Halena Mudge,
Founder and Director
of Gathering Thoughts.
I grew up in the Adelaide Hills and now live here with my family and our golden retriever, Molly.
Community connection is central to my values and my work. I currently serve as the Deputy Chair of Parents for Parents Inc, a charity supporting families navigating child and adolescent mental health. I have previously advised on the Adelaide Hills Council Access and Inclusion Committee, and I remain an active member of my children’s school and sporting communities.
My professional passions are shaped by lived experience particularly female neurodivergence, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), PDA profiles, and School Can’t (distress‑based school avoidance).
These experiences have driven me to explore these areas deeply and to advocate for individuals and families who often feel unseen or misunderstood. I am committed to trauma‑informed, neuro affirming practice that helps people feel recognised, validated, and genuinely heard.
Qualifications
Master of Autism & Neurodivergent Studies
Awarded with Distinction
- University of Wollongong
Master of Teaching | Early Childhood
- University of South Australia
Grad Cert in Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Chancellor Award of Academic Excellence
- Victoria University
Bachelor of Arts | Sociology & Australian Studies
- Flinders University
Professional Registrations and Memberships
Developmental Educators Australia
- Developmental Educator
South Australian Teachers Registration Board
- Teacher
Australasian ADHD Professionals Association
Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association
Institute of Community Directors Australia
Clearances & Training
Working with Children Check
Working with Vulnerable People Check
First Aid & CPR
Responding to Abuse and Neglect
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions
- Advanced Training
Developmental Educators
Otherwise known as DEs, Developmental Educators are university‑qualified allied health professionals registered with Developmental Educators Australia.
DEs support neurodivergent people by reducing barriers, strengthening participation and growing confidence in everyday life. This can look like 1:1 sessions at school, home or in the community, focusing on communication, emotional regulation, routines, sensory needs and personalised ways of doing things that feel safe and workable.
We also work with the people around the individual, including families, teachers, and peers so everyone understands their needs and can respond in supportive, respectful ways. We help shape inclusive environments and improve communication access by supporting the person in their real world.
We advocate for safer, more supportive systems and collaborate to ensure the person’s goals, identity and rights stay at the centre. Goals are meaningful, strategies are personalised, and every part of our practice is guided by neuro‑affirming, evidence‑based approaches.
DEs don’t just talk about change , we help build it. We support self‑advocacy and the person’s right to make meaningful life decisions. We’re holistic, practical and deeply human in our approach.
Choosing a DE means choosing support that sees the full picture of your life and helps you move from surviving to flourishing in ways that feel authentic, sustainable and truly yours.
“The support we’ve received for our neurodivergent family has been incredible. Halena has helped us better understand and support our children, while also guiding me through my own self-discovery of neurodivergence with kindness, compassion, and understanding. With Halena’s assistance we have a great team of supports around us, which has made such a difference. I’m so grateful for Halena and all her knowledge. Highly recommend!”