Jessica Van Der Leeden
Owner & Speech Pathologist

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
Senior Speech Pathologist & clinical mentor

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.

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.

Lauren Chu

Lauren is a committed, compassionate and creative speech pathologist who is motivated to support children and families through personalised, holistic, and evidence-based care. She is passionate about developing individualised goals and working collaboratively with families to help children thrive in their everyday environments.

Lauren completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at Australian Catholic University and is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia.

Lauren is trained in:

Key Word Sign: Using manual signs and natural gestures to support communication
Management of Functional Neurological Communication and Swallowing Disorders by Dr Cath Gregory
Lisa Francis (Hornsby Hospital) and paediatric feeding in ICU training by Pauline Eldridge (Blacktown Hospital)
Play development presentation by Kate Jones at Hornsby Hospital

Lauren has a strong interest in language, literacy, and feeding, and has experience working with children across hospital, clinic, and school settings. Her training and clinical placements have developed her skills in assessment and intervention for children with language disorders, speech sound disorders (including childhood apraxia of speech), AAC use, and feeding difficulties, including restricted eating and neonatal and infant feeding. She has also gained experience working with adults with communication and swallowing disorders in acute hospital and forensic hospital settings.

Aaron Wong

Aaron is a new graduate speech pathologist who advocates for and supports clients to find their own voice, enabling them to express themselves across all aspects of life. He believes that collaborative practice with families, schools, and caregivers is essential to a child’s success, not only within clinic settings, but also in classrooms, interpersonal relationships, and everyday interactions. As a lifelong learner, Aaron is committed to continually developing his knowledge and skills to deliver engaging, evidence-based therapy tailored to each client. He completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at the University of Sydney and is a certified practising speech pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia. Aaron has a particular interest in social communications and pragmatics, speech, and literacy!

Aaron has developed resources for:

Teachers by providing evidence-based teaching strategies and effective ways to create culturally rich environments
Parents in how to play and provide language rich environments at home!
Parent-friendly resources on communication milestones

Aaron has been trained in :

Foundations of Literacy presentation by Skye Simon at ChatAbout, West Ryde
Communicating with people living with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) with Interact-ABI-lity

Aaron has experience working with children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities, including learning difficulties (dyslexia and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)), ASD, attention difficulties (i.e., ADHD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Down Syndrome, speech sound and articulation disorders, and more. He has also gained experience working with adults in acute hospital settings, working in spaces such as palliative care, aged-care and stroke.

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.