Hello,
I'm Denise
A Therapy Assistant & Support Person for children with learning delays and specialised needs. I work with children both in person and online.
About My Approach
Are you feeling like you've become more the teacher than the parent?
Most know that it can take hours of "home-work" to attain the results needed to overcome the challenging areas of our children's learning. These can be hours that the therapist/teachers can’t always do (and the financial costs can be huge!). So this can fall, heavily at times, on the carers to find the time to fill this gap of homework hours.
This is where I come in. My business model is to work along side ‘gung-ho’ parents, as their proxy, for the homework needed to achieve the outcomes set by the professionals. That in turn helps mum, dad and other carers to enjoy being the wonderful care givers they are.
Accelerated Learning
I specialise in building positive behaviours using positive parenting techniques that, in turn, helps children to not only enjoy their sessions with me but to achieve an acceleration in their learning.
I am a firm believer in protecting and building a child's self-esteem. It is at the centre of everything I do.
I also believe all learning with me should have a fun element to it. If the child has a job that isn't fun then its my goal to make it fun for every child I work with. Yes, that's a big statement but my reputation speaks for itself.
Skills & Expertise
Learning programs I have been involved with:
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Special Schooling & Home Classroom Assist - 12yrs
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TeachTown Curriculum / Homeschooling - 4yrs
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IXL online Curriculum/ Homeschooling - 4yrs
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ACE Curriculum / Thailand - 5mths
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Reading our Way Program - I have this program - 1yr
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EmotionABCs online Program - 8mths
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Language Building / Therapy Assistant - 8yrs
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PALs Socialising / Coordinated groups 4-6yr olds - 2yrs
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PODD language development - 3yrs
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PODD building electronic personalised versions - 1 yr
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Occupational Therapy Assistant - 8yrs
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Physiotherapy Assistant - 2 years
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Behaviour Assistant - 5yrs
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Speech Therapy Assistant / verbal & non-verbal - 8yrs
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Key Support Person - 8yrs
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Assistant to Access the Community - 8yrs
Continued down ...
Experience
2023 - Present
Location: Emerald, QLD
Therapy Assistant/Key Support Person
Age: 11 years old
disAbility: Down Syndrome
Key Supports: Life skills, language & reading, school tutoring, community engagement
Programs & Therapies: ABA-VB, Forbrain and Fast ForWord Programs, RLi Reading and language development, Speech & OT therapies, Swimming Safety,
2020 - 2023
Location: Gold Coast, QLD
Therapy Assistant/Key Support Person
Ages: 8-19 years old
disAbilities: T21, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Global Physical Global intellectual (wheelchair, non-verbal),
Programs & Therapies: Speech, PODD, ProLo2go, Physio, Occupational Therapies, Behavioural Therapies, Dyslexia assistance, numeracy and literacy assistance, volunteer at Mudgeeraba Special School
Virtual Classroom/Therapy Assistant & Coordinator
Zoom Connection: Shanghai, China & Brisbane, Australia
Age: 7, 8, 10, 14 years old,
disAbility: Down syndrome, Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism
Programs & Therapies: Numeracy & Literacy assistance, Speech Therapies Assistance, EmotionalABC's Program
January-June 2020
Location: Chainat, Thailand
Dorm Parent Manorom International School
(Short term voluntary position)
Ages: 6 & 11 yr old, 15-19 years old
Key Supports: Supervision of Students outside of school hours at their boarding campus. Consulted & assisted teachers/students with learning challenges in the Primary school. When COVID-19 lockdown came in, I assisted within the temporary classrooms within the quarantined boarding campus and continued to supervise students after school hours.
disAbilities: Dyslexia, Autism
Programs & Therapies: ACE Curriculum
August-November 2019
Location: Shanghai, China
Therapy Assistant/Key Support Person
(Short term position to assist with transition to China)
Age: 7 years old
disAbility: T21 Down Syndrome
Key Supports: Assisted family with relocation, life skills, language & reading, community engagement
Programs & Therapies: ABA-VB programs, TeachTown online Curriculum, Social and Community Engagement
January 2016-July 2019 2023 to present
Location: Emerald, QLD
Therapy Assistant/Key Support Person
Age: 5-7 years old
disAbility: Down Syndrome
Key Supports: Life skills, language & reading, school tutoring, community engagement
Programs & Therapies: ABA-VB, TeachTown, Portia, Reading Our Way, Speech & OT therapies
2012-2015
Location: Emerald, QLD
Therapy Assistant
Ages: 9, 10-12, years old
disAbility: Dyslexia, ADHD, ODD, Autism, learning delays
Key Supports: Language & reading, school tutoring
Programs & Therapies: Dyslexia Program guided by Therapist
Teachers Aid
(Special Needs Dpt @Emerald Christian College)
Ages: various from 5 - 17 yrs
disAbility: Dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, ODD, Autism, learning delays, Auditory Processing disorders, Cleft Palate - speech & self-esteem, Anxiety, and Behavioural issues
Key Supports: Learning support within class time 5-17 yr, implemented Multi-Sensory learning groups (primary level x 2 groups), implemented PALs Social skills for groups in 4-6 yrs olds, reading programs for Dyslexia 7-11yrs
Programs & Therapies: Multi-Sensory Literacy, PALs Social Skills, and the schooling curriculum
Client & Therapist References
Denise is one of the few people who truly gets what is needed to change behaviours. She is reliable, loyal, hardworking and, most of all, professional and has a long-term view.
Denise uses positive parenting strategies to achieve goals and she achieves results.
I can highly recommend Denise to provide parenting support services as well as skill development support to children with or without a diagnosed disability.
Judith Peerlings
(Accredited Mental Health Social Worker)
December 2021
Click on Judith's Icon to view her page
I first met Denise 5 years ago. Denise’s name was put forward as an education support worker for 2 of my clients, both with ASD and Dyslexia.
Within minutes of meeting Denise I knew she was the unique person needed for this role. Denise has a natural ability to work with children but more importantly she has a gift to work with children who require that extra “something”. That extra something cannot be learned or taught. That extra something can only come from the heart and soul of a person. Denise works from her heart and soul and that is a rare and priceless gift to be valued.
Brenda Baird
April 2021
Click on Brenda's Icon to view her page
Certifications
Benchmark College, NSW
Cert IV in Frontline Business Management
Blue Card Holder
Expiry 23/07/2026
First Aid Certification
Expiry 27/04/2025
Drivers License
Expiry 23/12/2024
Vehicle Comprehensive Insurance
Expiry 08/04/2024
Public Liability Insurance
Expiry 06/07/2024
Hourly Rates
WEEKDAY RATES (in person)
$45.00 per hour - minimum 2 hours per shift
(charged at 15 minute increments)
WEEKEND/PUBLIC HOLIDAY RATES (in person)
$75.00 per hour - minimum 2 hours per shift
(charged at 15 minute increments)
WEEKDAY RATES
(virtual via Zoom)
$25.00 for a 30 minute shift OR
$45.00 per hour (charged at 15 minute increments)
WEEKEND/PUBLIC HOLIDAY RATES
(virtual via Zoom)
$40.00 for a 30 minute shift OR
$70.00 per hour (charged at 15 minute increments)
Overnight (inactive) Sleepover RATE
$240.00 from child asleep to wake up, above 'in person' rates per hour when child is active
MORE THAN ONE CHILD - PRICES TO BE DISCUSSED