Matt is first and foremost a husband and a dad. His passion for improving the lives of individuals with disabilities stems from his own deeply personal lived experiences.
The lived experience that Matt and Jodie have from raising and supporting their son, who is significantly impacted by his disabilities, have shaped Matt’s understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families.
His families’ resilience and experiences have provided insights into the broad impacts of disability, inspiring a compassionate approach to his work.
Matt earnt his PhD in Psychology from Southern Cross University by dedicating himself to understanding and addressing the complexities of disability, behaviour support, and mental health. His doctoral research explored the effects of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on carers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, earning recognition in leading academic journals.
Matt’s career highlights include his work as a disability advocate with Disability Advocacy NSW, and his contributions to eliminating restrictive practices as an independent specialist behaviour support practitioner. Matt was also a passionate educator, sharing his expertise as a lecturer and mentor to the next generation of psychologists.
In 2020, Jodie and Matt established JMS Allied Services with one simple goal to improve the quality of life and personal well-being of individuals living with a disability through provision of industry leading, person-centred behaviour support. With Jodie’s support, Matt’s leadership and dedication to evidence-based practices ensure that JMS continues to empower clients and families to achieve their goals.
Matt’s personal journey is one of resilience, empathy, and unwavering commitment to advocacy.
Whether supporting his own family or guiding others through the complexities of disability, Matt’s work remains deeply rooted in a desire to make a meaningful difference.
