Rachael McInerney – Director 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).

Rachael has recently completed the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme with Dr Pam Williams to assist children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and severe speech disorders. Rachael has continuously sought additional training to improve the support she can provide to families/children. This has included:

• DIR 101The 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.

Kasey – Speech Pathologist

Speech Pathologist Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) (Flinders University)
• Member of Speech Pathology Australia (Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist)

Kasey completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Flinders University in 2022. Kasey has a keen interest in paediatric feeding, language, AAC, speech, and literacy. During her studies, Kasey gained experience within metro and rural settings to develop skills in various areas of practice including language and speech disorders, literacy, dysphagia, and AAC. Kasey has experience working in clinic and community based settings with children aged 2 – 14 to support them to reach their communication and mealtime goals. Kasey is passionate about involving the child’s primary communication partners and supports into the therapy journey, including family members, teachers, and peers. Kasey has worked within a multidisciplinary team and enjoys working alongisde Occupational Therapists and Developmental Educators to further facilitate the child’s progress towards their goals.

Kasey has experience working with a diverse caseload including supporting children and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, and other developmental disabilities. Kasey ensures a neurodiversity affirming approach when working with clients to facilitate communicative confidence across all environments. Kasey is passionate about supporting all forms of communication including the use of AAC such as Proloquo2go, Key Word Sign, and PODD books, as well as supporting children who are Gestalt Language processors to communicate confidently. Kasey is also passionate about supporting children and families to develop feeding and mealtime skills to support enjoyment and engagement at mealtimes.

Kasey has engaged in additional training to strengthen her skills. This has included:

• Feeding Therapy for Autistic Eaters (Next Bite Feeding)
• Assessment and Treatment of Feeding Skills in Children (Speech Pathology Australia)
• Paediatric Feeding Learning Framework (Children’s Health Queensland)
• Meaningful Speech Course (Meaningful Speech)
• Developmental Language Disorder Modules 1 – 4 (Speech Pathology Australia)
• Level 1, 2 & 3 Sign Language Courses (Sign Language Australia)

Caitlin – Speech Pathologist

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. 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)

Lylian – Speech Pathologist

Qualifications:

• Master of Speech Pathology (Flinders University)
• Member of Speech Pathology Australia (Certified Practising Speech Pathologist)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honors) – Linguistics and Language Application

Lylian completed her Master of Speech Pathology at Flinders University in 2022. She has a strong interest in paediatric feeding, and early speech/language development. Lylian has experience worked within transdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams to provide mobile service across Metropolitan Adelaide for both children, adolescents, and adults. She enjoys empowering NDIS Participants to meet their goals.

Lylian has experience working with children with Global Developmental Delay, speech/language delay, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In 2021, Lylian worked as an Allied Health Assistant with children and had the opportunity to run feeding groups.

Lylian 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)
• Paediatric Feeding and Swallowing Education (PFASE)

Holly – Allied Health Assistant

Holly is currently completing her fourth year of a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at Flinders University. Holly first discovered her passion for speech pathology when completing a Year 10 work experience at a paediatric allied health clinic.

Holly is excited to explore a range of different practice areas as she continues her studies. Holly’s particular areas of interest include early speech/language development, fluency, and paediatric feeding. As part of Holly’s university placements, she has had experience with fluency disorders, speech and language delays, literacy difficulties, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

As an Allied Health Assistant, Holly values a strength-based approach to promote the client’s enjoyment and engagement.

Tamie – Administration Officer

Our Administration Officer Tamie Hannessen joined the Eatability team in December 2019. She worked as an Administration Manager at Radio Rentals for 11 years. Tamie is a mother of three gorgeous children. She loves working with children and seeing everybody’s face when they walk through the door. Tamie is a jack of all trades – organizing appointments, making resources, answering phone calls, managing finances, and walking our therapy dog.

Tamie said, “When my son was diagnosed with Dyslexia in 2018, my goals as a mother and attitude towards work changed. I wanted to work with a company where their main focus was to understand and help families overcome challenges they were facing on a daily basis. Interacting with Eatability families that come into the clinic and watching children grow is life changing. My goal is to provide a professional and friendly relationship with families as well as staff”.

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:

hello@eatabilityfeedingservices.com.au