Dr Tom Tutton
Executive Manager of Aspect Practice
Tom trained as a Clinical Psychologist in the UK and has worked for Aspect for 16 years supporting Autistic people in challenging situations in schools, family homes and communities through direct service, training, writing and research. Tom is passionate about working in partnership with Autistic people to deliver evidence-based supports that develop inclusive environments and communities that work for everyone.
Emma Beardsley (nee Gallagher)
Senior Autistic Consultant
Emma is a proud Autistic woman who works as a consultant, advocate and researcher with Aspect’s Autism Friendly team. As an Autistic researcher and advocate, Emma provides valued insight and input into a wide range of Aspect projects at all stages. Emma is also a founding member of the Aspect Think Tank, a remunerated group of adults on the autism spectrum who provide advice for Aspect on day-to-day autism practice. Emma is a keen advocate for the rights and needs of Autistic people through sharing her personal journey on the autism spectrum and her expertise in providing support for children of all abilities. Emma holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Matt Oastler (He/They)
Autism Friendly Melbourne Team Leader
Matt started his career with Aspect in 2015 as a Support Worker with Aspect Adult Community Services. Since then he has managed a team as a Regional Coordinator and undertaken project work with the Quality team to ensure Aspects processes and practices met NDIS requirements. This experience has led Matthew to his most recent role as Team Leader, delivering the Sunflowers in Melbourne project.
Bo Johnson (She/They)
Autistic Consultant
Bo Johnson is a proud Autistic person and works as an Autistic Consultant for the Autism Friendly team at Aspect, based in Melbourne. Before joining Aspect, Bo spent 20 years as a director and kindergarten teacher in community-based, not-for-profit kindergartens. Bo has a wide range of interests, including LEGO, boats, music, traveling, knitting, bike riding, and enjoying theatre and comedy. They also love playing Nintendo, basketball, and spending time with their beloved dog, Piglet, who is “100% pure dreamboat”. Through their role at Aspect, Bo combines their lived experience and professional expertise to help create a more inclusive world for all.
Jessica Novak (She/They)
Autistic Consultant
Jessica is a passionate Autistic visual artist with a background in art teaching, mural making, and corporate graphic design. She loves to advocate for autism inclusion and belonging in every facet of life that she can; she believes that all different kinds of neurotypes make the world go round! Jessica holds a degree in journalism and writing and is part of Aspect’s Autism Friendly team in Melbourne as an Autistic Consultant.
Tess Healy (She/They)
Autistic Consultant
Tess Healy has a background in disability support work and group program facilitation. They are interested in the ways that working collaboratively and in partnership can improve accessibility and inclusion, leading to more people experiencing meaningful connection and belonging. Tess is part of Aspect’s Autism Friendly team in Melbourne, working as an Autism Friendly Consultant.
Ainslie Robinson (any pronouns)
Senior Working in Partnership Officer
Ainslie Robinson has a background in education and has been working with Aspect for the past nine years. She first joined as a researcher focused on autism-specific educational practices and has since taken on roles that support Autistic leadership and inclusion. Over the years, Ainslie has had the opportunity to support multiple iterations of Future Leaders, an Autism leadership program delivered in partnership with Autism CRC. More recently, her work has focused on fostering Autistic partnership and co-production at all levels within Aspect, with a particular focus on supporting Aspect in becoming an Autism Friendly employer. Ainslie is passionate about working collaboratively to create more inclusive spaces in both education and employment. She is Autistic herself and the parent to two Autistic children, and believes the best outcomes for the Autistic and autism communities come from partnership and working together.
Rebecca Street (She/Her)
Autistic Consultant
Bec is a late-diagnosed Autistic and ADHD (AuADHD) woman who lives with various co-occurring mental and physical health challenges. She is passionate about the power of story telling to help others learn and grow. Prior to joining Aspect Bec was a speaker for youth mental health organisation, Batyr, sharing her lived experience to encourage university students to seek help. Bec holds a BA of Digital Media from COFA and has worked for and exhibited as a visual artist across Sydney. She loves to bring this experience to work in partnership with arts and cultural organisations and believes arts and culture should be accessible to all.
Rebecca McCash
Autistic Consultant
Rebecca McCash is the AuDHD founder and CEO of FutureTech Australia, a social enterprise with the mission of inspiring the neurodivergent minds of the future. FutureTech offers STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) based social and learning opportunities that are designed and delivered by neurodivergent people. Rebecca is an Advisory Board Member for Australia’s Autistic Pride Day Symposium, member of Catalyst 2030, SECNA and the Australian National Autism Strategy Oversight Council's Working Group. Rebecca has worked across the disability and social impact sectors for almost a decade, speaking at a number of high-profile events such as the United Nation’s World Autism Day, and has a passion for genuine co-design, creating learning environments that spark curiosity, penguins, and challenging the status quo to 'build a better future for everyone'.
Garry Ryan (They/Them)
Autistic Consultant
Garry has been part of Aspect since 2013, working at our South East Sydney school before joining the Autism Friendly team in 2023. Garry is passionate about human rights, with a particular interest in how accessibility and inclusion intersect across different identities and experiences. As an Autistic person, ADHDer and a foster carer, Garry brings practical lived and professional experience to their work.
Chloe McDonald
Admin Officer
Chloe McDonald is the Admin Officer for the Autism Friendly team, bringing a background in visual arts, design, and technology education. After five years as a high school teacher, she transitioned to Aspect, driven by a desire to address systemic issues of inclusion and accessibility from a new perspective. Chloe is passionate about diversity, mental health, and community care, believing that embracing and uplifting everyone’s uniqueness is essential. She adores nature and animals, sharing her home with a labradoodle named Kuma and a chicken named Jamie. A proud feminist, she finds inspiration in Grace Tame and Frida Kahlo. Outside of work, Chloe enjoys good coffee, wood-fired pizza, and spending time outdoors.