Meet Caroline

“Caroline always brings warmth, empathy, and patience”

Caroline Tchighianoff

Autism Advocacy & Support Specialist

RCOT BT0231874 • HCPC OT51519

Hi, I’m Caroline and I’m one of the team’s Autism Advocacy & Support Specialists. I am passionate about working with children and their families to support them to achieve their full potential, and am excited to be part of a team that shares this passion. I believe in a neuro-affirming approach and the importance of really getting to know the child and family I am working with to be able to support them in the best way I can.

I use a strength based approach to support children and their families to develop strategies and techniques to overcome challenges they are facing and to achieve their goals. This can have an incredibly positive impact on the child — and their families — not only in supporting them to achieve their goals, but by the positive impact this can have on their overall emotional well-being and confidence. This I believe, will then continue to shape their path through life in a positive way. I believe every child matters and should be treated with respect, and so I always use a child and family centred approach, focusing on what is most important to them.

I’m always honest, reliable, and committed to providing the best possible support I can for every child I work with. I’m also passionate about supporting families through the diagnostic autism assessment process and am committed to being part of a team that provides thorough assessments, adhering to NICE guidelines, and which supports families through the assessment process and beyond. On top of this, I’m excited to be developing my skills further and am completing my sensory integration practitioner training.

“Thank you so much, Xavier is now so much happier as he understands why some things are difficult for him and it's not that he's failed.”

Xavier’s parents

My background is in Occupational Therapy and Psychology. I initially completed a Psychology degree and started my working life in mental health services supporting both adolescents and adults. I then completed my Occupational Therapy degree and have been working as an Occupational Therapist for over twenty years. For the seven years before joining Now, Next & Then I worked in the NHS children’s services, helping children from birth to 18 years. I am experienced in supporting children navigating their journey through life as the demands of the world around them change.  I enjoy working with children across the different areas of their life, supporting their voices to be heard and advocating for them when needed. I have a son who is Autistic and has ADHD, so I bring lived experience to my understanding and approach, and believe my professional and personal experiences put me in a very privileged position. This journey led me to my true vocation of working with children in this role.

Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. In my spare time I enjoy relaxing at home watching a family movie or playing the piano, and when possible travelling to new and exciting places.

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“One of Caroline’s greatest strengths is her unwavering calmness and dedication to the families she supports.”

“Caroline has made exceptional contributions to the service.”

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