Turn your NDIS plan into action

Alice Holden

Psychologist

Alice has learnt a lot from people with disability and their caregivers. She has seen people overcome obstacles, learn new skills, and of course have fun.

Alice is a registered Psychologist who has provided behaviour support since 2008.

She is passionate about supporting people’s; sense of safety, healthy relationships, play, understanding, and personal development.

Outside of work, Alice seeks out nature, reads, plays bass guitar, and goes to trivia nights. She most enjoys a good laugh and a heart-to-heart.

Chloe Barnard

Speech Pathologist

Chloe is a Speech Pathologist, who qualified in the UK. She moved to Australia in 2013, and has now happily settled in the Hunter region with her partner and two lovable (and slightly naughty!) puppies. Chloe has a specialist interest in neurological conditions, both acquired and progressive, and in complex swallowing disorders. Back in the UK, Chloe ran a volunteer support project for those with traumatic brain injuries, and got to present the project to the Queen!

Chloe has widespread experience working in hospitals and the community, supporting adults and children to achieve their goals. Chloe enjoys working as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide a holistic approach to assessment, intervention, and management of communication and swallowing difficulties. Chloe is an LSVT certified clinician.

Kimberly Mulder

Team Leader – Hunter NDIS Therapy Services

Kimberly grew up in Newcastle and developed a passion for supporting people with their communication, having been born deaf in her right ear and developing Meniere’s Disease in her left ear as a teenager. With a huge amount of support, Kimberly decided to get a cochlear implant in 2015 and despite the hard work, is continuing to enjoy the beauty of more sound every day. Kimberly is now learning how to play the piano and is loving hearing all the different parts to the music.

Kimberly graduated as a Speech Pathologist and has been working with children and adults with complex communication support needs for many years. Kimberly is very passionate about alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) and people’s right to communication access. Kimberly is a Key Word Sign State Trainer and Key Word Sign Presenter who loves to support families to use Key Word Sign to communicate at home. Kimberly is also the very proud mother of two beautiful but cheeky labradoodles who have mastered the signs for sit, no and stop!

Kimberly started working with Ability Options to develop a therapy team in the Hunter under the NDIS and now provides leadership support to the team. Kimberly is a strong advocate for the rights of people with disability and appreciates the opportunity to have such an amazing job doing something, as incredibly important, as supporting people with disability to achieve their goals and be included in their communities.

Jamie Williams

Senior Speech Pathologist

Jamie grew up in Newcastle and graduated as a Speech Pathologist from Newcastle University in 2009. When Jamie isn’t at work she enjoys family time and exploring rock pools and the outdoors with her very energetic little boy.

Jamie believes feeding, communication and relationship are all aspects of our lives that we gain so much enjoyment from. Striving to empower individuals to have a voice, enjoy feeding/mealtimes and build and maintain relationships, through communication is one of her passions.

Jamie has a special interest in paediatric feeding, early intervention and working within a transdisciplinary model. Jamie believes in evidence based practice and has attended many professional development courses, some of these include, The SOS Approach to Feeding, Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, Key Word Sign, DIR Floor-time and PODD.

Kasey Woodham

Speech Pathologist

Kasey is a country girl at heart who grew up on a property where she rode horses and motorbikes and built cubby houses out of sticks with her brothers.

Kasey’s youngest brother was born with complex medical needs and a severe physical disability. Throughout her childhood, she was involved in helping him play with switch toys, explore communication boards, trial communication devices and discover how he could communicate using his body language, facial expression and eye gaze. This was how Kasey knew she wanted to become a Speech Pathologist.

Kasey is a strong advocate that everyone deserves opportunity to learn and have access to communication. Kasey’s approach to therapy is about thinking outside of the box and working with your strengths to help you develop your communication skills in a way that is meaningful to you. Kasey strives to empower you with knowledge and ideas to achieve your communication goals.

Kasey’s training includes certification in PEERS (for teen social skills), Key Word Sign and PODD. Kasey’s achievements include being awarded Lake Macquarie’s 2015 Young Citizen of the Year through the Australia Day Awards for her commitment and passion in supporting people with complex communication needs.

Kellie Abraham

Occupational Therapist

Kellie wanted to become an Occupational Therapist because of her passion for health, the body and a life-long need to help others maximise their functional goals.

Kellie has an extensive work history supporting children and families with complex functional, behavioural and social needs, a passion she developed while working as a Case Manager before becoming and Occupational Therapist.

Kellie continues to enjoy a holistic, achievable, realistic and down to earth approach to therapy. She has a special interest in equipment prescription and working with those with neurological conditions, both acquired and progressive. Kellie is passionate about disability advocacy, promoting independence, and supporting people to achieve their therapy goals.

Being a busy Mother of four, Kellie understands the importance of therapy remaining routine based making her a good problem-solver and pliable Therapist.

When not working as a fulltime Occupational Therapist with Ability Options, you will find Kellie anywhere near the ocean. A self-confessed “outdoors” person, Kellie enjoys new adventures, travelling, the beach, camping and spending time with her family.

Chloe Davis

Speech Pathologist

Chloe is a Speech Pathologist who enjoys working holistically with families, regular support workers and transdisciplinary/interdisciplinary teams to find realistic ways to achieve goals that will make a difference in everyday life.

Chloe has a special interest in working on developing language skills and using Augmentative and alternative communication, including visuals, Key Word Sign, iPads and Communication Devices. Chloe is a Hanen certified Speech Pathologist.

Chloe is passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow. She knows that communication has an impact on all areas of a person’s life. Chloe has developed these skills during interactions with people in the community as a volunteer and a Disability Support Worker.

Chloe can work with you, and people who are regularly around you to gain an understanding about your needs and how to work together to achieve your communication goals.

When she is not at work, Chloe loves to chill out/relax by reading, attending yoga classes and spending time with her family.

Nicola Maidment

Occupational Therapist

Nikky grew up in a small town on Lake Macquarie as the youngest of a big blended family. Nikky is an Occupational Therapist who has a particular interest in Mental Health and Paediatrics. Nikky is passionate about person-centred practice and strives to be an advocate for the people she supports. Nikky believes in empowering others to achieve their goals and their personal potential.

Before joining the therapy team Nikky worked as a Disability Support Worker and then Intake Officer for Ability Options where she gained firsthand experience of supporting people with a disability in the home and community.

Nikky’s idea of relaxation is holidaying in her self-converted campervan which she recently spent time exploring the Australian east coast.

Sian Lucas

Physiotherapist

Sian graduated with a Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney in 2013. Sian’s interest in Physiotherapy began when a farming accident left her with a mild physical disability when she was young, and Physiotherapy got her up and walking again. In 2008, she swam at the Paralympic games in Beijing, and in 2015, backpacked for 14 months around the globe. These experiences led her to gain a greater understanding of disability and what people can achieve.

Sian has a keen interest working in disability, and in particular with children. She believes in working in a family/person centered approach, towards goals specific to each person, and enjoys helping people get the most out of life. Sian has Physiotherapy experience in a range of areas including inpatient and community work, and has even volunteered as a Physiotherapist in a Mexican school for children with disabilities.