Ashleigh Nienaber
Behaviour Support Practitioner
What led you to becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner?
I worked with kids on the spectrum back in South Africa and absolutely loved what I did. When we moved to Australia, I wanted to stay in the same line of work and that’s when I came across positive behaviour support. I was still able to use my knowledge regarding behaviour therapy and psychology which is what I wanted to do. I also decided to go for this role as I knew it would give me further insight into different diagnoses which I have a huge interest in.
What do you find rewarding about being a Behaviour Support Practitioner?
Seeing clients accomplish goals they once thought impossible, watching behaviours of concern decrease through effective strategies, and experiencing the genuine joy they feel when they are truly heard and understood. Ultimately, nothing is more fulfilling than guiding individuals as they grow in confidence and thrive in their everyday lives.
What does a ‘win’ look like for you in your work?
When you see a strategy genuinely improve life for a client and their support network. I love those moments when a client eager to share a success and tells me how they applied a coping skill on their own and saw it work. Hearing kids proudly say, “Ashleigh, you’ll be proud of me – I used my strategy and it worked!” highlights the power of practical support and the pride that comes with building real independence.
Why do you like working at Brain Sense?
I love being part of such a supportive team at Brain Sense, where the work culture is built on flexibility, efficiency, and genuine trust. Having the flexibility to excel as a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner while fully showing up as a mum allows me to maintain a healthy work-life balance without feeling pressured. Knowing that my team trusts me as a professional and respects my ability to manage my workload effectively makes working here incredibly rewarding.
What values inform your approach?
Person Centred Approach: Putting the client at the centre of everything means equipping them with the skills, support, and respect they need to live a full, self-determined life. Every individual deserves a life filled with their own goals and desires, which begins by truly listening to, understanding, and respecting their wants and needs. While honouring their choices is paramount, my role is also to encourage them to reach their full potential. I firmly believe that regardless of a diagnosis, everyone has the capacity to learn and grow. Progress may require different timelines and levels of support for each person, but everyone deserves the opportunity to try. Encouraging clients to give their all helps them recognize just how strong and capable they truly are.
Ethical Practice: Ensuring funding is allocated appropriately, transparently, and proportionally to the services provided.
Professional Reliability: Demonstrating respect for the client’s time by arriving promptly and managing every session efficiently and competently.
What are some of your personal interests?
In my downtime, I love unwinding by playing phone games while rewatching Friends, or heading out on Saturday mornings to cheer on my boys at soccer. I’m also naturally social and love meeting new people; whether it’s catching up with friends or starting a conversation with someone new, I could happily chat for hours.