Abel Trindade
he/hIM
Abel Trindade is a Registered Psychologist with extensive experience working alongside neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan and their families. He is the Director of Forming Connections, a neuro-affirming allied health organisation grounded in trauma-informed, rights-based, and person-centred practice. With more than a decade of experience across clinical, community, disability, and education settings, Abel has built a reputation for championing dignity, autonomy, and authentic inclusion for neurodivergent people and their families. Abel has collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams, advocates, and service providers to improve the quality of community services and shift service delivery away from compliance models and toward dignity, rights, and belonging.
As a late-diagnosed AuDHD individual, Abel brings both professional expertise and lived neurodivergent experience to his work. His personal journey has shaped his belief that neurodivergent people are not problems to be solved, but individuals whose strengths, communication styles, sensory needs, and identities should be understood, respected, and celebrated. His practice philosophy centres on creating environments where neurodivergent people are supported to live authentically, participate fully, and maintain autonomy in decision-making. He is committed to eliminating restrictive practices, advancing supported decision-making, and developing strengths-based supports that honour lived experience.
Beyond his clinical work, Abel is a mentor and clinical supervisor to emerging practitioners, supporting the growth of a workforce that is compassionate, respectful, and aligned with neuro-affirming values. He has led service development initiatives, contributed to policy and procedure frameworks, and supported advocacy efforts focused on rights, relationships, and community participation. Abel is motivated by a vision of an Australia where neurodivergent voices lead the design of services, systems, and societal narratives. Abel is driven by a vision of a society where neurodivergent voices lead conversations about their own lives, communities, and supports.