About

Light Bulb Therapy started as a collective for professionals who are driven to provide quality, affordable, evidence-based, family-focused therapy services to families in the Waikato. We strive to help families find the ‘light bulb’ or ‘aha!’ moment to empower them to support their child in a strengths-based way.

Maria Man –  Speech Language Therapist
BSpchPath (Hons) University of Queensland

I am a Speech Language Therapist with experience working with children, young people and their families. I have specialised skills in supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities, paediatric feeding therapy and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). I have also had the privilege of supporting young people with high functioning Autism/Aspergers with navigating through social situations and understanding other people’s perspectives.

My passion is in helping children and young people understand and express themselves in whichever way is easiest for them. I can also help children who have trouble eating a wide variety of food.

I believe that best outcomes happen through education and partnership with the person, family, caregivers, daycare centres and schools. I believe that speech therapy should be relevant, individualised and fun and that the person and caregivers are empowered to achieve their goals.

I have worked several years with the Family & Early Childhood Service with Disability Services Queensland, Australia before moving to Hamilton to work as an Autism Specialist Worker with the ASD Communication & Behaviour Support Service.

I am also a certified therapist in the following  approaches/programs:

  • Hanen “It Takes Two To Talk” – parent program for children with language delays
  • Hanen “More Than Words” – parent program for children with autism
  • PROMPT Bridging –  a program to develop motor skills for speech
  • DIR Floortime – promotes development by encouraging children to interact with parents and others through play
  • SOS Feeding – addresses problematic feeding behaviors by allowing a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way
  • Advanced PODD – an approach to organising whole word and symbol vocabulary in a communication book or speech generating device to provide immersion and modelling for learning

Desiree McQuarters – Registered Psychologist, BCBA
M.AppPsy(ABA), PGDipPracPsych(ABA)

I am a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst.  I have experience working with young people, their families and support networks across the home, school and community setting.

I am passionate about making the science of behaviour accessible to families and those supporting children and adolescents. Through the application of behavioural principles I can support families to create the right environment for communication, self-regulation and self-management skills to be developed. I can also support families with understanding why challenging behaviour occurs, and with this knowledge create effective interventions.

I believe that working alongside families and stakeholders provides the opportunity for positive changes to occur and be sustained.  Each family’s situation is unique and needs an individualised approach that is grounded in the science of behaviour but adapted to suit the needs of each family.

My background is working as a behaviour therapist delivering specialised behaviour programmes in the home and school setting.  I have also worked as part of the ASD Communication and Behaviour Service providing individualised support to young people diagnosed with ASD and their families.