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
Maddison Hatswell
Speech Pathologist
B.App.Sci (Speech Pathology)
Masters Speech Pathology
Maddy is a new graduate speech pathologist. She graduated from University of Technology Sydney with a Masters in Speech Pathology (2023), as well as a Bachelor in Speech and Hearing Sciences (2021). She has gained experience working with a diverse caseload from toddler to early adult.
Maddy is passionate about making a difference and helping those in need. Her journey with speech pathology began in her high school years. Since studying Maddy has become passionate about communication and providing everyone with the opportunity to communicate. Maddie’s key phrase is “communication is more than words”, this is an insight she has developed and will use in her career.
Maddy has worked with speech sound errors, literacy, social and emotional differences, stuttering, and language difficulties. Maddie’s special interests include speech sound disorder, early language intervention, literacy, and stuttering. Maddy also wants to build interest and experience in alternative forms of communication.
Samantha Rowntree
Senior Speech Pathologist
B.SpPath
Sam is a dedicated speech pathologist who graduated from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (BSpPath) in 2019. Inspired by her experiences attending speech therapy sessions with her brother, she developed a passion for the field at an early age.
Throughout her career, Sam has gained extensive experience working with Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, focusing on functional language, AAC, speech sound errors, literacy, and social-emotional differences. She has also completed training in gestalt language processing, Hanen’s More Than Words, and sensory integration, enhancing her ability to support diverse communication needs. Sam is especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals and fostering literacy skills, aiming to empower her clients with essential tools for effective communication.
In her spare time, Sam enjoys reading, spending time with her family and her dogs, and enthusing about all things K-Pop.
Rebecca O’Donnell
Speech Pathologist
MSLP, MSPA, CPSP
Bec is a newly graduated speech pathologist with a strong passion for supporting children and young people with diverse communication needs. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Master of Speech Language Pathology in 2024. During her studies, Bec gained experience supporting children and adults across a range of developmental stages and communication needs.
Bec has experience delivering both individual and group therapy focusing on speech sound, language and literacy development as well as stuttering and social communication differences. She is passionate about building strong, supportive relationships with children and their families. She is committed to family-centred and strengths-based practice, and works collaboratively with families, educators, and other allied health professionals to ensure therapy is meaningful and functional in everyday life. She believes in creating a fun, engaging, and safe space where every child can thrive and be heard.
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 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)
Charlie earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Occupational Therapy from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Before relocating to Sydney, Charlie accumulated nearly a decade of extensive professional experience across various fields, including paediatrics, adult rehabilitation, community development, research, and academia.
Driven by a strong belief in inclusion and the right of every child to fully participate in society, Charlie has dedicated considerable time to honing his skills and providing the highest quality care to children and their families. He has pursued advanced training in sensory integration, the MNRI method, behaviour management, and paediatric massage.
Rod Charlie Delos Reyes
Occupational Therapist
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Masters of Science (Occupational Therapy)
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)
Kiara is a recent graduate of Australian Catholic University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She 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. She also worked as an OT Aid at Kids Focus during her studies, so she has already had exposure to Kids Focus clients and their families.
Kiara has a passion for supporting individuals of all ages by creating engaging and meaningful interventions tailored to their unique needs. She values collaborating with clients, families, and broader support networks to encourage inclusive and empowering environments that enable individuals to thrive.
Lizzy holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the Australian Catholic University. She began her career in the public health system, supporting adults with mental health challenges. Prior to graduating, she worked as an allied health assistant in a mental health hospital, assisting clients from pre-teens to adults with daily living skills and emotional regulation.
These experiences allowed Lizzy to collaborate with a range of health professionals, deepening her understanding of multidisciplinary care and client-centred practice.
During a university placement, Lizzy developed a strong interest in paediatrics, drawn to the opportunity to support children and adolescents in building vital skills for independence. She is particularly passionate about early intervention, recognising its critical role in fostering long-term development. Lizzy takes a comprehensive approach to therapy, building genuine connections with her clients and collaborating closely with families to achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes.
Kiara Rizzuti
Occupational Therapist
B. OT (Occupational Therapy)
Elizabeth (lizzy) Robinson
Occupational Therapist
B. OT (Occupational Therapy)
practice MANAGER
Michelle has been with Kids Focus for almost 4 years, and oversees the overall day to day operations of the business.
With over 7 years of clinical management and qualifications in Paramedicine & Nursing, Michelle strives for excellence in her field and aims to exceed expectations by blending her health knowledge and leadership skills in one role.
Michelle not only loves her team, but genuinely loves the clients and feels proud to be a part of their child’s developmental journey.
