My name is Shay! I’m a young Neurodivergent woman, who knows first hand what its like to grow up in a world that isn’t designed for our brains. Even before knowing I was Neurodivergent, I spent my life fighting tooth and nail for accomodations, and found my favourite quote, “if doors aren’t opening for you, go through the window”. I’m a big advocate of going through the window!

I spent my childhood thinking I was alone, that I was born ‘weird’ and ‘different’ and that I wasn’t cut out for this world. Come to find out, I was different, and that was totally okay. I just hadn’t found my footing yet in world that felt really scary. That’s the aim of First Step Support Services, to be the ‘cool girls’ in your corner, to help you make your own space in the world.


What are your hobbies outside of working?
I’m very much a homebody! I love to snuggle up with my dog Zuzu and watch a movie, cook something with my partner, or spend hours doing research on something I’ve suddenly found interesting.

How do you connect with young people?
Some kids need a really gentle & calm, soft spoken approach. Someone who can be really sensitive to their feelings, validate them, and make sure they know they can feel how they feel, and feel it safely.
On the other side of the coin, some kids need a bit of sarcasm, a bit of joking around and being ‘real’. Kids are smart - they know when you’re faking.

What were you like growing up?
I was very shy - my mum would say I was attached to her hip. I used to hide at kinder when she left! I struggled alot to make friends, I thought there was some sort of ‘secret’ way to make them that everyone knew about - except for me. Like everyone had an instruction manual for life, but I didn’t get a copy!
I slowly found my place in the world in my late teens, and haven’t stopped trying to make the world an easier place to live for Neurodivergent kids ever since.