Trudy De Silva
Practice Director & Principal Speech Pathologist
Trudy graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University and is currently undertaking a Master of Business Administration through La Trobe University on a scholarship. Trudy has worked as a speech pathologist with the paediatric population for over 17 years.
Trudy began working in both the private and public school sectors and soon afterwards, moved into working in the private clinic setting to deliver family centered therapy and to build an allied health team.
Trudy enjoys helping children with a range of communication delays, but is particularly passionate about working in the field of diagnosis and management of Autism Spectrum Disorders across all ages. Trudy regularly engages in public speaking and provides professional development educational sessions for schools, workplaces and other organisations.
Trudy is a mother of 2 beautiful children, Annabelle (aged 6) and Ethan (aged 4) and brings an inherently maternal and professional nature to her role as a dynamic therapist and practice director. In her spare time Trudy enjoys keeping fit and going to the gym, cooking, reading, socialising with friends and family and listening to podcasts. Trudy thrives off her passions, being her employees and clients, her family and her further study.
A few of the additional certifications she has achieved through ongoing professional development and training include The Hanen Centre’s “It Takes Two to Talk”, Dr. Tony Attwood’s “Assessment and Treatment of ASD for children” as well as “Adults and Older Adolescents with ASD” and Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s “DIR Floortime”.
Trudy’s testimonial:
Building DSKC and working at this practice with this group of amazing people is my true passion. I enjoy serving the families in our community as both a speech pathologist and clinical director in any way I possibly can, and to the absolute best of my ability.
I am most proud of the workplace culture that we have established and continue to grow. Every employee sincerely enjoys working with each other every day and the team is based on true relationships. I also feel privileged to work with such lovely families that I get to see every day at work.
My mission is always to empower families and I am proud of the way that our team does this in such a humble manner. My philanthropic work is also something that is close to my heart, and I sincerely enjoy being able to consistently help those less fortunate around the world every year.
Anita Balse
Senior Speech Pathologist & SLP team leader
Member of the Management team
Anita graduated with a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Queensland. Since graduating, she has worked with young people and their families within education, health, and community sectors, both in Australia and the United Kingdom. Her work has led her to become passionate about early intervention, building self-advocacy and confidence within clients and families, promoting neurodiversity friendly practices, and working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Anita is committed to ensuring that her clients and their family’s voices are heard, by building honest and warm therapeutic relationships, and incorporating their strengths, shared goals and interests within sessions, to make therapy both engaging and functional.
Outside of work, Anita enjoys traveling overseas, going to markets on the weekend, watching the footy, and trying to convince her husband that adopting a new, furry dog friend is an excellent idea.
Anita’s testimonial:
I love having the privilege of sharing in and enriching the lives of the beautiful families that I get to work with every day. DSKC feels like a little family that celebrates personal and professional achievements, big and small. Our workplace culture is warm, welcoming and fuelled by our 3pm coffee and tea pick me ups.
Alyssa Russo
Speech Pathologist
Alyssa graduated from Australian Catholic university with a bachelor of speech pathology. Prior to joining the team as a Speech pathologist, she worked as an allied health assistant during her study. She left high school knowing she wanted to dedicate her career to helping people with communication difficulties, once she began her course, she fell in love with all things Speech Pathology- and ensuring children’s and families voices are heard. Alyssa is bubbly, friendly and approachable.
Something Alyssa enjoys about being a paediatric SP at DSKC is building relationships with her clients and their families. Alyssa is particularly interested in motor speech (stuttering), literacy, social skills, receptive and expressive language, and emotional awareness/ regulation.
Alyssa has had a broad range of experience working with adults and children, but her passions and interest was in paediatrics.
Alyssa believes Speech pathology sessions should be something children look forward to, she incorporates an element of play into her therapy and ensures all goals are applicable and functional to everyday life.
Outside of work Alyssa enjoys baking and cooking, eating, going to the gym and playing with her dog.
Afnan Alsafi
Speech Pathologist
Afnan graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Speech Pathology.
With previous experience as an allied health assistant, Afnan is passionate about supporting children to achieve their full potential in speech, language, and communication. She also values collaborating with families to provide holistic and culturally sensitive care.
Some of Afnan’s areas of interest include language, fluency (stuttering), and social communication. She is highly keen to build on her skills and experience in all areas of paediatric speech pathology.
In her spare time, Afnan loves diving into a good book, going on nature walks, and spending quality time with her cat.
Anna Roy
Allied Health Assistant (final yr. Speech Pathology student)
Anna is currently in her last year of study in Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at La Trobe University. Anna is passionate about client-centered care and has a keen interest in the areas of language development, augmentative and alternative communication, fluency, and social communication skills. She thoroughly enjoys building connections with her clients and supporting their interests and motivation in working towards their communication goals. Anna is eager to learn all that she can from the senior speech therapists at DSKC and take these practical skills into her sessions with clients.
In her spare time, Anna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her pup, Loki, and curling up on the couch for a good binge-worthy show.
Anna’s testimonial:
“I love every minute of working at DSKC. Every member of staff is so supportive and committed to ensuring a positive and comfortable working environment. Management is friendly, approachable, and always willing to work with you in finding solutions to any matters that arise, both personal and professional. Our director also ensures that we have many fun lunches and social events throughout the year that bring us even closer and allow us to connect as a team. I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful team!”
Shannon Murphy
Occupational Therapist
Shannon graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Occupational Therapy Practice. Prior to joining the team as an Occupational Therapist, she worked with us in her final year of study as an Administration and Allied Health Assistant. She left high school knowing she wanted to work in healthcare and with people, once introduced to Occupational Therapy, she immediately knew that this what she wanted to do – help people engage in their everyday life tasks. Shannon has had a broad range of experience, working with both adults and young children, but found her passion was in paediatrics.
Something Shannon enjoys most about being a Paediatric OT at DSKC is working and creating bonds with all her clients and their families. Shannon is particularly interested in aiding the development of Visual-Motor integration, Fine Motor and Social Skills.
Shannon believes OT sessions should be something her clients look forward to, she likes incorporating play and practicality into every element of therapy in order for her clients to achieve their goals in a functional and meaningful way.
Shannon’s testimonial:
I love working at DSKC as I am able to create bonds with families and be a part of their therapy journey. Seeing a client engage in an occupation that is meaningful to them, is what encourages my work in this field!
I am so appreciative of both the professional and emotional support this team extends to me, I am always becoming a better therapist and person. I love being a part of a team culture that lifts up one another and is always laughing, lunch breaks and social functions are something to look forward to.
Jade Oakes
Allied Health Assistant (final yr. Occupational Therapy student)
Jade is currently in her last year completing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Deakin university.
Jade appreciates how much early childhood intervention can impact the future of a childs life and wants to be a contributing factor to making those changes. Jade is interested in how sensory processing can change bevharious and manage emotional regulation and enjoys working in collaboration with children and their families. Jade has previous experience working with children and thrives in scenarios that require problem-solving and out of the box solutions.
In her spare time Jade enjoys spending time with friends and renovating her home.
Jade’s testimonial:
I love working at DSKC as I feel overwhelmingly supported by the team and their range of experience and knowledge. Everyone takes the time to help and support each other, is super positive and are always willing to help. Coming to work is something I look forward to every day.
Jo Milne
Allied Health Assistant (final yr. Occupational Therapy student)
Jo is currently studying at La Trobe University a Bachelor of Applied Science/Master of Occupational Therapy and is in her final year. She has a keen interest in sensory processing and working with children to develop fine and gross motor skills. Jo understands the importance of trust and collaboration between the individual, family, and the therapy team when working together and supporting an individual to achieve their goals. Jo has some experience in working with children with ASD and ADHD as she is a mother to children with ASD/ADHD and developmental delays. In her spare time she enjoys teaching group fitness classes, going on mini getaways with her family and binging on tv shows.
Jo’s testimonial:
“I love working at DSKC as it’s a warm, supportive, and welcoming environment. Everyone is invested in seeing their clients thrive and the staff are always there to help no matter what. The team culture is great and is one of the best places I have worked at. I am excited and looking forward to learning all that I can from our senior OT and other members of the team”
Lucy Nolan
Allied Health Assistant (final yr. Occupational Therapy student)
Lucy is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University. While studying, Lucy strives to integrate her current learning and apply this knowledge here at DSKC.
Outside of the clinic, Lucy works at a school conducting Out of School Hours Care. Lucy has a passion for kids and wishes to pursue a career in Paediatric Occupational therapy in the future. Lucy left high school wanted to pursue a career in health care, deciding Occupational therapy was a great way to combine her love for kids and healthcare in a beneficial and rewarding way.
Lucy values her position to further enhance her knowledge and understanding of therapist work. Lucy enjoys working in a multi-disciplinary team as she is exposed to different disciplines, acquiring knowledge from different therapists. Lucy has a strong interest in the connection between play and the acquisition of skills. She believes that therapy should be conducted in a safe and inviting way.
Other than work, Lucy enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to pilates, going to the beach and playing with her 2 cats, Gizmo and Bronte, and her dog, Biscuit!
Alex Felix-Faure
Senior Psychologist
Alex is a Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with an interest and experience in supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Alex has worked across public, private and not-for-profit systems in schools, kindergartens, childcares, and clinics to support children and their families. Alex also conducts ASD assessments in a team with the speech pathologist and paediatrician. She has a passion for neurodiversity-affirming practice, and helping children to understand themselves and others, and to thrive in their lives. Alex is able to support children with social and play skills, emotion regulation, anxiety, self-advocacy, and improving wellbeing. Alex believes the best part of her work is seeing children achieve meaningful goals that help them to access all opportunities available and important to them.
Hollie Ingwersen
Accountant
Hollie is a qualified accountant with over 20 years of experience in financial and management accounting. Although Hollie has worked mainly in the manufacturing sector for most of her career, she comes to us with vast experience in all things accounting. She is a diligent accountant with years of consistent record keeping and financial management of medium-large sized businesses.
Hollie is a very friendly and approachable person who is dedicated to supporting the team. She has extensive knowledge about the NDIS from a self-managed prospective and is passionate about making sure children get the support and environment in which to thrive.
Hollie’s testimonial:
Working at DSKC has give me a place of work where I not only feel valued, heard, and appreciated but also part of a little community. I love coming in each day and catching up with everyone, either in the kitchen making a cuppa or laughing over lunch while soaking up the sun at our new outdoor table. I never feel like having a chat is frowned upon which makes my workday even more enjoyable. The flexibility to manage my workload and my family life is immeasurable, something I’ve had here from day 1. I have been an accountant for a long time and still love what I do but this is the first job where I feel like I’m adding to something more meaningful than just the bottom line.
Bilyana Sapazovski
Client Care Coordinator
Bily is a qualified bookkeeper with over 20 years experience in accounts. Throughout her career Bily has worked in a diverse range of sectors including; electronics, manufacturing and aged care.
Bily is our friendly face at the front desk and is passionate about helping families. She brings a wealth of knowledge about the NDIS and how families can best benefit from the funding scheme. She has been an integral member of our team for over 6 years and loves making our families feel welcome in our clinic.
Bily is a warm and caring member of the DSKC family and makes our therapists and families smile each and every day with her dedication to her work, the clients and her team mates. Bily embodies the values of DSKC by going above and beyond for those she works with every day.
Bily’s testimonial:
I enjoy working at DSKC because I believe in the high quality of services we provide to the community. I love being able to see families smile every day, and knowing that I make a difference in their lives through my role. I love how DSKC values me as an employee and gives me the best work life balance, and flexibility in my hours so I can also be a great mum. I love how DSKC goes over and above for all our families and its great that families know we do not treat them as a number. They know that we genuinely care about them, and we strive to continue helping families that enter through our doors.
All my work colleagues are family to me, they have stood by me through very difficult times in my life and have helped me get back on my feet.