“Together we learn to do and do to live”
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OUR SERVICES
At Learning Doing Living we aim to provide high quality clinical and consulting services to people of all ages with a disability.
Our highly skilled team have over 20 years of experience in providing person centred support to people in their communities. Our team members are committed to utilising their clinical skills, experience and knowledge to meet the needs of individuals, partnering with families/ carers, health professionals, school and other agencies to provide holistic care.
We are based in Rydalmere and provide both clinic based and mobile service across Sydney; we can come to your home, school, day program, or place of work and provide telehealth services Australia wide.
We are a registered NDIS provider and are part of the NSW Department of Education Specialist Allied Health Care Scheme.
We offer the following services;
Specialist behaviour support
Occupational therapy
Speech pathology
SUPPORT COORDINATION
Specialist Support Coordination
Psychology
Early intervention supports
Consulting services
Training and professional development
Clinical supervision
OUR MISSION
To enable people with disability (and those that support them) to learn, do (participate) and enhance their quality of life. To deliver effective and individually tailored services that are focussed on achieving positive measurable outcomes for people with disability and the people around them.
OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CLIENTS
• We will respect and embrace your culture, diversity, values, and beliefs. We will provide services that actively support, promote and uphold your right to practice your culture, diversity, values and beliefs.
• We will respect your right to privacy.
• We will support you to make informed decisions.
• We will be reliable as well as open and honest about the work.
• We will do all we can to protect you from discrimination, abuse and neglect.
• We will listen to you and act quickly on your concerns.
• We will invest in our workforce and make sure that they have the skills and knowledge to provide you with an effective service.
• We will work collaboratively with you and the people around you to achieve your goals.
• We will operate our business with integrity, transparency and in accordance to relevant requirements and legislation.
• We will focus on implementation and outcomes and not just on writing reports.
OUR TEAM
Kirsty paul
director - SENIOR occupational therapist - specialist behaviour support practitioner
Kirsty is an occupational therapist and NDIS approved specialist behaviour support practitioner. She brings skills from both of these disciplines together to provide a holistic and collaborative service that considers both the individual and their support network. She is a strong believer of the importance of translating knowledge into practice and focuses on providing implementation support to achieve measurable and meaningful positive outcomes. Kirsty has provided support to people with multiple and complex needs as a result of intellectual, physical and psychosocial disabilities for over 14 years in a variety of roles including senior clinical, management and practice leadership roles in both occupational therapy and behaviour support across the government and non-government sectors.
Kirsty is passionate about continuous professional development and has completed extensive further education, specifically in the fields of complex trauma and self-regulation. Kirsty holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), Masters in Developmental Disability and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
MELISSA KLOBUCAR
MANAGER OPERATIONS
Melissa is skilled leader with 19 years of experience in disability services. Melissa maintains a strong focus on delivering efficient and high quality services to people with a disability and their families/ carers. Melissa has provided support to people with multiple and complex needs in a variety of roles including provision of direct clinical support as well as senior clinical and management roles across the government and non-government sectors.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) as well as a Graduate Certificate in Management. Melissa also speaks Croatian.
TARA CARTHY
SENIOR SPECIALIST BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Tara is a specialist behaviour support practitioner and has held a range of clinical and leadership roles across government, non-government and private sectors for the last 20 years. For the past 17 years she has specialised in the area of positive behaviour support servicing people with cognitive and psychosocial disabilities and complex support needs. Tara has extensive experience in forensic disability, trauma informed practice and restrictive practice authorisation.
Tara strongly believes that the lives of vulnerable individuals can be significantly improved when evidence-based support models and person centred approaches are used throughout intervention. She has developed and implemented several statewide practice guides; facilitated training and education programs for direct support staff and practitioners and has presented at conferences across the human services and education sector. Tara holds a Masters degree in Developmental Disability and is currently completing further post graduate studies in psychology.
ASH COLOMBINI
PRACTICE LEAD ALLIED HEALTH
Ashleigh is a certified practicing speech pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia with 12 years experience in the disability sector. She has supported people across the lifespan for communication and dysphagia. Her area of interest is assisting people with complex communication needs to utilise augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to participate fully in their lives. Ashleigh is focused on strengthening the knowledge and skills of speech pathologists to provide evidence based AAC. Ash holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology).
CHRISTINE CONOLLY
SPECIALIST BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Christine is a specialist behaviour support practitioner who has over 17 years of experience working with people with an intellectual disability. Most of her work has been at a regional and state-wide levels with people who have complex needs. Her work is guided by her personal values of authenticity, collaboration and optimism. She uses a holistic, strength-based, person-centred approach to empower the people she supports to maximise their quality of life.
Christine is skilled in providing behaviour assessment, accommodation support model and related needs assessments, risk and safety planning, psychoeducation on sexuality and healthy boundaries, developing behaviour support plans and providing training and implementation support to families and support staff. Christine is also an accredited trainer in emotional based social skills training. Christine holds a Bachelor of Education – Habilitation (Disability Studies) as well as a Masters degree in Education (Human Relations & Community Education).
SUSAN BADAWY
SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST - SPECIALIST BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Susie is a psychologist and specialist behaviour support practitioner who has worked for government and non-government agencies within the disability sector for 15 years. Having worked with children and adults, Susie has an understanding of the issues and impacts for individuals with complex needs and those who support them. For Susie, translating behaviour support into meaningful steps for all stakeholders is crucial to ensure implementation and positive change.
Susie can assist with psychological assessments or interventions and understands the unique challenges related to maintaining relationships and connections for people with disabilities. Susie has held senior leadership positions, managed multi-disciplinary teams, and is confident in addressing issues related to team cohesion to build capacity towards empowered and collaborative systems. Susie has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology and is an approved Supervisor with the Psychology Board.
CECILIA ROSSI
SENIOR SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Cecilia is a certified practising speech pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia with over 20 years experience working in disability, both in government and non-government sectors. She enjoys working with children and adults across all settings. Cecilia has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) and Masters in Applied Science (Communication Sciences and Disorders). The focus of her masters was on cultural attitudes to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the use of bilingual AAC. Cecilia has experience supporting people with their complex communication and swallowing needs. She values having a multidisciplinary team to make sure that a holistic approach is taken when supporting the person with a disability to meet their goals. Cecilia also has had experience managing teams of speech pathologists as well as multidisciplinary teams.
Cecilia is currently the co-representative for AGOSCI in NSW. Cecilia also speaks Spanish.
HAYLEY IRVING
SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST - BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Hayley is an occupational therapist and behaviour support practitioner who has had 14 years of experience working with children, young people and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities and who have complex needs. Hayley has held clinical and senior clinical roles in both government and non-government sectors. Hayley uses a collaborative, holistic and person-centered approach to promote an active, healthy and meaningful life for the people that she works with.
Hayley is skilled in providing assessments for basic to complex assistive technology to support a person's mobility and daily living; functional assessments; and assessments to guide a person's housing and support needs. She is also skilled in providing occupational therapy interventions to address a person's sensory needs and the development of daily living skills. Hayley holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy).
KYLIE SCHLEGL
SOCIAL WORKER - BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER - INTAKE OFFICER
Kylie has provided support services to people of all ages, with a disability, their families and carers. Kylie is passionate about working collaboratively with people with a disability to achieve their desired goals, building capacity within communities and social inclusion.
She has worked across state and federal agencies providing end to end support coordination support services and has supported NDIS participants to successfully navigate the NDIS. She has worked with and supported people with complex support and health needs including those facing homelessness, mental health concerns, and those involved in the criminal justice system.
Kylie holds Bachelor of Social Work and Social Science degrees and maintains a strong commitment to ongoing professional development.
Amanda Lane
SUpport COORDINATor
Amanda has 19 years experience in the disability sector providing support coordination services to people with a disability and their carers.
Amanda has worked across government and non government sectors providing support to address participants needs though person centered planning. Amanda’s focus is on providing quality, professional services with a personal touch and is very passionate about creating positive impacts on the lives of others. Amanda provides quality support coordination to people with disabilities and their families, by focusing on the person and designing and implementing a plan that builds on their aspirations, wants, and desires for the life they choose to live.
EMMA COLYER
SENIOR SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Emma is a certified practising speech pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia with 15 years experience working in disability. She has worked in both government and non-government sectors with clients across the lifespan with a range of disabilities. Emma is experienced in providing support to complex clients in the areas of communication and swallowing. Emma has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology).
Emma is passionate about supporting people to communicate effectively with others through a range of communication supports including Augmentative and Alternative communication. She enjoys working with a multidisciplinary team to ensure her clients receive the best possible service and achieve their goals.
Emma has a particular interest in swallowing assessment and management and is keen to provide support and training to carers and staff working with clients with dysphagia.
Emma is a certified trainer in two Hanen programs (It Takes Two to Talk and More Than Words). She is also a Key Word Sign Presenter.
SABRINA FONG
SENIOR SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Sabrina is a speech pathologist who has experience working with a mainstream and disability caseload aged between 6 months to 75 years. She is originally from Canberra, where she worked with Child and Family Centres, the Canberra College Cares young mothers’ program and indigenous preschool programs. Sabrina is passionate about supporting her clients to work on meaningful speech pathology goals that aim to increase enjoyment, participation and to improve quality of life. She focuses on building positive relationships with clients and their support teams and endeavours to make sessions fun and interesting!
Sabrina is a certified trainer for The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), Hanen (It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words programs) and The Sequential-Oral-Sensory Approach to Feeding.
Sabrina holds a voluntary position as a NSW co-representative for AGOSCI.
HOLLY WALKER
SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Holly is a certified practising occupational therapist and a member of Occupational Therapy Australia. Holly has over 10 years’ experience working in community-based settings with young people and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, in both Australia and the UK. Holly is passionate about taking a holistic approach to therapy and always working collaboratively with clients and their families. Holly has a special interest in the benefits of therapeutic horticulture on physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Holly holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy
LEXI MCLEOD
BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Lexi is a dedicated behaviour support practitioner who has worked across of variety of settings within the disability sector. Lexi has worked in previous roles including disability support worker and NDIS advocate and is currently in the final stages of completing her degree in Special and Inclusive Education (Primary).
Lexi is committed to taking a person-centred approach to her work, striving to instil long-term change that benefits her clients. She is particularly passionate about building strong rapport with her clients and takes a hands-on approach to behaviour intervention.
SHANICE HAJJE
SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Shanice is a certified practising speech pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia. Shanice worked across a variety of settings as a disability support worker and speech pathologist, including primary education, public health services and disability accommodation services. She enjoys working with both children and adults.
Shanice is passionate about providing quality, evidence based services that increase participation and contribute to the client’s overall quality of life. Amongst other things, Shanice values creating strong and positive relationships with the client and the people involved in their care. Establishing meaningful interactions catered specifically to the client’s interests and needs is an additional passion.
Shanice holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology).
Katie Pender
SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Katie is a certified practicing speech pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University, and a Masters in Speech and Language Pathology from Sydney University.
Katie has provided community health services to people in rural areas, supported school readiness programs, and provided in-school support for students with sensory and special education needs. These experiences have developed a special interest in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Katie is passionate about building positive relationships and working with client’s strengths and interests to ensure therapy is individualized to their life and needs.
JULIAN HARTNETT
BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER
Julian is a dedicated behaviour support practitioner with over 11 years of experience in the disability sector in a variety of roles and has completed postgraduate studies in positive behaviour support. He has a strong background in working directly with individuals who exhibit high levels of physical and verbal aggression, employing evidence-based strategies to support their needs.
Julian is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and person-centred approaches. He actively involves clients and their stakeholders in the creation of innovative behaviour support plans that focus on safety and practical goals for implementation. His approach is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client, with a particular emphasis on those with Autism, adapting communication and response strategies to enhance their support.
Julian is passionate about translating knowledge into practice and providing implementation support to achieve measurable and positive outcomes.
our approacH
At Learning Doing Living, we aim to enable people with a disability (and those who support them) to learn, do (participate) to live the best lives they can by providing individually tailored services.
We aim to deliver effective services that are focussed on achieving positive measurable outcomes for people with disability and the people around them.
Accessing our services
STEP 1: Once we have received your enquiry, we will contact you to discuss how we can best meet your needs.
STEP 2: We will create a service agreement that outlines your needs, including access to an interpreter if you require, and how we will provide support.
STEP 3: Your practitioner will arrange to meet with you or arrange a telehealth meeting time to commence services.
STEP 4: Your practitioner will work with you to determine goals and how best to work towards achieving these goals. We will create a support plan that outlines your goals and how you will be supported to achieve these.
STEP 5: Your practitioner will work with you and your support networks to achieve your goals.
STEP 6: Your practitioner will check in with you to support the progress with each of your goals.
get in touch
If you would like to find out more about our services or would like to join or team please get in touch.
You can contact us on:
PHONE: 9189 7300
EMAIL: info@learningdoingliving.com.au
Or visit us at:
2 CALDER ROAD, RYDALMERE NSW, 2116
We look forward to hearing from you!
You can also reach us using the enquiry form below:
