Our Team
Rachael McInerney
Director & Senior Speech Pathologist
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Applied Science – Speech Pathology (Flinders University)
- Member of Speech Pathology Australia (Certified Practising Speech Pathologist)
Our Director Rachael McInerney has worked as a Paediatric Speech Pathologist for 20 years. Rachael specialises in paediatric feeding difficulties, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and early speech/language development. Rachael has worked in clinic and community settings in South Australia and Broken Hill.
Rachael’s experience includes extensive work within interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multi-disciplinary teams focusing on child development, rehabilitation, and disability services from childhood to adolescence. Rachael has experience working with children with disabilities, medical and learning diagnoses including Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delay, Down Syndrome, G-tubes, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Oro-motor delays, low muscle tone and sensory difficulties. Rachael also has experience working with adults with communication and feeding difficulties.
Rachael held a position as a Research Officer for 3 years and published papers on the ‘Participation Profiles of Children with Complex Communication Needs’ (nee Rachael Virgo) under the leadership of Parimala Raghavendra (Associate Professor, Flinders University).
Rachael has presented at conferences nationally including AGOSCI and the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM). She has provided extensive support and training to children, family, childcare and education staff in the areas of feeding (eg SOS, SOS Food Science, Oral Eating & Drinking Support Workshops, individualized plans for mealtimes/feeding), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (eg Key Word Sign, PODD, Proloquo2go, communication strategies), communication and speech/language (eg Hanen ITTT2, Hanen More Than Words).
Rachael travelled to America in May 2017 to undertake intensive work shadowing at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the STAR Institute in Denver. Rachael work shadowed internationally recognised Paediatric Feeding Experts Karen Quinn-Shea (co-developed the Tube Weaning Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital), Robin Glass (Author “Feeding & Swallowing Disorders in Infancy”) & Dr Kay Toomey (Founder SOS Approach to Feeding). She recently completed the SOS Mentorship Course over 12 weeks with Susan Kniffen and Deborah Lagerborg.
Rachael completed the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme with Dr Pam Williams to assist children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and severe speech disorders. Rachael recently started an exciting journey with DIRFloortime Training to learn more about how each person individually perceives and interacts with the world differently. Rachael has continuously sought additional training to improve the support she can provide to families/children. This has included:
- DIR 101: An Introduction to DIR and DIRFloortime (Dr Colette Ryan)
- The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Mentorship Course (Susan Kniffen and Deborah Lagerborg)
- The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding: When Children Won’t Eat: Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders (Dr Kay Toomey)
- Food Scientist Adaptation of the SOS Approach to Feeding (Dr Kay Toomey)
- Tools in Your Pantry: Effectively Using the New Oral Motor Steps to Eating
- Feeding the Child on the Autism Spectrum (Dr Kay Toomey)
- Helping Children Transition off Supplemental Tube Feedings (Dr Kay Toomey)
- Managing Paediatric Feeding Difficulties (Dr Pamela Dodrill and Dr Jeanne Marshall),
- Feeding Relationship & Eating Competence (Ellyn Satter)
- Feeding the Child on the Autism Spectrum (Dr Kay Toomey)
- Food Tolerance Decision Making (Dr Kay Toomey)
- The Traffic Jam in My Brain: A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, ADD, Learning and Behavioural Differences (Gen Jereb)
- A series of topical issues in paediatric dysphagia: Fussy eating; chewing strategies; baby led weaning and medication administration (Dr. Julie Cichero)
- Paediatric Videofluoroscopy Workshop: Conducting and Interpreting Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies in Children (Kelly Weir)
- Cervical Auscultation in Dysphagia Management: A practical workshop for speech pathologists working with adult and paediatric dysphagia (Dr Julie Cichero)
- Dysphagia Disorder Survey/Dysphagia Management Staging Scale (Dr Justine Joan Sheppard)
- Choking Risk Assessment (CRA) and Pneumonia Risk Assessment (PRA) (Dr Justine Joan Sheppard)
- Oral Eating and Drinking Support (OEDS) Trainer for childcare/education staff
- Food Tolerance Decision Making (Dr Kay Toomey)
- Key Word Sign Australia (KWS) Certified Trainer
- Pragmatically Organised Dynamic Display (PODD) 2-day introductory workshop
- Hanen It Takes Two To Talk(for children 5 years or younger)
- Hanen More Than Words(for parents of children 5 years or younger on the autism spectrum and with other social communication difficulties)
- Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) (Ainsley Poulis)
- Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme Modules 1 and 2 (Dr Pam Williams)
- Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme Modules 3 and 4 (Dr Pam Williams).
Rachael’s passion for assisting children with feeding difficulties led to the development of a specialised feeding clinic in Adelaide to support children and families with eating/drinking, feeding and mealtimes.
Caitlin
Speech Pathologist
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Flinders University)
- Member of Speech Pathology Australia (Certified Practising Speech Pathologist)
Caitlin completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Flinders University in 2023. As part of her university placements, Caitlin has experience working with children with speech and language delays, feeding difficulties, dysphagia, and literacy problems. Caitlin has experiences working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Global Developmental Delay, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Caitlin has supported the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) including Key Word Sign (KWS) and PODD Communication Books.
Caitlin worked as an Allied Health Assistant in her final year of studying. She worked under the guidance of qualified therapists to deliver speech pathology programs in the clinic and community. Caitlin thrives on working with children and adolescents to reach their goals. Caitlin is excited to embark on her journey working in a range of practice areas.
Caitlin also worked as a Disability Support Woker with individuals aged between 4-24 years in the community. She gained valuable experience assisting non-verbal children, built strong relationships with families/children, and supported clients to meet their NDIS and personal goals.
Caitlin has engaged in additional training to strengthen her skills. This has included:
- The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding: When Children Won’t Eat: Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders (Dr Kay Toomey).
- Food Scientist Adaptation of the SOS Approach to Feeding (Dr Kay Toomey)
Holly
Speech Pathologist
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Flinders University)
- Member of Speech Pathology Australia (Certified Practising Speech Pathologist)
Holly completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology Degree at Flinders University in 2024. During her university placements, Holly worked within multi-disciplinary and interprofessional teams to provide assessment and therapy for paediatric and adult clients. Holly has gained experience in the areas of speech and language delays/disorders, fluency disorders, voice disorders, swallowing difficulties, literacy, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC). Holly has had the privilege of supporting the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disability, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
Holly joined Eatability Feeding Services in 2023 as an Allied Health Assistant, where she worked under the guidance of Director, Rachael McInerney, to provide speech pathology services within the community. Holly values the strong therapeutic relationships she has developed with her clients and their families and is excited to continue her journey with the Eatability Team.
Holly prioritises a strength-based and neurodiversity-affirming approach to foster a safe and enjoyable therapy experience for both clients and their families. Holly is passionate about holistic care within speech pathology, ensuring that all therapy is tailored and individualised to the client’s current needs.
Holly is scheduled to attend the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding: When Children Won’t Eat: Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders (Dr. Kay Toomey) in February 2025.
Joshua
Speech Pathologist
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Flinders University)
- Member of Speech Pathology Australia (Certified Practising Speech Pathologist)
Joshua completed his Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree at Flinders University in 2024. During his university placements, Joshua worked within speech pathology, multi-disciplinary, and interprofessional teams to provide the assessment and therapy for paediatric and adult clients across hospital, rehab, and educational settings. Joshua has gained experiences in the areas of speech and language delays/disorders, vice disorders, swallowing difficulties, literacy, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Joshua has a keen interest in the paediatric feeding and swallowing space as a result of his placement experiences. Joshua has had the opportunity to work with and support a diverse range of paediatric clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder, Dysphagia, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Joshua worked as an Allied Health Assistant in his final year of study in 2024, working to provide paediatric speech pathology services in support of the clinic team he was a part of. Joshua is looking forward to beginning his speech pathology career with the Eatability Team.
Joshua has a desire to help others overcome challenges, foster confidence, and enhance their quality of life through improved communication and swallowing. Joshua finds immense joy in witnessing the progress of clients. Each breakthrough, whether big or small, reinforces his passion for the field speech pathology field. Joshua cherishes the moments of connection and the smiles that come with developing communication and swallowing skills. Joshua is deeply passionate about empowering individuals to express themselves and connect with others. He believes that effective communication and swallowing are fundamental to personal growth and improving relationships.
Joshua is scheduled to attend the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding: When Children Won’t Eat: Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders (Dr. Kay Toomey) in February 2025.
Andrew Loizides
Administration Officer
Qualifications:
- Certificate III Business Administration
- Certificate II Business
Our Administration Officer Andrew Loizides joined the Eatability team in December 2024. Andrew has 15 years’ experience in customer service and is venturing into a new role with the Eatability Team. Andrew is the jack of all trades – organizing appointments, making resources, answering phone calls, managing finances and playing games in the waiting room. He loves working with children and seeing everybody’s face when they walk through the door.
Millie Moo
Therapy Puppy
Qualifications:
- Friendly, cuddly, and gentle.
Our therapy puppy Millie is full of sass, licks and cuddles. She can often be found sleeping on the job. She loves belly rubs, pats on her head and scratches on her back. She is friendly, patient and gentle. She is the best reinforcement for children at the end of their therapy sessions. Millie is currently on extended leave.
Join Our Team
If you would like to be contacted for future available positions, you are welcome to forward to your CV to: