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Speech Therapy Team

The GCFC currently consists of the following highly skilled and experienced Speech Pathologists. 
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Sarah Turner
Speech Pathologist

Sarah graduated from Macquarie University in 1996 with a BA (Psychology). She continued studying and graduated from Sydney University in 2000 with a B.Applied Science (Speech Pathology).

 

Sarah has worked in both public and private practice, specialising in paediatrics. She has experience in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Feeding Difficulties, Language Disorder, Speech and Fluency disorders. Sarah is committed to ongoing professional development and has completed the following training:

 

  • Paediatric Feeding Education Program - presented by Sarah Starr, Melissa Parkin and Anne Rosten

  • Infant Feeding Issues: General assessment and Intervention and the big ‘R’ Reflux - Dr Julie Cichero

  • The SOS Approach to Feeding. Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders. Basic Workshop

  • The SOS Approach to Feeding. Parents as partners - Working with Parents to Maximise Engagement; Feeding the Child on the Autism Spectrum, and The ‘Food Scientist’ Approach

  • It Takes Two to Talk® - The Hanen Program®

  • Achieved mastery in the “Basic course of DIR®/ FloortimeTM”

  • Interactive Metronome Certification Course & Best Practices Course

 

Sarah is a Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia

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Jessica Palmer
Speech Pathologist

Jessie has a BA in Linguistics and a Masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Sydney University. She has worked with families at The Gabrielle Centre for Children from 2016.

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Jessie works with children of all ages and abilities. She is passionate about working with families to achieve meaningful goals for your child. She has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Downs Syndrome, Language delay/disorders, Social/Pragmatic difficulties, Literacy difficulties, Fluency disorders and feeding challenges.

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Jessie is a Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia. She is committed to ongoing professional development and has completed additional training including: 

  • ‘Traffic Jam in My Brain: A sensory processing approach to challenges associated with Autism, ADHD, learning and behavioural difficulties’

  • Social Thinking Course - presented by Michelle Garcia Winner

  • ‘Getting our kids organised: Strategies to develop executive functioning skills at school and at home’ - presented by Michelle Garcia Winner

  • Series of topical issues in paediatric dysphagia - presented by Dr Julie Cichero

  • ‘Learn how words work: Spelling Development, Assessment and Intervention" - presented by Jenny Baker

  • More Than Words® — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties

  • ‘Sounds-Write: first-rate phonics’ 

  • LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning)

  • Introduction to PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)

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Peta Walzak
Speech Pathologist

Peta graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) from the University of Sydney in 2003. Peta completed a research Masters degree at the University of Sydney in 2009.

 

She has worked in private practice, preschools, primary schools and TAFE. She has experience with children and adults in the following areas: language, speech, fluency, voice, Autism Spectrum Disorder and rehabilitation after acquired brain injury.
 
Peta has implemented group programs in preschools focusing on collaboration with teachers and therapy through play. In addition, Peta has used alternative and augmentative communication in preschool and home environments. Language and articulation programs have also been implemented in primary schools with small groups. She has worked in an early intervention team working with carers, teachers and other health professionals with children who have a developmental delay.

 

Peta is a Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia and is committed to ongoing professional development and has completed the following training:
 

  • Certificate IV Breastfeeding Education (Breastfeeding Counsellor) (Australian Breastfeeding Association)

  • Social Thinking – presented by Michelle Garcia Winner

  • LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning)

  • Social Skills (TalkAbout) – presented by Alex Kelly

  • Paediatric Feeding Education Program - presented by Sarah Starr
     

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Abby Patis
Speech Pathologist

Abby graduated from the Australian Catholic University in 2017.

 

Previously worked in a non-for profit early intervention organisation prior to the Gabrielle Centre for Children. In this time Abby worked in a multidisciplinary team working with teachers, early childhood educators and older health professionals.

 

Abby has experience with children in the following areas:

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  • Autism Spectrum Disorder,

  • Downs Syndrome,

  • Cerebral Palsy,

  • speech; and

  • language and fluency. 

 

Abby has an interest area in alternative and augmentative communication and is very interested in continuing to expand her skillset while committing to a continued ongoing professional development.

 

Abby has completed the following training: 

 

  • Complex Communications Workshop by Christine Porter 

  • Velopharyngeal Insufficiency by David Fitzsimons 

  • Children with Complex Speech Sound Disorders Workshop by Professor Rebecca McCauley

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Amie Hackett
Speech Pathologist

Amie has a master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Sydney and is new to the Gabrielle Centre in 2020. Amie has worked with children of all ages and abilities and has a keen interest in language and literacy development in the early years and beyond.

 

With a bachelor’s degree in special education, Amie has had over 15 years teaching experience prior to entering the Speech Pathology profession. Amie has worked in a specialist roles to support the diverse needs of children and their teachers within the primary school setting.

 

Amie has had experience working with children who have:

  • Speech and Language Disorders

  • Literacy difficulties

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Angelman Syndrome

  • Turner Syndrome

 

Amie is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia and is committed to ongoing professional development. Amie has completed the following training:

 

  • Key Word Sign Workshop – presented by Dr Andy Schmidt

  • Making up Lost Time in Literacy (MULTILIT) – presented by Rachael Wheldall

Reading, writing and spelling - Presented by David Hornsby.

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