We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive at every stage of life and are committed to supporting you and your child to live on your terms.
We enable children and their families to engage with their community in a confident and meaningful way. We do this through targeted, personalised and community-focused intervention and support. At Inner West Paediatrics, we use a three-stage approach:
We start with a personalised assessment for each child and their family. A therapist will then work with key people in the child’s life to develop a tailored plan.
We provide individualised and group therapy for children who experience challenges with communication and social interactions, fine and gross motor skills and sensory processing.
Throughout the journey, our therapists apply evidence-based coaching to empower parents and carers to be the drivers of change for their children.
Everything we do, with our clients and the community, is guided by our values.
You know your child and family better than we do. That’s why our therapists work closely with parents and carers to identify and set goals to help you get the outcomes you’re looking for.
You’re in the driver’s seat. We’re right next to you, providing our professional insights to equip you to problem-solve and implement tailored strategies that work for your child. We teach you to teach them. You’re empowered to advocate for your child, while we’re on your team, advocating for you.
Every child deserves access to therapy that is both effective and convenient. Whether it’s in the comfort of your own home, at school, daycare, preschool, or at our clinic, we create an environment where your child feels comfortable and safe.
Our state-of-the-art clinic is a safe and welcoming environment, where your child can learn and develop skills while having fun.
Need support at school or preschool, at home or maybe even at the local park? We can adapt our sessions and meet you there.
Are you out of the area or is meeting in person not an option? We also deliver sessions using Telehealth to support your child where they are.
At Inner West Paediatrics, you’re supported by an experienced therapy team – both in and out of sessions. You receive personalised therapy solutions designed for you and your child, with input from a team with a diverse range of experiences, special interests and focused upskilling across different areas of paediatric therapy. We believe it takes a village. That’s why we’re committed to holistic care. If services beyond at we offer are what you need, we help you find them. We aim to help you cut through the noise and bring the key people in your child’s life on the journey.
Our team of therapists are passionate about working with children to help them achieve goals and overcome challenges.
Helen is an occupational therapist and co-founder of Inner West Paediatrics. She’s dedicated to using her skills to support children of all ages and abilities.
With a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, Helen has a wealth of experience in private practice and non-government organisations.
Helen strongly believes in the importance of early intervention and working collaboratively with the tribe of people in a child’s life, including parents and carers, teachers, and healthcare professionals. She has extensive experience in using a range of strategies and approaches to support neurodivergent children and their families.
Your child will receive the best possible care and support when working with Helen. She’s not only a highly qualified therapist, but her warm, friendly and approachable manner will put you and your child at ease.
Virginia is a passionate speech pathologist and co-founder of Inner West Paediatrics. She has deep knowledge and practical experience in supporting children with various complex communication needs.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) from the University of Sydney, Virginia has gained extensive experience in diverse settings including NGOs, private practice, and early intervention.
Virginia has a particular interest in Autism and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and loves supporting children with a variety of disabilities using child-led therapy approaches. She also believes early intervention is crucial in giving children the best start in life and that children of any age can continue to develop and grow to realise their dreams.
Working closely with families to achieve their goals and providing a warm and supportive environment, Virginia empowers families to make the best decisions for their children.
You can be confident your child will receive the highest quality of care and support when working with Virginia.
Monique is a speech pathologist who believes in family-centred practice, ensuring that families feel confident and empowered to make decisions for themselves.
With a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology at Sydney University, Monique has a lot of experience working with autistic children and their families, particularly in the early intervention space with children under 3. She also has a special interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Using child-led therapy, Monique's neurodiversity-affirming approach allows children to express their interests and guide the sessions. She appreciates the differences and celebrates the little wins and achievements of each child she works with.
Whether it's a child sharing their toy for the first time or saying their first word, Monique’s warm and caring support will encourage you and your child along the journey.
Sophie is a dedicated occupational therapist who loves creatively designing therapy approaches that are in line with your child’s interests, your family priorities, and evidence-based practice.
Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, Sophie is passionate about working collaboratively with parents, educators, and other health professionals to support participation and advocating for neurodiverse children within the community.
Sophie believes in assisting individuals to develop their independence across their daily lives. Her areas of clinical focus include supporting children with toileting and self-regulation.
Sophie's favourite activity to play with kids in the clinic is designing and building obstacle courses. She embodies inclusion in all aspects of what she does, especially when working with children and their families.
Mollie is a dedicated occupational therapist who believes in working collaboratively with children and their families to set and achieve holistic goals.
With a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from the University of Newcastle, Mollie enjoys working across a range of clinical areas to support a child's engagement in different settings.
What Mollie loves most about working with children and their families is being part of their journey as they work towards achieving their full potential through meaningful and engaging intervention approaches.
When it comes to activities in the clinic, Mollie's favourite is bubbles, which can be used to support a range of goals, including play, social, and regulation skills.
If you work with Mollie, you can expect her enthusiastic approach to help your child develop the confidence and skills needed to enjoy life to the fullest.
Raquel is a speech pathologist with a compassionate approach to working with children and their families.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Speech, Hearing and Language Sciences and a Master of Speech and Language Pathology from Macquarie University.
Raquel chose her field as she loves watching her clients become confident communicators within the community. She enjoys celebrating all her clients' wins and supporting them to participate in all aspects of life with their families.
Her favourite game to play with kids at the clinic is bowling, as it gets everyone moving and always makes for some good competitive fun.
Raquel believes that every child deserves the chance to develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed and will work together with children and their families to ensure this can be achieved.
Clare is an occupational therapist who is enthusiastic about early intervention, autism and ADHD.
Graduating with Honours with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Western Sydney, Clare is committed to providing practical and meaningful support to children and their families.
Clare loves working with children to help them live life to the fullest. She enjoys getting to know each child's unique personality and watching them make steps of all sizes towards their goals.
When it comes to therapy sessions, Clare’s favourite game to play with kids is Pop Up Pirate. It's a fun and engaging game that allows children to work on a variety of skills in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
No matter the challenge facing your child, Clare is there to help them achieve their goals and support your family every step of the way.
Georgina is a speech pathologist who loves helping children with communication difficulties learn how to independently express their needs, wants and interests.
She studied for a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney after seeing the incredible impact speech therapy had on family members. With experience across clinic, school and community health settings, Georgina’s practice areas include speech, language, literacy and paediatric feeding.
Georgina has a keen interest in early intervention, speech sounds, school readiness and trauma-informed intervention. She enjoys playing Spot It and Pop Up Pirate with children in the clinic.
When you work with Georgina, she makes the effort to get to know you and your child, including their unique hobbies and interests.
Louisa is an occupational therapist who enjoys helping children engage in all the activities that are meaningful to them and their families.
With a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, Louisa has clinical experience working with young people from 6 months to 18 years targeting various skills including fine motor, gross motor, handwriting and sensory regulation.
Louisa loves celebrating wins with each family during their therapy journey and seeing the impact of holistic occupational therapy. She enjoys playing Monkey Bingo and making Playdough food with kids at the clinic.
With Louisa, your family will receive the support you need to achieve your priorities and reach a point when you no longer need her.
Emily is an occupational therapist who believes in supporting children and their families to reach their full potential.
She holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the Australian Catholic University. Her experience ranges from schools to clinic environments, working with children of varying ages and abilities.
Emily has focused her clinical work on early intervention, fine and gross motor skills, and school readiness.
Her favourite way to play at the clinic is with bubbles and she finds joy in celebrating wins and achievements with children and their families.
When you work with Emily, you can rest assured knowing that your child will be engaged in a fun and empowering environment that she has purpose-built with dedication and expertise.
Maddie is an occupational therapist who is committed to empowering neurodivergent individuals to advocate for themselves.
She holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the Australian Catholic University and has experience with children aged 12 months to 18 years across various paediatrics settings.
Maddie cherishes the ability to guide and support children and their families through challenges and triumphs. Her clinical focus includes, early-intervention, self-regulation, social skills, and fine and gross motor development.
Among the different games Maddie plays with kids at the clinic, she loves Monkey Bingo and water play.
Working with Maddie means your child will be supported by an occupational therapist that creates engaging and fun activities to support them to achieve their goals.
Melissa is a speech pathologist who loves collaborating with families to meet their goals.
With a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University and the completion of a Basic Key Word Sign workshop, Melissa brings a solid foundation of knowledge to her practice. She is dedicated to continuously developing her skills and providing the best care for her clients.
Melissa has a special interest in early language, speech sounds, and sensory feeding. She finds joy in supporting children to reach their full potential and increase their participation.
At the clinic, Melissa’s favourite games to play with kids are bubbles and zingo as they’re a great way to encourage participation in a fun and engaging way.
When you work with Melissa you will have a speech pathologist who prioritises your child’s communication requirements and is a fierce advocate for your needs.
Georgia is an occupational therapist dedicated to celebrating differences and supporting individuals in tasks that are meaningful to them.
Georgia holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the Australian Catholic University and has pursued additional training in sensory defensiveness and therapeutic listening techniques.
With a passion for early intervention, motor skill development, emotional regulation, and sensory processing, Georgia brings extensive experience across clinic, school, and preschool settings. Her work spans children aged 3 to 18 years, focusing on emotional and sensory regulation, fine and gross motor skills, attention and aquatic therapy for sensory processing.
Georgia's journey into occupational therapy was inspired by a desire to work closely with people and a background in sports coaching. She finds fulfillment in witnessing the small triumphs children achieve on their path to reaching their goals. Her favorite activities in the clinic include Gobble Monster, Uno, and using bubbles in creative ways.
Georgia is committed to empowering children and families, guiding them towards growth and success in their unique journeys.
Georgia is an occupational therapist, dedicated to working with children of all ages to help them succeed through therapeutic interventions and activities.
She completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Western Sydney and has a diverse experience. Georgia has a special interest supporting children and their families with toilet training. Her role is to provide support and guidance to help make the process as successful and smooth as possible.
Georgia loves working with children and families because as a therapist she has seen firsthand the power occupational therapy has in helping children reach their goals and achieve greater independence.
In the clinic, she loves to engage in messy play such as finger painting or using shaving foam, which is always a hit with the kids.
Georgia is passionate about being a part of your family's journey and empowering your child to grow and succeed in their own unique ways.
Susan is a speech pathologist who is committed to working collaboratively with children, their families and their teachers to achieve individualised, functional and meaningful communication goals.
Graduating with a Masters of Speech and Language Pathology at Macquarie University, Susan has a keen interest in health science and working with children.
Susan provides personalised individualised support to help children communicate successfully. Her areas of focus are speech sound development, stuttering, and literacy difficulties.
Her favourite game to play with kids in the clinic is Pop Up Pirate, which brings an element of surprise and delight to both her and the child every time they play.
With her warm and caring approach, Susan collaborates with all families to support their children's communication outcomes, helping them to shine and become the best version of themselves.
Lucy is an occupational therapist with a strong desire to support children’s participation in school and the community.
Graduating from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Lucy has wide-ranging experience working with children from different backgrounds and support needs.
Lucy loves getting to know both the children and their families and understands the importance of working collaboratively to create goals to effectively support the family. She enjoys being there to celebrate the progress made, no matter how big or small.
When it comes to games, Lucy’s favourite one to play with kids at the clinic is Spot It. She finds this game is a great way to build rapport with children to ultimately support their engagement in sessions.
With Lucy’s friendly approach and expertise in her field, your child will feel supported, cared for and championed every step the way.
Sofia is a speech pathologist with a friendly and passionate approach to supporting children and their families.
With a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney, Sofia has a special interest in supporting early learners, complex communicators, and using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Sofia loves the hands-on role of helping children and families grow. She believes in supporting children of all ages and varying needs, and advocating for families to make sure they have the correct support in place.
Her favourite games to play with kids at the clinic are bubbles, balloons, and shaving cream - all of which can be used in different ways and are always a hit.
With Sofia’s expertise and dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment, you can trust your child will be supported to achieve their specific goals to win in life.
Tess is a speech pathologist who is committed to using her skills to work with children and families.
She has a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and has a keen interest in helping neurodivergent people advocate for themselves.
Tess enjoys working with children across a range of clinical areas such as speech sounds, language, literacy, and early language.
She loves getting to watch families experience their child's firsts, such as saying their first words and achieving goals that have a huge impact on their day-to-day lives. Tess's favourite games to play with kids are Marble Run, Spot It and Uno.
Working with Tess, your child and family will develop confidence and skills to help you fully embrace and enjoy life.
Raneem is a speech pathologist who believes in early intervention and helping children gain the communication skills they need to thrive.
She holds a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Master of Speech Pathology, both from the University of Technology Sydney. Raneem’s experience includes both school and community health settings, providing speech and language intervention to children of all ages.
Her areas of clinical focus include early intervention, feeding, and stuttering.
Raneem enjoys building relationships with families and getting to know their dynamics and challenges to create a more inclusive experience. Her favourite game to play with kids is Spot It, as she believes it can be used to target speech and language goals while still having fun.
With Raneem's experience and caring nature, your child will be in great hands.
Philippa is a speech pathologist who loves working with Autistic children.
She completed her Master of Speech and Language Pathology at Macquarie University and believes in adopting a neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Philippa enjoys working with the whole family and building strong, trusting relationships. Celebrating little wins in everyday life is her favourite part of the job, and she loves to make what can be a stressful experience more joyful for families.
When it comes to games, Philippa loves the Beehive game and Spot It - both are engaging and fun activities that children enjoy during their clinic sessions.
Working alongside your child for all their language and speech development goals, Philippa will ensure the process is as fun as it is rewarding.
Leanna is an occupational therapist who is dedicated to supporting children to succeed in activities that they both want and need to do.
With a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology from the University of Sydney, Leanna chose her field after seeing the wonderful work occupational therapists do and knew she wanted to do the same.
Leanna's clinical focus is on handwriting, fine motor skills, and early play skills.
She enjoys seeing the excitement on children's faces when they achieve something new and loves the unpredictability that comes with working with children and families. Her favourite game to play at the clinic is Pop the Pig.
Your child will be in great hands with Leanna's cheery approach as she helps your child succeed by developing important skills to build their confidence.
Dominica is an occupational therapist devoted to enabling children of all abilities to engage in all aspects of their lives.
Graduating from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Dominica chose this field based on the desire to help people, and support children’s independence and engagement in meaningful activities.
Her areas of clinical focus include sensory and emotional regulation, play-based therapy, and toileting. Collaborating with families and other services, she ensures a holistic approach to intervention.
Dominica loves working with children and families, finding the small wins incredibly exciting and rewarding. Her favourite game to play with kids at the clinic is Fruit Avalanche, which encourages social engagement, turn-taking skills, and fine motor skills.
Dominica is committed to providing a safe and supportive space for your family and will work with you to make the right decisions for you and your child, your way.
Madison is a speech pathologist who is enthusiastic about working with children to help them become empowered and confident in life.
With a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University, Madison has always had a desire to help children with communication difficulties advocate for their wants and needs.
Madison values a holistic approach and advocates for neurodiversity-affirming practices. Her areas of clinical focus include gestalt language processing, early language intervention, speech sounds, and literacy, as well as implementing intervention with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.
Working with children and their families, Madison enjoys celebrating the little and big wins together and seeing the joy it brings them. She loves playing games with kids in the clinic, with her favourite being Spot It.
With Madison's compassionate approach, your child will feel supported and encouraged to thrive.
Jordan is an occupational therapist with a keen interest in mental health and advocating for neurodiversity affirming practices.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (First Class Honours) from Australian Catholic University, he chose this field because he believes that all children have the right to thrive in a supportive, individualised, and strengths-based environment.
Jordan has focused his clinical work on fine motor skills, handwriting, play, social skills, and regulation.
He loves working with children because it requires him to have fun, and he enjoys using his silly voices and cartoon character impersonations to make therapy more engaging.
Jordan's favourite game to play with kids at the clinic is Squawk, a goofy chicken game that always brings lots of laughter and fun sound effects.
With Jordan’s passion and enthusiasm for working with children and their families, you can trust that your child will be encouraged to flourish and succeed throughout their life.
Paige is an occupational therapist who is passionate about embracing children’s unique strengths and interests and working with them to achieve meaningful goals.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University, Paige has worked with a range of children with different disabilities in private clinic sessions, group sessions and schools.
Paige enjoys creating fun and engaging activities and different ways of learning for children. Seeing children and families get excited when they achieve their goals also brings her joy.
Among the different games Paige plays with kids at the clinic, she loves to play any board game, especially Guess Who? and Uno, as well as outdoor activities like soccer and obstacle courses.
Supported by Paige, your child will be empowered to achieve individualised and specific goals that are meaningful to them and your family.
Lauren is a speech pathologist devoted to a total communication approach with children and their families.
She has a Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy from University College, Cork in Ireland, and enjoys helping people in practical ways.
Lauren’s experience extends across individual and group sessions in clinic, specialised schools and preschool settings – targeting speech, language, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), dysfluency, social skills and feeding goals. She has also worked with adults with intellectual disabilities in community care settings.
Lauren enjoys building rapport with children and their families, including through games. She uses random objects of interest to a child and comes up with ways to use them to play a game – this is effective for children who don’t find joy in playing with traditional toys.
Working with Lauren, you’ll be empowered with tools to best support your child’s development.
Shanelle is a speech pathologist who thrives when she’s equipping children with tools to communicate.
She has a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University and experience working in clinics, schools, and pre-school/daycare settings, targeting speech, language, literacy and social skills.
Shanelle loves seeing children adopt their own little (or big) personalities and celebrates neurodiversity in each child.
She enjoys collaborating with children and families to develop meaningful goals and seeks to adopt a client-centred approach. Shanelle’s favourite games to play with kids are Spot It, Shopping List and bubbles.
Working with Shanelle means you’ll have someone to celebrate wins with you and share your excitement.
Ella is an occupational therapist who brings warmth and dedication to her work with children and families. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of East London and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Coventry University.
Ella’s approach is rooted in collaboration, working closely with children, families, and educators to create meaningful and enjoyable interventions that help children overcome challenges and reach their goals. She loves empowering families with tools to support their child’s growth, creating positive environments where children can thrive.
With over three years of experience in an acute hospital setting, Ella has a deep commitment to fostering independence and quality of life. In the clinic, she uses engaging games to build trust and make therapy fun, believing that play is the foundation of confidence and connection for children.
Ashleigh Hayes is a dedicated speech pathologist who combines expertise with a warm, client-centred approach. Holding a Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Limerick, Ireland, Ashleigh is passionate about empowering children to communicate in ways that are most meaningful to them and their families.
Ashleigh’s clinical focus spans early intervention, speech, dysfluency, and social skills, with a special interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and feeding support. Her experience on a Children’s Disability team in community healthcare gave her a strong foundation in assessment, intervention, and collaborative work with schools.
Ashleigh’s favourite part of her role is supporting children and families to meet their unique goals—always with a fun, engaging touch. She enjoys using games like Pop-Up Pirate, bubbles, and Uno to make therapy enjoyable and build connection, making each session a positive and playful experience.
Kelan Raffo is a compassionate speech pathologist with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney. Kelan is passionate about family-centred practice and loves working with children and families from diverse backgrounds, helping them feel supported in every step of their journey.
His clinical focus includes early intervention for preschoolers and language support for school-aged children. Through his placements in various settings, including the University of Sydney SPEECH Clinic, Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service, and Lourdes Hospital, Kelan has had the privilege of supporting children in their unique everyday experiences, always alongside multidisciplinary teams.
Kelan’s favourite part of his work is witnessing children’s “small wins and big milestones,” finding joy in every laugh and smile. He brings energy and creativity to sessions with favourite games like Little People, Spot It, and Zingo!, using play to create a fun, engaging environment that makes each session a time of growth, connection, and celebration.
Isabella graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). She has experience working in private practice where she has provided services in the clinic, at home, schools and via telehealth. She has worked closely with families targeting a range of areas including speech, language, fluency, literacy and social communication skills. She is passionate about working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual Disability and Down Syndrome.
Isabella values the importance of building strong relationships with children and their families and collaborating closely with those in a child’s life. She strives to provide fun and engaging sessions, whilst ensuring families are feeling supported and educated throughout the therapy journey.
Rebecca is an occupational therapist with a strong desire to help children build their confidence and independence through play.
She has completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University, where she developed her skills to focus on early intervention, play therapy, fine motor and arts and crafts, sensory and emotional regulation.
Rebecca always knew she wanted to work with kids and help them achieve their goals. She finds joy in engaging with children and their families and seeing the excitement on their faces when they reach a goal they’ve been working on achieving.
Rebecca loves to engage in arts and crafts and imaginative play with children as they explore their creative sides. She also enjoys playing with Play-Doh and seeing children's creativity flow.
With Rebecca's encouraging approach, your child is sure to feel heard, seen and supported to thrive as they grow.
The assessment process is highly individualised to each child and their family. One of our speech, occupational or feeding therapists will first meet with the key people in the child's life to discuss their priorities, strengths and support needs. A tailored plan will be developed based on this information.
Following this assessment process, the therapist and family will work together to identify and document goals that are meaningful to the family, and that will guide the therapy process.
We are experienced in providing individualised and group therapy for children who experience challenges with communication and social interactions, fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, interacting with and developing meaningful relationships with peers, play skills and feeding.
Coaching is an evidence based practice that empowers parents and carers to be the drivers of change for their children.
Parents and carers are supported by our therapists to identify and set goals collaboratively, to problem solve implementation, to upskill in developing strategies and deliver ‘therapy’ in the childs’ everyday life.
Ready to meet the team that can help meet your child’s needs?