FOUNDING OT

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Tanya, the founder of SKOT, brings a wealth of experience and a diverse background to her role. Her journey in Paediatric Occupational Therapy has traversed various domains, including NICU, the oncology ward, and working with infants who have experienced trauma in utero. She has also contributed her expertise to community initiatives, not-for-profit organisations, and private practice settings.

This rich tapestry of experience fuelled Tanya's unwavering dedication to providing the best possible care for her clients. It inspired her to pursue further postgraduate studies, culminating in achieving an MHlthSc(OT). This academic journey played a pivotal role in shaping her specialisation in sensory integration, where she witnessed firsthand its transformative impact on her clients.

With a commitment to staying at the forefront of her field, Tanya remains devoted to expanding her expertise in the dynamic realm of paediatric occupational therapy as it evolves. Her vision for SKOT has led to establishing a clinic renowned for its cutting-edge services and unwavering connection to clients and families. She has meticulously curated a dedicated team at SKOT, seeking individuals driven by passion and aligned with the clinic's core values, ensuring the highest quality of care. Tanya remains deeply involved in her practice, balancing her professional responsibilities with her role as a parent.

Beyond her professional life, Tanya enjoys a diverse range of interests. She has a love for cooking inspired by cherished memories with her Nan. While her busy daily routine often calls for audiobooks, Tanya remains an avid reader at heart.  She finds solace in water activities, often shared with her family, and channels her creativity into crafting social media content for the business. With a future aspiration of mastering wheel throwing, Tanya embodies a continuous pursuit of new skills and an unwavering determination to conquer challenges.

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Beth is a seasoned Occupational Therapist with a strong educational foundation, having earned a Bachelor of Communications and Business from Fordham University and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Sydney University. With over 15 years of experience, her work has spanned diverse healthcare settings, including acute care and community services, with notable experience at Sacred Heart Palliative Care.

Throughout her career, Beth has specialised in providing care to families of infants and adolescents with special needs. Her hands-on expertise extends to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), sensory processing disorders, Turner's Syndrome, and Downs Syndrome. She has also contributed significantly to various research projects, including mental health facility design for QLD Health.

Beth's commitment to professional growth is evident through her extensive training in Sensory Integration, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Trauma. She seeks out courses that pique her interest and align with the needs of her clients.

Beyond her professional dedication, Beth is a mother of two and enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her kids and their brown labrador, Hank. Her holistic and calm approach to therapy stems from her personal experiences, making her an empathetic and trustworthy practitioner dedicated to each child's unique development journey.

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Georgia is a highly valued member of the SKOT team, contributing a wealth of experience and infectious energy to her role. Her journey with us began as a student volunteer in the Camp Connect program in 2017. Afterwards, Georgia successfully completed her final placement with us, demonstrating exceptional dedication and passion for pediatric care. Recognising her immense value, we were eager to keep her on board. So, she seamlessly transitioned into a fully-fledged team member, where she has been a valuable asset ever since.  

Before joining SKOT, Georgia spent 8 years in Early Education, where her primary focus was on children with additional needs, such as Autism and Muscular Atrophy, and supporting their integration into mainstream care. Her extensive background in pediatrics made her transition to Pediatric Occupational Therapy a natural progression. Georgia has a special affinity for working with children aged 0-5 and leverages her wealth of experience to connect with her young clients.

Georgia's commitment to professional growth is evident through her continuous pursuit of knowledge. She has a strong foundation in various therapeutic approaches and techniques, making her a versatile and highly skilled practitioner.

In addition to her professional achievements, Georgia recently returned from maternity leave after welcoming her first baby in September 2022. She cherishes her time reading, practising pilates, and basking in the beauty of nature with her family. Energetic, fun, and passionately committed to her work, Georgia is an integral part of the SKOT team.

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Pam is an esteemed member of the SKOT team, boasting over 15 years of diverse experience in occupational therapy. She began her professional journey after earning her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Philippines. Pam's extensive work history encompasses various occupational therapy settings, including acute and chronic mental health care, child and adolescent developmental and psychosocial challenges, adult hospital rehabilitation, and community-based rehabilitation.

With an innate passion for working with children, Pam honed her paediatric practice in the Philippines. She collaborated closely with speech therapists in a clinical setting, offering vital support to children grappling with sensory processing and speech and language difficulties.

Pam's commitment to continuous learning is evident through her diverse training portfolio, which spans motor development, sensory integration and trauma-based practice courses. She has also expanded her cultural competence through the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia.  Pam's dedication extends beyond clinical work; she actively contributes to the community. She was involved with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Early Intervention Program. She served as a speaker for Starting Right: Early Intervention of Children with Down Syndrome and Occupational Therapy. Pam also shared her expertise in behaviour management through the parent education session, Understanding and Managing your Child's Behaviour: How To Be Effective. During the pandemic, she further honed her mental healthcare and telemedicine skills, offering invaluable support to clients dealing with mood, personality, and other mental health issues and substance abuse disorders.

In addition to her professional life, Pam masterfully balances her role as a mom to her daughter, affectionately known as Chichay. She also finds joy in her fascination with Taylor Swift and Korean dramas, occasionally moonlighting as a talented baker.

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Sabine is a seasoned paediatric occupational therapist with a rich and diverse background dedicated to helping children reach their full potential. She completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the esteemed Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas in Brazil in 2000. Her academic journey continued with the completion of a Master of Occupational Therapy at The University of Sydney, Australia, in 2005, marking the beginning of an inspiring career centred around enriching the lives of children.

After earning her master's degree, Sabine gained invaluable experience as an occupational therapist at Calvary and St. George Hospital for a year. She then returned to Brazil, where she spent a decade in private practice, providing expert care to children of all ages. In the last three years of her tenure in Brazil, Sabine made significant contributions as part of the Student Success Team (SST) at Avenues, the World School, fostering academic and personal growth among students.

Her unwavering commitment to excellence characterises Sabine's impressive 15-year career as a pediatric OT.  Sabine is a seasoned paediatric occupational therapist with extensive experience dedicated to enriching children's lives. She completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2000 and earned a Master of Occupational Therapy in 2005. Her journey includes work in prestigious hospitals, private practice, and a pivotal role in the Student Success Team at Avenues, the World School. In her 15-year career, Sabine has provided tailored therapy for children with various diagnoses, conducted comprehensive assessments, developed personalised treatment plans, empowered parents, collaborated with school teams, and actively participated in multidisciplinary approaches. Fluent in English, German, and Portuguese, Sabine brings a global perspective to her work, always maintaining a positive and encouraging approach to pediatric occupational therapy. Sabine is known for her enthusiastic, motivated, and committed approach to paediatric occupational therapy.  Sabine's dedication to her work is matched only by her love for fun and the great outdoors. When she's not helping children reach their full potential, you'll find her at the beach with her family, playing beach tennis games and basking in the beauty of the outdoors.

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Teresa's OT journey led her from the United States to Australia, where she previously lived in 2019 while studying abroad at the University of Newcastle for a semester.  Teresa's connection with Tanya, sparked by a chance encounter on a Paediatric OT Facebook group, revealed her alignment with our clinic's core principles. This led to an invitation for Teresa to join us in Australia, where her passion and expertise continue to shine.

What makes Teresa's story truly exceptional is her extensive interaction with the special needs community and children, cultivated through familial, vocational, and voluntary opportunities. She lived with her great uncle with Down Syndrome, volunteered in her mother's primary special education classrooms, coached Special Olympics basketball with children and adults with special needs, and presently, her family fosters an adult with an intellectual disability and a history of trauma through a program called Life Sharing.

Teresa's passion for occupational therapy ignited at a young age, and by the age of 14, she knew it was her calling. She recognised occupational therapy as the perfect fusion of caregiving, social interaction, and scientific study. Throughout her university years, she worked as a support worker for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other diagnoses and served as an SLSO for an individual with ASD.

Teresa is deeply passionate about mental health, social skills, imaginative play, and promoting independence for children of all ability levels through functional and playful intervention. Her therapeutic approach revolves around connection and communication. She strives to build strong therapeutic relationships with her clients, their caregivers, and families, enabling efficient and effective problem-solving.

She is dedicated to further developing her expertise in the field through ongoing education, including Sensory Integration Practitioner courses and a pursuit of a yoga teacher certification.

Outside of her professional life, Teresa revels in trying out new cafes, spending quality time with friends and family, enjoying the beach, hiking, attending yoga classes at local studios, and indulging her creative side with arts and crafts. Her enthusiasm for fun and laughter infuses her therapy sessions, where her goal is to approach each one with compassion, empathy, and sensitivity while creating a positive and joyful environment.

OFFICE MANAGER

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Amanda is the heart and soul of our team, serving as our office administrator extraordinaire. Her remarkable journey in the world of administration reflects her unwavering passion for organisation and helping people. From an early age, Amanda knew she wanted to work in an office where her love for computers and knack for bringing order to chaos could shine. After high school, she wasted no time in pursuing her passion, earning her Certificate IV in Executive Secretarial Studies.

Over the course of 16 years, Amanda worked diligently to climb the professional ladder, eventually securing an Executive Assistant position in a top-tier construction company. However, her career took a brief hiatus when she started her family. During this time, Amanda transitioned into part-time office administration roles within the Sutherland Shire, amassing nearly 25 years of invaluable experience in office administration.

In early 2022, Amanda embarked on a new adventure, joining the Department of Education in a casual SLSO (School Learning Support Officer) role. Her innate compassion, boundless empathy, and remarkable ability to connect with children made her an excellent fit for this position, where she provides care and support to children with special needs.

By August 2022, Amanda found her way to our clinic, bringing her wealth of administrative experience and her warm, welcoming personality to the SKOT family. She excels in her role and creates a friendly and inviting environment for our families. Amanda has forged numerous relationships with our clients and their children, becoming integral to the SKOT experience.

Amanda cherishes quality time with her family and friends outside of her professional life. Her penchant for capturing moments is evident in her love for taking a million photos. Amanda's soul is always soothed by music, and she indulges in her daily guilty pleasure of watching "The Young & The Restless." Her presence and dedication make SKOT a well-oiled machine, and her warm demeanour ensures that our families feel right at home.