Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I’ve always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things.
~ Claudia Brind-Woody
About Us
MICAH grew out of the need for Applied Behaviour Analysis services and Autism consultancy for Autistic children in the South West. MICAH was established in 2019 by Liz Martin, an Autistic mother of two Autistic children, a Teacher and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, who created the services to support her family and other families.
MICAH staff are passionate and committed professionals who have chosen to work in this field. They are all continuous learners and seek to understand and support every child to achieve their potential. Many of them have lived experience with Autism and disability.
Who We Are
Meet Micah
Micah is the little boy who began the journey for his mother, Liz Martin, into the astonishing and fascinating world of Autism. In 2015, two-year-old Micah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the most severe level. Micah's diagnosis meant that Micah needed the highest level of support which were not available in the South West. Liz threw herself into intensive learning and training she needed to be able to create the therapy and services her son needed in Bunbury.
Micah was non-verbal and had significant rigidity and behavioural barriers that prevented him from learning and participating in daily life. Micah received many hours of therapy based on Applied Behaviour Analysis from 3 years of age. Through the commitment of a fantastic team, who learnt more than Micah in the process, Micah attended mainstream primary schooling and is a valued and contributing member of his family and community. He is an amazing success story of ABA therapy and a dedicated team, as he is now a joyful, cheeky and happy boy living his best life. He has taught us about true inclusion and acceptance, tenacity and courage, laughter and joy, and how one small person can be the catalyst for extraordinary things.
Meet Liz
Liz is the mother of Micah and Kai, both diagnosed with ASD, a teacher with over 20 years of experience, a therapist, behaviour analyst and a passionate autism and inclusion advocate. Liz has worked in primary and early childhood classrooms across the South West, as a Level 3 Classroom teacher, specialising in the social inclusion of children with Autism and the implementation of evidence-based practices in the classroom. She has advocated successfully for equitable funding for children in the South West prior to the NDIS rollout. She has facilitated carers networks, presented across the state workshops for teachers and educators and supported many families on their journey with their children with Autism.
Liz has achieved a Master of Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, an internationally recognised certification in ABA. Progressive ABA is the key evidence-based therapy that can help reduce the disabling features of Kai and Micah's autism and nurture their unique strengths. The incredible success of Micah and Kai's progress has led to Liz sharing her knowledge and passion with other families, teachers, educators and therapy providers.
In 2020, Liz received a diagnosis of Autism, Level 1, and in 2023, diagnosed with ADHD, which gave her the answers to why she always felt different from peers at school and why she thought so differently from others. Liz says, “Autism has given us so much more than it can ever take away.”
MICAH Team Charter
At MICAH we.....
Understand those who differ
Embrace those who care
Inspire those who serve
.... through the science of human behaviour.
MICAH Mission
MICAH Vision
Every person with autism and disabilities, and their families, to live joyful and hopeful lives in an authentically inclusive and accepting community.
MICAH Values
Integrity
At MICAH we are responsive to our clients, our families, our community, feedback and current research and practices. We implement ethical, evidence-based practices.
Growth
At MICAH we strive for growth in our company, our personal development, our professional knowledge and practices. We work to empower people with Autism, their family and our community.
Inclusion
At MICAH we embrace diversity with dignity. We advocate for inclusion within our community.
Respect
At MICAH we act with respect and kindness at all times. We respect people, choices, opinions, rights, culture, communication and values.
Connection
At MICAH we build relationships and a team around our children, adults and families. We build networks within the autistic community and the wider community.
MICAH Commitments
Our commitment as a team
We are inclusive and are focused on our professional and personal growth.
We act with respect, integrity and kindness.
We are a professional, collaborative and cohesive team.
We are supportive and encouraging of each other, acknowledging each others’ strengths.
We are consistent, reliable and accountable.
We listen to each other and seek to understand perspectives and differences.
We seek, give and receive feedback in an open, constructive, respectful and responsive manner.
We make the most of opportunities to learn, continuously reflect on our practice and feedback, and grow professionally and personally.
We acknowledge each other's achievements and celebrate our successes as a team.
We lead by upholding our values of integrity, growth, inclusion, respect and connection.
Our commitment to our community
Our children, clients and families will be supported to achieve their goals in an inclusive and safe environment.
Our children, clients and families will have a joyful and meaningful experience with MICAH.
