Meet the Team
Simone – Director/Head Therapist
Simone is a passionate therapist who loves working with children. She graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Western Sydney. She followed her passion into paediatric occupational therapy after gaining years of experience working with children of varying abilities. Simone enjoys working collaboratively with teachers and parents in order to ensure that children reach their goals, and takes a child-centred approach to therapy. Simone loves to use each child’s unique interests to build a fun therapy environment. She is actively involved in educating teachers and schools on autism spectrum disorders. She is registered with Medicare Australia and is a member of the NSW branch of OT Australia. She has also completed training in DIR Floortime, Sensory Processing, Maketon Signing, and Auditory Processing Therapy.
Corina – Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Corina is a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapist, driven to support children and families to reach their potential in fun and creative ways. Corina graduated from Australian Catholic University and has experience providing therapy for children within a Private hospital setting and out in the community. Corina has a strong passion for creating engaging and meaningful interventions and solutions for children and their families. She is passionate about empowering children and their families to achieve their therapy goals. Corina is committed to professional development and is an active member of Occupational Therapy Australia. Corina is certified in assessment and intervention for children and DIR®Floortime approach. She is passionate about participating in ongoing professional development to further build her skills and knowledge to stay up-to-date with the most evidence-based practice. Corina has an interest in working with children who have sensory processing difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays and handwriting difficulties.
Danielle – Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Danielle is a passionate and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist. She graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor in Occupational Therapy with a background in Health Sport and Exercise Science. She also has had extensive experience in supporting children and adolescents with varying abilities in their daily lives.
She is trained in DIR®Floortime and ABA Therapy (Applied Behavioural Analysis). She is passionate about the delivery of best practice and therefore is committed in expanding her knowledge and skills by continuing her professional development as an Occupational Therapist.
Danielle is dedicated in supporting children and their families achieve their goals. She finds it extremely fulfilling working with children and their families using a strength-focused approach, empowering children to participate in and strive to reach their unique potential and their families with the knowledge to best support their child to achieve things they have always dreamt of, yet never thought were possible.
Lara – Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Lara is from Sao Paulo, Brazil and this is where her love for in Paediatric OT started. She studied at one of South America’s Prominent Universities – University of Sao Paulo, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy. She moved to Sydney in 2016 in hopes to further pursue her passion in this career. Prior to Leaps and Bounds, Lara had worked in the Childcare industry where she was able to provide quality care as well as help children with learning dispositions and has become a positive influence in their lives.
Lara enjoys working collaboratively with others and is a fierce play advocate. She is strongly driven and a staunch believer in creating a fun environment for the children where she can learn they interests, beliefs and what they hold as meaningful to develop activities that are valued by the child and his or her family.
Lara takes a holistic approach to assessment and intervention, implementing principles of sensory processing, behaviour support, and cognitive development into her occupational therapy practice, she is certified in assessment and intervention for children and DIR® Floortime approach. She understands that each child is an individual with their own unique strengths and developmental needs, and looks to the latest research to implement evidence based practice to achieve optimal outcomes.
Carmen – Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Carmen is a passionate and devoted occupational therapist, who graduated from Western Sydney University. She strives to do the best by her clients and family by working collaboratively with parents and caregivers. Carmen has completed training and is certified in DIR® Floortime. With a background working in disability with mostly children and adolescents, she has developed a wide range of transferable skills applicable to all clients, while understanding every child is unique and ensures their strengths, skills and interests are incorporated throughout her sessions. Carmen is committed to continuing professional development, in order to ensure best practice for all.
Stephanie – Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Stephanie is a registered occupational therapist who graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational therapy) with a background in Psychology. She is passionate about working with children using a child-centred, strengths-focused approach to help children climb up the developmental ladder and move towards maximising their unique potentials and achieving their goals. She has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing difficulties, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and developmental delays in fine motor skills, gross motor skills and difficulties in handwriting.
Stephanie believes in approaching therapy from a bottom-up approach; to meet the child at their level to build on the required foundational skills and working upwards in order to build on their life skills, academics and independence in day to day life. She understands that every child and family is unique and so would tailor her sessions to what is most suited to the child. Stephanie is continuously working on increasing her professional development by attending workshops and webinars as an active member of Occupational Therapy Australia, in order to ensure that she is up to date with current research for evidence-based practice.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys reading, going to the gym, doing digital art and teaching her dog, Max, new tricks.
Nadine – Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Nadine is a registered occupational therapist who graduated from University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
Nadine has experience working with children with hyperlexia, learning difficulties, sensory processing difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other developmental delays; in developing fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and social skills. Nadine enjoys finding fun and creative ways to build rapport and engage with children to provide interventions that support children in achieving their full potential.
Nadine has completed training and is certified in DIR® Floortime. She is committed to providing interventions that are up to date with current research and evidence-based practice, and is continuously seeking out professional development opportunities.Nadine is passionate about providing culturally competent care to children and their families, and is able to communicate in both English and Arabic.
In her spare time, Nadine enjoys spending time with her family, baking, drawing and photography.
Briony (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Briony is a registered occupational therapist who graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). Briony has over 5 years of experience in the disability sector, and is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and their families in tangible and meaningful ways.
At the centre of Briony’s approach to therapy is the importance of creating a safe and fun space for your child, where they can be themselves and have a smile on their face at the end of each session. She uses their strengths and interests to create meaningful activities and resources that they want to engage in and enjoy. Briony understands the importance of family-centred practice, and believes in the importance of working with the child’s family and other support systems to create a holistic and collaborative approach to therapy, goal development and strategies for home and other environments.
Briony is committed to ongoing professional development and research to ensure she continues grow in her knowledge and skills in all areas of child and adolescent development, and is providing up-to-date evidence-based practice.
Taylor (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Taylor is a creative and passionate occupational therapist, who joins the team with a versatile skill set. Taylor Graduated from The Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of occupational therapy.
Taylor is passionate about working with children to facilitate growth and change, to positively impact their lives. Taylor understands the importance of family-centred practice by collaborating with parents, carers, educators and children to achieve target outcomes together. With a warm and welcoming personality, Taylor makes children and their families feel comfortable and at ease quickly. As a mother of two beautiful (and cheeky) kids, Taylor has a strong understanding of the challenges and commitments families may be facing.
Taylor has completed training and is certified in DIR® Floortime. She has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing difficulties, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and developmental delays in fine motor skills, gross motor skills and difficulties in handwriting. Taylor is committed to ongoing professional development and research to ensure she continues grow in her knowledge and skills in all areas of child and adolescent development, and is providing up-to-date evidence-based practice.
Nicole (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Madeline (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Maddy is a passionate and driven occupational therapist who graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Maddy joined the Leaps and Bounds family in 2022 as a student completing one of her clinical placements prior to graduating as a registered therapist.
Maddy strives to empower children and their families to smash their goals by working collaboratively in a holistic approach. Maddy understands that every child has their own set of unique, individual strengths and aims to utilise their skills and interests in sessions to reach their fullest potential. This is why Maddy finds her work rewarding and is dedicated to grow and develop as a therapist by continuing further professional training to provide the best therapy possible for all families.
Chaska (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Chaska is a passionate paediatric occupational therapist who graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Chaska has been part of the Leaps and Bounds first as a student, therapy assistant and now finally as registered therapist!
Chaska uses a holistic approach to learn about each child’s unique needs, abilities and interests, and tailors her therapy to revolve around these. She strongly values collaborative work with families and other healthcare professionals to ensure consistency, maximise therapy outcomes and empower children and teenagers’ engagement in their daily activities at home, school, and in the community.
Chaska takes great joy in witnessing a child’s growth, resilience, and newfound abilities. She aims to celebrate every milestone with you, no matter how big or small.
Maggie – (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Maggie is an enthusiastic and passionate occupational therapist who loves working together with children and their families to reach their goals. Maggie graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). Her journey with Leaps and Bounds began in 2022 when she joined as a student during her final year clinical placement, paving the way to becoming a registered therapist.
Maggie is passionate about tailoring each session towards the child’s and family’s needs and wants, recognising the individuality and uniqueness of each child. By embracing a holistic and child-led approach, Maggie ensures that the therapy journey caters to the child’s specific strengths and interests. She also emphasises the importance of family involvement, making sure that families receive the knowledge and support they require to assist their children in achieving their best possible outcomes.
Maggie is committed to her own growth as a therapist, continuously seeking opportunities for further professional development. This dedication ensures that she delivers the most effective and highest-quality therapy to all children.
Eleonora (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)
Angela (Administration and Finance Officer)
With a 15-year career background in event management, Angela brings a wide range of administrative and organisational skills to Leaps and Bounds OT. As a mother of 3 young children, she provides a compassionate and welcoming face to our front desk and is accommodating to any request our clients may have. Angela is a friendly and highly organised member of our team who outside of work enjoys family time, reading and travel.
