So when I started my practice in 2009, supporting feeding difficulties in babies and children, I knew that a non-judgemental attitude, realistic expectations, achievable recommendations and easy to follow strategies were paramount.

Eating is a life long journey. Like any journey, there are sometimes challenges along the way. Feeding difficulties can be very stressful. Progress can happen in a matter of days or weeks or can be slow and steady. What matters is that you are heading in the right direction. I see my role as guiding you in the right direction, supporting you to take the small steps and celebrating each step along the way.

I am now the mum of two busy teenagers. We are still trying out new meals and learning about new and different foods. We are still on our own food journey. 

Experience

Having graduated from Stellenbosch University, South Africa in 1996, I worked in New Zealand and the UK where I completed additional post graduate training in paediatric feeding.

On arrival in Sydney in 2003, I chose to specialise in paediatric feeding difficulties. I have worked at Sydney Children’s and St George Hospitals. I have extensive clinical experience in working with babies, toddlers and children with a range of feeding difficulties. In my practice I use a responsive feeding therapy approach called the House Model™ which I have developed together with Valerie Gent from Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy. This model focuses on reducing stress at meals and increasing both family connection together with variety of foods eaten. I attend regular professional development and have training and clinical experience in a range of paediatric feeding areas, including:

• fussy eating
• Autism and related feeding challenges
• Chewing and swallowing difficulties
• Medical conditions such as gastro-esophageal reflux, brain injuries, cleft lip and palate conditions, cerebral palsy, chromosone deletions and syndromes as well as premature babies who have resulting feeding difficulties
• Sensory Processing difficulties that impact on feeding
• Breast and bottle feeding difficulties

I am also a co-Director of “Feeding Therapies Australia”, a professional development company aimed at training allied health professionals in Feeding Therapy.

My own experience with juggling demanding mealtimes, children with different learning styles and the stresses that come with wanting the best for my children has helped me be a better speech pathologist. I am a firm believer in family-centred practice and working in collaboration with families towards achieving goals that matter to them, and goals that make a difference in the every day. I hope to help support you on your own food journey- encouraging and celebrating along the way. 

Experience

I graduated from the University of Sydney in 2013 and have over a decade of experience in a variety of paediatric settings. I have worked in clinics, early childhood/preschools, primary and secondary schools, playgroups and community health settings. I have extensive experience in disability support, in particular working with autistic individuals to feel comfortable in their own communication and feeding styles.

I have a wide range of training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) supports and have spent the larger part of my career working in collaboration with families and their support teams. I am also very proud to have graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Masters of Teaching (Primary Education) in 2020 while juggling a six month old in lockdown, as I constantly strive to build my knowledge base to be a better clinician. 

I am trained in the Responsive Feeding House Model ™ and attend regular professional development and training across all areas of paediatric feeding. This includes: 

• Fussy and/or restricted eating
• Chewing and swallowing difficulties
• Medical conditions resulting in chewing and swallowing difficulties
• Enteral feeding
• Sensory processing difficulties that impact on feeding
• Breast and bottle feeding difficulties