Meet the Buderim team
The Early Start Australia Buderim team provide occupational therapy, and speech pathology services on the Sunshine Coast to support children and families.
Vanessa Heaton
Team Leader and Senior Speech Language Pathologist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology
- Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist
- First aid and CPR
Meet Vanessa, a vibrant and dedicated speech pathologist with a passion for unlocking the power of communication. Known for her fun-loving personality, Vanessa seamlessly combines professionalism with a playful touch, creating an engaging environment for clients.
Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Manchester Metropolitan university in the UK.
Her professional background encompasses working with children, adolescents, and their families across various settings, including private practice and the NHS.
She has provided intervention and assessment in school, home, clinic, and natural environments.
Beyond individual sessions, Vanessa has led engaging group social skill sessions, contributed to Kindy uplift projects, and provided valuable parent training.
She has a keen interest in working with tweens and teenagers, recognising the unique challenges and opportunities this age group presents.
She uses strength-based and evidence-based approaches to ensure that every child, from the littlest ones to teenagers, reaches their full communication potential.
Registration
- Registered as a Speech and Language Pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)
- Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
- Working with Children Check
Recent professional development
- Lidcombe program for treatment of stuttering
- Selective mutism treatment approaches
- ADOS administration and scoring training
- Hanan More Than Words
Areas of interest
- Social communication skills
- Phonology skills (speech sound clarity)
- Language skills
- Selective mutism
- Stuttering
Lindsay Phillips
Team Leader & Senior Occupational Therapist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy (Hons)
Lindsay is a passionate occupational therapist with over 20 years’ experience.
She has worked in both the United Kingdom and South Africa prior to immigrating to Australia in 2023 with her husband and two children.
Lindsay completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
She has vast experience in working with mental health, education and disability sectors but her passion and interests remain in early intervention, as she believes the earlier a child receives therapy, the better it is for the child’s development.
Lindsay has additional qualifications in sensory integration therapy, which was completed in the UK, and she works with this model of practice daily.
She is dedicated to supporting children to increase their skills and grow their independence through play-based activities and has a keen interest in overcoming visual perceptual difficulties.
Lindsay is passionate about helping others to be able to do the things they want to do to lead the lives they want to lead.
For children most of their learning is through the therapeutic use of play to learn new concepts and grow into the people they deserve to be!
She therefore feels it is important to use their interests, along with her own (which include arts and crafts and creativity) that therapy sessions can be tailored, motivational and fun.
Registration
- Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
- Working with Children Check
Recent professional development
- Building Sensory-Motor skills Through Reflex Integration (2024)
- Grey Matter (How the brain works) (2020)
- Co-Ord Plus (2020)
- Reading Writing Connection (2020)
- Auditory Processing Disorder (2020)
- A perspective on ADHD (2020)
- Understanding Emotional Processing in Children (2019)
Areas of interest
- Motor skills and core development
- Visual perception
- Executive functioning
- Infants and prematurity
- Sensory processing
- Reflex integration
Louise Skuthorpe
Senior Occupational Therapist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Louise is a dedicated and fun occupational therapist, with a passion for helping children and adolescents achieve their fullest potential through hands-on, engaging therapy.
A graduate of the University of the Sunshine Coast, Louise brings extensive experience in working with children of all ages and a wide range of diagnoses.
She has a particular interest in supporting children through play-based therapy and assistive technology, using tailored, meaningful sessions that align with each child’s unique goals and strengths.
Known for her ability to connect with families, Louise creates a warm, friendly, and fun environment where children feel safe to grow and explore.
Her sessions are filled with warmth, laughter, and just the right amount of adventure—perfect for young ones who thrive in a playful atmosphere.
With teens, Louise balances her friendly approach with goal-focused support, helping them develop the confidence and skills they need as they work toward independence.
Louise’s approach combines evidence-based techniques with creativity, making therapy an enjoyable journey.
Outside of work, Louise loves spending time outdoors camping, making memories with her family, and dancing whenever she gets the chance!
Registration
- Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
- Working with Children Check
Recent professional development
- Insights Training (2024)
- Self-Regulation: It’s a state of the mind (2023)
- Sense-Up: Meaningful Sensory Diets (2023)
- NDIS functional Capacity Writing (2023)
- Occupational Performance Coaching (2022)
- NDIS Assistive Technology Applications – OTA (2021)
- Learn to Play Introduction – Karen Stagnetti (2021)
- The Art of Therapy and Connection (2020)
- Introduction to Early Start Denver Model (2019)
- Traffic Jam in My Brain (2019)
Areas of interest
- Assistive technology
- Sensory integration
- Gross motor and fine motor skills
- Daily living skills and building independence
Sally Platt
Senior Occupational Therapist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Sally is a passionate and experienced OT who loves meeting, building relationships and working with children and their families to help them overcome any difficulties or obstacles that they may be facing.
Sally completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Westville, South Africa.
She has experience working with children, adolescents and their families in school, home, and clinic settings.
Sally’s passion and interest lie in early intervention, and she believes the earlier a child receives therapy, the more positive their future outcomes.
She has completed her sensory integration training through the sensory integration Institute of South Africa as well as her DIR Floortime level 1 certificate course through Profectum.
Sally has completed professional training to school staff and local Kindergarten educators.
Sally is a caring, curious, and dynamic OT who has a love of learning from other professionals as well as from the children and the families that she treats.
She enjoys working collaboratively with children and their families as well as within a multi-disciplinary team.
She adopts a relationship-based approach in therapy and focuses on intervention of foundational skills which underlie functional difficulties.
Sally enjoys working with children and young people of a variety of ages and goals.
Registration
- Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
- Working with Children Check
Recent professional development
- The SOS approach to feeding (2022)
- Regulation matters (2023)
- Toileting 101 (2022)
- The SpIRiT of paediatric therapy, clinical reasoning framework (2022)
- DIR Floortime Level 1 Certificate Course (2021)
Areas of interest
- Sensory processing
- Early intervention
- Motor skills
- Functional independence
Zoe Lyttle
Occupational Therapist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Zoe Lyttle completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours at the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2021 and has experience working with children and families in the clinic, community and home environment.
Zoe has experience working with children with a range of different diagnosis and developmental delays.
Zoe has experience providing targeted assessment, ongoing therapy in the clinic, school, community and home environment, and with implementing group therapy programs such as prep readiness, Lego social/play skills, and feeding therapy groups, and executive functioning/social ‘cook and chat’ groups for teens
Zoe has also taken part in projects such as the Kindy uplift program which provides assessment and intervention programs to kindergartens in regional and rural communities.
Zoe is skilled at fostering a fun, warm and safe space for her children and families to be themselves and practice/learn new skills.
Zoe is a passionate OT who values making her clients feel heard, working as part of a multidisciplinary team and enjoys collaborating with stakeholders involved in her clients’ day-to-day lives and/or care to provide a holistic approach to therapy.
Zoe values the child, their unique strengths/interests and a family centred approach.
Registration
- Registered Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
- Working with Children Check
Professional development
- The Sensory Foundations to Learning – Sense Up (2022)
- Three steps to Improving Interoception: An Evidence-Based Approach – Kelly Mahler (2022)
- An Introduction to DIR and DIRFLOORTIME – The International Council on Development and Learning (2022)
- Treating Movement Challenges in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: NDT for ASD – Kim Barthel (2023)
- Learn to Play Introduction to Pretend Play, Assessment and Starting Therapy – Karen Stagnitti (2024)
- Sense Up Practical Workshop – Sensory Theory and Practice related to sensory motor and motor planning difficulties – Kerry Evetts (2024)
Areas of interest
- Early intervention
- Sensory challenges
- Challenging engagement styles
- Difficulties with cognitive/play skills
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Executive functioning difficulties
- Individual therapy
Nadine Wilson
Occupational Therapist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Nadine is a dedicated paediatric occupational therapist who is passionate about supporting children and adolescents to achieve their full potential.
Nadine enjoys working closely with children, families, and other key supports to ensure clients are achieving what is important to them.
She enjoys creating fun, engaging, and meaningful activities that promote skill-building with clients.
Nadine strives to provided family centred approaches and evidence informed practice. She also enjoys working collaboratively with children and their families as well as within a multi-disciplinary team.
Nadine is passionate with working in a variety of clinical areas, with a keen interest in toileting and mealtimes.
She has experience working with children, adolescents and their families in school, home, and clinic settings.
When not at work, Nadine enjoys spending time at the beach and exploring the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast.
Registration
- Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
- Working with Children Check
Recent professional development
- Learn to Play Introduction – Karen Stagnetti (2020)
- NDIS Functional Capacity Writing (2024)
- Learning to concern the Wees and Poos… the Basics and Beyond (2024)
- Supporting the Occupational Roles of Infants (2023)
- Toileting 101 (2020)
Amy Bourke
Speech Language Pathologist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health)
- Master of Speech Pathology
Amy joined Early Start Australia after earning her Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Queensland.
Throughout her clinical education, Amy gained experience across a range of settings, but it was her work with children and their families that truly ignited her passion for the field.
Amy is dedicated to providing high-quality, holistic care and thrives in multidisciplinary team environments where collaboration is key to achieving the best outcomes for her clients.
Her approach is centred on building strong, supportive relationships with both children and their families, ensuring that therapy is meaningful, practical, and effective.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her young children and family, maintaining an active lifestyle and connecting with nature.
Registration
- Registered member of Speech Pathology Australia
- Medicare provider
- Working with Children Check
- NDIS Workers Check
Areas of interest
- Early language development
- Speech sounds and articulation
- Functional communication
Ellie Hopgood
Speech Language Pathologist
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Ellie completed a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology at the University of Queensland in 2020.
She has previously worked within both private practice and a hospital rehabilitation program. With experience delivering services across the clinic, school, and the home.
Her approach focuses on evidence based collaborative practice, tailored to suit the client’s needs.
With involvement of family and the multidisciplinary team to support client centred care and a comprehensive treatment approach.
She is passionate about helping her clients build skills and achieve those goals most important to their daily lives.
Building her clients communication, develop their confidence, and their ability to advocate for what they need.
Within therapy she brings a play-based approach and values the role of joy and fun as pre-requisites for learning.
Outside of work she enjoys swimming and spending time at the ocean or in the forest.
Registration
- Certified Practicing Speech Pathology Australia Membership
- Medicare Provider
- Working with Children Check and NDIS Workers Check
Professional development
- Hanen More Than Words (2021)
- Hanen Talkability (2022)
- Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding (2022)
- Assessment and Treatment of Selective Mutism (2021)
- Introduction to AUSLAN level 1 (2021)
Areas of interest
- Articulation and phonology
- Early intervention (speech and language development)
- Selective mutism
- Social communication skills
- Feeding (picky eating and PFD)
Sara Van Hooydonk
Speech Language Pathologist
Sara is a dedicated and enthusiastic speech pathologist.
A recent graduate of Charles Sturt University in Melbourne, Sara is passionate about creating a supportive, engaging, and empowering environment for children to develop their communication skills.
She believes in the power of building trust and rapport with each child to foster a positive therapeutic relationship, ensuring that therapy feels both fun and meaningful.
With a strong belief in the value of naturalistic intervention, Sara enjoys working in kindergartens and schools, where she can support children in their everyday environments.
Additionally, Sara is passionate about engaging all family members and professionals involved in a child’s therapy journey, helping to expand their knowledge and equipping them with practical skills they can apply in their daily routines.
Sara’s key areas of interest include early language facilitation, Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), speech sound disorders and literacy.
She is particularly focused on supporting autistic children who process language in a different way, helping them make sense of and express their thoughts through individualised therapy techniques, including the integration of AAC strategies.
Outside of her professional life, Sara enjoys yoga and spending time at the beach, where she finds peace and inspiration.
Professional development
- Hanan More Than Words
Mel Storey
Allied Health Assistant
Qualifications
- Diploma in children’s services
- First aid/CPR
Mel joined Early Start Australia as an Allied Health Assistant after a background in early childhood and teacher aide throughout schools in regional and south east Queensland.
She completed a diploma of children services in the Central Coast NSW, finding her passion specialising in special education, supporting students with their learning goals, language, social skills and emotional regulation.
Mel’s calm, nurturing approach sees her strive on building positive relationships with children and their families to ensure they feel safe, secure and supported.
Registration
- Early childhood educator
- Working with children check
- National Police Clearance
Areas of interest
- Sensory processing
- Play skills
- Language skills
Bec Lawford
Lead Administrator
Bec is Buderim’s lead administrator and the energetic and bubbly heart of the clinic.
Passionate about supporting diverse communities, particularly in working with children and individuals with special needs.
With a strong background in administration, Bec excels at coordinating day-to-day operations, managing teams, and ensuring efficient workflows.
Having both personal and professional expertise in navigating NDIS processes, Bec is a key support for families, ensuring they feel understood and valued.
Her family-centred approach and positive attitude make her a go-to person for assistance, whether it’s managing clinic operations, streamlining processes, or providing a listening ear.
Dedicated, approachable, and always happy to help, Bec plays an integral role in creating a supportive and welcoming environment for clients and staff alike.