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Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Evidence-based kids O.T. in Kiama, supporting sensory regulation, motor skills, and daily development.

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Child lying prone on a therapy swing during occupational therapy in Kiama Downs, supporting sensory regulation, vestibular function and motor skills with Koru Allied Therapies.

Paediatric OT

Our Occupational Therapists support children and adolescents across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven to build the skills they need for everyday life. OT helps children participate more fully in their world. This might mean learning at school, joining in play, or becoming more independent at home. We use evidence-based, best-practice approaches so each child can develop at their own pace and capacity.

Child attending Occupational Therapy participating in client-led, play-based learning utilising a puzzle to improve problem solving skills.

What we support with:

  • Emotional and sensory regulation
  • Fine and gross motor development
  • Handwriting and school readiness
  • Self-care (eating, dressing, toileting)
  • Play and social participation
  • Transitions, such as starting school

Why families choose us:

  • Best-practice approach — our OTs follow the latest Australian capability framework for paediatric practice, with measurable goals and outcomes.
  • Strengths-based and neuro-affirming — we build on each child’s abilities and interests, supporting them to thrive in their own way.
  • Family-centred — parents, grandparents, teachers, and carers are part of the team, so strategies carry over into daily routines.
  • Evidence-based expertise — our team combines day-to-day therapy with senior OT support for areas like parent coaching, feeding and fussy eating, and the SenseUp model.
  • Local and trusted — based in Kiama Downs, we work alongside families across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven to deliver therapy that fits real life.

Meet Our Occupational Therapists

Kate Coleman, Occupational Therapist and Director at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong
Ebony Poort, Occupational Therapist at Koru Allied Therapies in Kiama Downs, NSW

kate coleman

DIRECTOR + PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kate has been working as an Occupational Therapist with children and their families for over 10 years.

She is passionate about a family centred service and using a coaching style to help empower families to support their children to participate every single day. Kate has completed further training to provide feeding and mealtime therapy.

Kate has worked with children and families with a wide range of needs, including learning difficulties, genetic conditions, autism and neurological conditions.

ebony poort

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Ebony is an Occupational Therapist and proud local, bringing a calm, neuro-affirming approach to therapy. Her sessions are play-based and practical, with a focus on regulation, attention, fine motor skills and social connection so progress shows up at home, school and in the community.

Ebony is accredited with DIR Floortime and LEGO®-based therapy and loves tailoring activities to each child’s interests and energy. She works closely with families, teachers and our clinical team to set clear, achievable goals and simple home strategies that fit real life.

What she enjoys most is seeing children grow in confidence—celebrating the small wins that add up over time and helping them participate more fully in the things that matter to them.

READY TO START YOUR OT JOURNEY NOW?

COMPLETE OT INTAKE

Click the button above to submit our online intake form. Once received, a member of our team will contact you within 2–3 business days to discuss current availability, confirm your intake details, and guide you through our triage process

Kate Coleman

DIRECTOR + OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kate has been working as an Occupational Therapist with children and their families for over 10 years.

She is passionate about a family centred service and using a coaching style to help empower families to support their children to participate every single day. Kate has completed further training to provide feeding and mealtime therapy.

Kate has worked with children and families with a wide range of needs, including learning difficulties, genetic conditions, autism and neurological conditions.

 
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn

Ebony Poort

occupational therapist

Ebony Poort is an Occupational Therapist and proud local, bringing a calm, neuro-affirming approach to therapy. Her sessions are play-based and practical, with a focus on regulation, attention, fine motor skills and social connection so progress shows up at home, school and in the community.

Ebony is developing further skills in DIR Floortime and LEGO®-based therapy and loves tailoring activities to each child’s interests and energy. She works closely with families, teachers and our clinical team to set clear, achievable goals and simple home strategies that fit real life.

What she enjoys most is seeing children grow in confidence—celebrating the small wins that add up over time and helping them participate more fully in the things that matter to them.

Ebony Poort, Occupational Therapist at Koru Allied Therapies in Kiama Downs, NSW
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn

Brooke McPherson

admin + clients services

Brooke joins Koru as maternity leave cover for Teagan, seamlessly taking the reins of our day-to-day administration, operations, and scheduling. Bringing an extensive background in disability support operations, compliance, and client services, Brooke is an absolute win for our team.

Calm under pressure and highly organised, she keeps our clinic workflows running smoothly while ensuring families always experience a warm, helpful welcome. From managing complex schedules to supporting our clinicians, Brooke’s industry expertise ensures our communication and care don’t miss a beat.

Ruby Campbell

Allied Health Assistant (AHA)

Ruby joins Koru as an Allied Health Assistant (AHA), working across our clinic rooms and the wider community. Unbelievably multi-faceted, Ruby brings a vibrant and uniquely versatile skill set to her therapy support—blending structural learning, creative movement, and practical life skills into every session.

With a natural ability to connect with kids of all ages, she helps break down complex tasks into engaging, achievable steps. Collaborating closely with our multidisciplinary team, Ruby is passionate about helping children find their rhythm, build real-world confidence, and celebrate the small wins along the way.

Fiona Gordon

Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)

Fiona Gordon is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (Dietitians Australia), graduating from the University of Wollongong in 2008. She supports families and children across the Illawarra with mealtime guidance and a positive, neurodiversity-affirming approach to food. 

Fiona commonly assists with disabilities, food intolerances and eating difficulties, including ARFID, focusing on confident feeding, reduced stress at mealtimes, and practical nutrition that helps children grow and thrive.

Fiona Gordon, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with Dietitians Australia, contractor at Koru Allied Therapies in the Illawarra

Sunne Apete

Allied Health Assistant (AHA)

Sunny Apete joined Koru after a successful student placement and now provides calm, practical therapy support across clinic, home and school settings. Working alongside our clinicians, she helps children work towards their goals through play-based, everyday activities and keeps things simple for families with clear communication and easy home strategies. Her style is warm, patient and child-focused, so sessions feel welcoming and achievable.

Based on the NSW South Coast, Sunny supports our families south of Kiama, including Nowra, Bomaderry and the wider Shoalhaven. She coordinates closely with our OTs, EPs and Creative Arts Therapist so care is consistent across environments, and she loves celebrating the small wins that build confidence and participation over time.

Deb Hanslow

Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) + Allied Health Assistant (AHA)

Deb Hanslow is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Allied Health Assistant at Koru Allied Therapies, currently completing her Master of Occupational Therapy. With a background in dance teaching, gymnastics coaching and swim instruction, Deb helps children build confidence, develop functional skills and take part in the activities they love.

She works from a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach and is passionate about inclusive sport and recreation programs that support kids of all abilities to learn, grow and thrive.

Deb, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Allied Health Assistant at Koru Allied Therapies in Kiama Downs, NSW, currently studying a Master of Occupational Therapy

At Koru, Deb also facilitates group, holiday & hydrotherapy programs, learn more by clicking the buttons below:

Body Rockers children’s movement and fitness therapy group – Koru Allied Therapies
Koru Explorers school holiday therapy program – outdoor adventures and skill-building for kids at Koru Allied Therapies
Aquatic Acrobats water-based therapy program for kids – Koru Allied Therapies

Want to swap ideas on kids, therapy, and all things movement? Let’s connect on LinkedIn.

lETS CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

Taylah La Monica

allied health assistant

Taylah has answered the calling of our clinical team, becoming a dedicated Allied Health Assistant (AHA) , working two days a week alongside her full-time university studies as a second-year OT student. Already a firm favorite with the kids, Taylah brings an absolute wealth of clinical enthusiasm to her sessions across both the clinic rooms and the wider community.

Equipped with her Cert III in Allied Health Assistance, she is incredibly passionate about helping children build real-world independence. Alongside supporting our multidisciplinary team, Taylah also brings her signature positive energy to facilitating our group holiday programs, creating spaces where kids can connect, play, and build lasting confidence.

Taylah La Monica, Client Services & Administration at Koru Allied Therapies; Allied Health Assistant as required

Katelen De Coster

Client Services & Administration

Katelen De Coster is part of the Client Services & Administration team at Koru Allied Therapies. She welcomes families, manages enquiries and bookings, and keeps communication running smoothly.

Katelen is studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science with an interest in becoming an Exercise Physiologist, bringing a practical, movement-aware perspective to her client support role.

Katelen De Coster, Client Services & Administration at Koru Allied Therapies in Kiama Downs, NSW, studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science

Teagan Hartley

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

Teagan joined Koru Allied Therapies in April 2022 as we prepared to open our Therapy Hub. She keeps the team organised and the hub running smoothly, coordinating bookings and supporting families with a friendly, efficient approach. As part of our admin and client services team, Teagan works closely with clinicians and fellow admin to ensure clear communication and a great experience from first contact to ongoing care.

Teagan Hartley, Administration & Client Services at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong

Amber Jackson

CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST

Amber is a key part of the Koru team, bringing her expertise as a registered Creative Arts Therapist specialising in Dance and Movement Therapy. An active member of ANZACATA, Amber uses a clinically grounded, body-first approach to help children express themselves when words don’t come easily.

Highly skilled at tailoring her sessions to a child’s unique needs, Amber focuses on building emotional regulation, social communication, body awareness, and self-esteem through movement. She delivers her specialised therapeutic support across both one-to-one sessions and small groups in clinc and to the wider community. 

Amber Jackson, Creative Arts Therapist at Koru Allied Therapies Kiama Downs
Learn More about cREATIVE aRTS thERAPY
Illustration of a smiling child dancing with music notes, promoting the Creative Steps therapy program.

Chelsea Monaghan

Allied Health Assistant

Chelsea is our Allied Health Assistant, providing therapy and support services to our children and families. 

Chelsea has a training background as a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) and supporting kids to thrive in their learning and developmental goals.

Chelsea works with our allied health therapists to deliver agreed therapy and support goals in our rooms, as well as in homes and schools. 

Chelsea Monaghan, Allied Health Assistant at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong

Neville Coleman

DIRECTOR + EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST

Neville Coleman is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Co-Director at Koru Allied Therapies. He supports children, teens and adults to build movement confidence, strength and endurance so everyday life, work and sport feel more achievable.

His sessions combine playful, goal-focused activities for kids with evidence-informed exercise and conditioning for adults. Neville’s key areas include musculoskeletal rehab, persistent pain, deconditioning, return-to-work/sport, and general fitness. He collaborates closely with Koru’s therapy team, GPs and other clinicians, and works in a calm, neuro-affirming way so people feel safe and supported.

Neville Coleman, Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Co-Director at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong, NSW
Learn more about Exercise Physiology
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn

Kate Coleman

DIRECTOR + OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kate has been working as an Occupational Therapist with children and their families for over 10 years.

She is passionate about a family centred service and using a coaching style to help empower families to support their children to participate every single day. Kate has completed further training to provide feeding and mealtime therapy.

Kate has worked with children and families with a wide range of needs, including learning difficulties, genetic conditions, autism and neurological conditions.

 
Kate Coleman, Occupational Therapist and Director at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
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