Jessica Van Der Leeden

Jessica is a Speech Pathologist who is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and adults by helping them access their right to communication. Jessica utilises a compassionate, hard-working and energetic approach. She is passionate about evidence based practice, as well as exploring intervention options to ensure the best approach is chosen for each individual child. Jessica is a member of the Professional Self Regulation program with Speech Pathology Australia.

Jessica is trained in:

SOS Approach to Feeding – a clinical program for helping problem feeders to develop a healthy and enjoyable relationship with food
Secret Agent Society (SAS) Small Group Program – an evidence-based, multimedia program to help children improve their social and emotional resilience
Key Word Sign – using manual sign and natural gesture to support communication
The Hanen Centre “More Than Words” – engaging parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to facilitate their child’s social, communication and vocabulary development
Liberator AAC Training: implementing AAC devices to support communication
Social Thinking – helping children build their social skills
ReST Rapid Syllable Transition – a treatment used for children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Ultrasound Biofeedback – a treatment used for children with persisting Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Mental health training
Cultural awareness training at the Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service
Sensory Processing Disorder workshop via Child Sense Occupational Therapy
Cultural Responsive Training: Facilitated by Speech Pathology Australia
Gestalt Language Processing and Delayed Echolalia (Scripting): Meaningful Speech

Jessica has experience working with children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities. These include; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), attention difficulties (ADHD, ADD), Cerebral Palsy, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Intellectual Disability, Chromosomal Disorders, Brain Injury, Down Syndrome, and more.

Charlotte Raleigh

Charlotte is passionate about helping all clients build their confidence to communicate freely and authentically every day. Charlotte sees communication as such an important part of everyday life and that everyone deserves the right to express themselves and connect to others. Charlotte delivers all sessions in a fun and energetic manner. Charlotte loves collaborating with the client, their families, their schools and other health professionals to form a team-based approach to supporting each individual's journey. Charlotte completed her Master of Speech Pathology at the University of Technology Sydney and is a certified speech pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia. She is interested in early language intervention, literacy and speech!

Charlotte is trained in:

The Hanen Centre “More Than Words” – engaging parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to facilitate their child’s social, communication and vocabulary development
SoundsWrite: A systematic literacy program that supports children with their early reading and writing skills
Liberator AAC Training: implementing AAC devices to support communication
Social Thinking - helping children build their social skills
Gestalt Language Processing and Delayed Echolalia (Scripting): Meaningful Speech
Developmental Language Disorder Learning modules - Speech Pathology Australia
Roots of Literacy: Play and Language webinar
Youth Mental Health - ORYGEN x SPA webinar - supporting adolescents with communication needs and mental health support
Key Word Sign – using manual sign and natural gesture to support communication.
Aspect Building Tots for Health Professionals - helping children with developmental concerns and/or early signs of autism excel in early childhood education settings
Cultural Responsive Training: Facilitated by Speech Pathology Australia

Charlotte is particularly interested in working with children with literacy disorders, and supporting pragmatic language (social communication) skills. She has experience working with children with a range of developmental disorders. These include; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), attention difficulties (ADHD, ADD), Cerebral Palsy, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Intellectual Disability, Chromosomal Disorders, Brain Injury, Down Syndrome, and more.

Grace Gruszka

Grace brings a compassionate and personalised approach to supporting clients from all backgrounds with identified speech and language difficulties. Grace is committed to continuous learning and development, and is passionate about providing evidence-based therapies tailored to each child's unique needs. Grace believes in a collaborative approach, working closely with families, caregivers, and schools to achieve optimal communication outcomes for every child where they can thrive and reach their full potential. Grace completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at the University of Sydney, and is accredited as a certified practising speech pathologist (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia.

Grace is trained in:

Sounds-Write: A systematic literacy program that supports children with their early reading and writing skills
Gestalt Language Processing and Delayed Echolalia (Scripting): Meaningful Speech
Key Word Sign — using manual sign and natural gesture to support communication
Liberator AAC Training: implementing AAC devices to support communication
The Shape Coding system — a visual way to teach spoken and written grammar to school-aged children with language difficulties
Cultural Responsive training, facilitated by Indigenous Allied Health Australia
Developmental Language Disorder Learning modules. Facilitated by Speech Pathology Australia
Trauma Informed Practice — a strengths-based approach, which seeks to understand and respond to the impact of trauma on client’s lives. Facilitated by the ACT Education Directorate

Grace has experience working with children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities including, learning difficulties (dyslexia and developmental language disorder), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention difficulties (ADHD, ADD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Intellectual Disability, and more.

Dana Pickens

Dana is a dedicated and enthusiastic speech pathologist committed to helping her clients achieve their full potential across various aspects of their lives, including building peer relationships, maximising academic success, and receiving support at home. She values the insights that families provide about their children and collaborates closely with them to set impactful, personalised goals. Dana is passionate about making therapy sessions both fun and engaging, whilst tailoring her approach to meet each individual’s unique needs. She holds a Master of Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Sydney and is a certified practicing speech pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia.

Dana is trained in:

SOS Approach to Feeding: A clinical program for helping problem feeders to develop a healthy and enjoyable relationship with food
Sounds-Write: A systematic literacy program that supports children with their early reading and writing skills
Gestalt Language Processing and Delayed Echolalia (Scripting): Meaningful Speech
Liberator AAC Training: implementing AAC devices to support communication
Cultural Responsive Training: Facilitated by Speech Pathology Australia
Evidence-Based Practice Training: Facilitated by Speech Pathology Australia
Key Word Sign: Using manual signs and natural gestures to support communication
Emotional Intelligence Introductory Webinar: Facilitated by the University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education

Dana is particularly interested in literacy, speech, and feeding. She has experience working with children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention difficulties (ADHD and ADD), learning difficulties (dyslexia and developmental language disorder), and speech sound and articulation disorders. Additionally, she has experience working with adults with acquired disabilities, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke.

Jessica McDonald

Jes is a dedicated and passionate Speech Pathologist who believes every individual deserves a way to express themselves and be heard in their world. Having personally benefited from speech pathology services, she deeply understands the client experience and strives to create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children and adults feel empowered to work toward their goals with confidence.

Her journey in speech pathology began as an early childhood educator, where she collaborated with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists to support children in their early development. This experience sparked her passion for helping individuals overcome communication and feeding barriers.

Jes takes a family-centred, holistic approach, working closely with parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals to create practical and engaging therapy plans that fit into their everyday life. Whether supporting a child’s early language skills through play-based activities or guiding an adult through voice rehabilitation, she ensures that therapy is interactive, functional, and meaningful.

Jes is trained in:

LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) – is a highly effective speech therapy program for improving vocal loudness, clarity, and pitch range, initially developed for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Strong evidence supports its use in paediatric populations, particularly those with cerebral palsy (CP) and down syndrome (DS), where it has been shown to enhance speech production, vocal loudness, and communication skills.
Liberator AAC Training In-Clinic Workshop
Key Word Sign — using manual sign and natural gesture to support communication
Child Safety Workshop with Semann & Slattery
Murama PD Workshop - Cultural awareness training/knowledge sharing at Sydney Olympic park
‘Transforming Challenging Behaviours’ Workshop
‘Speak Easy: Language Development in Under 5’s’ with Semann & Slattery
‘Working with Children’s Behaviour’ with Semann & Slattery

Jes is particularly interested in speech, language, swallowing and voice. She has experience working with children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention difficulties (ADHD and ADD), learning difficulties (dyslexia and developmental language disorder), speech sound disorders and more. Additionally, she has experience working with adults providing neurological rehabilitation with acquired disabilities, including Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and stroke.

Ann Binoj

Ann is a passionate, bilingual speech pathologist who is dedicated to helping young learners develop their communication skills in a fun and engaging way. She values collaboration with the client, families and schools to work towards holistic goals and achieve the best possible outcomes. Ann completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Hons) at the University of South Australia and is a certified practising speech pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia.

Ann is trained in:

The Hanen Centre “It Takes Two to Talk”
Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training, facilitated by OHS

Additionally, Ann has engaged in research during her time at university:

What’s Next? An investigation into how older Australian physiotherapists view their lives beyond retirement age - Honours Thesis and Internal Research Presentation

Ann is especially interested in working in the areas of early language intervention, speech sound disorders, literacy development, social communication skills and working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She has experience working with children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities.

Melissa

Melissa is our lovely admin assistant.

She is the friendly face who welcomes the children and families in our clinic. She can help with any questions regarding booking speech therapy services, managing appointments and processing payments.

Maria-Carla (MC)

MC is currently studying Speech Pathology and looking forward to joining the profession soon. She is a wonderful admin assistant who brings a positive energy to our clinic waiting room.