SPECIALIST LITERACY EDUCATOR | Hills Literacy and Learning, Sydney [July 2018 - Present]
Providing multisensory structured language (MSL) and a variety of other evidence based literacy interventions to children and young adults experiencing considerable and consistent difficulty in reading, spelling and writing, including those with dyslexia and dysgraphia.
- Administer various tests to ascertain the strengths and deficits in a student’s literacy skills. Tests may the LeST (The Letter Sound Test) to test a person’s ability to sound out single letters and letter combinations, CC2 (Castles and Coltheart Test 2) to assess single word reading and whole word recognition ability, PAST (Phonological Awareness Screening Tool), and Sounds Write Phonics screening check as needed.
- Addressing all aspects of the English language simultaneously including phonemes, graphemes, morphemes, semantics, syntax, discourse and pragmatics.
- Provide one to one tuition to primary school aged children (4-12 years) based on explicit, structured and systematic instruction, using predominantly a MSL/OG approach to children who find reading, writing and spelling difficult.
- Ensure effective and direct instruction in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonology, reading accuracy and fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing and spelling.
- Using a variety of evidence based literacy interventions to ensure a comprehensive and wholistic approach is provided to each child.
- Delivering a systematic and cumulative process of language instruction that follows the logical order of language.
- Educating and training students and their families on assistive technology options available to access the curriculum.
- Educating parents on accommodations and modifications that are reasonable and necessary for their child’s individual learning plans.
- Providing flexible and individualised treatment based on the child’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses.
- Continuously reviewing concepts to strengthen long term memory to reinforce content being taught.
- Ensure a fluid process with instructions and interventions being constantly examined and evaluated.
- Drawing on qualifications, clinical experience and training to improve all facets of a child’s handwriting to increase automaticity.
PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (Self Employed) | Making Connections Kids OT, Sydney [August 2018 - Present]
- Direct therapy to children aged 3 years – 13 years of age.
PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST | Therapy and Learning Centre, Sydney [January 2013 - August 2018]
Provide direct therapy services to children aged 3-18 years of age who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder
(DCD), Visual impairments, handwriting delays, fine and gross motor delays and other developmental, learning and behavioural difficulties.
- Managed own client caseload and therapy schedule across different settings including clinic, home and school.
- Responsible for evaluation of clients using a variety of standardised paediatric assessments (such as Beery VMI, DASH), family interviews and clinical observations.
- Assisting preschool aged children with their school readiness in areas such as undecided hand preference, pencil grip, motor based tasks, core control, cutting skills, self-care skills, planning and organisational skills.
- Assisting school aged children with poor handwriting quality, letter/number reversals, reduced handwriting speed, difficulty transitioning from print to cursive writing, restrictive/awkward pencil grip, difficulty using scissors, difficulty sitting still in class.
- Established client centred treatment goals.
- Provided services in the areas of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual perception, sensory processing skills, handwriting, self-care skills, pre academic skills, self-care, engagement and play.
- Providing instruction and education to clients, families and caregivers relating to conditions, treatment options and home exercises.
- Working collaboratively with teachers, childcare workers and other allied health professionals to achieve treatment goals.
- Worked with both agent and self-managed clients under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Complying with reporting requirements as required by the agency.
- Evaluating and reporting on clients using standardised and non-standardised assessments to help in determining what HSC provisions (if any) should be applied for in accordance with NESA guidelines.
- Worked closely with a paediatric Physiotherapist to improve clients fine motor and gross motor skills to achieve clients’ goals.
- Evaluating needs for multidisciplinary referrals.
- Recording, maintaining and providing accurate, timely documentation of client treatment and progress.
- Maintaining professional relationships with clients in adherence to legislative requirements and guidelines.