Speech Pathologists

Heidi Trusler

Speech Pathologist

Heidi is trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) which incorporates tongue tie, tongue thrust, tongue positioning for speech sounds, mouth breathing and oral habits. Her main clinical focus at Pop is complex case management for OM clients, where Pop collaborates with professionals all over Australia to achieve their client’s orofacial goals. She loves learning and is certified in the Spalding Method and Sounds ~ Write literacy programs, has trained in Hanen’s early language program, ‘It Takes Two to Talk’.

Bonnie Hayes

Speech Pathologist & Head of Speech Pathology

In her early career, Bonnie concentrated on paediatric hearing loss whilst working at the Hear and Say Centre. She is a certified Auditory Verbal Therapist and loves working with families and children to achieve their listening and spoken language goals. Bonnie is also trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) and has completed literacy training in The Spalding Method.

Bonnie is an unofficial culture queen, lighting up any room (even a virtual room!) that she enters. She absolutely loves supporting all of our Speech Pathologists to be their best professional and personal selves!

Danielle Wales

Speech Pathologist & Team Leader

Having spent most of her life in a rural area, she understands that these places don’t always have the things you want (Kmart!) or the things you need (a great Speechie available for regular therapy) at your doorstep… or maybe not even for the next 300km. This upbringing is what created her passion for providing services to people with limited options, which is made possible by Pop.

Jemima Commens

Speech Pathologist & Team Leader

Jemima has completed a variety of training and professional development including Sounds Write literacy intervention approach. She is passionate and enthusiastic about providing high quality, evidence-based client-centred care and enjoys working closely with clients and their families to achieve their goals.

Lyndal Thomas

Speech Pathologist & Team Leader

Lyndal was born and bred in rural NSW before she took a sea change to complete her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. Since graduating, Lyndal has spent her time living and working rurally in South-West QLD which has sparked her passion for rural and remote healthcare and providing a top quality service to these families.

Lyndal is trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, ADOS Autism Assessment, Sounds~Write literacy intervention and has a keen interest in paediatric feeding and speech sound disorders for which she has also done additional training.

Taylor Daly

Speech Pathologist & Team Leader

She has a particular interest in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and learning/literacy impairments. Living and working by the motto: “with the right support, everyone is capable of achieving their goals”, Taylor is committed to improving the quality of life as well as the communicative confidence in each of her clients.

Taylor has a background in mixed research studies, and is trained in The Spalding Method, Read3, and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy.

Stephanie Valaris

Speech Pathologist & Team Leader

Sydneysider Steph loves helping clients of all ages to reach their potential. She has a particular interest in children with speech, language and literacy difficulties, as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Steph has completed a variety of additional formal training programs including Sounds~Write, PECS, and paediatric feeding courses such as Melanie Potock’s Your Feeding Toolkit and ARFID: The Anxious Eater.