CAN:DO 4KIDS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Lead Speech Pathologist
Hi, I'm Alice. As a Senior Lead Speech Pathologist for Can:Do 4Kids, I love working in the early intervention space with my special interest area, ASD, while broadening my own knowledge working with children with hearing loss and vision impairment.
Hi, I'm Allison. After graduating from Macquarie University with Post-Graduate Diploma in Audiology, I secured a graduate position with Australian Hearing Services (now Hearing Australia) back in Adelaide. Then in 2017, I was presented with the opportunity to create an alternative service at Can:Do Group as part of a multi-disciplinary team and joined as Senior Audiologist specialising in paediatrics.
Job Titles:
- Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Hi, I'm Anne. I have recently started at Can:Do 4Kids as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, however I have been an orientation and mobility specialist since 1990 and have enjoyed working with both adults and children throughout South Australia in my role.
My interests include working with cortical vision impairment, children and adults, and people who have lost vision as a result of a traumatic head injury or stroke, however, I have also worked extensively in the school system, supporting children with challenging behaviours and multiple disabilities.
On the home front, I'm married with 3 children, a dog and 2 cats. I love craft, walking and catching up with friends.
Job Titles:
- Senior Service Support Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Discipline Lead Listening and Spoken Language
Hi, I'm Daniel. As a Can:Do 4Kids Occupational Therapist, I keep a strong focus on incorporating my client's interests as part of my therapeutic input. This is based on my experiences at school, as I personally perform best in an environment where I feel safe and regulated. I envision that many of my clients would have similar preferences. One of my hopes is that I deliver on that very aspect during client sessions (you can tell me if I do well). Additionally, during Uni where I was fortunate to have worked in a childcare setting, I was able to upskill and increase my awareness of the many strategies available to Occupational Therapists. I am currently making every effort to use what I've learnt.
At Can:Do 4Kids, one of my recent achievements was witnessing some of my group clients organising a catch-up session using an app called "Discord" (a voice, video and text communication service). This was a massive accomplishment for the clients and their family, and for me, it's moments like this where I am reminded of who we are at Can:Do - and I love that #candoattitude. For me, being able to monitor the growth and progress of my clients is one of my greatest passions of what keeps me motivated as an Occupational Therapist.
Job Titles:
- Services Lead / Family Support Worker
Job Titles:
- Senior Speech Pathologist
Hi! I'm Fiona. I'm a new speech pathologist with the Can:Do Group. Prior to starting, I had worked in a private speech practice in the northern suburbs as well as a pharmacy! I have also now been fortunate to practice (speech pathology) in clinics, hospitals, schools, homes and the community. I have found the best part of my role as a speech pathologist is being able to celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small, and sharing those moments with families.
It is amazing being able to work with, and learn from, a great team of health professionals and educators at Can:Do 4Kids. As I expand in my speechie career, I'm finding my special interests are focusing on early intervention, literacy and dyslexia, key word sign, along with group therapy and programs.
Throughout my time practicing and studying, I'd developed a love for languages and functional therapy.
When I'm not at work I love the beach, walking my dog, and playing volleyball.
Hi, I'm Holly. As Can:Do 4Kids Client Services Manager I love being with people, organising, and driving success, especially during times of change.
With a Masters in audiology and an undergrad in speech pathology, I have a great understanding for all aspects of hearing impairment and communication, and am able to use these skills to provide a holistic approach to our client focused services.
I have served on the board of Audiology Australia from 2012-2016. At the same time I was also the SA Chapter Chair.
Job Titles:
- Discipline Lead Orientation and Mobility
Hi, I'm Janelle. I'm a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, graduating from La Trobe University in 2010. I'm passionate about supporting people to live independent lives, their way. As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, my focus is on helping people who are blind or vision impaired navigate their environments safely. Whether that is at home, school or the community.
During my career, I've previously provided reflective supervision, coaching, mentoring and support to clinical teams of Occupational Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Instructors and Social Workers. I also have a Bachelor of Applied Science - Recreation, Planning and Management as well as a Diploma of Management. As the new Discipline Lead - Orientation and Mobility for Can:Do, I will be guiding and encouraging client support under multiple funding sources including the NDIS.
In my down time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young children, reading a good book and even playing some table tennis, now that I'm retired from basketball. A fun fact about me - just prior to commencing study as an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Instructor, I worked in the UK as a lifeguard on a resort. The day I helped some guests who had vision impairment, was the day I decided I wanted to move back to Australia and study to become an O&M.
Job Titles:
- Discipline Lead Speech Pathologist
Hi, I'm Jess, a newly appointed Senior Lead Speech Pathologist with Can:Do 4Kids. I've worked with paediatric and adult clients since graduating from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Speech Pathology in 2015. I received full Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist status from Speech Pathology Australia in 2017 and continue to uphold this status by completing the requirements of ongoing professional development. I am currently studying Master of Education (language and literacy specialisation).
My passion is for equitable health care in all parts of Australia, in particular rural health care. However, I'm just as passionate about achieving positive and sustainable outcomes for all my clients more locally. I strive to build strong relationships with all whom I lead or collaborate with, and across all sectors of our industry. With my background within the community health, education and disability sectors, I also understand the (sometimes) complex systems we work within and feel my belief that communication is a basic human right and that good communication, leads us to better communities.
Job Titles:
- Group Chief Executive Officer / Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Occupational Therapist
During my childhood, I required occupational therapy, which turned out to be quite the positive experience!. So much so, it inspired me to pursue my own career as an occupational therapist, as I was driven by the desire to assist young children facing similar challenges. Additionally, it must be said that I possess a strong passion for cross-cultural encounters.
Eliza who has chosen to go "head shot free" which, when you think about her occupation, is appropriate ie her clients don't always know what she looks like either.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Team Manager
Hi, I'm Lyle. I'm a highly skilled occupational therapist with a passion for teaching and empowering other therapists to perform at their best. I am excited to be in a management role where I can combine my experience as a clinician, knowledge of the NDIS, and interest in finance to facilitate a high performing, passionate team of therapists at Can:Do 4Kids.
Job Titles:
- General Manager  -  Finance & Facilities
Hi, I'm Nicola. I am a Teacher of the Deaf and, before the merge with the Can:Do Group, I worked at the Cora Barclay Centre (CBC).
Prior to that, I had several contracts with the Education Department working in various Teacher of the Deaf roles in mainstream schools, Centres for the Hearing Impaired and District Offices. For a couple of years, I worked part-time at the CBC and part-time at a private college in a special education setting. It was very rewarding having two roles.
In my work at Can:Do, I am fortunate to work as a ToD and with sound field systems. I am passionate about the use of SFS in schools (and other settings) and, again, I enjoy the two roles.
I have a Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary) and a Bachelor of Special Education from Flinders University. These degrees qualified me as a Teacher of the Deaf. In my early years working at the CBC, I completed a Master of Education part-time from the University of Melbourne.
Having been a member and on the committee of the Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf for most of my working years, I was fortunate to be awarded Life Membership in 2022.
In my non-work time, I am a volunteer with Scouts SA. Scouting is an international organisation and I have held various roles over many, many years and experienced many fantastic activities and events. I have travelled to most states of Australia and to 8 other countries with Scouts and I'm heading to South Korea in 2023. I also enjoy spending time with my family, camping and travelling with friends and building LEGO in any spare time I find!
Job Titles:
- Senior Occupational Therapist
Hi, I'm, Rebecca (Bec). My history of working as an Occupational Therapist includes of supporting older adults with equipment/home modifications, providing interventions for teenagers/adult population with psychosocial disabilities, and up-skilling Teenagers in transitioning from Paediatric services and building on their activities of daily living.
Having worked at a non-for profit in Victoria from May 2019 - Jan 2021, I started at Can:Do in South Australia in Feb 2021 and have enjoyed my time since.
Job Titles:
- Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Hi, I'm Robyn. I originally trained as a classical ballet dancer and educator, establishing Robyn Pettigrew Dance School. I later retrained as a Teacher of the Deaf.
Over the past two decades, I have worked with children with hearing loss at the Cora Barclay Centre, Hillcrest Primary School Oral/Aural Unit and the Can:Do Group. I have been with Can:Do since 2019 as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. I am particularly interested in working with children in the early and middle primary years, where my teaching is informed by a sense of play and inquiry.
Job Titles:
- Social Worker
- Senior Social Worker
Hi, I'm Rosanna (Rosie). I started my social work journey back in 2010, via a Family Reunification service in Adelaide supporting children and their families. Then England beckoned, and I scored a position with the Essex Child Protection Services working in foster care and with child protection teams. My reward was meeting many diverse and interesting communities. It was a privilege to be part of their lives for a short time; typically, during what was a very emotive and unpredictable time for them. For me, another highlight was being in London during the Olympic Games, watching the opening ceremony in a local park with hundreds of others.
Hi, I'm Santana. I have only recently joined the team after finishing my studies at UniSA in November 2022. I completed my final 9-week placement at Can:Do 4Kids, and loved it so much that I applied!