Lavanya is a registered Paediatric Occupational Therapist with over 20 years clinical experience in both private and public sector in Australia and India.

She is passionate about working with children who have difficulties with sensory processing, behaviour, fine and gross motor skills, self-help skills, attention and concentration skills and social interaction. Lavanya uses family- centred and strength-based therapy to help children engage in meaningful activities.

Lavanya has experience working with children with a range of conditions including dyslexia, autism, developmental delays, ADHD and physical disabilities. She has worked closely with parents/carers (and various key stakeholders) to identify goals for their children and families and support them to achieve these in the setting of their choice (home, school and other early childhood settings). Lavanya is experienced in delivering interventions for sensory processing, play skills, behavioural interventions, emotional dysregulation, gross motor and fine motor skills. Lavanya values the importance of regulation techniques including mindfulness and Alert program principles.

Lavanya has a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Dr.M.G.R. University, Chennai, India. She started her career as a Hand Therapist at the “Institute for Research and Rehabilitation of Hands”, also working as a university based clinical tutor/therapist managing a caseload of adult and geriatric clients with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and clients in palliative care.

In a previous role as a keyworker (family centered approach) Lavanya gained extensive experience working in the paediatric field. She utilises various inputs including standardised assessments, questionnaires and structured observation processes to understand a child’s current ability to achieve their roles in play, kinder/school participation, social interactions and family responsibilities. Lavanya applies developmental approaches to working with children to help them fully participate in therapy sessions and deliver the best possible outcomes for children and their families.

Lavanya has also worked as an Early Childhood – Early Interventional Coordinator for NDIS EACH where her primary duties included conducting eligibility screens and linking children who have not met the NDIS eligibility criteria to community and mainstream services. She has strong a knowledge of the NDIS system and also experience in developing NDIS plans for clients according to the NDIS guidelines. Lavanya has provided clients waiting for NDIS plan approval with short term/interim intervention support. This involved providing complex clients with conditions like spinal muscular atrophy, chromosomal abnormalities, with Assistive technology such as corner chairs, modified strollers, switch toys.

In the past role as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist at a private clinic, Lavanya is able to assist with fine and gross motor development, handwriting, independence in self-care activities, equipment prescription, development of social skills and more. She has special interest in assisting children to become more engaged with their school environment to increase their access to the curriculum. She is able to use her holistic view of practice to assist, drive and motivate children to meet their goals.