Our Team
Emily Ford | Director | Speech Pathologist
My 20+ years of paediatric experience has been in a wide variety of settings from the city to the country and in between, this includes: major hospitals; small community health centres; as a private home therapist; in charity organisations; infant play groups; kindergartens; preschools; state schools; high schools; and special schools.
I have worked with children with ASD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and various other well-known as well as not-so-common diagnoses. My primary area of experience is with deaf and hard-of-hearing children, however I love building rapport and connection with each child (and family) that walks through my door. I love seeing each child as a unique and special gift that should be given every opportunity to shine.
My desire is to see my clients take full advantage of their critical developmental years. I have a specific passion for promoting the importance of successfully fostering early language, speech, and communication skills, partnering with parents to nurture their child’s potential and facilitate their best possible future.
I hold certification in Auslan (Australian sign language) Sign Language (Beginner, Level 1-3), Hanen It Takes Two to Talk Parent Training, and have also completed training in feeding disorders and ADHD support strategies.
Sandra | Office Manager
Hey, I’m the Sandra the admin girl. You’ll find me at the front desk when you visit us. I’m here to help with bookings and any other support we can offer families (and I get to give out the stickers!). I have experience in allied health administration and NDIS support co-ordination. In my previous life I worked as a case manager in the disability and Mental Health sector with adults which I loved. I am passionate people and creating a friendly atmosphere for our clients and families when they come to see us. I am crazy about crochet and funky earrings and love long runs out in nature. But I really dislike the cold and I’m even less keen on snakes!!
Leah | Client Care
Hi, I’m Leah, and I’m excited to be a part of the administration team at Beyond Words Therapy Centre. I’ll be here on Thursdays and Fridays to help with scheduling, client enquiries, and ensuring everything runs smoothly at the clinic.
Outside of work, my husband and I have three young daughters who keep us busy. We love spending our free time exploring playgrounds, getting out in nature, visiting the beach, and going camping. We also have two dogs who are often part of our family adventures.
I look forward to meeting and supporting you during your visits to the clinic!
Susanna | Speech Pathologist
Hi, my name is Susanna and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist. Throughout my career I have worked in various settings including government and private practice with both paediatric and adult caseloads. I am passionate about helping people to overcome their difficulties to live a joyful and satisfying life. I love people and I love to talk so I'm so blessed that I get to do both in my job! I particularly enjoy working in the areas of literacy, speech, language and Autism/ADHD.
When I am not at work playing with toys and giving out stickers, I like to spend time with my husband and kids and being outdoors. I absolutely love camping and being in nature, but I really don't like spiders or being cold!!
Jess V | Speech Pathologist
Hi, my name is Jess and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist. I have experience working within private practices and have worked with people across the lifespan. I enjoy working with a range of practice areas including speech sound delays/disorders (including motor speech disorders i.e. CAS), alternative and augmentative communication systems (symbol communication), early years and primary school aged language skills, literacy, and stuttering. I am passionate about teaching speech and language skills that will enable kids to form deeper connections with their families and friends. I love seeing the 'lightbulb' moment when a child grasps a concept we have been working on for a few sessions.
When I'm not at work I enjoy being creative through painting, sewing, and crafting with my fur and feather pets for company. I absolutely love spending time at home and exploring the local area with my hubby, but don't get me near spiders and cane toads.
Jess L | Physiotherapist
Hi, my name is Jess and I am your local friendly physiotherapist. As a physio, it usually comes as no surprise to people that I am all about movement!! After graduating in 2021, I immediately dove headfirst into the world of child development. I love working with young people, from infants through to young adults, helping puzzle out all the weird and wonderful ways that we move our bodies. Can you believe my youngest client was only 6 weeks old!?
I work with many kiddos with ASD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental coordination disorder, chromosomal disorders, spina bifida and more! I am especially passionate about working with little ones who have complex neurological movement disorders to help them become their best and brightest selves. I also have particular interest in pelvic floor and vestibular dysfunction and am excited to further develop me expertise and knowledge in these areas.
When I'm not at work, you can usually find me out and about with my dogs or hiking in the local forests. I also love strategy games and puzzles, and you can sometimes find me at my local card house playing magic: the gathering (the original trading card game, similar to D&D).
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Annaliese | Occupational Therapist
Hi, my name is Annaliese, and I am an Occupational Therapist. After completing my studies Auckland, I moved to across the ditch to Australia and began working with clients across the lifespan. It wasn’t long before I discovered my passion for paediatrics and have since focused exclusively in this area.
I have experience working with a variety of conditions, including Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Global Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, chromosomal disorders, and more. My approach is centered on creating a supportive environment where both children and their caregivers feel heard, valued, and comfortable.
I have a strong interest in sensory processing and self-care, and I love incorporating messy play into sessions, often guided by the child’s interests. I believe therapy should be practical, meaningful, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
I have completed additional professional development in sensory processing, DIR Floortime (101 and 201), primitive reflexes, toileting (all things Wees and Poos), and interoception. I am naturally curious and always eager to learn, so if I don’t know something, I’ll find out for you.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and my one-year-old son. You’ll often find me at the beach, cooking, or baking. This year, I’m excited to get back into horse riding and look forward to more camping adventures with my family.
Ebony | Occupational Therapist
Hi, I’m Ebony, a passionate occupational therapist who thrives on making a difference in the lives of children and their families! As a dedicated paediatric OT, I believe in the power of small steps leading to big milestones, celebrating every victory along the way. Whether it’s helping kids master motor skills or encouraging self-expression through creative play, I find enjoyment in seeing those I work closely with grow and shine.
When I’m not busy empowering little ones, you’ll find me soaking up the Sunshine Coast lifestyle—taking long walks along the beach with my 2 oddly paired rescue dogs (a greyhound and a chihuahua) or stretching it out in Pilates classes. With a strong commitment to fun, connection, and well-being, I bring energy and compassion to every session, helping kids (and their families) navigate their unique journeys with confidence.
This could be your
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Join Our Team!
Explore the possibilities and consider becoming a valuable part of our Beyond Words Therapy crew today! We are always looking for passionate Allied Health professionals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of young people, moving them towards their full potential.
Make An Appointment
Please get in touch if you have any questions or wish to discuss the range of services that are available for you or your child. Give us a call, email us or click on the button below to make an appointment.