Who We Are

We are a paediatric private practice that offers a range of therapy and support services in the South west of WA. We have a team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, therapy assistants, tutors and dieticians to help in all areas of child development.

Stepping Stones Therapy Services is a multi-disciplinary paediatric private practice, dedicated to helping children reach their full potential and actively communicate and participate in all aspects of their life. This may be achieved through direct therapy sessions with our staff, consultative support, education for adults involved in your child’s care, communication with other professionals to ensure that everyone is working together to best help your child, and providing resources and equipment to help your child participate more efficiently in all environments.

Stepping Stones Principles

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide comprehensive and evidence based Allied Health services in a fun, engaging and innovative way, working collaboratively with families.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to improve the access, inclusion and communication potential of all individuals living in the South West of Western Australia.

OUR VALUES

We value Best Practice in intervention, following Early Childhood Intervention Australia’s National guidelines. This means attending to four key areas;

• Family – working with the family unit, seeing their strengths and respecting cultural differences.

• Inclusion – Working towards improving a client’s inclusion into their natural environment.

• Teamwork – Both within our team, and also within yours.

• Universal Principles – Always expanding our knowledge, holding ourselves accountable, and maintaining high standards for strong outcomes.

Stepping Stones Principles

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide comprehensive and evidence based Allied Health services in a fun, engaging and innovative way, working collaboratively with families.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to improve the access, inclusion and communication potential of all individuals living in the South West of Western Australia.

OUR VALUES

We value Best Practice in intervention, following Early Childhood Intervention Australia’s National guidelines. This means attending to four key areas;

• Family – working with the family unit, seeing their strengths and respecting cultural differences.

• Inclusion – Working towards improving a client’s inclusion into their natural environment.

• Teamwork – Both within our team, and also within yours.

• Universal Principles – Always expanding our knowledge, holding ourselves accountable, and maintaining high standards for strong outcomes.

Areas We Can Target

Roll over each for more information

COMMUNICATION

Using words, sounds, signs, or behaviours to communicate. Children who experience difficulties here may have trouble speaking, following instructions, or interacting socially

MOVEMENT, MOBILITY & COORDINATION

Effectively and efficiently moving, and having the strength to maintain positions. Children who have difficulties here may have trouble sitting and attending in class, playing sports, or engaging in active play

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Reading and writing skills, copying from the class board, and generally keeping average academic grades. This also includes using appropriate listening skills and a good attention span to stay on topic

SOCIAL SKILLS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Being an active member in the community. Having and contributing to supportive group of friends, interacting with others, and accessing age appropriate environments for enjoyment and participation

DAILY LIVING AND INDEPENDENCE

The ability to perform daily essential activities at an age-appropriate level. This includes mealtimes, toileting, sleep, getting dressed, bathing, and getting ready for – and actively participating in – school

AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

Equipment that could assist in the development of skills or improved access within the community. This includes communication devices, seating, railing, ramps, modified utensils, etc

FORMAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROFILING

We can provide standardised assessments to address your areas of concern, including psychometric assessments. Ask us for more information regarding Cognitive assessments, diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorders including dyslexia, Intellectual disability, and Academic Profiling

AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

We provide collaborative Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessments in your home, to avoid you needing to make multiple appointments to see each profession individually

BEHAVIOUR AND SENSORY SUPPORT

Identifying inappropriate behaviours and/or sensory sensitivities that may be impacting participation in a range of environments, the underlying factors that may cause them, and what can be done to assist them

NUTRITION

Working with families to ensure children are getting the proper nutrition that their bodies need

Areas We Can Target

COMMUNICATION

Using words, sounds, signs, or behaviours to communicate. Children who experience difficulties here may have trouble speaking, following instructions, or interacting socially

MOVEMENT, MOBILITY & COORDINATION

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

SOCIAL SKILLS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Being an active member in the community. Having and contributing to supportive group of friends, interacting with others, and accessing age appropriate environments for enjoyment and participation

DAILY LIVING AND INDEPENDENCE

AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

Equipment that could assist in the development of skills or improved access within the community. This includes communication devices, seating, railing, ramps, modified utensils, etc

FORMAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROFILING

AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

We provide collaborative Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessments in your home, to avoid you needing to make multiple appointments to see each profession individually

BEHAVIOUR AND SENSORY SUPPORT

NUTRITION

Working with families to ensure children are getting the proper nutrition that their bodies need

Why Choose Us

Why choose Stepping Stones Therapy Services? Put simply, because we ensure all of our services are evidence-based, functional, and fun and enjoyable for your family to be a part of!

At Stepping Stones Therapy Services, all staff follow the ECIA's National Guidelines for Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention . This involves following a range of principles to ensure we consider:
Family – Inclusion – Teamwork - Evidence-based practice
For more information Visit ECIA’s guidelines

We also want to make sure that the therapy process is enjoyable for your child. Therapy can be a long-term commitment, hence by ensuring that each session is enjoyable means your child will look forward to seeing their ‘Stepping Stones friend’! If possible, we want him or her to be thinking about their strengths – not the things that are most difficult in their everyday lives.

Gallery of our facilities

One Size Does Not Fit All

Our team works across a range of modes of service delivery to ensure that the best approach is used with your child.

Our staff work across a few different modes of therapy, to ensure that we have the best approach to suit your child. These include:
- Discipline-specific therapy for children with mild/singular areas of difficulty.
- Family Centred Practice: Working with the family as a whole, not just the client. Any recommendations or strategies given by our staff are done in collaboration with the whole family unit, so that they are achievable and relevant to the way your family ‘works’. Achievable and functional goals then lead to improvements in areas most important for your family.
- Key worker model, for children who require intervention from a wide range of disciplines, but would prefer to have this all completed with the one therapy provider who develops a strong and lasting relationship with your child. Key workers will work together with you and your child to provide the therapy that is needed, based on input from the relevant professionals.
- Routines based assessment and intervention, for families who would prefer to receive assistance with how to make minor adjustments to their current daily routines to help with child development, as opposed to specific therapy sessions. Research has shown that by using this method of service delivery, improvements are seen not only in functional everyday activities, but in specific skill areas (normally targeted in discipline-specific therapy) too.

Services

Bunbury Clinical Services

You will find our primary location in the Homemaker Centre in Bunbury, Western Australia. Our Bunbury clinic is fully stocked with assessment and therapy resources to target all areas of development with all ages – including an impressive therapy and sensory gym. This gym allows our staff to provide sensory regulation strategies and movement during ANY therapy goal. Sitting still during therapy sessions can be tough, and we have found that by incorporating movement into all therapy activities, children will participate better and have better retention of these skills – hopefully leading to faster skill acquisition!
We also run group therapy sessions within our Bunbury clinic – please contact the office if you’d like to know more about what groups we will be running in the future.

Busselton Clinical Services

Stepping Stones Therapy Services also provides assistance within the Busselton region; at homes, schools and within our satellite clinic located within ‘Health @ 73’ at 73 Bussell Hwy. This is used on a part time basis, and all administration and reception duties are completed within our Bunbury office. Hence all enquiries for Busselton services should still be directed to our main phone line.

Collie Clinical Services

Stepping Stones Therapy Services also has a fantastic office located within the Collie Chamber of Commerce at Unit 9, 13 Forrest St, in Collie. We are currently using this office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. As with our Busselton office, all administration and reception duties are completed within our Bunbury office, and so all enquiries for Collie services should still be directed to our main phone line.

Esperance Clinical Services

Stepping Stones Therapy Services is also gathering a caseload of clients to provide services in beautiful Esperance. These clients are managed using a Key Worker Model, and a combination of local and tele-conferenced services. You will have a key therapist guiding you the way with visits to Esperance scheduled each school term. You’ll then have access to both this therapist, plus our full range of Speech, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Physiotherapy and Dietetics staff via tele-conferencing appointments whenever you need us. They’ll greet you over a webcam with a coffee in hand, ready to work with you to navigate tricky areas and create plans to complete at home and school with your child.

Home and School

If, however, you would find it difficult to attend therapy at any of our three offices – then we can come to you! We have close connections with most local primary schools, and can provide therapy in these locations or within your home. This option also allows for great communication with the other important people in your child’s life, which may promote more practice to continue beyond the therapy sessions. Home - based appointments are also great when using the Routines Based approach to assessment and intervention. Your key worker (or multiple staff if required) can visit you in your home to discuss your usual routine, and problem solve through ways to help your child actively participate more in daily tasks, in consideration of his/her strengths and weaknesses. Research has shown that this method of intervention not only leads to improvements in participation in everyday tasks, but also improvements in direct skills that may have been targeted in specific therapy sessions. If you would like more information about this service delivery method, please give us a call.

Funding Options

There are several funding options that you may be able to utilise to access our services either for free or heavily rebated. This includes through the NDIS.

Where To Start

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”

Call (08) 9791 7898

Our Team

Ashton Horsley

Principal Speech Pathologist

Ashton Horsley (nee Craig), is the owner of Stepping Stones Therapy Services and is also the Principal Speech Pathologist. She enjoys working with children with a variety of needs and disabilities, with extensive experience working with children with autism. Ashton's primary duties are completing autism spectrum disorder diagnostic assessments as part of a multi disciplinary team, a small caseload of clients, and clinical supervision. Her passion lies in working with the family unit, and providing them with the essential skills needed to make meaningful changes in their daily lives. Her primary goal: to build up families to a point where they no longer need her! Ashton is trained in use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), as well as PODD, Key Word Sign, PECS and PROMPT therapy as means to assist communication and articulation. She is a trained facilitator of the Secret Agent Society social skills program, and the Little Highway Heroes social skill training program. Ashton has also completed training in working through Family Centred Practice, the Key Worker Model, Routines Based Assessment and Intervention and the Positive Behaviour Support model. Outside of Stepping Stones, you might find her wrestling one/both of her two daughters – you’re welcome to guess which one is the firecracker, ‘spirited’ child!

Rohee Sparkman

Occupational Therapist

Rohee is one of our talented Occupational Therapists, and has experience working as an Occupational Therapist in paediatric, disability, vocational rehabilitation aged care sectors – hence comes with a very wide knowledge base! Here at Stepping Stones, Rohee offers services in the areas of fine and gross motor skills development, sensory integration, visual perceptual and visual motor integration, and the development of daily living skills such as sleep, toileting and feeding. Rohee has completed further training to assist her knowledge in behaviour, sensory processing, child centred therapy, working memory, autism and understanding the NDIS. Rohee is also completing her Graduate Diploma of Play Therapy. Outside of Stepping Stones you might see Rohee in the great outdoors camping, fishing, kayaking or snorkelling. OR enjoying her other obsession of mini golf!

Joanna Ettridge

Speech Pathologist

Joanna Ettridge (nee McDougall) is another valued Speech Pathologist at Stepping Stones Therapy Services, who wears many hats whilst working here! Jo divides her time across our Bunbury, Collie and Busselton practices, whilst also providing support at homes and schools in locations in between. Jo is also a part of our multi-disciplinary team completing Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessments. Jo has completed training in the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Hanen 'More than Words' program, PROMPT and PODD AAC training. Since starting at Stepping Stones Therapy Services, Jo has developed an interest in literacy, and has completed Sounds Write training. Sounds Write is a phonic program, endorsed by Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation, which is suitable for all ages. Jo has also completed training in working through Family Centred Practice, the Key Worker Model, Routines Based Assessment and Intervention and the Positive Behaviour Support model. Jo can provide therapy in the areas of articulation, expressive language, comprehension, literacy, stuttering and social skills; with both ‘neurotypical’ and disability populations. She grew up in the Great Southern region of WA, and is passionate about continuing to provide services in regional areas.

Jessie Hale

Psychologist (Provisional)

Jessie is a brilliant provisional Psychologist joining us at Stepping Stones Therapy Services. Jessie has experience working with children, adolescents and adults in mental health, including those with disabilities. She provides our families with indispensable knowledge and assistance in areas of mental health, behaviour and activities of daily life such sleep, toileting and feeding. Jessie’s involvement in family support aims to improve client’s quality of life at home, in schools, and when out and about. She is passionate about helping others live fulfilling lives, and we love seeing the work that Jessie does in our team! Outside of Stepping Stones, you may see Jessie exercising one of her gorgeous fur babies, or cutting a rug wherever able with her Latin dance moves!

Hannah Bres

Dietician

We are very lucky to have Hannah join us at Stepping Stones on a part time basis, to provide our clients with dietetic support. Hannah’s primary role is as a Senior Dietician at Perth Children’s Hospital, and is excited to also begin to provide services in the beautiful South West. Hannah’s dietetic experience spans across a range of areas, including paediatrics, adults and clients with disabilities. She is trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, and has completed additional training in food allergies, eating disorders, nutrition symptoms in cancer, and motivational interviewing. Hannah’s comprehensive knowledge can help families with picky or difficult feeders, to ensure that they are receiving adequate nutrition to promote ongoing healthy development. Dietetic clinics run on Fridays as soon as there are sufficient clients for Hannah to visit us, and as often as they are needed.

Kaysie Hilton

Speech Pathologist

Kaysie is another one of our incredibly talented Speech Pathologists, who works here at Stepping Stones full time. She sees clients both privately and through NDIS/other funding schemes. Kaysie also services Bunbury Community Health Centre by supporting their staff with the large assessment and treatment waiting lists in the public system. Previously, Kaysie worked as a Speech Pathologist in a disability-focused practice in sunny Broome. Whilst there, Kaysie provided therapy through the NDIS to both adult and paediatric clients with a wide range of disabilities and diagnoses in a transdisciplinary team. Clients also often presented with additional complexities such as being under care orders and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; hence many opportunities to gain a wealth of knowledge with how to adjust assessment, therapy and support approaches to suit each individual family. Kaysie is PROMPT trained; a specialist technique that assists with clients who have articulation difficulties. She has completed additional training in PODD, understanding best practice when working with clients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, non-verbal clients with autism spectrum disorder, paediatric feeding and swallowing education, and AUSLAN sign language. Kaysie has a particular interest working with children who are presenting with language delays, alternative and augmentative forms of communication, and working with families in their everyday environments. Kaysie is also passionate in working with children and carers through the department of Child Protection and Family Support, having completed her honours project at University on ways to improve knowledge of how to best support communication development for children in out of home care. Outside of Stepping Stones, Kaysie likes to invest in her creative side with painting and gardening!

Megan Swindell

Occupational Therapist

Megan is another of our hard-working Occupational Therapists at Stepping Stones Therapy Services. Megan is a ‘South West local’, and enjoys the ability to give back to the community that she grew up within. She has experience working in a multi-disciplinary team with paediatric clients including those with disability and neonates, and has a passion for using family centred practice to work on functional goals that are important for your family. Megan has completed additional training in behaviour management and emotional regulation, and is a trained provider of the Alert Program, which aims to teach clients effective strategies for Self Regulation. She is also a trained PODD clinical user. Megan is one smart cookie, who has shown exceptionally high grades in previous studies; so you are all welcome to test what this brain can do! Megan works full time with us, providing services in both the Bunbury and Collie regions (including within clinic, home and school visits). Outside of Stepping Stones, you might see Megan camping and picnicking in the great outdoors, swimming or playing netball.

Tessa Batt

Psychologist

Tessa is a Registered Psychologist, working as a registrar in Clinical Psychology at Geographe Clinical Psychology – and joining our team here at Stepping Stones on a part time basis. Whilst here, Tessa completes comprehensive multidisciplinary Autistic Spectrum Disorder assessments with both Ashton and Jo (Speech Pathologists). Previously, Tessa worked as a School Psychologist, in adult inpatient settings, and as a University tutor. Tessa continues to also provide services in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Tessa has a passion for working with children and adolescents. She has had experience treating post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, symptoms of panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sleep difficulties, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide. Tessa’s therapeutic orientations include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and schema therapy. She is currently working towards becoming accredited in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Sophie Smillie

Speech Pathologist

Sophie is another of our lovely Speech Pathologists, who works with us full time. As soon as you meet Sophie you will feel her warmth: she has a beautifully compassionate nature that is so valued in her work as a Speech Pathologist. Sophie works across the full paediatric caseload here with us: including providing services within one of our treasured primary schools in Bunbury, assisting Bunbury Community Health’s forever growing waitlist, and maintaining a caseload of private clients including assisting those with disabilities. She has completed additional training in understanding Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how to assist clients with ASD in the classroom and therapy sessions, as well as Best Practice for using AAC with clients with Intellectual Disability. She is trained in using both the Sounds Write and Letter for Sounds programs for literacy development – programs that we consider to be ‘gold standards’ when working with children with literacy difficulties including those with dyslexia, as well as completing a variety of other training seminars that have provided her with an excellent understanding of best practice when working with literacy difficulties. Finally, Sophie has additional training in Early Childhood Stuttering and is PODD trained. Sophie is a ‘South West local’ and loves the relaxed lifestyle that the South West brings. Outside of work you may see her having fun with her other passion - swing dancing!

Emma Smith

Occupational Therapist

Emma Smith is one of our incredible Occupational Therapists at Stepping Stones Therapy Services. Emma has extensive knowledge in areas highly beneficial to working with a Paediatric disability caseload. Her knowledge of sensory and vestibular processing and integration has been strengthened by training in the Astronaut Training Protocol, King of Swings, the Alert program, the Traffic Jam inside my Brain, Sensory Integration for Babies and Toddler, and the Zones of Regulation. Emma has also completed training in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Mealtime Therapy, which she uses to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to feeding difficulties. She has completed training in the 5 Point Scale by Kari Dunn Buron and Connecting With Kids by Sue Hyde; both of which assist in helping families needing behavioural support. Emma has also completed OT Australia’s Fetal Alcohol Syndrome training, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III). Finally, Emma has completed training in ECIA’s Best Practice Guidelines, which demonstrates the most informed and best practice approaches to supporting families in early childhood development. Emma’s special areas of interests include children on the Autism spectrum, sensory processing and self-regulation, as well as feeding/mealtimes. Emma is a warm and engaging therapist who helps children to experience success in daily activities such as self-care tasks, learning and play by working closely with parents and significant adults. Emma likes to involve parents in therapy sessions, and enjoys providing parents with the tools to help their child grow to reach their full potential. Emma is on maternity leave between March 2019 – March 2020.

Katrina North

Therapy Assistant

Trina is our warm and attentive Therapy Assistant, who brings with her a Certificate III in Disability Support, Certificate III in Education Support and Certificate III in Early Childhood. Prior to joining the Stepping Stones team, she has worked as both a mainstream and Special Needs Education Assistant at various private and public primary schools. During these roles she was required to support a range of children, and implement Speech and Occupational Therapy goals into their classwork with limited assistance or support (due to living in a remote town). Trina has a strong interest in Psychology, and hopes to study more in this area in the future. Here at Stepping Stones, Trina runs individualised therapy programs for our clients, at a reduced rate of what is typically charged sessions provided by a Speech or Occupational Therapist. These therapy programs are written and monitored by our Speech and OT team, to ensure that they include best practice principles to meet your goals in the most efficient way possible. Trina works with children of all skill levels targeting articulation, literacy, language, social skills, fine and gross motor development, sensory regulation and visual integration. Outside of the Stepping Stones clinic, you may see Trina running around after her own three children, or joining in local activities around Burekup!

Jayne Hobson

Office Manager

Jayne Hobson is one of our highly valued Office Managers at Stepping Stones Therapy Services. As Office Manager, Jayne will be able to answer all of your questions relating to appointments, costs, resources, and funding available to assist your time within the clinic. With years of experience in Speech Pathology (and other allied health) services, she has a wealth of knowledge to share if you have any questions to ask. Jayne works at Stepping Stones every Monday and Thursday.

Katrina Davies

Office Manager

Katrina Davies is our second highly valued Office Manager! Katrina can also answer any questions related to appointments, costs, resources and funding options available - but to the children, is most valued as the provider of lollipops after a 'hard working therapy session'! Katrina currently works Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am-3pm.

Adele Gorey

Commercial Accountant

Adele is the financial brains behind our team at Stepping Stones Therapy Services. She works tirelessly to ensure we continue to meet all NDIS/funding requirements, and have comprehensive and up to date record systems for these funding schemes. She is the glue behind our glitter! Feel free to challenge her with a question regarding Excel – we are yet to see something that she can’t do!

Our Blog

Our team continue to build on their knowledge and keep up to date with the latest research available, so that we can provide you and your family with the best available services. We also put together tips and announcements within our blog posts for you.

Location

Contact Us

Call (08) 9791 7898

Who We Are

Stepping Stones Principles

Our Mission

OUR VISION

OUR VALUES

Stepping Stones Principles

Our Mission

OUR VISION

OUR VALUES

Areas We Can Target

COMMUNICATION

MOVEMENT, MOBILITY & COORDINATION

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

SOCIAL SKILLS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

DAILY LIVING AND INDEPENDENCE

AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

FORMAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROFILING

AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

BEHAVIOUR AND SENSORY SUPPORT

NUTRITION

Areas We Can Target

COMMUNICATION

MOVEMENT, MOBILITY & COORDINATION

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

SOCIAL SKILLS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

DAILY LIVING AND INDEPENDENCE

AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

FORMAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROFILING

AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

BEHAVIOUR AND SENSORY SUPPORT

NUTRITION

Why Choose Us

Gallery of our facilities

One Size Does Not Fit All

Services

Bunbury Clinical Services

Busselton Clinical Services

Collie Clinical Services

Esperance Clinical Services

Home and School

Funding Options

Where To Start

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”

Our Team

Ashton Horsley

Principal Speech Pathologist

Rohee Sparkman

Occupational Therapist

Joanna Ettridge

Speech Pathologist

Jessie Hale

Psychologist (Provisional)

Hannah Bres

Dietician

Kaysie Hilton

Speech Pathologist

Megan Swindell

Occupational Therapist

Tessa Batt

Psychologist

Sophie Smillie

Speech Pathologist

Emma Smith

Occupational Therapist

Katrina North

Therapy Assistant

Jayne Hobson

Office Manager

Katrina Davies

Office Manager

Adele Gorey

Commercial Accountant

Our Blog

Location

Contact Us

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Recent Blog Announcements

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