About

Kia ora, I'm Alta 👋

I am an AuDHD practitioner and parent to an autistic child.

I bring together professional practice, lived experience, and research to strengthen wellbeing, access, and inclusion for neurodivergent and disabled people.

I’m committed to strengthening wellbeing, access, and inclusion for neurodivergent and disabled people.

My individual practice uses an integrated approach that can include counselling, coaching, mentoring, developing understanding, and practical problem-solving. I also work with professionals, groups, workplaces, and organisations.

I founded Neuroinclusive in 2023. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, I work with people locally and remotely across Aotearoa.

Figure-Eight Rainbow Symbol - Aotearoa Symbol For Neurodiversity

Professional Background

I have more than a decade of experience across disability, mental health, education, accessibility, research, community engagement, and systems change.

My individual practice includes counselling for neurodivergent people and others exploring their identity, wellbeing, relationships, work, or experiences. Depending on what is useful, sessions may draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, narrative therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills, and solution-focused approaches.

Counselling sits within a broader integrated approach. Sessions may also include coaching, shared knowledge, practical strategies, career exploration, decision-making, or support to navigate a particular situation or system.

I work alongside tāngata whānau whaikaha Māori, disabled people, families, professionals, and organisations across Aotearoa. The consistent thread across this mahi is strengthening access, participation, safety, and wellbeing.

My work is grounded in a rights-based approach guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Enabling Good Lives vision and principles.

Research

My Master of Applied Social Work research examined autistic people’s experiences of accessing disability support in Aotearoa and how these experiences affect wellbeing.

The research identified barriers including inflexible services, inaccessible communication, inconsistent support, and limited understanding of autism. It also highlighted the value of flexible, individualised and person-centred support, lived-experience knowledge, autistic-led initiatives, and community connection.

These findings continue to inform both my individual practice and my wider advocacy and systems-focused work.

Qualifications and Affiliations

I am a Registered Social Worker with the Social Workers Registration Board and a member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers.

My qualifications include:

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies (TBC: 2026)
  • Master of Applied Social Work with First Class Honours
  • Master of Science in Education
  • Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership
  • Bachelor of Arts: Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  • NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing: Mental Health and Addiction Support

I participate in regular professional supervision and ongoing professional development to support ethical, culturally responsive, accountable, and reflective practice.

Beyond Mahi

I am originally from the East Coast of the United States and have lived and worked across different regions and cultures, including many years in Indonesia. I now live in Ōtautahi with my primary-school-aged child.

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring big ideas to see whether they are worth bringing into the world, listening to audiobooks, spending time in nature, building with Lego, and playing Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch.