Ms Marie is highly qualified with her most recent being Master of Education (Special Needs), University of Melbourne, Australia, Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Special Needs) University of Melbourne, Australia, Music Teaching and Performance – Piano (MIMT), University of Melbourne, Australia, Bachelor of Education Major: Special Needs Education Bachelor of Arts in Education Major: Music Edith Cowan University, WA.

Ms Marie has approximately 20 years experience working with children who have special needs, including 13 years with autism spectrum disorders. She has a particular interest in teaching students with high-functioning autism and Aspergers Syndrome. The past three years have been dedicated to establishing a specialist unit at Western Autistic School in Australia for primary aged students with Aspergers Syndrome and mental health issues.

She has been heavily involved in the development and implementation of an autism-specific curriculum, through which the deficits of communication, interpersonal skills, sensory, imagination, creativity and self management are assessed and taught.

Ms Marie is a trainer and assessor for the Autism Teaching Institute, the only autism-specific course in Australia, where post-graduate candidates work closely with her to develop a working understanding of students with autism spectrum disorders, effective teaching strategies and behavior management techniques.