• Physiotherapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Pathology

• Parent Support

• Employment & Career

 Physiotherapy 

Sarah Foley B.App.Sci. (Physiotherapy), Grad. Dip. Health Research Methods. 

For the past 20 years, Sarah has worked both in Australia and overseas in the area of paediatric physiotherapy, in particular developmental and neurological physiotherapy.

Sarah also has a special interest in treating babies who have been born pre-term.

In 1997, Sarah, in conjunction with Kate Bain, originally developed and commenced the Kids Plus therapy model, which has evolved to the Kids Plus Therapy Program today.

Extensive postgraduate training in neuro-developmental therapy has led her to be awarded the Bobath Instructor Certificate from the Bobath Centre in London in 1993.

Sarah currently co-ordinates and teaches postgraduate courses to therapists throughout Australia in Bobath Therapy. In 2005 Sarah completed her Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (Latrobe University), investigating the use of the treadmill in training walking in children with cerebral palsy.

Sarah is a life member of the Australian Bobath Neurodevelopmental Therapy Association. and in 2006 was awarded the Anne McCoy Prize by the Australian Physiotherapist Association in recognition of her contribution to clinical paediatric practice.

Publications: Dodd KJ & Foley S (2007).  Partial body weight support treadmill training can improve walking in children with cerebral palsy: a clinical controlled trial.  Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 49:101-105. 

Kelly Reynolds B.App.Sci. (Physiotherapy)

Upon graduating from Auckland University of Technology Kelly relocated to Australia , working in paediatric physiotherapy. Kelly has worked with the Colac Early Intervention team and with Pinarc Support Services in Ballarat, with a variety of roles including Physiotherapy Team Leader.

Over this time Kelly has completed a number of Professional Development workshops, conferences and courses, the most significant of these being the NDT Course for children with Cerebral Palsy.

Since completing her first course, Kelly has begun the pathway to becoming a Bobath/NDT instructor which involves participating on another course, and now assisting with lecturing on these courses.

Kelly was a member of the ABNDTA Committee for 3 years, and is a current member of the APA paediatric special group and the Ballarat Paediatric Group.

Kelly has a special interest in paediatric neurology, working with children and their families to improve functional outcomes and maximise potential. This includes working within a team of professionals across a range of settings including childcare, kinder and school. 

Christina Lambros B.App.Sci. (Physiotherapy) 

Since graduating from La Trobe University in 2002 (with honours) and beginning her first hospital rotation in the paediatric department of the Sunshine Hospital, Christina has developed a keen interest in working with children and their families. She has worked within an acute and sub acute hospital setting, treating children with a wide variety of conditions, including neurological, orthopaedic, cardiopulmonary and developmental needs. Christina has worked both with children during their hospital admissions, and provided ongoing intervention once they return home.
Her interests lie in managing the needs of preterm infants, children with neurological conditions, and working in the hydrotherapy pool. She has completed a number of professional development courses and conferences, including the Basic Paediatric Bobath course, the Bobath Baby Course, and the Children’s Therapy Services Conference in New Zealand. She has also attended numerous workshops on the management of preterm infants.

Christina is currently a committee member on the Australian Physiotherapy Association paediatric special interest group.

Occupational Therapy

Kate Bain B.App.Sci. (Occupational Therapy)

In 1997, Kate, in conjunction with Sarah Foley, originally developed and commenced the Kids Plus therapy model, which has evolved to the Kids Plus program today.

Kate is certified in Bobath/Neuro Developmental Therapy (NDT) for children with cerebral palsy in UK & USA, the Advanced Baby Course Certificate (U.S.A), Neuro-Developmental Treatment OT Instructor Certificate ( USA ), Certification in Administration of Sensory Integration (SI) & Praxis Tests/ SI treatment and she has special interest in the combined therapeutic application of NDT and SI.

Kate is currently enrolled as a Health Sciences Doctoral Candidate at Sydney University . Topic: 'The impact of NDT on the performance of daily living tasks in young children with cerebral palsy"

Robyn Heesh B.App.Sci. (Occupational Therapy)

Since graduating from OT at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Robyn has been working with children with disabilities in a variety of settings. She has worked in various special schools in Melbourne, as well as time in London in a pediatric department in a hospital.  Her first job as a new graduate was in Shannon Park in Geelong.  She is currently the OT  Senior Clinician/Clinical Advisor for children’s services for Yooralla, and works with the children at  Belmore School in Balwyn.

Robyn completed the  Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) Course in San Francisco in 2008. She has a keen interest in children with physical disabilities, working in the past with a conductor and completed a post graduate course “Applying Principles of Conductive Education” at Deakin University in 2000.

Robyn has an interest in international health and has visited centers for children with disabilities in Vietnam, Morocco  and Zimbabwe during her travels.  She was involved in voluntary work in  Romania training therapists and foster parents of children with disabilities in areas of OT practice.

Robyn loves working in a multidisciplinary team.

Frances Di Cocco  B.App.Sci (Speech Pathology)

Frances graduated from Speech Pathology at La Trobe University in Melbourne in 1992.  As a new graduate she worked with adults with disabilities at adult day centres run by Spastic Society of Victoria (now SCOPE).  Subsequent positions involved providing speech pathology services to children within the context of a variety of early intervention settings and school settings. 

In 2002, Frances returned to study completing a Diploma of Education (Primary) through RMIT.  She completed a Graduate Certificate of Special Education whilst working as a teacher at Belmore School, a specialist school for students with physical disabilities and health impairments.  During this time, she was involved in planning and implementing programs based on the Principles of Conductive Education, consolidating skills obtained during the  post-graduate course “Applying Principles of Conductive Education” at Deakin University in 2000  and part time work at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre.

Frances has an interest in working with individuals with disabilities cross culturally.  She spent two months volunteering as a speech pathologist at a centre for children with disabilities in Romania.  She has been involved in training staff and foster parents working in the disability field in Romania.  She also spent four months in the NT, providing speech services to children and adults in the Katherine region and remote areas.

Frances completed the Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) Course in Geelong in 2009. She has a passion for working with children with physical disabilities and severe communication impairments, is keenly interested in giving all people a voice, developing alternative and augmentative communication systems for those individuals requiring such systems. She is also interested in the treatment of oral motor issues affecting speech, eating, drinking and swallowing.

Parent Support & Liaison

Briony Croft  B.Social Work

Briony studied Bachelor of Social Work and has spent the last 12 years 
working in the Child and Family Services sector providing support and guidance to children, young people and their families. Briony has fulfilled a variety of challenging roles across the Geelong region and she has extensive experience in providing family advocacy and support, project work, coordinating volunteer based services and facilitating parenting groups and programs.

Briony’s professional philosophy is informed by a strengths based perspective and she works in partnership with families to resolve 
issues, achieve change and positive outcomes.

In her current role Briony provides parent support to families attending the Kids Plus Therapy Program as well as providing information regarding resources, ECIS, disability services and liaison.  Briony develops and delivers information workshops for families and other stakeholders while coordinating a range of family and community orientated projects.