Building a better future together through Developmental Education
The Autistic Teacher
Developmental Education Services
Our Services
The Autistic Teacher Developmental Education offers holistic, person-centred, and evidence-based practices designed to support neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan.
Holistic
Person centered
Evidence Based
Across the lifespan
Providing comprehensive Supports for Individual Capacity
Family & Caregiver Support
I use contemporary research to support families through education and advocacy. Collaboration is essential to understanding the family's cultural context, skills, and communication needs to develop strategies that reflect these unique needs. My research-based approach helps them develop their understanding of their child's needs, inclusion, and self-advocacy.
Individual Skill Building
I support skill development in a variety of settings to promote independence, self-determination, access and inclusion. Person-centred planning (PCP) is key to this process, developing individualised goals, assessments, and evidence-based practices that support the individual in achieving their goals and self-determination.
Inclusive Education Strategies
Inclusive education is a human right, as upheld by the Disability Education Act (2005). I can identify attitudinal and environmental barriers within classroom environments and provide teachers with evidence-based strategies to facilitate positive school transitions and classroom adjustments tailored to individual neurodivergent needs for optimal learning outcomes.
Community and Workplace Participation
I facilitate participation in community and workplace settings. This includes assisting clients in transitioning from school to work, developing accessible environments, and building community connections through supported participation and inclusive strategies that allow everyone to achieve their goals.
Developmental Education specifically develops independence, self-determination and advocacy skills through person-centred planning that promotes family support, individual skill-building, inclusive educational strategies, workplace and community participation.
Self determination
Person-centered
Planning
Human rights
Inclusion
Self-determination is the freedom and capacity to make your own choices and determine your own life goals.
PCP is an individualised process that shifts control to the individual, focusing on their unique strengths, aspirations, and desired quality of life.
Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and rights that belong to everyone, including those with a disability. Ensuring equality, dignity and respect for everyone.
Is the practice of removing barriers within environments to ensure all individuals feel respected, supported and equally supported.
Terminology:
Meet the Developmental Educator
My Story
Before becoming a Developmental Educator, I spent 15 years as a teacher in the public education system, supporting students with a wide range of learning, behavioural and developmental needs.
Like many families, my own family's journey through neurodivergent diagnosis transformed the way I understood disability, education and inclusion. It inspired me to deepen my knowledge and pursue a career dedicated to supporting neurodivergent people across the lifespan.
In 2025, I completed the Master of Autism at the University of Wollongong, with Distinction and am now a fully accredited Developmental Educator registered with Developmental Educators Australia Inc.
How I can help:
As a Developmental Educator, I work alongside individuals, families, schools and community organisations using person-centered planning to:
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Build independence and everyday living skills
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Support communication, executive functioning and emotional regulation
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Develop social relationships and community participation
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Assist with school, employment and life transitions
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Advocate for reasonable adjustments and inclusion
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Reduce environmental and attitudinal barriers that impact participation
Lori Kitchin
Developmental Educator
Welcome
Hello, I'm Lori Kitchin, a Developmental Educator based in Busselton, Western Australia, specialising in autism and neurodivergence. I support children, adolescents and adults with disability to develop practical life skills, increase independence, overcome barriers, and participate more fully in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
My Philosophy
My practice is grounded in the human rights model of disability, recognising that disability is often created by barriers within society rather than by the individual. I believe every person deserves opportunities to make their own choices, develop their strengths and participate in their community on an equal basis with others. I combine current autism research with evidence-based practice to deliver supports that are respectful, collaborative and neurodiversity-affirming.
15 Years
Teaching
Lived
Experience
Masters of
Autism
Developmental Education and the NDIS
As an NDIS Capacity Building support, Developmental Education enables individuals to develop the autonomy and self-assurance needed to reach their unique milestones. Under the NDIS framework, Developmental Education falls into capacity building, prioritising sustainable, long-term personal growth and independence over simple maintenance or direct care provision. By collaborating closely with participants, a Developmental Educator (DE) focuses on enhancing daily functional skills, broadening community involvement, and nurturing meaningful connections.