Meet the Team

Ordinary parents trying to achieve extraordinary things for our children…

At Lived Experience, we want to help foster your child’s development, just like we work tirelessly with our own boy to enable him to explore the world around him, in the way that works best for him.

And while it’s definitely true, the saying that, ‘If you’ve met one child on the Spectrum, you’ve met one child on the Spectrum,’ it is also true that there are many common themes and behaviours that effect our children’s lives.

Fascination with spinning objects when young, non-verbal or difficulty communicating with words when older, a preference for playing with adults, and of course, their own unique interests which they adopt with an attention to detail that we find astounding.

And while many more children seem to be getting a diagnosis of ASD, there are a wide range of other diagnosis that come with a similarly vast range of symptoms and associated support needs.

My sister’s diagnosis of Pierre Robin Syndrome (the closest the doctors could get) makes her incredibly unique and precious, yet without the interaction of her family, her accomodation providers and other support workers can sometimes struggle to navigate her needs and triggers.

As you can imagine, this has been an ongoing source of stress for her mother who has engaged a behavioural support specialist to assist with her transition and ongoing management in the home.

The high level of turnover of staff in disability services has had a hugely negative impact on her life, as forming a special friendship with a few key support workers has been key to her happiness and cooperation in nearly all areas of her life.

With her communication barriers and topical obsessions, getting to know and understand her in order to build that relationship is a vital part of providing my sister with appropriate care.

Thankfully, she has an excellent team around her who are working to improve her connections with others, facilitate a more suitable environment, and implement the changes that will help to improve her mood and behaviour. Regular team meetings with her therapists, key support personnel, accomodation provider, and plan manager ensure that everyone is now on the same page and working towards the same goal.

And that’s the type of network we are striving to build here at Lived Experience, one that enable parents to connect with the support workers who have the lived experience to make a difference, and genuinely care for the people we love.

Eric Martin

Owner and Support Worker

Eric Martin

Owner and Support Worker

With a sister who has a severe intellectual disability and a son with ASD level 3, I have a passion for assisting children and young people to meet their potential and lead fulfilling, engaging lives.

• Phone:0481 765 405
• Email:ericmartin954@gmail.com

Kirsty Martin

Owner

Kirsty Martin

Owner

My beautiful eldest son has been an absolute revelation on the joys and challenges of parenting a child on the Spectrum. I am passionate about sharing the fruit of the first six years of raising him and engaging with support services.

• Phone:0481 765 405
• Email:ericmartin954@gmail.com

Eric and his sister