Speech-Language Therapist
Wellington Regional Manager
I am a Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) and branch manager for TalkLink Lower North Island.
In 2000 I moved to Wellington to help establish the TalkLink service. Prior to this I worked as an SLT in the areas of Special Education, in the hospital system and as a community therapist with adults. I also worked in private practice, as an SLT for Cavit ABI, and as a consultant SLT for Kimberley, North Shore and Auckland Hospitals in Auckland.
My role at TalkLink is twofold. I work primarily as a speech-language therapist, scoping and assessing client’s communication needs and abilities. Assistive communication solutions are then identified, set up and trialled for clients use. Funding applications are completed on the client’s behalf.
The second part of my job is to manage the Wellington service. I have responsibility for ensuring that service outcomes and clinical service standards of excellence are established and met by all staff. This part of my role involves liaising with the TalkLink General Manager, and ensuring that the Talklink Board’s vision for TalkLink is met.
Occupational Therapist
Senior Clinician
I am an occupational therapist on the Wellington team and have been a staff member of TalkLink since 1992, when the service was established in Auckland. I have spent most of my professional career working in the area of Assistive Technology.
I have worked in this field of practice in New Zealand, Australia and Canada and have gained valuable experience when attending local and overseas conferences both as delegate and presenter.
I was previously a computer engineer with IBM, and make valuable use of my engineering background in the understanding and development of new technology.
My responsibilities include: assessing the functional abilities (physical, sensory, cognitive and social) of clients with regard to their use of assistive technology. I will determine if the client is able to independently operate a communication device and if not, then explore alternative access methods.
I also identify appropriate computer systems for people who need to be able to write (but are unable to), and this may involve alternative access methods including speech recognition or other control systems. As senior clinician at the Wellington centre, I also assist with various operational duties of the branch including staff therapist supervision.
Office Manager
My background is in Administration and Computer Systems Implementation.
Graphic Designer
I am the Wellington graphics designer. I develop and create all of the low technology communication systems. I am responsible for selecting the content of, and generating graphical communication documents using specialised computer programmes. These documents are used in communication boards or books and as pictorial overlays in high technology communication devices.
I have extensive experience in the field of graphical design and have a Diploma in Graphic Design.
I am married with three adult children. I am actively involved in my church, and my husband and I are in the process of developing an olive grove in the Wairarapa.
Assistive Technology Training and Support
I have spent most of my working life within the caring professions, with a dominant emphasis on pastoral care. For fifteen years I worked part-time within a school environment with children who had a variety of disabilities. This experience, coupled with my counselling work, has enabled me to develop a major focus on creative problem solving and a commitment to solutions that work for individuals. I am passionate about individuals realising their potential and maximising opportunities.
Empowering people of all ages and abilities to get the most out of the technology supplied to them in as independent a manner as possible is my primary focus.
Administrator
I am a part time administrator at TalkLink Wellington, having joined the team in February 2009. I am a fifth-year student at Victoria University studying Honours in Law and a Bachelor of Arts.
Occupational Therapist
I am an Occupational Therapist on the Talklink Wellington team, which I joined in January 2009.
Previous to working at Talklink I studied sports and therapeutic massage and sport and recreation in Hawkes Bay. Following this, I decided to study Occupational Therapy and subsequently graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2008
As an Occupational Therapist on the TalkLink team I am involved in assessing the functional abilities of clients in regard to supporting their independent access to both written and spoken communication technology.
Speech-Language Therapist
I am a Speech and Language Therapist who joined the TalkLink Wellington team in January 2012. I completed my studies in Christchurch at the University of Canterbury in 2011. I have had experience working both with Paediatric and Adult clients in the education and health settings throughout my clinical placements. I was introduced to assistive technology during my studies which inspired me to work in this area to empower individuals to communicate using various means. I am originally from Christchurch, and have an interest in art, photography and travel. I look forward to working with you and your family.
Speech-Language Therapist
I am a Speech and Language Therapist who joined the Talklink Wellington team in January 2012.
I completed my studies in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Auckland in 2011. During my degree I had a clinical placement at Talklink Auckland, where I was inspired to pursue this field of work.
My passion is using technology to assist with unveiling a client’s communication competency.
I look forward to working with you and your family/whānau.