Striving for inclusion

Helping Hands
Inspirational. Dedicated. Passionate

Sarah Backholer has dedicated 15 years to helping more than 1000 people with autism reach their full potential.

Sarah established her Helping Hands centre after a chance encounter with an 11-year-old boy with severe autism sparked a passion in her.

“He was non-verbal. However, he spoke to me on so many other levels. I still work with him today as a 29-year-old adult,” Sarah says.

Her centre specialises in interventions that lead to lasting improvements in behaviour, cognition, motor and social skills and independent living skills.

The centre offers psychology services, early intervention in kindergartens and schools and a service for children and young teens.

It can be challenging work, but Sarah is motivated by her belief that the young people she helps are some of the funniest, wisest, most intelligent and loving people she has met.

Over 1000 people with autism have benefited from the centre’s services since it opened its doors.

Sarah is honoured and humbled to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “We have always believed that people with autism have so much to share with the community.

I can honestly say that in the 15 years that I have been working with them, they have taught me as much about myself and the world as I have taught them,” she says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Helping Hands will use its funds to buy additional communication devices so more children and adults can find their voice.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here