The Team

Autism at Home helps families achieve the most effective programme for their child, through providing a comprehensive package. This includes an Autism Consultant, necessary to provide training and guidance on curriculum, goals and challenges plus Play Coaches who put the guidance into action for you.

Sarah Gibson
Autism Consultant

I received a BSc Hons in Psychology, with an emphasis on Autism from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2002. I have assisted in Mainstream Primary Schools, Autistic Schools and Special Needs Schools. I have also shadowed (assisted) children with autism and other special needs in nursery settings.

In 2001 I began working in a home-based programme. Since then my roles have included: volunteering, managing and consulting in hundreds of programmes world wide. As part of these home-based programmes, I have experienced The Son-Rise Program, ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis), Growing Minds and Sensory Integration Therapy. I have worked along side Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Special Education Teachers, Educational Psychologists, a Consultant Paediatrician, HANDLE® Practitioner and Nutritionists.

I trained at the Autism Treatment Center of America which involved studying for 18 months. I was certified as a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator (2006-2008).

I am an Authorised Listening Program Provider and I have been certified as a HANDLE® Introductory Activity Coach. I keep up to date with new therapies so that I am able to help the children I work with in the most complete way I can.

Autism at Home uses this unique combination of therapies to create individualised programmes for autistic children that can address both what is going on internally for the child and provide the most optimal learning environment.

Kerri Morgan
Trainee Play Coach

I have a Masters degree in Childhood Studies from Swansea University. I have assisted voluntarily in mainstream primary schools in the UK and also in Sweden where the significance of learning through play is highlighted.

I have experience managing and working in a number of Autism at Home programmes with children ranging in age from 2 to 12 years. Alongside directly working with the children I also liaise with their parents/carers, supervise and train new play workers. In addition to this I help to implement activities from a HANDLE programme.

I love working with children and watching them reach their full potential. I thoroughly enjoy bringing enthusiasm and excitement to the play room to encourage social interactions and learning through motivational play. It is a privilege to be a part of each child�s growth and development.

I am willing to travel any reasonable distance and currently work with families in Swansea and Birmingham.

“Kerri is a vital part to Olivia's Autism at Home Programme. Her play sessions are dynamic and effective, always helping Olivia to keep developing to the next level. Her acceptance and belief in Olivia is wonderful, but most of all Olivia's face lights up EVERY time she sees Kerri, she adores her play time with her.” Tracey Saunders

Leanne Whale
Trainee Play Coach

My journey as a play coach started when I was in my final year of university studying Psychology and I volunteered on Johnny�s (age 3) home-based programme. After just a few sessions volunteering I knew that this is the career I wanted to be in. Helping children to connect and inspire them into our world is so empowering and such a rewarding job to be in, also you get to play and have fun all the time. I enjoy every moment I spend in the playroom as I learn something new every day and remain open to this. I am grateful for every moment I spend with a child enjoying and loving them for who they are.

My role in the play room is to encourage the children to socially interact through play. I believe it is the specialised play that makes this form of therapy is so effective, as it allows the child to be creative in their own individual ways and opens them up to endless opportunities and experiences. It provides the child with their motivations, giving them the desire they need to interact with us in a fun loving manner. Every child I have personally worked with has progressed in such amazing and different ways from no eye contact to consistent eye contact, and no language to speaking in 2-3 word sentences. Sharing this journey with these children is such an honour and knowing I have played a part in the development of these children is such a sensational experience and I very much look forward to my future as a play coach.

”Leanne has been working with Molly for almost one year, right from the start Leanne showed that she had a huge passion to help Molly reach her full potential. Leanne has great energy and enthusiasm in the playroom and together Molly and Leanne have built up a lovely playful friendship. Molly trusts Leanne and really looks forward to Leanne coming to play with her. Apart from her friendship with Molly, Leanne has become a firm friend of our family and has shown the ability to relate to us both on a professional and personal level.” Cath Gumery

June M^cCormick
Trainee Play Coach

I am a mum from Northern Ireland and have been devoted to running a play therapy program for my daughter since June 2010. I have recruited and trained play workers and we have enjoyed many fun, inspirational team meetings.

I have chosen this play therapy approach because it focuses on a loving, accepting attitude and is always tailored very specifically to the needs of the child. The playroom provides a safe, caring and supportive environment and here we have spent many fun, exciting hours together building a strong bond and connection that just wouldn�t happen anywhere else!

My daughter has made considerable progress which has encouraged me to learn more about the play therapy techniques used to promote eye contact, speech and interaction. My training with Autism at Home has increased my ability in running a program, greatly improved my effectiveness in the playroom and helped with many other aspects of caring for a child with Autism. Ultimately this will help my daughter and other children with Autism reach their full potential.

”When I watch June in the playroom I can immediately see the loving and accepting bond between mother and daughter. Watching and hearing the excitement in June's celebrations as Lily glances at her or speaks to her completely inspires me as I can see how Lily is progressing and developing. I am inspired by June when she is in the zone of the playroom, this gives me a boost to up my performance throughout my session with Lily and become a more free-minded and interesting person that Lily is eager to open up to and interact with. ” Christine Dunn