About us
FIONA KENWORTHY, CLINICAL DIRECTOR & SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Since graduating in 1999, she completed post-graduate studies in the UK, where she also worked as a lead therapist in children’s hospitals, child development centres, schools and clinics. Fiona specialised in children’s feeding problems (dysphagia) and communication disorders in children with complex special needs (such as Down Syndrome). She supervised colleagues, taught students and was a visiting speaker on numerous post-graduate courses.
Since returning home to NZ in 2007, Fiona worked as a senior speech-language therapist in KidzFirst Child development and a clinical tutor on the speech-language therapy MSc program at Auckland University. She then set up Small Talk Therapy, contracting to the Ministry of Education, supervising other speech-language therapists and providing speech therapy for children.
Fiona’s practice is evidence-based. Therapy sessions are always individualized according to your child's interests and needs so that your child receives the maximum benefit with as few sessions as possible.
Fiona uses principles from mainstream approaches to treating communication disorders (eg. Hanen program; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; Makaton; PECS), as well as innovative techniques (eg. videofeedforward therapy and motor/sensory integration to enhance communication skills). She is CAT1 (assistive technology) accredited. Fiona has specialist skills and experience promoting communication skills in children with autism and Down Syndrome. She is trained in the Johansson Program for children with Down Syndrome and is registered with the UpsideDowns Education Trust, NZSTA and ATANZ.
Click this link to see us at work in a typical day...
https://www.facebook.com/100008376406554/videos/2429249680697555/?id=100008376406554
Since graduating in 1999, she completed post-graduate studies in the UK, where she also worked as a lead therapist in children’s hospitals, child development centres, schools and clinics. Fiona specialised in children’s feeding problems (dysphagia) and communication disorders in children with complex special needs (such as Down Syndrome). She supervised colleagues, taught students and was a visiting speaker on numerous post-graduate courses.
Since returning home to NZ in 2007, Fiona worked as a senior speech-language therapist in KidzFirst Child development and a clinical tutor on the speech-language therapy MSc program at Auckland University. She then set up Small Talk Therapy, contracting to the Ministry of Education, supervising other speech-language therapists and providing speech therapy for children.
Fiona’s practice is evidence-based. Therapy sessions are always individualized according to your child's interests and needs so that your child receives the maximum benefit with as few sessions as possible.
Fiona uses principles from mainstream approaches to treating communication disorders (eg. Hanen program; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; Makaton; PECS), as well as innovative techniques (eg. videofeedforward therapy and motor/sensory integration to enhance communication skills). She is CAT1 (assistive technology) accredited. Fiona has specialist skills and experience promoting communication skills in children with autism and Down Syndrome. She is trained in the Johansson Program for children with Down Syndrome and is registered with the UpsideDowns Education Trust, NZSTA and ATANZ.
Click this link to see us at work in a typical day...
https://www.facebook.com/100008376406554/videos/2429249680697555/?id=100008376406554
JO WEAVER, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY CONTRACTOR
Jo completed her Masters in Language Pathology in the UK in 2004. She has worked in a wide range of settings including clinic, mainstream schools, special schools, early childhood settings and in the family home.
Since arriving in NZ in 2007, Jo has worked for the Ministry of Education, a Special School and currently a pre-school that caters for deaf children; many of whom have additional needs. Jo has a particular interest in paediatric therapy and enjoys working closely with families to maximise each child’s communication potential. She work holistically to make therapy and goals meaningful to each child/ family and liaises with others (e.g. teachers) in the child’s life to ensure carryover of progress.
Jo has specialised knowledge in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment as well as other paediatric speech, language and communication difficulties. She uses a range of visual communication methods to support the development of each child’s communication. Jo is trained in PECS, New Zealand Sign Language/ Makaton and is Hanen certified.
Jo Weaver has over 10 years' paediatric speech-language therapy experience. Sessions with Jo are family-focused and play-oriented wherever possible for optimum therapy outcomes.
Jo completed her Masters in Language Pathology in the UK in 2004. She has worked in a wide range of settings including clinic, mainstream schools, special schools, early childhood settings and in the family home.
Since arriving in NZ in 2007, Jo has worked for the Ministry of Education, a Special School and currently a pre-school that caters for deaf children; many of whom have additional needs. Jo has a particular interest in paediatric therapy and enjoys working closely with families to maximise each child’s communication potential. She work holistically to make therapy and goals meaningful to each child/ family and liaises with others (e.g. teachers) in the child’s life to ensure carryover of progress.
Jo has specialised knowledge in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment as well as other paediatric speech, language and communication difficulties. She uses a range of visual communication methods to support the development of each child’s communication. Jo is trained in PECS, New Zealand Sign Language/ Makaton and is Hanen certified.
Jo Weaver has over 10 years' paediatric speech-language therapy experience. Sessions with Jo are family-focused and play-oriented wherever possible for optimum therapy outcomes.
TEREXA CHAN MOW, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY CONTRACTOR
Terexa graduated with a BSc in Psychology (2003) and MSLT Prac in Speech-Language Pathology (2005) from the University of Auckland. She worked for the Ministry of Education for 10 years in a variety of roles and settings, with children of all ages. Terexa is Hanen certified to run the parent-child interaction workshops ''It Takes Two to Talk'' (for parents of children with language delays) and ''More than Words'' (for parents of children with autism and social communication difficulties) and has run workshops for families.
She has strengths in working with children with general speech/language difficulties, ORS funded children, autism, selective mutism and special needs. Terexa has supervised both new graduates and colleagues throughout her decade at the Ministry of Education.
She is passionate about cultural issues in communication development and multidisciplinary team working. She has a strong family focus and is very much a 'team player'. Transitioning children between home, preschool and school is also an area of particular interest.
TEREXA CHAN MOW, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY CONTRACTOR
Terexa graduated with a BSc in Psychology (2003) and MSLT Prac in Speech-Language Pathology (2005) from the University of Auckland. She worked for the Ministry of Education for 10 years in a variety of roles and settings, with children of all ages. Terexa is Hanen certified to run the parent-child interaction workshops ''It Takes Two to Talk'' (for parents of children with language delays) and ''More than Words'' (for parents of children with autism and social communication difficulties) and has run workshops for families.
She has strengths in working with children with general speech/language difficulties, ORS funded children, autism, selective mutism and special needs. Terexa has supervised both new graduates and colleagues throughout her decade at the Ministry of Education.
She is passionate about cultural issues in communication development and multidisciplinary team working. She has a strong family focus and is very much a 'team player'. Transitioning children between home, preschool and school is also an area of particular interest.
