staff
Sharon-Occupational Therapist/Key worker
I think at the heart of it, we all just want our kids to be happy, to believe in themselves & be all they can be. And I know at times this takes quite a support team behind the scenes—cheering, reassuring, teaching and of course loving.
As a paediatric OT, with over 20 years experience, I look forward to being part of your child's team. I have experience and commitment in helping children develop everyday skills so that they can participate in play, learning, daily living, family life and friendships.
Some of the key areas I have training and experience in includes working with children with Movement Disorders (such as Cerebral Palsy), Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability and ADHD.
l also feel passionate about Assistive Technology, which means finding the right piece of equipment to help your child participate in daily living and living life to the fullest.
Working days: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri
Kate-Speech Pathologist/Key worker
When my elder daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder which significantly impacted her communication abilities, I became immersed in working collaboratively with the therapists and specialist teachers who supported her. This ignited in me a passion to assist others and set me on the path of a 4-year degree in Speech Pathology while raising my young daughters. Juggling these two very important areas of my life increased my empathy of families experiencing the joys and challenges of family life at all its different stages. I am committed to supporting families to navigate such complexities, enabling their children to flourish.
I am a Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia and have over 15 years’ experience in the early intervention sector, schools, and private practice. I have enjoyed working with a diverse range of children who have varying needs of communication and other support requirements. I specialise in working with children on the Autism spectrum as well as children who have genetic disorders, feeding challenges and complex communication needs. Central to my approach is working in partnership with families, carers, and educators within the wider community.
I bring a holistic approach to my work, having experience in a number of complementary programs such as Hanen parent programs, SOS fussy eating, Zones of Regulation, Picture Exchange (PECS), Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) programs and Key Word Sign. I have been involved in a multidisciplinary Autism assessment clinic and am trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.
Working days: Mon-Fri
Carolyn-Early Childhood Teacher/Key worker
I believe it’s a privilege to be invited to work with children and their families to share, resource, support and coach them and their early childhood team with strategies and information.
I enjoy spending time with my family, including my extended family, many friendship circles and pets.
My role as Key Worker-member of your child’s early childhood intervention team is to work side by side with you and your family.
My passion is to help you achieve your goals and vision for your child and families future.
I am a registered early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and have a degree in Special Education .
I have over 30 years’ experience working in family centred, transdisciplinary teams in the early childhood intervention sector as well as 7.5 years working in Preschools and Lower Primary as a teacher.
My experience includes working with children from diverse backgrounds with both high and low support needs including supporting children with developmental delays, behaviours of concern , Autism spectrum disorder as well as children who have genetic disorders, physical disabilities and complex communication needs.
I believe in transdisciplinary practice approach to Early Childhood intervention , working together in a Team with you, your family, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Music Therapists, parents and preschool, childcare or primary school teachers. This approach allows us to support you as head of the team, to put together all the strategies we have developed as a team to work towards your goals . We support you to fit these within your daily routines to maximise your child’s opportunities to develop and learn in all environments.
I am trained in Parent Education Training, Toilet Training, Tuning into Kids, Family Partnerships, Routine Based Interventions, Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) programs and Key Word Sign.
I look forward to getting to know you and your child and family and working together on this journey.
Working days: Mon -Fri
Dora-Administration Officer
Hi I'm Dora. I am the administration officer and also support the team in making resources. I currently work every second Thursday in the office. I look forward to meeting you.
Working day-Thurs
Kaila-Speech Pathologist/Key worker
Hi, I'm Kaila. I am a paediatric speech pathologist/key worker with experience in early childhood intervention and community health. I also have experience working with kinder programs to support students to be school ready.
I specialise in working with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as other developmental delays and disorders. The thing I love most about my role is working with families to achieve meaningful therapy goals. If it's important to you, it's important to me!
I am passionate about providing holistic and family-centred care, and believe that by working together we can support your child to grow and be happy.
I have additional training in PROMPT, Key Word Sign, Hanen More Than Words program, DIR Floortime, paediatric feeding, as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) programs.
I look forward to being a part of your child's team!
Working day: Mon
Shanta-Early Childhood Teacher/Key worker
Working with young children has always been my passion. I hold a Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching in Special Education. I have worked for the past 22 years in Early Childhood Intervention as a key worker with children aged 0-7 years.
I have always enjoyed working as part of a team and have experience working with children who have a range of challenges and strengths including Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delay, ADHD and genetic disorders. Prior to this I worked as a Kindergarten Teacher.
I believe it is integral to work with families in a collaborative way to help children achieve and grow. Family centred practice is a philosophy i truly believe in and underlies my work. I hold a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and am trained in The Tuning into Kids program.
I love using yoga, music and dance with children and look forward to working with you.
Working days: Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat for Lego group
Jenni-Early Childhood Teacher/Key worker
Hi – My name is Jenni Salathiel, and I am looking forward to participating in the social skills program, conducting at BIG Therapies. I have had extensive experience, firstly in the early childhood field, (as a kindergarten teacher) and more recently in the early intervention sector working with children with disabilities and their families. I have always had a passion for inclusion and especially in the area of supporting children to develop their social skills and establish friendship networks with others of their own age. I see it as an important life skill. This initially led me to participate in a research program which focused upon social inclusion in early childhood settings. This program eventually resulted in the development of a social inclusion approach, using puppetry and working with children in small groups to teach them the necessary skills to interact in a meaningful way with their peers and to support others within the group. This program continues to be implemented within the early childhood field today.
I am excited to join the team of committed and skilled professionals at BIG Therapies.
Working day: Sat for Lego group
Francesca-Speech Pathologist/Key worker
It was a love of language that set me on the path to becoming a speech pathologist. I studied linguistics at university and then had a stint in publishing. After starting a family and finding out that my child had a hearing loss, I decided to turn my love of language into a set of skills to support and empower people with communication difficulties by studying speech pathology at the University of Melbourne.
I have been fortunate to work for 10 years now with children and families in the early intervention and school-age life stages. This has involved working as part of a transdisciplinary team of therapists, educators and medical professionals, drawing on a deep pool of experience. I am very happy now to be joining a great team at BIG Therapies I’ve worked with for many years.
I have training in a number of programs, particularly those for children with autism: Hanen Centre, DIR Floortime, PECS, AAC, infant and child feeding, ADOS-2 (autism assessment) and various approaches to language and speech therapy.
I believe it’s important to emphasise that communication is always a two-way thing. A communication difficulty doesn’t reside in the person with a disability or delay alone - it’s up to all of us to help each other reach our communication potential. We can all be good communication partners and advocates, and it’s rewarding for me to make this happen in partnership with children, families and communities. I look forward to meeting new children and families of any background, as diversity is part of what makes life enriching.
Working days: Wed and Fri
Bella-Speech Pathologist/Key worker
Growing up with an older sister with Downs Syndrome and Intellectual disability, and seeing the ways in which she flourished with her own challenges is what led me on the path to becoming a speech pathologist. It is through my own family experience in living with and caring for a person with different needs alongside my professional training as a speech pathologist, that provides me with a unique perspective in working with children and their families, to support them in reaching their goals that are important to them, and using their strengths and interests to do so. I believe that when a child is engaged, and therapy sessions are tailored to their interests, they are happier, and when they are happy they flourish. I am extremely passionate about providing holistic and family-centered care and working closely with you to support your child; together we are a team.
I have additional training in Zones of regulation, Key word sign, DIR floor time, Cued articulation, literacy programs such as Sounds-write, and some Augmentative and Alternative communication systems such as PODD and LAMP.
Working day: Fri
Wally/our Therapy Dog in training
Meet Wally.
Wally is a loveable and playful Miniature Schnauzer who loves meeting everyone who comes into our office when he visits.
Working days :on call .
We are always looking for passionate staff to to join our growing team.
Is this you?
Please get in touch as we would love to speak with you.