About Us

Virginia obtained a Bachelor of Science – Speech Pathology from Curtin University. Since graduating she has worked with children in private practice with a range of speech and language challenges. She retains her link with the Curtin University through student supervision and sessional marking. Her experience includes working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, early intervention, school aged speech and language and literacy. Virginia is Hanen certified and enjoys supporting children as they develop stronger literacy skills.

As a Speech Pathologist she enjoys the energetic and exciting nature of working with children and their families. By supporting and helping children in language and communication, Virginia believes that they will have greatly enhanced social and emotional connections in their daily activities.

It is through the development of innovative individualised programs that Virginia strives to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential. Virginia is committed to delivering evidence-based quality services and strongly believes in providing therapy in a family-centred and holistic manner as to achieve functional and meaningful outcomes.

Shannon Laya has been a speech pathologist for 18 years.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and obtained a Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders from Northern Illinois University.  Shannon spent the first half of her career in the United States working as an educational speech pathologist in the school system in Illinois.  Since moving to Perth, she has worked in the public health sector, at a non-profit clinic and as a private practitioner.

Shannon enjoys working with children and is especially interested in language development, early literacy development and speech sound disorders.  She believes that the child’s family and therapist should work together to support the child in order to obtain the best outcome.  Shannon likes to provide a calm setting where children feel safe and secure and open to communication.

Fang has graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) from Curtin University.  She has two roles at the Child Wellbeing Centre.  During the week she has a speech therapy caseload and will see clients from our centre at Morrison Road. Fang has a strong interest in working with young children with language difficulties and primary school-aged children struggling with literacy.

Fang also works in the ABACAS team as a Behaviour Therapist. In addition to seeing clients for ABA therapy, she is also another resource for the team when it comes to setting language and communication goals for our clients.

Claudia graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2020. She is excited to begin her Occupational Therapy career in Paediatrics bringing experience with working with children and their families through her university studies and volunteer experience. Claudia creates a warm and welcoming environment with the focus on play, goal setting and using a family-centred approach.

Tori graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy at the end of 2017. With two and a half years of experience working in the aged care sector as an Occupational Therapist, Tori brings experience in neurological and physical rehabilitation, disability, and mental health. Tori is passionate about family-centred practice and the importance of building a strong rapport with each person and their families. She is also passionate about the joy of working together with people to set goals, achieve them, and increase their performance and engagement in areas of life that is meaningful to them.

Tori first fell in love with the field of paediatrics during one of her final university placements, in which she spent seven weeks conducting assessments and creating intervention plans for children with a range of physical and intellectual developmental needs. Since then she has continued to develop her knowledge and skills in the field through professional development courses. Tori is excited to begin her career in Paediatrics, and bring warmth and have a positive impact on all those she engages with at the Child Wellbeing Centre.

Rachel is a Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA), specialising in behavioural therapy with children and adolescents. She serves as a Program Manager and positive behaviour support practitioner at ABACAS, the Child Wellbeing Centre.

Rachel has worked in diverse settings including schools and homes, treating clients with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, global developmental delay, Prader Willi Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, developmental delays, learning difficulties and behavioural challenges. In addition to her work with clients, Rachel supports Jenny Lin in supervising a team of Registered Behaviour Technicians (RBTs) to ensure that all clients receive quality care and support throughout their treatment with the Centre.

Rachel’s passion for her work is driven by the bonds she builds with her clients, and she applies a range of empirically supported strategies and procedures derived from the principles of behaviour over the course of their treatment. She also delivers evidence-based training and consultation to families and associated stakeholders.   

Rachel completed her Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Curtin in Perth, WA. As an ongoing effort to provide compassionate and up-to-date healthcare to her clients, Rachel is currently pursuing her Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) certification, as well as a Masters in Behaviour Analysis Practice with the University of Florida Tech.

When not at work, Rachel is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to hike on scenic trails and explore the waterways in a kayak.

Simone is a Behaviour Therapist and Provisional Psychologist at the Child Wellbeing Centre. She has been working at the Centre over 5 years now. Simone enjoys using ABA to teach clients skills to help them become more independent. When she is not working with children she is working towards completing her registration as a psychologist.  Simone also enjoys rowing and volunteering as part of the State Emergency Services.

Penny is a warm and joyful behaviour therapist with over 15 years of experience in working with ABA programs, with clients with ASD, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, incurred brain damage, processing issues, academic issues, ‘challenging behaviours’, and other developmental delay.

She has a great interest in working with children and adolescents with their families, as she believes families have a significant role in the growth and healthy development of children. Penny believes the consistent application of strategic interventions and strategies is how positive progress is achieved. In her years as a Behaviour Therapist, she has especially enjoyed seeing the growth and fruition of the unique talents and capacities of each unique child.

She holds a bachelor degree in Psychology and is a master facilitator for The Virtues Project workshops. She also has experience as an early childhood musical educator and enjoys incorporating the arts and creativity into her therapy when appropriate and possible.

Lynette graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology from Curtin University. She has been working as a behaviour therapist for 4 years, and has completed the Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) course.

Outside of her professional career, she has had over 8 years voluntary experience of teaching children music and dance in church ministry. To her, working with children means no two days  are ‘the same’. She enjoys building authentic relationships with each child, where they express themselves in their own open and genuine way. Seeing a child get excited and enjoying a session  is one the most rewarding moments at work.

Dion graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Curtin University and is completing the Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) course. He joins the Child Wellbeing Centre in 2020 as a behaviour therapist.

Dion has volunteered with children for many years and believes that the key to success when working with children, is to recognize and acknowledge their unique and individual qualities.

Cameron has graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and will be working at the Child Wellbeing Centre as a Behaviour Therapist.

Cameron comes from a sporting background and is a former elite rower and an experienced rowing coach.

Fang has graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) from Curtin University.  She has two roles at the Child Wellbeing Centre.  During the week she has a speech therapy caseload and will see clients from our centre at Morrison Road. Fang has a strong interest in working with young children with language difficulties and primary school-aged children struggling with literacy.

Fang also works in the ABACAS team as a Behaviour Therapist. In addition to seeing clients for ABA therapy, she is also another resource for the team when it comes to setting language and communication goals for our clients.

Kate has an honours degree in Psychology obtained from The Open University in the U.K., and has worked with children of diverse ages, stages, and backgrounds in a variety of settings including gymnastics coaching and out of school hours care in both the U.K. and Australia.

Kate enjoys engaging with children in a way that is meaningful and fun, and prioritises building mutually trusting relationships with a child and their family. She is passionate about getting to the heart of their individuality and promoting positive behaviour change.

Jenny graduated from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio (U.S.A) with a Master’s in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Special Education. She completed her Board Certified Behaviour Analyst courses through the Department of School Psychology at the University of Cincinnati. Jenny passed her BCBA exam in November 2015. She is currently an active registered BCBA under the Behaviour Analyst Board Certification.

Jenny has experience with children with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, and other learning disabilities, in crisis intervention, aggression, tantrum, basic communication skills (PECS, AAC), and foundation learning skills.

Jenny provides clinical supervision to our Case Managers to ensure that our client therapy programs are the best they can be.

Eloise has worked as part of our front desk team since 2018. She has worked in admin for the past 4 years, beginning with a role at her mother’s podiatry clinic. She recently completed her  Journalism and Professional Writing & Publishing degree at Curtin University. In her spare time she loves fostering her love of music, spending time with her loved ones and doing anything relaxing!