Bachelor of Applied Science
(Occupational Therapy)

Intermediate DIR® Floortime™ provider

Dale graduated from the University of Sydney in 1991. Dale initially worked within a variety of mental health settings prior to working in paediatric practice. Since 1995, Dale has worked in a wide range of paediatric settings both here and in the United Kingdom, including community health, private practice and early intervention.

Dale has a special interest in working with children and their families utilising the Sensory Integration and DIR®/Floortime™ models and is passionate about providing this within an interdisciplinary framework. Dale has trained to the intermediate level in the DIR®/Floortime™ Model. Dale continues to expand her knowledge through a wide range of ongoing conferences, seminars and mentoring within paediatric occupational therapy.

Dale has three gorgeous children Jamie, Eliza and Robert.

Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Intermediate DIR® Floortime™ provider

Emma graduated from the University of Queensland in 2004 and has had extensive experience working in community health settings with pre-school aged children in country Victoria, Early Childhood Intervention settings working with pre-school aged children with autism and developmental delays, as well as in private practice. In 2008, Emma travelled to the US to train in the DIR®/Floortime™ Model of Intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities. In 2011, Emma again travelled to the US where she completed the DIR® C 1 Certification, DIR®/Floortime™ program. Emma continues to expand her knowledge of DIR®/Floortime™ through ongoing mentoring and attendance at professional development seminars.

Emma is a certified Hanen provider and is a trained provider of the Therapeutic Listening Program. Emma is also trained in the Lindamood Bell Approach to phonological processing and language comprehension. Emma has extensive experience and a passion for working with young children who present with autism, developmental delays, language disorders and social language difficulties.

Emma has two gorgeous daughters, Mary and Kate.

Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Courtney graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006. She has worked with children from infancy to adolescence who present with Autism, complex developmental needs, language disorders and social language difficulties.  Courtney has worked in a range of settings including the disability sector, Family and Early Childhood Services, and mainstream and special schools in Australia and the United Kingdom.  She has experience working in transdiciplinary teams with other professionals including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, to support a holistic and integrated service for the children and families she works with.

Courtney is trained in a variety of therapy programs including Hanen (It Takes Two to Talk and More Than Words), Learn to Play Therapy and Social Thinking and has an interest in augmentative and alternative communication systems. Courtney is dedicated to working with families to ensure positive and functional outcomes for their child. 

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Anna graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from LaTrobe University, Melbourne in 1997. For 25 years, she has enjoyed working with both adults and children in Australia and the United Kingdom. Her career spans a wide range of settings – from hospitals and rehabilitation centres to community health services, special and mainstream schools, the disability sector and early intervention. In 2009 Anna obtained a Graduate Certificate of Health Promotion, being passionate about the concept of ‘Health for All’.

Anna favours child-led, strengths-based, family-centred, neurodiversity affirming approaches. Anna maintains best practice through wide ranging, regular professional development in her areas of interest including: Stanley Greenspan’s DIR® Floortime™ (level 2), Ross Greene’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, Karen Young’s ‘Hey Warrior’ (Anxiety), and numerous Sensory Integration and Praxis courses with leaders in the field.

Anna has an awesome son who constantly reminds her of the importance of play and challenges her to keep OT home program ideas ‘real’

Bachelor of Speech & Hearing Science
Master of Speech-Language Pathology

Linda earned her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and Master’s from the University of Iowa. Linda was a travel (locum) therapist working in outpatient clinics, schools, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities before finding her passion for early childhood intervention in 2010. Using principles from The Hanen Centre and the DIR®/Floortime™ program, Linda’s therapy approach puts the child’s primary caregivers in the lead at home and lets the child’s interests and needs guide each session.

Linda has served children with a variety of diagnoses, including Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy, brain injury, and developmental delays. She’s trained in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and has experience with other augmentative/alternative communication methods.

Linda immigrated to Australia from the U.S. in 2017. Raising her two young children, Madeline and Arthur, has made her a better clinician.

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Courtney completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honors at Monash University. During her studies, she worked in a variety of settings including paediatric mental health, adult and paediatric rehabilitation, working in a primary school for five years, and working with children with disabilities. Her experiences, have allowed her to grow her knowledge and passion for early intervention and family centred therapy, to support a childs’ mental, physical and social growth.

Courtney works closely with families, to tailor and integrate strategies into a childs’ home and school environment. She receives regular mentoring and professional development training.

Courtney is passionate about working with children who present with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays, Social Language Disorders and children with additional needs. Courtney is a dedicated clinician who values building a rapport with children and seeing a child achieve their goals and milestones.

Masters of Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Arts
(Psychology and Linguistics)

Theresa completed her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Linguistics) prior to completing her Masters of Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne. During her studies, she gained experience in a range of different settings including community health, hospitals, paediatric private practice and telehealth. She especially enjoyed her experiences supporting children speech and language delays, social language difficulties, developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities and ADHD.

Master of Psychology
(Educational and Developmental)

Ashleigh has experience working in both public and private settings. Prior to joining Kids Connect, she worked for 5 years as a psychologist in primary and secondary schools. In this role, Ashleigh worked with children and adolescents with a range of presentations (e.g., dyslexia, anxiety, selective mutism, autism, ADHD, and other developmental disorders). Ashleigh is trained in Sounds Write and has an interest in identifying and providing intervention for specific learning disorders, ADHD, and working with developmental trauma. Ashleigh is ADOS-trained and undertakes assessment and diagnosis of autism. In therapy, Ashleigh incorporates creative, expressive, and play-based approaches, taking principles from the DIR®/Floortime™ Model and other evidence-based therapies, tailoring sessions to each child’s interests and needs. Ashleigh loves working with children and believes some of the most important aspects of her work are around building and maintaining a trusting, fun, and secure connection with each child.

Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology (Honours)

Melissa completed her Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology (Honours) at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. While studying, Melissa gained experience working with a range of children with various speech, language and literacy needs, supporting social communication and neurodivergent children. She has experience working with these children in a clinic setting, school setting or through tele-health practice. Following this, she completed a Master of Science at the University of Canterbury where she investigated and wrote a research thesis investigating the effects and social validity of LEGO®-Based Therapy for autistic primary aged girls. Prior to working at Kids Connect Therapy, Melissa worked with primary and pre-school aged children in their learning and home environments. Melissa is passionate about working collaboratively with families, educators and others in a multidisciplinary team to ensure goals are achieved.

Melissa is a practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia and New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association. Melissa is trained in LEGO®-Based Therapy and has completed further personal development in the use of play for autistic children. Melissa strongly believes in an evidence-based practice approach and is constantly seeking further areas to develop her skills.

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Natalie completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree at Monash University. Prior to working as an occupational therapist, Natalie worked as an Allied Health Assistant within a hospital setting. Natalie begun her occupational therapy career working within a hospital and rehabilitation setting where the majority of her caseload consisted of adults. Natalie always had the passion for working with children after she spent time observing an occupational therapist assist her younger cousin to participate in everyday activities. Prior to working at Kids Connect Therapy, Natalie worked as a mobile occupational therapist where she visited children at home, school or kinder. Natalie has worked with children of all ages and with varying diagnoses.

Natalie has completed professional development courses such as managing emotions, sensory processing, fine motor skills and Learn to Play. Natalie is passionate about working with children and their families using a family-centred approach. Natalie strives to ensure every session is playful and fun for the child while targeting their individual goals. 

Bachelor of Health Science, Master of Occupational Therapy

Cindy completed her Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy at Swinburne University of Technology. During her studies she worked in a range of different settings including Early Childhood Intervention Service, community services and in aged care services. Within these settings, she worked with a wide variety of clients ranging from children to the elderly.

Cindy loves working with children and encourages a strengths-based approach, which supports the child and family’s ability to continue development by encouraging growth and competency building over time. She also acknowledges the importance of family centered practice, working in collaboration with children and families, when implementing Occupational Therapy interventions.

Cindy has also worked with a range of children with developmental delays, sensory processing disorders and behavioural disorders. Cindy has worked with the children to improve and develop their learning and strategies in areas such as behaviour management, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social skills and emotional regulation through play-based therapy. Cindy has previously worked in an Early Childhood Intervention Service that utilised the DIR®/Floortime™ Model.

Cindy is passionate in providing the best service for her clients, keeping up to date with the clinical practices and professional development through continual mentoring.

Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Michaela completed her bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University. While studying, Michaela gained experience in hospitals, aged care and rehabilitation clinics, but especially enjoyed her time working in mainstream and specialist schools, supporting children with speech and language delays, intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.

Michaela enjoys working within a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic support and intervention to school aged children. Michaela believes that it is important for all aspects of a child’s life be considered in supporting their language and communication development. Michaela believes in incorporating creativity and play into evidence-based intervention ensuring sessions cater to the individual needs of children. Michaela has training in PROMPT Therapy and has an interest in working with children with speech sound disorders.

Michaela regularly attends professional development courses to expand her clinical knowledge and is a practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia. Michaela believes building strong relationships with clients and their families is key to helping them achieve their goals in a fun and functional way.

Master of Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Science

Suri completed her Bachelor of Science and Master of Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne. During her studies, she worked in a variety of different settings, ranging from community health and private practice to acute and sub-acute hospitals. Within these settings, Suri enjoyed working with a wide range of clients from children to the elderly, but found the most joy working with children, and found their ability to learn and adapt inspiring.

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Adrian completed his Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Monash University. Prior to working at Kids Connect Therapy, he was involved in a variety of occupational therapy settings such as paediatric clinic, community, telehealth, mental and physical rehabilitation. Among these experiences, Adrian discovered a strong interest in working with children with various diagnoses, and support them to achieve their goals and milestones. Adrian values making the therapy session fun and enjoyable while adopting evidence-based intervention approaches. He also values working together with families on meaningful goals using a family centred approach. With these approaches, Adrian strives to ensure children are working through their goals in a fun and motivating environment.

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Isabella completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University. During her studies, Isabella has worked in various settings which included experience in paediatrics, adult mental health, neurological rehabilitation, and physical rehabilitation. She has also worked as a disability support worker for four years with clients ranging from children to the elderly. These experiences have assisted Isabella in finding her passion for working with children and providing family-centred care.

Isabella loves working with children and their families to provide a client-centred approach to therapy. This ensures clients’ values and interests are considered to make intervention meaningful to them and their everyday lives. Isabella has had great experience with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Developmental Delays, Down Syndrome, and Intellectual Disabilities. Isabella is an enthusiastic and committed clinician who dedicates her time to ensure children can reach their full potential.

Master of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Arts
(Psychology and Sociology)

Isaac completed his Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology) and Master of Occupational Therapy in Monash University. Though his studies, Isaac was able to gain experience in multiple settings, including Paediatric clinics, Specialist Schools, Residential aged care, and Mental health. Among these experiences, Isaac particularly enjoyed working and supporting children with various diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Developmental delays and Sensory processing difficulties.

Bachelor of Biomedicine and Master of Speech Pathology

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and Master of Speech Pathology