GET TO KNOW US

Kat trained to become an Occupational Therapist at one of the most renowned schools in Germany and graduated in 2008 as the best of her class. Kat continued to study for a Bachelor of Science and graduated again in 2010. 

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Kat commenced work as an Occupational Therapist in Australia in 2012.  

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Following her passion for working with children and providing services for individual clients, Kat opened Little Hands OT in August 2015 with the vision that Little Hands OT will provide services to children with special needs to enable them to experience the wonders in their surroundings and allow them to participate in and influence their environment. 

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Kat is a passionate dancer who teaches, performs and competes within Canberra, Australia and sometimes even Europe. One day she hopes to combine her two passions, dance and OT by teaching all ability dance classes as part of a regular dance school and take a group to festivals to perform alongside their peers.

Sam graduated with a Certificate 4 in Allied Health Services in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in July 2018. She completed all placements in paediatrics for Occupational and Physiotherapy and has always had a passion for working with young children, she loves to see all the children and families work towards and achieve their goals. 

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Sam joined Little Hands OT in January 2017 and is our Senior Therapy assistant and Practice Manager. Sam worked in office administration for 10 years before commencing at Little Hands OT.  

 

Outside of work, Sam is a mother to two young boys and enjoys taking them to their sporting commitments and adventuring out to explore new places together. 

Erica graduated from the University of Canberra with a Masters in Occupational Therapy, having previously achieved a Bachelors of Education (primary). 

 

Erica is excited to combine these two fields to create engaging therapy interventions for children of all ages. She is passionate about working with clients on their unique personal goals and watching children increase their independence and meet their occupational goals.

Erica worked as a special needs and relief teacher in Indigenous outback communities, giving her experience working with children of wide ages and diverse needs. As a special education teacher Erica oversaw a whole school special education program, including a reading program, and ran training for support staff on how to best support students with additional needs. Erica is also focussed on whole-school education approaches with a focus on increasing inclusivity in the mainstream classroom.

 

Outside of work Erica enjoys camping, caving and any outdoors adventures. She loves spending time with her family, including her young daughter. Erica has always enjoyed giving back to the community as a Girl Guide leader for over 10 years, leading girls of all abilities on programs with community service, advocacy, outdoor and other individual interests. 

Lauren graduated from The University of Sydney in 2014, receiving a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy.

 

Whilst completing her university degree, Lauren worked in the childcare industry, gaining invaluable skills and developing a passion for working with children. After graduating from university, she commenced work in a new private hospital in Sydney’s Hills District. In this role, Lauren became involved in the set-up of the hospital’s OT department within an Inpatient Rehabilitation ward. This allowed her to develop a strong foundation of skills that assisted her transition into Paediatric OT.

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With her passion to work with children continuing, Lauren commenced work within a Paediatric Private Practice in 2017. Lauren developed invaluable skills, whilst providing services within local schools and preschools, as well as within a private therapy room. Lauren finds great joy and fulfillment in working with children and their families, to develop and achieve their goals, and embrace their full potential.

 

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys exercising, exploring the outdoors, and travelling, both within Australia and overseas. She loves spending time with her husband, family and friends. Lauren and her husband are also actively involved in their church.

Tahni graduated from The University of Queensland in 2014, receiving a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Whilst completing her university degree, Tahni worked as an Occupational Therapy Aide for a paediatric private practice in Brisbane, where she established a love for supporting children and their families.

 

Tahni has since gained valuable experience working as an occupational therapist in a private practice setting, supporting children and their families to achieve their goals, recognise their potential and engage in everyday meaningful activities. Tahni has additionally developed a sound knowledge of the NDIS through her previous role as an Early Childhood Early Intervention Coordinator and Key Worker, supporting children aged 0-7 and their families to access timely early intervention supports. 

Outside of work, Tahni enjoys traveling, getting outdoors and spending time with her husband and puppy.

Lauren is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational at the University of Canberra, with anticipated graduation mid 2021. Lauren has always been interested in working with young children and families and hopes to become a paediatric Occupational Therapist after graduating.

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Lauren works alongside the team as a therapy assistant. She has experience working with children both in groups and in 1:1 settings. She is passionate about helping children to increase their independence and achieve their goals.

Outside of work Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She also loves playing netball, hiking and travelling. 

Marja and Bear are part of the Little Hands family and are a staple in the day-to-day clinic experience. Both are very loved by our little clients and their parents.

 

To enable Marja to participate in sessions and assist the therapists, she became a certified Therapy Assistant Dog with the Lead the Way and Alpha Canine Professional training program in 2016.