Our experienced team of Allied Health Therapists can deliver tailored speech therapy and occupational therapy or support in the location that suits you – whether that’s in your home, at your childcare centre or via Telehealth.
For many children a few sessions of therapy can give them the tools they need to be ready for school. For others, access to funding through the Early Childhood Approach within the NDIS can make a world of difference to access multiple therapies that increase their development alongside their peers.
Rebecca Elliott
Clinical Operations Manager
Rebecca is a qualified Occupational Therapist with almost 20 years’ experience across various settings. Rebecca brings experience in establishing and managing multidisciplinary clinical teams in early childhood early intervention, with the ability to successfully mentor and develop teams to achieve outcomes for children.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy).
Rachel Kassar
Occupational Therapist
Rachel is a Senior Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience in the disability sector. She is very passionate about working with children and families to support their development and independence.
Rachel has experience working with both physical and developmental disabilities including therapy intervention, home modifications and equipment prescription. She has also worked with children and adults who have complex behaviours and require a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach.
Rachel has a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy.
Rachel practises in the Sutherland Shire, NSW
Sharm Blewden
Speech Pathologist
Sharm is a Senior Speech Pathologist at Leor.
She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) and since then has supported people of all ages. Sharm has extensive experience working within NGOs, private practice, and early intervention settings which has allowed her to deliver quality Speech Pathology services to make a difference to children and their families. Sharm is committed to supporting children with a range of communication disorders with a particular interest in autism spectrum disorder. She has a vision to empower and advocate for children and families to achieve their outcomes and engage in everyday life as valuable members of their community.
Sharm enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Sharm practises in the Inner West of Sydney.
Brittany Elkins
Occupational Therapist
Brittany completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons) at Monash University in Melbourne. She has extensive experience providing paediatric occupational therapy services in specialist paediatric mental health teams in the public health sector and in private paediatric occupational therapy clinics.
Brittany has experience working with children aged 0-18 years with developmental disabilities, neurological conditions, mental health conditions, emotional regulation difficulties and sensory processing challenges.
Brittany is a Better Access to Mental Health endorsed clinician and so can provide services to children under a Mental Health Care Plan. She has also undergone training in the Circle of Security program.
Brittany is passionate about providing therapy in the outdoors and has completed training to complement this. She has also worked as a paediatric group facilitator and is enthusiastic about providing group-based intervention to support children.
In her free time, Brittany loves the outdoors and can be found hiking, ocean swimming, surfing, rock climbing or reading a book in the sunshine.
Brittany practises in the Sutherland Shire, NSW
Elaine Mullane
Speech Pathologist
Elaine graduated from University in Ireland in 2018 where she began working as part of an Early Intervention team in Ireland, called ‘Happy Talk’. Happy Talk aimed to provide holistic intervention to children aged 0-6 years in areas identified as being disadvantaged. Working with children in group therapy in conjunction with their parents and educators, Elaine targeted early language skills, speech development, social development and early literacy skills in their educational settings. As part of this team, she also provided education and coaching to parents and educators and the wider community by delivering sessions in public libraries and community centers.
Elaine is very passionate about delivering services that adopt a ‘wrap around approach’. She enjoys working closely with parents, family and educators to support children to reach their full potential.
Elaine is a bit of a baking enthusiast. She is also slightly obsessed with dogs including her own dog, Bertie. Elaine spends most of her spare time keeping fit, walking with her little dachshund Bertie and indulging in a coffee or two paired with the occasional sweet treat!
Elaine practises in the Gympie and Sunshine Coast areas.
Georgie Howard
Speech Pathologist
Georgie is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science-Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney. Georgie has many years of experience working in the disability field across the government and non-government sector. She has worked across the lifespan and within many different settings including homes, schools, childcare centres, nursing homes and group homes.
Georgie has experience working with participants who have complex communication needs and dysphagia. She enjoys assisting participants and their communication partners to achieve functional communication goals and ensuring mealtimes are safe and enjoyable, enabling increased participation in their communities and improved health and well-being. She believes a person centred approach and collaboration with all team members is vital for participants to achieve their goals. She especially enjoys the fun and imagination that happens when working with young participants.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, watching movies and doing arts and craft.
Georgie practises on Sydney’s north shore including Roseville, Chatswood and Ryde areas, including our Roseville Allied Health Hub.
Sue-Hayley Saboune
Occupational Therapist
Sue-Hayley received her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the Australian Catholic University. She has a deep curiosity when it comes to working with children and has primarily worked within a private paediatric occupational therapy clinic providing group therapy and one-on-one therapy intervention. Sue-Hayley is experienced working with children with developmental disabilities, genetic disorders, emotional regulation challenges and sensory processing difficulties.
After having paediatric occupational therapy exposure growing up through her younger sister who has Cerebral Palsy, she is passionate to provide a meaningful therapeutic experience for your child and family. Sue-Hayley has a holistic perspective to her practice and is determined to work collaboratively with families and other professionals to support all areas of child development.
In her spare time, Sue-Hayley enjoys going to the beach, playing soccer and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Sue-Hayley practices on the North Shore of Sydney and at our Roseville Allied Health Hub.
Katherine Giovenali
Speech Pathologist
Katherine Giovenali is a Speech Pathologist who has been working in Sydney and on the Central Coast since graduating from The University of Sydney. She has experience working with clients of all ages and their families. Since joining the Leor team Katherine has enjoyed working holistically with children and their families, in their home and with their educators in Early Learning Centres.
Katherine practises on the NSW Central Coast
Julia Taylor
Speech Pathologist
Julia had been working as a Speech Pathologist for over a decade and has an additional Master of Health Science (Developmental Disability). Both qualifications were awarded from the University of Sydney and her research has been published in the International Journal of Integrated Care.
Julia has a wealth of experience in the area of paediatric early intervention and has worked in numerous settings to support children with their communication development and has a passion for finding creative ways to promote optimal learning. Julia is passionate about family-centred practice and is formally trained in DIR Floortime, Hanen – It Takes Two To Talk, Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Taregts (PROMPT), Sounds-Write, the AEIOU Approach to feeding and Positive Behaviour Support.
Julia practises in our Roseville Allied Health Hub and Sydney’s north shore.
Melissa Hazle
Speech Pathologist
Melissa is a Speech Pathologist with 10-years’ experience in various areas of paediatric speech pathology.
She graduated with distinction for a degree in Speech and Hearing from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa’s top university. Her formative years were spent working at the biggest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, gaining experience within a large team and growing her passion for working with children and their families.
Melissa has also worked in a private practise clinic and doing Clinical Supervision and lecturing at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban.
Melissa is a mum of twins and having children of her own has only served to fuel her love for working with families, and growing the abilities of parents and educators, both groups being the people who spend the most time with young kids, and thus those with the most potential to support children to reach their full potential. Melissa and her family have recently moved to Sydney and are looking forward to making Australia their new home.
You can find Melissa in the Eastern and South Eastern suburbs of Sydney.
Elise Pelle
Occupational Therapist
Elise received her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from The Australian Catholic University. She has a deep passion for working with children and has had experience working within a private paediatric occupational therapy clinics. Elise is experienced in working with children, both in a therapy and education setting who have a range of different needs including those with developmental disabilities.
Elise has more than 5 years working in the Early Childhood Education and Care setting. This provides her with a unique set of skills when it comes to assisting children in the education and care setting and incorporating this into her Occupational Therapy practices. She is committed to working collaboratively with families and other professionals to support and educate all involved in a child’s development in all different environments.
In her spare time, Elise enjoys camping, playing sport and spending time with her family and friends.
Elise provides Occupational Therapy services in the Western Sydney area.
Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy
If you have concerns about your child’s development or feel that speech therapy and occupational therapy could be beneficial, our friendly team is ready to help. Simply fill in the enquiry form or call 1300 510 511 to get started today.