Overview
Each of the occupational therapists and speech language pathologists at Skills for Kids are members of their national professional association - the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists or Speech Pathology Australia. Additional to this membership, therapists participate in ongoing professional development. This takes the form of mentoring within Skills for Kids and external study or courses.
All of the occupational therapists at Skills for Kids are accredited with the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. Speech language pathologists are each involved in Professional Self-Regulation Certification through Speech Pathology Australia. Accreditation and certification provide an objective means of structuring, measuring and acknowledging a therapist’s commitment to continuing professional development and assure professional excellence in the delivery of our service to children, parents and teachers.
In addition a number of the occupational therapists at Skills for Kids are registered to provide Focussed Psychological Services (FPS) through Medicare under the Better Access Initiative.
Susan Lowe – Occupational Therapist
PhD AccOT
Susan is the owner and senior occupational therapist at Skills for Kids. Susan graduated in 1975 and has worked in mental health, physical rehabilitation, community health and paediatrics.
Susan is the co-author with Dr Christine Chapparo of PRPP@SCHOOL Teacher Questionnaire and PRPP@HOME Parent Questionnaire. These questionnaires form a companion assessment tool to the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) System of Task Analysis (Chapparo and Ranka, 2005). The purpose of the PRPP@SCHOOL Teacher Questionnaire and PRPP@HOME Parent Questionnaire, as part of a comprehensive assessment, is to gather information about teacher and parent observations of children’s cognitive strategy use for participation in everyday activities at school, home and community.
Susan has completed courses including
- PhD at the University of Sydney for research in the area of assessment development of a teacher questionnaire and parent questionnaire which describes and measures cognitive strategy use and school participation for students with learning difficulties
- Masters of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Sydney focusing on the assessment of children who have difficulty with written expression
- Graduate Diploma of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Sydney in the area of designing accessible environments in homes and schools for children with physical disabilities
- Selected subjects from the Graduate Diploma in Special Education at the University of Western Sydney
- Developing executive functioning skills in students (Teacher Training Australia)
- Praxis: Sensory and social dimensions (The University of Sydney)
- Visual perception: Assessment and intervention for children with learning disorders (The University of Sydney)
- Sensory modulation and defensiveness in children (Genevieve Jereb)
- Collaborative management of the child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (OT Australia)
- Visual perception in children (OT Australia)
- Fine motor intervention (OT Australia)
- Expert Witness (Australian College of Legal Medicine)
Susan has co-authored the following published paper
- Lowe, S., Chapparo, C. (2010). Work at school: Teacher and parent perceptions about children's participation. Work: A journal of prevention, assessment and rehabilitation, 36(2), 249-256.
Susan has co-authored the following book chapters (in press)
- Chapparo, C., Lowe, S. (in press). When learning is difficult. In S. Lane & A. Bundy (Eds.), Kids will be kids: A childhood occupations approach. Baltimore: F.A. Davis.
- Chapparo, C., Lowe, S. (in press). What is it like to go to school? In S. Lane & A. Bundy (Eds.), Kids will be kids: A childhood occupations approach. Baltimore: F.A. Davis.
Susan has presented the following intensive teaching programmes
- Lowe, S. (2010). Paediatric Occupational Therapy for Children. Visiting Expert Teaching Programme for the Health Manpower Development Plan, September 2010 (5 days), KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
- Lowe, S. (2008). Paediatric Occupational Therapy for Children. Visiting Expert Teaching Programme for the Health Manpower Development Plan, January 2008 (7 days), KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Susan has presented at the following conferences
- Lowe, S., Chapparo, C., Heard, R. (2009). Describing school performance in children with learning difficulties. Paper presented at the 2009 Biennial Faculty of Health Sciences Research Higher Degree Student Conference: Emerging Researchers in Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, Lidcombe, NSW.
- Lowe, S., Conroy, M. (2009). Designing contextual playground skills camps for school students who are unhappy, anxious and angry. Paper presented at the 2009 Inaugural Conference for OT Australia NSW-ACT: Initiate, Participate, Achieve, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- Lowe, S. (2008). Using the everyday context of the classroom and playground: Assessment of, and programming for, the participation of children who have difficulties with information processing for school performance. Paper presented at the Successful Learning Conference: Revealing the hidden world: Quality programs for students with additional learning needs, Harold Park Raceway Function Centre, Glebe, Sydney, NSW.
- Lowe, S. (2008). Participation: Students with a learning difficulty. Paper presented at the Primary Support Teacher Learning Assistance Conference, Western Sydney Region, Blacktown, Sydney, NSW.
- Lowe, S., Chapparo, C. (2007). Assessment development to describe participation. Paper presented at the 2007 Biennial FHS Postgraduate Research Student Conference: Building Communities of Inquiry in Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, Lidcombe, NSW.
- Lowe, S., Chapparo, C. (2006). Being one of the tribe: A participation concept. Paper presented at the World Federation Of Occupational Therapists Congress, Sydney, Australia.
- Lowe, S. (2006). Participation in the curriculum for students with learning difficulties. Paper presented at the Learning Support Conference: Support Teachers Language Assistance, Rooty Hill, NSW.
- Lowe, S. (2006). Assessment of cognitive strategy use by students with learning difficulties. Paper presented at the Support Teacher Learning Assistance Professional Update Briefing, Richmond, NSW.
- Lowe, S., Chapparo, C., Ranka, J. (2005). Assessment of motor skills in children. Paper presented at the 2005 Higher degree research students colloquium: Research for a healthy future, University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, Lidcombe, NSW.
- Lowe, S., Chapparo, C. (2005). Creating connections within the classroom: participation within the classroom from the perspective of the major players. Paper presented at the Skills for Kids Paediatric Occupational Therapy Symposium Eden on the Park, Melbourne.
- Lowe, S. (2004). Cognitive strategies for students with learning difficulties. Paper presented at the Learning Support Conference: Support Teachers Language Assistance, Richmond, NSW.
- Chapparo, C., Lowe, S. (1999). Children with learning and co-ordination difficulties: Mothers' perceptions. Paper presented at the National Occupational Therapy Conference, Canberra.
Ynna Acosta – Occupational Therapist
BAppSc(OT) AccOT
Ynna graduated from the University of Sydney in 2008 after completing an earlier student placement and an internship at Skills for Kids. Ynna has a special interest in sensory processing and is committed to making functional links between this approach and childrens' everyday performance in preschool, school and home routines. Previous experience with tutoring has laid the foundations for Ynna's very positive and encouraging relationships with children. Ynna works at Skills for Kids both in the clinic and in school based intervention implementing collaborative programmes for students with classroom teachers.
Ynna has completed courses including
- Getting Kids in Sync: A sensory approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural disorders (Genevieve Jereb)
- Praxis: Sensory and social dimensions (Sharon Cermack)
- DIR (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based Model) Floor time (Georgina Ahrens)
- Sensory defensiveness: Willbarger protocol (Patricia and Julia Willbarger)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Navigating occupational therapy interventions (The Children's Hospital at Westmead)
- Worried, scared or defiant: Anxiety in toddlers and preschoolers – How does it present (Sydney South West Area Health Service, The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service) (PIMHS)
- Tool Kit 4 Kids (Diana Henry)
Stephanie Baker – Occupational Therapist
BAppSc(OT) GradCertHlthSc(OT) AccOT
Stephanie graduated from the University of Sydney in 1989 and has worked with infants, children and adolescents in a range of settings.
Stephanie has completed courses including
- Graduate Certificate of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy) focussing on specific areas of theory, assessment and intervention for children with learning and coordination difficulties in areas of handwriting, writing, tool use, play, sensory processing, information processing and Autism Spectrum Disorder (University of Sydney)
- Goal directed training of hand function for children with cerebral palsy (University of Sydney)
- Getting Kids in Sync: A sensory approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural disorders (Gen Jereb)
- Helping Children with Autism (Occupational Therapy Australia)
Rebecca Cresswell - Occupational Therapist
B AppSc (OT) Acc OT
Rebecca Cresswell completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) at the University of Sydney in 2009. Towards the end of 2009 Becky worked in a Community Based Rehabilitation Project in Thailand. Her occupational therapy role was focused on providing support for families who have children with various special needs. Becky particularly enjoys using task analysis and problem solving strategies to help children learn self care skills (e.g. dressing, eating and toileting) as well as learning for everyday home routines (e.g. getting ready for school and organising homework).
Becky has completed courses including:
- Getting Kids in Sync: A sensory approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural disorders (Genevieve Jereb)
- Teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Angela Wilson)
Rebecca Gatt – Occupational Therapist
Rebecca completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) at the University of Sydney in 2009 and began working at Skills for Kids in September of that year. Rebecca is working at the clinic as well as at several local and secondary schools. A wide range of professional interests has resulted in Rebecca working with children in mainstream schools, support classes and special schools.
Rebecca has completed courses including
- Getting Kids in Sync: A sensory approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural disorders (Genevieve Jereb)
Valerie Graham – Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
B Sc MSLP MSPAA
Valerie completed her Master of Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Sydney in 2009 and began working at Skills for Kids in 2010. She has a particular interest in working with school aged children specifically in the areas of phonological awareness and language.
Valerie has completed courses including
- Working with children with autism Effective speech therapy: What works and what doesn’t (Monique Simpson)
- Kindergarten to Year 2 and language impairment: Is the inevitable avoidable (Kate Short)
Rosie Hodges – Speech Language Pathologist
B AppSc(Sp Path) Hons MSPAA
Rosie completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) (Hons) in 2010 at Sydney University. In addition, she received two awards to acknowledge her outstanding performance: First, The University Medal for excellent academic achievement throughout the four years of her course and an honours mark over 90. Second, The Dean’s Scholar Award for being the highest student within the honours course. Throughout her degree, Rosie developed an interest in working collaboratively with early education professionals to support language and literacy in preschools. In 2010, Rosie presented at the Speech Pathology Australia conference on this topic. She also has a keen interest in working with children with learning difficulties.
Rosie has completed courses including:
- It Takes Two to Talk (Hanen certified)
- Voicecraft (Alison Bagnall)
- Discovering the Possibilities with Visual Strategies: Improving Communication, Behaviour & Social Skills in Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and related communication challenges ( Linda Hodgdon)
Samantha Miles – Occupational Therapist 
BAppSc(OT) AccOT
Samantha graduated from the University of Sydney in 2003 and has worked with adolescents and adults with mild to severe physical disabilities, and children and adolescents with intellectual and learning difficulties. Samantha has a particular interest in working with preschool children and has developed our 'Getting ready for Kindergarten Camp' which she runs annually. Samantha is also involved in teaching at TAFE to teacher's aides about fine motor output in the classroom: Kindergarten to Year 12.
Samantha has completed courses including
- Getting Kids in Sync: A sensory approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural disorders (Genevieve Jereb)
- Helping Children with Autism (OT Australia)
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (Sue Larkey)
- DIR (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based Model) Floor time (Georgina Arhens)
- Visual perception: Assessment and intervention for children with learning disorders (The University of Sydney)
- Practical Intervention Strategies for Therapists and their Clients with ASD (OT Australia).
- Teaching Strategies and behaviour Support for children with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome (Sue Larkey)
- Sensory strategies based in occupation (Genevieve Jereb)
Lisa Mamo – Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
B AppSc(Sp Path) MSPAA
Lisa completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at the University of Sydney in 2009 and immediately joined the Skills for Kids team. Throughout her degree, Lisa developed a particular interest in working with children and adults who have dual or multiple disabilities including vision, hearing, intellectual and physical disabilities. Lisa enjoys ongoing learning and is currently participating in Australian Sign Language (Auslan) classes. Lisa has experience working with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, children who have challenging behaviours and children who have a range of communication abilities:
- Pre-intentional communicators
- Intentional communicators
- Symbolic communicators
As well as children who communicate in a range of different ways:
- Verbal
- Sign language
- Gesture
- Vocalisation
- Body movement
- Facial expression
- Eye gaze
Lisa implements a range of assessment and therapy techniques including sign language, verbal language, low-tech Assistive Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices, sensory experiences, play and daily routines to enrich the communication skills of students with multiple disabilities.
Lisa has completed courses including
- Keyword Signing (Spastic Centre)
- PECS: Picture Exchange Communication System (Pyramid Educational Consultants)
- Working with Children with Autism (Connect Therapy)
- Getting Kids in Sync: A sensory approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural disorders (Genevieve Jereb)
- Gesture, Attention & Vocalisation Intervention (NSW Health- South Western Sydney)
Jessica Westover – Occupational Therapist
B AppSc(OT) AccOT
Jessica completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) in 2009 at the University of Sydney. In her final year of university she was awarded The Spastic Centre’s Professor Henry J Cowan Memorial Scholarship for her keen interest in working with children. Jessica has a particular interest in working with children with learning difficulties and motor planning disorders.
Jess has completed courses including
- The Resilience Doughnut: Bringing resilience into the common language of families (Lyn Worsley)
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (Sue Larkey and Tony Attwood)
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: Teaching strategies and behaviour support (Sue Larkey)
- Intervention Approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASPECT)
- How to use Brain Gym in the Classroom (Isabel Cohen)
- “A day in the life of child with a developmental disorder: Focusing on Developmental Coordination Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. (CHERI)
- Splinting and Casting (Spastic Centre)
- Makaton (Spastic Centre)
Mary Tubb, Rosemary Fleming, Wendy Stanborough and Wen Anderson
Our administrative staff will be answering your phone call or greeting you in the reception room. They are responsible for organising the timetabling of assessments and intervention, sending and receiving accounts, as well as being the glue which holds us together. If they can't answer your questions they will quickly find someone who can.
