Our Team

Sonja Walker - Director
Sonja has been a qualified teacher for more than 20 years. She has extensive experience in schools, is particularly committed to the support of children with additional needs and has served on the Board of children's charity Lifestart. Sonja is a talented educator who quickly develops rapport with children of all ages. Her warm and friendly personality makes her a popular favourite with students and parents. Sonja leads our large team of qualified early childhood, primary and high school teachers, supports children and families through our innovative Individual Learning Support initiative and is also responsible for the co-ordination of Kids First's Community Service programs. In addition to her role as the director of Kids First, Sonja is an accomplished writer on children's affairs, sought after seminar presenter and award winning business leader.

Philomena Kemsley - Children's Speech Pathologist
Philomena is a highly qualified Speech Pathologist with many years of experience in Australian and international health services. She has worked extensively with children with disabilities and their families and is also a specilaist in stuttering. With extensive experience in schools and pre-schools, Philomena has supported children's early language development and literacy, helping them to spell, read and communicate more successfully. Philomena works with children in Kids First's Bright Start Early Intervention program for children with special needs and also co-ordinates Kids First's early language group program, Chatterboxes. She is accredited to provide specialist Speech Therapy to children receivng support through the Federal Government's Helping Children with Autism program.

Karen Spitzer - Educational Psychologist & Counsellor
Karen is a highly experienced professional offering a range of supports to children and families. She specialises in helping kids cope with issues like anger management, bullying, self esteem, grief, loss and divorce. She is also qualified to conduct psychometric academic and behavioural assessments in order to assist children with additional needs.  She also runs Kids First's successful social and emotional resilience program, Building Confident Kids. Karen is accredited under the Helping Children with Autism initiative to provide support to children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their families.

Lenora Delaney - Children's Occupational Therapist
Lenora is a paediatric Occupational Therapist who has helped hundreds of children to overcome physical challenges that affect their learning and development. She is a specialist in helping children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, supporting them as they learn to manage daily skills like handwriting, cutting and dressing. She also finds solutions for children who are clumsy or find it hard to focus and concentrate in busy classrooms. Lenora has practiced widely with children with special needs and has an extensive background in the areas of motor co-ordination and sensory processing. She offers a variety of physical therapies that assist children diagnosed with conditions like Autistic Spectrum and Sensory Processing Disorders and is a key member of our Bright Start Early Intervention team. Occupational Therapy with Lenora is available to children who receive assistance through the Helping Children with Autism initiative.

Bernadette Yeo - Children's Speech Pathologist
Bernadette’s career has included many years of work in Community Health and in her own private Speech Pathology practice. A senior member of the Catholic Schools Office’s special education unit, Bernadette has worked extensively in and with schools, providing literacy and language support to children of all ages. She is trained to support children who experience challenges like Dyspraxia, Stuttering and other speech disorders and has developed and implemented social skills programs for children with communication and behavioural challenges. She has supported children with feeding difficulties and is also an Autism specialist.  Bernadette’s vast range of skills and experience make her an important member of Kids First’s accredited team providing support to children with ASD under the Federal Government's Helping Children with Autism initiative

Fiona Teudt - Children's Speech Pathologist
Fiona is a highly qualified paediatric Speech Pathologist who has extensive experience in private practice, schools and community health. Fiona has worked widely with pre-schoolers who are late talkers and have impaired language development. She also has particular expertise in school aged literacy, with expertise in the Lindamood and Verbalising and Visualising methods. Fiona has vast experience with children with special needs, including those with Autism Spectrum and Auditory Processing Disorders. She is trained in the PROMPT method to assist children with speech sound disorders and is also highly skilled in supporting children who stutter. Fiona is well known for her parent education programs and is part of Kids First's team of specialists that provides direct suport to children in schools and pre-schools. Fiona is part of Kids First's multi-disciplinary children's health team providing support to children through the Federal government's Helping Children with Autism initiative.

Anna Lynch - Children's Clinical Nutritionist
Anna assists children who need dietary intervention to manage health and behaviour issues.  A knowledgeable, friendly and practical professional, she supports children who have digestive issues, suspected food intolerances and allergies, skin complaints and behavioural challenges. Anna also has significant professional experience with children who have specific diets related to conditions like diabetes, ADHD, Autism and Aspergers Syndrome. Anna has extensive experience in helping fussy eaters to develop a more varied, healthy diet and works closely with families to develop successful strategies to overcome meal time stress. She also supports parents with menu planning and weaning.

Carol Baker - Children's Speech Pathologist
Carol has over 30 years experience working as a paediatric Speech Pathologist and has worked extensively in both in her own private practice and other organisations. Before joining Kids First, Carol worked full time with the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) providing therapy programs for both verbal and non verbal children with developmental disabilities. She has also worked extensively with children with hearing impairment in her role as a Centre Co-ordinator for the Shepherd Centre. Carol has significant experience working with children with severe and multiple disabilities, including those with complex medical needs.  She has comprehensive training in developing alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems and developing mealtime management plans for children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Kids First children benefit from Carol’s vast experience with individual therapy and through her involvement in our multi-disciplinary Helping Children with Autism team