Our Team
All of our Speech Pathologists enjoy working together with families and other professionals, to create a family-centered, personalised and holistic approach to therapy.
They use patience, understanding and bright personality, taking into consideration each client’s unique character, interests and strengths.
We adopt a fun and upbeat approach to speech and language therapy.
Meet Andrea
Andrea Cooper is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Andrea graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
- Hanen ‘It Takes Two To Talk’ Program for Parents of Children with Language Delays
- Hanen ‘More than Words’ Program for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) – Level 1 Training
- UCLA The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) – PEERS® for Young Adults – Social Skill Program
- Audiometry Screenings and Assessment Program
- Key Word Signing
- Community of Practice: Complex Trauma in Speech Pathology – Applying theory to everyday practise when working with people who have experienced complex trauma – Speech Pathology Australia
- Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP) Workshop – 5 Elements of LAMP, Language connections and Introductions to Implementation – Liberator
- SLP LIVE: Feel Empowered Treating Speech – Presented by Jennie Bjorem, Amy Graham and Rebecca Reinking.
- Colourful Semantics Masterclass presented by Marina Hennes
- The ABC’s of Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) by Chyrisse Heine
- What is Developmental Language Disorder – Speech Pathology Australia
- Developing Sentence Complexity in Written Expression: Strategies for Students from 8 to 18. By Jenny Baker
- How Words Work: Spelling Development, Assessment and Intervention. By Jenny Baker
- Social Thinking Training: “Superflex & Social Detective-A Mighty Duo!” Best teaching practices to help children become social observers and to develop their social thinking to improve self-awareness, self-monitoring and self-regulation.
- “Building Communication: Supporting Parents of Pre-schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties” by the Hanen Centre
- “Starting Early: Red Flags and Treatment Tips for Toddlers on the Autism Spectrum” by the Hanen Centre
- “Teaching Tuning In: Practical Strategies to Promote Theory of Mind for Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum” by the Hanen Centre
- “Blades – Adding Meaning and Interaction to Language therapy for 2-5 year olds” presented by Mellanie Sherwood
- “Reading Comprehension and Written Expression: Supporting primary and secondary students with written language difficulties” presented by Dr Julia Starling
- “Reading and Spelling Difficulties in Children: Assessment and Treatment” presented by Dr Saskia Kohnen
- “Making it a Success – Teaching and Behaviour Support Strategies For Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder” presented by Sue Larkey
- “Speech Sound Disorders – The Basics & Beyond II” presented by Dr Caroline Bowen
- “Childhood Apraxia of Speech” presented by Dr Caroline Bowen
- “Accidental Counsellor Training” presented by Rocky Biasi – Human Connections
Andrea loves the variety of her caseload. She enjoys working with young children to improve their early language skills, working with clients to improve their articulation of sounds and working with primary and high school aged clients to improve their language and social communication skills. Andrea has a particular passion and extensive experience in teaching literacy skills (including reading, spelling and comprehension of written texts). She has taught many children, adolescents and young adults in this area.
Andrea has also worked at the University of Newcastle as a Clinical Educator for the Speech Pathology in Schools Program.
Meet Sally
Sally Byrne is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Sally graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
Sally is trained in:
- Hanen ‘It Takes Two To Talk’ Program for Parents of Children with Language Delays
- Sounds-Write: a linguistic phonics program which uses an evidence-based and highly effective approach to teach reading, spelling and writing.
- Key Word Signing
Sally has attended the following workshops:
- Pragmatic Language Skills: A hard nut to crack, by Lucia Smith
- Speech Pathology in Schools – A whole school approach, by Speech Pathology Australia
- Using the Curriculum through Response to Intervention Model, by Speech Pathology Australia
- Telehealth – ‘Embracing technology in healthcare’ by Charles Sturt University
Sally has a particular passion for working with individuals in the school setting and collaborating with families and other professionals to ensure holistic and individualised services.
Sally has experience working with individuals with disabilities in her previous employment as a support worker and in her final year placement at a support school in Hobart.
She believes in the importance of empowering clients and their families in improving their communication and interaction skills.
Sally is a valued member of our speech pathology team. She has a unique style and connects well with clients in her sessions. The aim is for the client and their family to meet their communication and interaction goals, which Sally does a great job doing.
Meet Emily
Emily Swan is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Emily graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
Emily is trained in:
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy – Introduction course by the Australian Academy of Orofacial Myology.
Emily has attended the following workshops:
- Speech Pathology in the Literacy Domain: From Prevention to Intervention, by Dr Tanya Serry
- Hanen ‘Helping Parents Use Routines to Promote Young Children’s Interaction and Language Skills’
- Making it a Success: Teaching & Behaviour strategies for Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by Sue Larkey
Emily gained experience working with children with a range of disabilities and developmental levels in her previous role as a developmental support worker.
Emily enjoys working closely with teachers, educators and families to bring out the best communication opportunities for each child, in a variety of settings.
Using creativity and her bright, bubbly personality, Emily makes speech therapy fun and engaging for children of all ages.
Meet Abby
Abby Murrell is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Abby graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
Abby is trained in:
- Sounds-Write: a linguistic phonics program which uses an evidence-based and highly effective approach to teach reading, spelling and writing.
- The Lidcombe Program – Stuttering Program for Children who Stutter
Abby has attended the following workshops:
- Supporting older children & adolescents with reading comprehension & written expression difficulties – by Speech Pathology Australia
Abby is passionate about working with children with disabilities, and has plenty of experience working in a variety of settings.
She’s great at working with individuals, families, teachers and other health professionals to support and enhance the clients ability to communicate within the community.
Abby’s soft and warm personality helps her clients become comfortable within the session and build confidence to work towards their goals.
Meet Georgie
Georgie Burridge is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Georgie graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
Georgie is trained in:
- UCLA The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) for Adolescents
Georgie has attended the following workshops:
- Speech Pathology in Schools: A whole school approach’- by Speech Pathology Australia
- Feel More Confident Understanding and Implementing the Minimal Pairs Approach’- by Rebecca Reinking
- ‘Telehealth: Embracing technology in healthcare’- Charles Sturt University
- ‘Identify and Respond to Children and Young People at Risk’- Atkinson Childcare College
Previously employed as a childcare educator in before and after school care and preschool settings, Georgie has lots of experience working with children and families.
She enjoys working with clients of all ages, and loves the day-to-day variety that her role as a speech pathologist brings. She values the importance of taking the time to get to know her clients, their interests and goals in order to provide therapy that is personalised, engaging and fun.
Meet Nicola
Nicola Orr is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Nicola graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
Nicola is trained in:
- Hanen ‘It Takes Two To Talk’ Program for Parents of Children with Language Delays
Nicola has attended the following workshops:
- Evidence Based Interventions and Strategies for Children with DLD, by the DLD Project.
Nicola enjoys working with preschool and school age children for speech and language.
Nicola delights in empowering individuals and working with their families and teachers to build their ability and confidence in communication.
Nicola has been a friendly face at ACSP for a while now. During her final year of study and placements, Nicola supported our team at our kindergarten screening project and helped run our group programs at one of our high schools, focusing on literacy and language intervention.
Nicola has a very encouraging manner during her therapy sessions. She is able to adjust the session goals and activities to ensure that each client achieves and shines in their own way.
Meet Isaac
Isaac Vanderhout is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Isaac graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
Isaac is passionate about developing children’s communication skills so they can reach their fullest potential during their education and beyond. He strongly believes therapy has the most benefits when individuals, families, teachers, and health professionals work together to achieve communication goals.
Isaac has a friendly, caring, and patient personality. He values a positive relationship with his clients and strives to provide engaging, personalised therapy.
Meet Jenna
Jenna Barker is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Jenna graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).
She also graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Speech, Hearing and Language Sciences. Jenna holds a Certificate III in Children’s Services.
Jenna enjoys working with preschool and school aged children for speech, language and stuttering. Through working in collaboration with families, Jenna ensures she provides individualised services to clients and families in order to support and address their needs.
Jenna is an approachable and adaptable person who loves assisting her clients to build confidence and achieve their best selves.
SPA
We are bound by Speech Pathology Australia’s Code of Ethics
NDIS
We are registered providers with the National Disability Insurance Scheme