The Next Challenge Team

	Kendra Bell DIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL SPEECH PATHOLOGIST Kendra Bell is a Speech Pathologist and trained Facilitator. She has had considerable success in managing and working with allied health and community health professionals in rural and metropolitan settings. As Chief Speech Pathologist of the sole tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia , she gained an understanding of statewide planning for paediatric health needs. She is the co-author of two communication screening tools and author of a book on management strategies for allied health professionals. Kendra has a strong grounding in primary health care principles and uses these principles in her approach with families, with a particular focus on children with dyspraxia.
	MICHELLE QUAIL SPEECH PATHOLOGIST Michelle is a Speech Pathologist who enjoys working with the paediatric population across a range of areas, with a special interest in memory and literacy. She recently completed a research project into the benefit of providing visual supports to aid children's auditory memory, which will be published in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology in 2009. Michelle is on the executive committee for the WA branch of Speech Pathology Australia and is passionate about improving the community's awareness of the profession and what services are available. Michelle is also the School Services Coordinator at Next Challenge, which involves the development of assessment and intervention programs to suit the individual needs of schools across the disciplines and coordinating students on their clinical placements.
	Polly woODFINE (nee Womersley) Senior Speech Pathologist   Polly's working life began in the United Kingdom, however for the last two years she has been enjoying the sunshine in Australia whilst practicing with Next Challenge! Polly has vast experience working with children of all ages who present with a wide variety of speech, language and literacy difficulties. Her work has been based in the clinic, home and school settings. She has a particular interest in working with children with speech, literacy and word finding difficulties and is currently in the process of publishing a therapy tool to help children improve their knowledge and use of words, as well as to help children with "word finding" difficulties.
	AMY HOLLINS Clinical manager occupational therapy SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Amy is an Occupational Therapist with experience across a variety of areas including baby play, early intervention, school-aged therapy and home-visiting. Amy developed management and planning skills whilst working as a senior in a busy rural and remote centre of Western Australia. Amy has a keen interest in Rural, Indigenous and Primary Health and this led her to complete a rural fellowship last year. Amy enjoys working in close collaboration with communities, families and children and became well practised at this during her fellowship project entitled "Playing at the Park". Amy aims to continue to improve her capacity for developing ideas that will assist children to develop happily and healthily.
	JODIE WATTS Occupational Therapist Jodie is an occupational therapist with experience in working in early intervention and school age therapy in the areas of gross motor / fine motor development, perceptual skills development, sensory processing, social skills development, developmental delay and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Jodie is also experienced in working with children, young adults and their families in equipment provision, wheelchair modifications, environmental modifications and neurological rehabilitation. Jodie is also a qualified primary school teacher and has had extensive experience working with children in the school environment and with teachers and schools as a whole to create optimal learning environments for all children. Jodie strongly believes in working with therapists, families and schools to provide the best results for children and their families. Jofie is passionate about assisting people with disabilities to reach their goals and their fullest potential in life.
	CLAIRE NAILER Physiotherapist Claire is a physiotherapist with experience working in school, home, hospital and community settings, including children of school age and early intervention. She also enjoys teaching physiotherapy students as a practical lab assistant at Curtin University, and as a Clinical Tutor in community settings for the School of Physiotherapy. Claire has attended several training programs, including Bobath, neurodevelopmental therapy, seating and positioning, and working with children with multiple disabilities. Claire has a particular interest in infant development, children with disabilities and neurological disorders, and is a keen advocate for inclusion for all children in all areas. Claire enjoys working with other members of the team, to assist children and families to achieve goals that are important to them.
	MIKE HOWES Practice Manager
	SALLY GREY Administrative Assistant
	HAYLEE RAKICH THERAPY ASSISTANT

Team members currently on long term leave

Natalie Dewson
Director / Principal Physiotherapist

 
Julie Hunt
DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

LYNDA DEL BIANCO

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

In addition, Next Challenge has a number of sessional therapists.