Therapy & Assessment for Children

Ladybug House takes a holistic approach to its therapy, incorporating the child and their family. We want our therapy to be effective and sustainable. In most sessions, parents are a key part of the therapy.  Parents are with the child all day, everyday, an opportunity not to be missed. We are not only your child's therapist, we are your expert parent trainer.

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Our Team

Speech Pathologists

Maria

Maria is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She trained at La Trobe University in Melbourne, and has been a practicing clinician for many years. She has worked in Paediatrics in a number of settings as a Speech Pathologist, trainer and consultant. Maria has worked in Early Intervention organisations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and at The Royal Children's Hospital in Mental Health and the hospital’s Communication Clinics. Maria has extensive experience in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). She has also worked as a Supervising Clinician with Speech Pathology undergraduates and Masters Students at La Trobe University’s Communication Clinic. Through her work at Aspect Sydney, Maria lectured post graduate students in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Singapore. Her passion continues to be working closely with children aged 0- 7 years and their families providing individualised assessment and intervention programs. Her areas of expertise and interest are in ASD, speech and language disorders and delays. She has a variety of experience working with other health professionals, schools, kinders and child care centres.

 
Lindsay

Lindsay is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She studied Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Linguistics at the University of Colorado and received her master’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne. Lindsay has experience working with children with a range of speech, language and social communication difficulties, however, she has a passion for working with young children who stutter and specialises in the treatment of stuttering using the Lidcombe Program. Lindsay also has a great interest in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, specifically working collaboratively with families to help them feel empowered and confident in supporting their children reach their full communication potential. Lindsay also enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team with other professionals in both individual sessions and in group therapy programs such as social skill groups. Lindsay is trained in the Hanen 'It Takes Two to Talk®' program, DIR Floortime®, Picture Exchange Communication System, Social Thinking®, Positive Behaviour Support, and is ADOS-2 certified.

Lia

Lia is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She studied Health Sciences at Latrobe University, and received her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne. Lia is trained in the Hanen 'More Than Words®' program, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), DIRFloortime®, The Lidcombe Program for early childhood stuttering, Social Thinking© and is ADOS-2 certified. She has experience working with children with speech and language delays in both early intervention and school settings. Lia has experience in the assessment and intervention of speech & articulation, receptive & expressive language and social skills. Lia also has a great passion for working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and aims to incorporate the teaching principles and strategies from the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) into her individual and group therapy sessions with young children with ASD. Additionally, Lia has an interest in supporting young children with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to further enhance their functional communication skills.

Erin

Erin is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, who has worked with paediatrics for a number of years and across a range of settings. Erin has experience working with preschool aged children in early intervention and community health, and has provided therapy and consultation using a family-first, strength-based approach. She has also worked with children in both mainstream and special education settings, and has provided services as both a direct therapist to the child, and as a consultant to guide staff and parents. Erin has experience working with a variety of diagnoses and difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Delay, Stuttering, Hearing Impairment and a range of speech and language delays and disorders. She is a certified provider for the Hanen ‘It Takes Two to Talk®’ program, and an accredited DIRFloortime® provider, which underpins her approach in all aspects of client care. Erin is also ADOS-2 trained. Erin is passionate about looking at each child in the context of their environment (e.g. home, school, or kindergarten), and working alongside their caregivers to enable them to participate to the best of their abilities.

Molly

Molly is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She received a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Speech Pathology from Latrobe University. Molly is passionate about working with families and young children with developmental disabilities, including those with Autism. Molly has a strong interest in the areas of speech sound delays/disorders, early literacy and language. Molly values the importance of building strong relationships with families and children and collaborating closely with those in the child’s community, while applying a strength based and family centred approach to assessment and intervention. Molly strives to provide efficient and evidence-based services that incorporate the child’s individual interests and strengths. Molly is trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System©, DIR Floortime©, Hanen - More Than Words © and The Lidcombe Program for early childhood stuttering, in addition to extended professional development in the areas of Social Thinking, Phonology and literacy.

Sophie

Sophie is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. She trained at La Trobe University, receiving a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Speech Pathology. Sophie is committed to continuous professional development and focuses on incorporating children’s strengths and motivations into high quality evidence-based sessions. She is passionate about working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, early literacy difficulties and developmental delays and their families to provide fun yet functional intervention. Sophie enjoys working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, particularly in social skills groups. She is trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System ©, Social Thinking® and the Hanen 'It Takes Two to Talk®' program.

Alecia (QLD) (Maternity Leave)

Alecia is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. Since graduating with a Bachelor in Speech Pathology from the University of Newcastle, she has worked across a range of paediatric settings, both in Australia and abroad. Alecia has experience working with children who have a variety of diagnoses and difficulties including children with Complex Communication Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Delay, Stuttering, reading and writing difficulties and a range of speech and language delays and disorders. Alecia has delivered services to children both in a direct one on one setting and as a consultant to guide parents and staff. These therapy services have been provided in a range of early intervention centres, clinics and educational settings, including private therapy, Early Childhood Development Programs, mainstream schools and special schools. She is trained in Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD), DIRFloortime®, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Alecia is passionate about working closely with families to individualise intervention and create functional communication and participation.

KimberlEy (QLD)

Kimberley is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She studied a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Queensland. Fluent in Spanish as a second language, Kimberley is passionate about all forms of language learning and working with culturally and linguistically diverse children. She has spent time training overseas with other allied health professionals where she provided bilingual speech pathology assessment and intervention. Here she learnt the importance of advocacy for access to services and forming professional relationships through empathetic and respectful communication! Kimberley has experience working with young people with disabilities in metropolitan areas and is interested in the use of alternative and augmentative communication systems. Ensuring a family-centred and holistic approach to therapy is implemented is very important to Kimberley, as is her belief in evidence-based and collaborative intervention. Kimberley is trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System, Hanen ‘More Than Words’® , DIR ® , Key Word Sign and the Lidcombe Program for early childhood stuttering.

Beth (QLD)

Beth is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist. She studied a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Queensland. Beth is passionate about working with young children with developmental disabilities or delays, by providing early intervention to better prepare them for schooling and to communicate effectively with their peers and family. Beth has experience supporting school-aged students with speech, language, literacy and complex communication needs in rural Queensland. She has worked with students from mainstream and special education settings, by providing evidence-based services directly to the child and as a consultant to guide families and school teams. Working with students in rural communities, Beth learnt the importance of early intervention to better prepare children for schooling and the importance of advocacy for access to Speech Pathology and Allied Health services. Here she learnt the importance of working as a team with families and other professionals, within respectful, collaborative relationships for the benefit of her clients. Beth is trained in Pragmatically Organised Dynamic Device (PODD), identifying and supporting students with a specific learning disorder in reading and is continually developing her skills in Auslan.

Occupational Therapist

Monique

Monique is a fully qualified occupational therapist. She graduated from her Undergraduate Degree in Exercise Health Sports Science at the University of Western Australia, and received her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Monash University. Monique has had experience working with children as a group instructor running birthday parties and movement groups for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Delays. Monique also has experience in working with children in schools, hospitals and home environments and is passionate about working with children in the areas of gross and fine motor skills, sensory processing, behaviour and emotional regulation. Monique uses a family centred, holistic and evidence based approach to therapy to ensure assessments and interventions are tailored to the children’s and families goals. Monique has completed training in DIR Floortime®, Talking Toileting and Social Thinking®. Monique is passionate about coaching parents to feel empowered and supported when engaging with their children at home.

Annelise

Annelise is a qualified Occupational Therapist where she completed her Bachelor Degree at Australian Catholic University. She has worked as a Disability Support Worker and Allied Health Assistant working with a range of disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Annelise also has experience working in Paediatric clinics specialising in ASD whilst working alongside many other therapists. Annelise develops intervention using a person centred and family-oriented approach using best evidence-based practice to assist children and their families to reach their unique OT goals and optimise their full potential. Annelise strives to ensure the child's family is incorporated into the therapy process by involving them in creative and fun ways to further promote the child's skill development in their natural environments such as home and school. These plans are created using a play-based approach incorporating strategies to promote skills required to partake in everyday tasks, promoting independence and confidence.

Jade (QLD)

Jade is a fully qualified occupational therapist. She graduated from her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy at Griffith University. Jade has experience working with children with a range of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Jade also has experience working with children who are continuing to develop their fine motor, gross motor, self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing and executive functioning skills. Jade has a great interest in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting and empowering these children and their families to reach their potential. She strongly believes in using a family-centred and evidence-based approach to practice to provide the best possible outcomes of therapy. Jade has experience using the Social Thinking Program

Psychologists

SaRAH (QLD)

Sarah is a fully registered psychologist and a qualified primary school teacher. Sarah has degrees in both teaching and psychology giving her a broad range of expertise to draw from. With over 16 years’ experience in psychology and education Sarah specialises in working with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder and Specific Learning Disorders. Sarah is a provider for FaHCSIA’s Helping Children with Autism program. She is able to offer assessments, ongoing interventions, parent training and can liaise with schools to help each child reach their potential.

Fiona

Fiona is a registered as a psychologist and has been practicing for many years. She has completed specialist training in Educational and Developmental psychology at a masters level from Melbourne University. She has worked with children and families to help children achieve their educational potential and improve their general coping and daily function. Her specialities include working with children with anxiety, helping children adjust and prepare for school, undertaking cognitive assessments to assess children’s strengths and weaknesses, and diagnosing Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia). She is also trained in undertaking ADOS-2 assessments, and has worked with children on the spectrum to improve their social skills. Her approach is quite holistic (working with schools and families) and involves working with children in a playful and gentle way, using a skill based approach. She likes to work collaboratively with parents, other therapists and schools to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.Fiona has worked across government and independent schools, and in paediatric clinics