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My passion for working with children developed from a very early age. I independently ran a children’s service at my local religious centre from the age of 12. Although I didn’t know it at the time, this was where my journey into speech pathology began.

During these weekly services, I loved playing with all the children — but there was one particular boy who caught my attention (and my heart). Despite his friendliness, kindness, and clear desire to connect, he often found himself on the sidelines, playing alone. I noticed other children becoming confused and walking away when he had difficulty answering questions or joining in their play. I also found him difficult to understand at times, and I assumed others experienced the same.

What stayed with me wasn’t just his communication difficulty — it was the social and emotional impact it had on his ability to connect, belong, and be understood. That moment shaped how I see communication to this day..

In the early years of my career, I completed my PhD while working part-time in a clinical role, alongside academic research, lecturing, and clinical supervision. In 2020, I became a Lecturer in Speech Pathology at The University of Queensland (UQ).

While I’ve always loved the academic side of my work, it has consistently been my clients — and the real-life impact of communication challenges — that drive me.

Over time, my clinical work has expanded beyond children to support adolescents and adults, particularly those navigating communication, social, and psychosocial challenges in everyday life.

I started Exceed Speech with the aim of merging research and clinical expertise to provide practical, effective support across the lifespan.

While early intervention remains a strong passion of mine, I now work with individuals at all stages of life — supporting not just speech and language, but the broader skills that underpin independence, confidence, relationships, and participation in everyday life.

My PhD is in the area of childhood stuttering disorders. Through this specialisation, Exceed Speech offers evidence-based stuttering support grounded in some of the most effective treatment approaches available worldwide. Our approach is holistic and flexible, tailored to each individual and family to give your child the best chance of overcoming this potentially lifelong communication disorder.

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Take a sneak peak of what the Stuttering Toolkit has to offer, and learn about the treatment principles that have proven successful for more than 90% of children who stutter.