Betty graduated at Latrobe University, and has also completed further studies in psychodrama, family therapy and paediatric feeding. Due to long waitlists for speech pathology services in the public service, Betty began Northern Speech Pathology in 2000. In 2015 Melbourne Kids Developmental Services was formed. This consortium now encompasses allied health professionals who are equally passionate about helping families flourish.
Betty is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia who has over 25 years’ experience in working with children aged 0-12 with a variety of speech, language, play, social, literacy and feeding difficulties. Betty believes children are wired to connect with people, not machines or programs! She invites you to come move, play, learn, sing and laugh with her in therapy sessions.

Pippa graduated from LaTrobe University in 1993, and have been practising for 17years. She started within the public sector (Specialist Children’s Services, Dept of human services) on a multidisciplinary team, before moving into private practice. Pippa worked in the United States of America in the 90s and is a member of Speech Pathology Australia. She is trained in Hanen, Floor-time, Key word signing, Cued articulation, Talking Mats and Mother Goose. Pippa enjoys working with children and being entertained by their individual behaviours and characteristics. She likes to use humour and fun within the clinical setting to teach both the parents and child. Sessions are practical and provide functional strategies for the home setting, given the time-constraints of most parents. The session will always end with a prize (usually a stamp) and a chat with the parents.

Renata graduated from the University of Sydney and has over 20 years experience as a Speech Pathologist in Australia and the United Kingdom. She currently works part time for Victoria Paediatric Rehabilitation Service as well as being a mother herself. Renata enjoys seeing children between the ages of 0-12 years and believes therapy is more effective when it is in partnership with parents and other professionals.

Since graduating from the University of Queensland, Katrina has 20 years experience working with preschool and school-aged children on a range of speech and language difficulties. A Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia, Katrina’s approach to building your child’s confidence is practical and evidence-based. Her priority is to ensure that your child is comfortable in our clinic and she takes the time to understand your concerns and your child’s abilities within the family context.  Speech sound disorders and language and literacy difficulties are among her particular areas of interest. Katrina is available on Wednesday and Thursday.

Alana graduated from Latrobe University as a Speech Pathologist, and also has a Masters of Health Science in Developmental Disability from Sydney University. She has worked extensively with children in early years (0-6), school-aged children and with adults specifically with social skills needs. Alana has worked in Australia and overseas in private practice and in multidisciplinary non- government agencies and in senior clinical roles within government services, and specialised settings for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Alana has experience and qualifications in a range of techniques and approaches including keyword sign, Picture Exchange Communication system, positive behavioural support, paediatric mealtimes and a range of low and high tech augmentative and alternative communication approaches.

Alana is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia who has 18 years of experience in working with children and adults with a variety of speech, language, social, literacy, and mealtime needs. Alana believes that therapy should be enjoyable and person-centred and that working with families to tap into an individual’s motivations and strengths is key to helping them meet their goals and fulfil their potential.

Jessica graduated with her Masters in Speech Pathology at La Trobe University and is a Certified Member of Speech Pathology Australia. She has experience working with children with developmental delays, autism and disabilities in the home, education and community settings. She has worked to improve their play skills, social communication, speech and language, literacy, phonology and fluency. Her areas of interest include articulation/speech and phonological disorders, fluency, play skills, phonological awareness and Assistive and Augmentative Communication (AAC).

She has a passion for working with children and their families to give them the best chance at communicating with those around them, with the ultimate goal being the improvement of their quality of life.

Jessica enjoys building a strong relationship with both the children and their families, and believes particularly in working with children so that they may develop skills that are applicable for them to use within the safe spaces of their own family homes, their schools and their childcare centres. Jessica’s approach to therapy makes sessions fun and engaging, and she loves seeing her clients grow in confidence and motivation as they continue to succeed.

Jayne Dixon graduated from the University of Manchester, UK in 2000 and has since practiced in the UK and New Zealand before settling in Melbourne in 2009. Jayne initially worked in early intervention and community health settings before moving into private practice and school based work. Jayne has specialist experience as part of a multidisciplinary Autism assessment team and is a registered provider of services under the FaHCSIA Helping Children with Autism and Better Start packages. Jayne’s particular areas of interest include early language and literacy, and working with school aged children. A certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia, Jayne has also completed training in courses including PROMPT therapy, Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, Lidcombe therapy for stuttering, Lemphonics and PECS.

Jayne enjoys building a strong rapport with both her students and their families, and enjoys working with students in the context of their home, childcare and school environments. Jayne likes to make therapy fun and engaging and loves to see a student’s motivation build as they experience success.

Tessy graduated from La Trobe University with a Master of Speech Pathology and is a Certified Practising member of Speech Pathology Australia. She has experience working with children and adolescents aged 5-18 years in educational and private practice settings. She is interested in using evidence-based interventions to support children’s speech, language, literacy, fluency and social communication.
Tessy is a speech pathology mentor and regularly delivers presentations to families, teachers and clinicians to support children’s communication and learning.
She believes that a family-centred approach to intervention is essential for children to achieve their therapy goals. Tessy enjoys including children’s interests in therapy to motivate and engage them and delights in seeing children’s pride and satisfaction when they achieve their goals.

Helen graduated from La Trobe University and has experience working in private settings, primary and secondary schools, and supervising speech pathology students. Helen loves to build rapport with her clients and their families and believes this is vital to an effective therapy program. Helen’s areas of expertise are articulation (speech sounds), literacy and language for children aged 4+. Helen has extensive training in Systematic Synthetic Phonics, Cued Articulation and Colourful Semantics; having also delivered presentations on these topics. Helen enjoys performing detailed assessments to determine the exact areas of need for your child, and collaborating with their teachers or other therapists where necessary. Helen is passionate about achieving real progress on the goals set for your child and loves to celebrate their wins with you!

Contact Helen directly 0411 834 258

Silvina achieved a Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology (La Trobe University, 2006),  a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts, Acting (National Institute of Dramatic Arts, 2010), an Advanced Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy (The CREATE institute, Toronto, 2019), and is certified in Child Centred Play Therapy (Play Therapy Australia, 2021). She works as a play therapist and speech therapist at Melbourne Kids two days a week and runs drama – based social skills groups during school holidays. Her approach to therapy is engaging, playful and creative. Wherever possible she will integrate her multitude of skills to achieve her client’s communication goals in a joyful environment.