Our Team
At Kids Focus we employ highly capable therapists who care deeply about their work and strive to go above and beyond for their clients.
Each member of our team is highly skilled, and are chosen not only for their qualifications but for their passionate commitment to improving the quality of life for our clients and their families.
Our therapists are fully qualified professionals who have completed their training at Universities in Australia. Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists must complete intensive university degrees, and all of our team members are registered members of their respective national bodies (Speech Pathology Association of Australia and Occupational Therapy Australia). All of our team members regularly undertake specialised training and professional development to ensure we are up to date with the most current therapy techniques and practices.
Speech pathology team
Jacqueline Boyd
Senior Speech Pathologist/Director
B.App.Sci (Speech Pathology), MSPAA, CPSP, Hanen Certified Speech Pathologist, Cogmed Practitioner
Jacqui is one of the founders and directors of Kids Focus and principal Speech Pathologist. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology). She has worked in a variety of environments over many years including Community Health, NGOs, and private practice and is a married mum of two boys.
Jacqui has gained experience working with children and adolescents with a range of speech, language, social communication, literacy, learning and developmental disabilities and disorders. She works closely with medical and allied health professionals to provide a holistic approach to assessment and therapy for all clients and families.
Jacqui has presented at various workshops and is trained in a range of techniques including PROMPT, PECS, MULTILIT, Sounds Write, SOS Approach to Feeding and Hanen. She is a Hanen Certified Clinician who is able to teach parents individually and in groups in the “It Takes Two to Talk” (for parents of children with Language Delays), “More Than Words” (for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder) and “Talkability” (for parents of verbal children on the Autism Spectrum). She is also a Cogmed practitioner.
Jacqui has a strong interest in Autism and working collaboratively with families to ensure the best outcomes.
Evelyn Nikas
Speech Pathologist
B.App.Sci (Speech Pathologist) (Hons), MSPAA, CPSP, Hanen Certified Speech Pathologist
Evelyn is a dedicated Speech Pathologist with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) (Honours) from the University of Sydney. She has experience working with children with speech, language, social communication, literacy, learning and developmental disabilities and disorders. Evelyn is trained in Sounds Write, Colourful Semantics, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) and Hanen ‘It Takes Two to Talk’.
Evelyn has a special interest in supporting children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Evelyn believes in a neurodiversity affirming approach and works collaboratively with her clients and their families to identify their strengths and areas of support. She is passionate about fostering her clients’ unique potential, celebrating their strengths, and empowering them to achieve their goals.
Evelyn is also pursuing a Master of Autism from The University of Wollongong, as she is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest research and developments in the field. She uses this knowledge to deliver optimal care to her clients.
Monica Wilson
Speech Pathologist
B.App.Sci (Speech Pathology) (Hons)
Monica graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science/ Speech Pathology (Honours). She has gained experience working with a diverse range of children and families across a range of settings.
Monica is passionate about working alongside families to optimise children’s communication and offer holistic, client centred care to help children reach their maximum potential. She has experience working with children who have speech, language, literacy, and fluency difficulties as well as children who require alternative modes of communication.
Monica has a special interest working with children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. Monica is invested in constantly learning and improving and is always looking to learn and grow her skills through ongoing professional development opportunities.
Pretoria Dowsett
Speech Pathologist
B.App.Sci (Speech Pathology)
Tori is a warm and friendly speech therapist who completed her masters of speech and language pathology from the University of Sydney in 2018. She has worked in a variety of settings, including the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Tori has experience supporting children and their families to meet their communication goals. She has received training in literacy intervention, and is a certified Sounds-Write practitioner. She has also completed training on alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices and their implementation.
Tori’s particular areas of interest are speech sound development, school readiness skills and social communication.
Nang Wo Hom Kham
Speech Pathologist
BSCiEd, MSLP
Nang is a bubbly yet charismatic speech pathologist who graduated from University of Sydney. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a range of speech, language, social communication, literacy, developmental disorders, swallowing difficulties and mental health disorders. Nang is trained in Hanen ‘More than Words’, Key Word Sign, LAMP, Lidcombe Program (Stuttering) and Gestalt Language Processing.
Nang believes that everyone has the right to communicate and strives to ensure that the client she sees achieves their potential in a fun and meaningful environment. Nang is interested in all areas of Speech and Language, particularly social communication intervention for clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also interested in working with families from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds. She is committed to ongoing professional development to ensure she delivers updated and evidence-based therapy to her clients. She also speaks Burmese and Thai.
Occupational Therapy team
Lauren graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) and has since completed her Masters of Applied Science Paediatric Occupational Therapy.
Lauren is one of the directors of Kids Focus Paediatric Services and principal Occupational Therapist. She has been specialising in the treatment of children with autism for over 15 years and has a wealth of knowledge and extensive practical experience on the most effective ways to treat children with a range of challenges. Lauren has great relationship building skills with the children as well as a vast range of therapy ideas and strategies that she adapts to each and every child.
Lauren has presented numerous workshops on Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing, Fine motor and Handwriting difficulties and is Formally trained in CONNECT therapy Advanced DIR/Floor time, Assessing and Diagnosis of Autism, The ‘MORE’ protocol, Therapeutic Listening, Therapressure protocol, Assessing Sensory Integration in children, Makaton Signing and visual aids, ABA program and behavioural intervention programs.
Lauren Cleary
Senior Occupational Therapist/Director
B.App.Sc (Occupational Therapy) M App.Sci (Occupational Therapy)
Graduating from the University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor of Health Science/ Master of Occupational Therapy, Courtney has a strong background in working with children with special needs for over nine years. She has a special interest in working with children with coordination difficulties, intellectual disabilities, sensory processing challenges and autism spectrum disorder, and is passionate about working closely with children and their families to help empower the child’s independence, confidence and to achieve their full potential.
Courtney has completed a range of courses and workshops including DIR/Floor time, Being Sensational – Evaluating, Collaborating, and celebrating Sensory Processing Differences, ‘The traffic Jam in My Brain’ and ‘Theory of Mind and Advance Social Skills’, Treating Movement Challenges in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: NDT for ASD, Manual Handling & Movement, Decoding Autism, Using Gravity to Facilitate Sensory Motor Development in Infants & Children.
Courtney Headlund
Senior Occupational Therapist
B.App.Sc (Occupational Therapy)
Nash graduated from the University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy). She has gained experience working in occupational rehabilitation, injury management, occupational health and safety, workers compensation servicing clients with a range of medical and/or psychological conditions, within a government department for 12 years. She has also worked within other government settings completing specialised disability assessments. More recently, moved into the paediatrics and mental health space working with children and adults with a range of complex disabilities and mental health conditions.
She has a keen interest and passion for in early intervention and supporting families with a holistic approach to achieve their goals and to help empower a child’s independence to achieve their full potential. She is passionate about evidence-based practice and continuous professional development and is proactive in regularly seeking out and completing relevant training. She is also a certified Pilates instructor teaching Pilates within rehabilitation and mainstream settings.
Nash Davids
Occupational Therapist
B.App.Sc (Occupational Therapy)
Nick graduated from Cardiff University (Wales, UK) with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Occupational Therapy. Before emigrating to Australia, Nick worked in various settings: medical hospital wards, mental health wards, community centres, community outreach and paediatric community services across England and Wales for the National Health Service. Nick is married with two young boys.
Nick brings a depth of experience working with children, young people, working-age adults and older adults with a range of physical disabilities, neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions. Prior to qualifying as an Occupational Therapist, Nick also spent several years working in the disability sector as a support worker in the UK.
Nick has received training in occupational therapy specific models such as Allen’s Cognitive Disability Model and the Vona du Toit Model of Creative ability which greatly influence his approach.
Nick has a keen interest in understanding family dynamics and trauma informed care to provide holistic therapy when working with children, young people and their families and caregivers.
Nick King
Occupational Therapist
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
Kelsey graduated from McMaster University in Canada with a bachelor of health studies, she then attended the University of Sydney and completed her master of Occupational Therapy.
Kelsey formerly worked in occupational rehabilitation, workers compensation, ergonomics, and independent living. Kelsey has recently moved into Paediatrics and has previously completed a University Placement working with children with a range of disabilities which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Kelsey is currently completing ‘The Traffic Jam in my Brain’ course. She is passionate about professional development and is looking forward to completing additional training in the future.
Kelsey has a special interest in working with children with sensory processing challenges, as well as emotional regulation and mental health difficulties
Kelsey Smith
Occupational Therapist
B.Health (Occupational Therapy) Hons (Occupational Therapy) USYD
Jasmin graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy). She is the eldest child of five and over time she has formed a strong passion for working with children and their families because of her upbringing.
Jasmin has gained experience in working with children with special needs throughout her university placements and previous workplace in paediatric neurology. She has also completed a range of courses, workshops and in services such as ‘The Traffic Jam in My Brain’.
Jasmin has a special interest in working with children with fine motor skill deficits, social skill challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, sensory processing challenges and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Jasmin Saab
Occupational Therapist
B.App.Sci (Occupational Therapy)
Sarah is currently completing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Western Sydney University. She has already gained valuable practical experience through a variety of university placements, and has a keen interest and passion in striving to make therapy fun and engaging.
Sarah enjoys working closely with families and educators to help create an inclusive learning environment that best supports children and their families in achieving their desired goals and outcomes. Sarah is committed to developing her knowledge, skills, and experience, and consequently, delivering higher quality service to children with disabilities.
