Many Developmental Educators (DEs) hold a Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education, or have pursued postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education) or a Master of Autism Studies. These qualifications provide a strong foundation in disability support, neurodevelopment, and capacity-building interventions, equipping DEs with the skills to support individuals in daily living skills, self-determination, community participation, and strengths-based interventions.

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At Jardin Spectrum Assist (JSA), Matthew Jardin brings a highly specialised and advanced perspective to Developmental Education, holding:

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✔ Master of Human Services (Disability Practice, Mental Health Practice & Autism) – Griffith University
✔ Graduate Certificate in Autism – Griffith University
✔ Bachelor of Arts (Education & Literature) – University of Southern Queensland
✔ Associate Degree in Education – University of Southern Queensland

 

How Matthew’s Advanced Training Sets Him Apart

While many Developmental Educators (DEs) specialise in disability-focused or autism-specific education, Matthew’s qualifications uniquely integrate Disability, Mental Health, and Autism. This advanced interdisciplinary expertise allows him to provide holistic, capacity-building support that considers the broader life impact of neurodivergence and co-occurring conditions, all while working within his Developmental Education scope of practice.

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What Makes Matthew's Approach Unique?

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✔ Specialist Expertise in the Intersection of Autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, and Mental Health
Matthew’s postgraduate training provides advanced insight into co-occurring conditions, particularly where executive functioning, emotional regulation, and adaptive skill development are impacted. This enables him to apply individualised, functional strategies that align with capacity-building, skill development, and self-determination frameworks.

✔ A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach that Incorporates Mental Health Considerations
Matthew’s mental health training allows him to understand how mental health conditions interact with neurodivergence and disability. This expertise ensures that emotional regulation, resilience-building, and self-advocacy strategies are effectively integrated into capacity-building interventions, in collaboration with psychologists, OTs, and mental health professionals.

✔ Recognising the Interaction Between Neurodevelopmental Differences and Mental Health
Many neurodivergent individuals experience executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and sensory sensitivities, which can significantly impact daily life. These challenges are sometimes misinterpreted or approached from a purely mental health perspective, when they may be best supported through functional, strengths-based interventions. Matthew’s expertise allows him to recognise when structured routines, adaptive learning strategies, and self-regulation techniques can help individuals build confidence and autonomy in their daily lives.

✔ Trauma-Informed Practice & Complex Case Management
Matthew’s training includes advanced trauma-informed approaches in disability settings, equipping him to provide structured, affirming interventions that acknowledge sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation challenges, and executive functioning differences. His work ensures that supports are sustainable, empowering, and tailored to the individual’s neurotype and lived experience.

✔ Specialist Knowledge in Navigating Complex Neurodevelopmental & Mental Health Support Systems
While all Developmental Educators collaborate with allied health professionals, Matthew’s postgraduate training in Disability, Mental Health, and Autism provides specialist insight into multi-layered support systems. Many neurodivergent individuals require coordinated services across disability supports, mental health care, social services, education, and employment pathways.

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Matthew’s expertise allows him to:
✔ Identify gaps in existing support plans and ensure strategies address both functional skill development and broader psychosocial needs.
✔ Integrate multiple frameworks into capacity-building interventions, ensuring that support strategies work across daily life, education, and employment settings rather than being isolated to a single area.
✔ Work collaboratively with psychologists, OTs, and other professionals to ensure that support strategies are meaningful, sustainable, and neurodiversity-affirming.

 

By combining highly specialised training across multiple disciplines, Matthew ensures that JSA’s Developmental Education services provide high-quality, tailored, and evidence-informed support for individuals who require advanced, interdisciplinary strategies to thrive.

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Why This Matters for Clients

✔ Specialist support for individuals with complex, co-occurring conditions – ensuring that capacity-building strategies address functional skills, self-determination, and daily life participation in a way that is practical, sustainable, and neurodiversity-affirming.

✔ Deep understanding of the intersection between disability and mental health – allowing for strategies that consider executive functioning, emotional regulation, and sensory needs, while ensuring that supports are adapted to an individual’s unique neurotype.

✔ A neurodiversity-affirming, lifespan-focused approach – providing capacity-building interventions that evolve across key life transitions, including education, employment, and independent living.

✔ Highly individualised strategies for those requiring specialised, multidisciplinary support – ensuring that interventions are not one-size-fits-all but instead tailored to the person’s strengths, challenges, and real-world environments.

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At Jardin Spectrum Assist, we provide highly individualised, evidence-based, and person-centred Developmental Education services that are informed by a deep understanding of both disability and mental health frameworks. If you’re looking for a specialist approach to neurodivergent support, contact us today—we’re here to help!