Meet our team

NDIS Behaviour Support Services

Diverse voices. Shared purpose.

Our team brings a mix of professional expertise, lived values, and a shared commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and meaningful supports under the NDIS.

If you’d like to find out more about joining the team, please reach out for a confidential discussion with one of our Directors.

NDIS Behaviour Support
Director | Advanced / Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner | Registered Psychologist

Abel Trindade

Abel is an Advanced / Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner, Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor who has worked across disability services, schools, and community settings. He is passionate about delivering neuro-affirming, trauma-informed supports that empower participants to build skills, confidence, and independence.

Abel’s work focuses on:

  • supporting neurodivergent individuals and families to better understand their own experiences, advocate for change, and thrive in a world not built for them
  • coaching families, carers, and staff teams
  • mentoring emerging practitioners in neuro-affirming, evidence-based, and person-centred practice
  • guiding community services organisations to improve their practice, embed quality assurance and continuous improvement mechanisms, and strengthen clinical governance

Abel is known for his warmth, collaborative approach, and ability to turn complex strategies into practical solutions that make a real difference in daily life.

Abel’s qualifications include:

  • Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology)(Hons)
  • Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
  • Graduate Certificate Diploma in Developmental Trauma
  • Master of Social Change and Development
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Specialist Certificate in Implementation Science

Abel is based in Brisbane, Queensland and services Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and surrounding regions.

Director | Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Paboda Ratnayake

Paboda is a Consultant Psychiatrist. She has extensive experience across public and private settings in New South Wales and Queensland. She specialises in supporting people with neurodevelopmental differences, trauma, and complex needs, bringing together clinical expertise with a deep respect for identity and inclusion.

Paboda provides clinical oversight and input for the team at Forming Connections, in addition to her leadership responsibilities.

Paboda’s qualifications include:

  • Fellow of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (UNSW)
  • Master of Psychiatric Medicine (HETI)
  • Interest in:
  • Ongoing training and education in neurodevelopmental disorders including MIGDAS 2 assessment, ADHD assessment and management, FASD
  • Circle of Security facilitator

Paboda currently does not provide direct patient services at Forming Connections.

NDIS Behaviour Support
Behaviour Support Practitioner

Hana

Hana is a Behaviour Support Practitioner with almost a decade of experience supporting children and young people across early intervention and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) settings. She holds a degree in Social Sciences and brings a strong foundation in child development, behaviour, and the social and environmental factors that influence wellbeing.

Hana specialises in working alongside children, young people, and their families to develop practical, individualised behaviour support strategies that promote safety, participation, and quality of life. Her approach is trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and strengths-based, with a strong emphasis on understanding the function of behaviour and supporting meaningful skill development.

Hana’s qualifications include:

  • Bachelor of Social Science, Major in Behaviour Studies
  • Post Graduate Diploma Psychology
  • Post Graduate Diploma (Advanced) – In progress

Hana is based in Young, NSW and services surrounding regions including Cowra, Harden, Grenfell, and Cootamundra.

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Donna Jamieson

Donna is a Behaviour Support Practitioner and Registered Nurse with more than 40 years of experience across the health and disability sectors.

Donna began her nursing career as an Enrolled Nurse in 1980 before becoming a Registered Nurse in 2004. Throughout her nursing career, Donna has gained extensive experience across acute care, aged care and rehabilitation, developing a strong understanding of person-centred care and the diverse needs of individuals and their families.

Donna has held senior roles in the disability sector, including supporting people living in Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation to achieve greater independence, choice and quality of life. Her approach is practical, compassionate and person-centred, with a focus on understanding each individual, their needs, their environment and the factors that influence behaviour.

Donna’s qualifications include:

  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Certificate IV in Disability
  • Certificate IV in Business Administration

Donna is based in Young, NSW and services surrounding regions including Cowra, Harden, Grenfell, and Cootamundra.

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Daniella Gonzalez

Daniella is a supportive Behaviour Support Practitioner with more than ten years of experience as an Educational Psychologist in Chile before migrating to Australia. Since moving to Australia, Daniella has worked as a Disability Support Worker and Behaviour Support Practitioner, specialising in the support of neurodivergent children and adults and those with psychosocial disabilities, including Schizophrenia.

Daniella takes a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach to her work, helping participants, families and implementing providers understand behaviour through regulation, connection, and safety. She values collaboration and always aims to support participants in ways that respect who they are, while helping families, caregivers, and support staff feel confident and informed.

Daniella’s qualifications include:

  • Bachelor of Psychology (Chile)
  • Certificate IV in Community Services (TAFE WA)

Daniella is based in Brisbane, Queensland and services Brisbane, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, and surrounding regions