Kelly graduated in 2006 in Leeds, England, working at the Department of Education in England and the NHS across 3 NHS Trusts. Here she worked in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, MND clinics, community clinics, a Specialist Language Unit, Mainstream and Specialist Schools as well as being the lead Speech Pathologist for 3 brand new Child and family Centres. Alongside this, in 2008, Kelly set up her own private practice working as an Independent Speech Pathologist. Upon arriving in Australia in 2010, Kelly worked in an Early Intervention Team, originally only planning to stay for 6 months before staying for almost 7 years. This formed her clinical progression into ASD assessments. Kelly then continued in her own private practice role that had been set up in 2012 and through her love of assessments, founded KL Assessments with her business partner Louise.

Kelly has been fortunate to work under the supervision of Helen Rippon, Speech Pathologist and Illustrator of the popular Black Sheep Press worksheets, undergo training at the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering and complete training in Hanen, Social Thinking, Talkability, Floortime DIR and administering the ADOS and Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment and Therapy.

Kelly’s passion lies in supporting babies and children with orofacial myofunctional disorders and assessing/supporting children with speech/language and ASD assessments, guiding them on their next pathway.

When not at work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family at the beach and hanging out with friends.

Louise has been working as a psychologist for more than 10 years. She was always keenly interested in Forensic Psychology and her goal was to work in prisons once qualified however, while studying she completed placements that completely changed the direction of her future career.

Louise completed a 9-month placement within the area of neurodevelopmental disabilities. During this time, she worked with many incredible children and families and within a team of talented allied health professionals which ignited her passion for this area of practice.

In 2012, Louise simultaneously started her own private practice and worked in the Early Intervention Team at Gateways Support Services providing therapeutic support to neurodivergent children and adolescents and their families. In 2013, Louise completed ADOS-2 training at Latrobe University with Dr. Kristelle Hudry and became part of a multidisciplinary ASD assessment team with Kelly until 2015 when she left to have her third child, and fourth in 2017. She continued providing therapy and ASD assessments with Kelly privately but dreamed of establishing a clinic offering assessments and supporting families; and KL Assessments was officially formed. Louise relates to the many emotions parents experience through the assessment process, having been through it for her own children. It has always been important to her that families feel listened to, understood, and supported throughout what can be a very overwhelming process.

Louise has completed training in Social Thinking, Hey Warrior and is a trained facilitator of the Social Stencil program. She also has extensive experience with a range of standardised assessments including the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Louise uses evidence-based frameworks such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Zones of Regulation, Floortime and Positive Behaviour Support.

Louise is in a unique position. She is a neurodivergent woman with four neurodivergent children of her own and provides therapy and assessments to neurodivergent individuals. She is passionate about the journey from assessment to diagnosis and the importance of clients understanding themselves, embracing who they are and celebrating their neurodiversity.

When not working, Louise loves spending time with her husband and children, snuggling with her dog and cats, immersing herself in puzzles and adding to her Pokémon collection in Pokémon Go! Fun fact: she loves Converse shoes and has about 20 different pairs!