper about Autism and ABA therapy.
Funda’s new role as a Behaviour Support Educator with ABI allows her to provide Autism awareness and support for families and children with ASD from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
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