Chloe Johnston
Chloe is our principal speech pathologist and director. Chloe graduated from La Trobe University after completing a double degree; a Bachelor Health Sciences and Masters Speech Pathology. Chloe has experience working in private practices and educational settings. Chloe's passion for working with children and their families drove her to begin Communicate With Us. Chloe is committed to helping children, young people and adults achieve great things. Chloe enjoys a play based approach to therapy centred around strongly developed rapport and feelings of safety, comfort and confidence with the client and/or their families.
Accreditations
- Certificate III Community Servies
- Bachelor Health Science, La Trobe University
- Masters Speech Pathology, La Trobe University
Additional Training
"Being a Speech Pathologist is rewarding in so many different ways."
- DIR Floortime
- Lidcombe Program
- Management of School Age Stuttering
- Social Thinking
- Key Word Sign (KWS)
- Lego-Based Therapy Facilitator
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to Speech Generating Devices
- Pragmatic Language Skills: A hard nut to crack with Lucia Smith
- Literacy Intervention for Children with Dyslexic Risk Factors with Robyn Monaghan
- Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech - Preschool And More Severe Children
- Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech - Older Children & Residual Errors
- Infant Feeding Foundations Workshop
- Learn to Play with Karen Stagnitti
- Colourful Semantics
- Hanen It Takes Two To Talk
- Hanen More Than Words
- Nuffield Dyspraxia Program
- Sounds Write
- SOS Approach to Feeding
- Toolkit for CAS
- Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
And...
When I am not working, I love to spend time with my two children, husband and golden retriever. We enjoy going to the football, spending time with family and friends and going on 'adventures' such as going to the beach or to the zoo..
Karen O'Shea
Karen is one of our amazing Allied Health Assistants. Karen has over 25 years experience working in the education and disability sectors. Karen has extensive experience working with clients aged 3-18 years of age with a range of diagnoses including mild, moderate and severe intellectual disabilities, physical impairments and complex health issues. Karen joined Communicate With Us in 2020. Karen is the superstar behind all of our wonderfully presented and organised resources. Karen also sees clients for speech therapy sessions, implementing an individual therapy plan written and formulated by Chloe. Karen's passion is assisting children/individuals and their families to work towards their communication goals and to reach their full potential. Karen is committed to supporting and expanding the communication and social skills of individuals by actively engaging with them and modelling and teaching learning opportunities in an enjoyable and secure environment
Accreditations
- Health - Allied Health Assistant
- Certificate Schools Services Officer - Integration Assistant
Additional Training & Experience
"I am delighted to have joined the team at Communicate With Us"
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Key Word Sign (KWS)
- Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD)
- Speech Generating Devices
- Auditory Scanning
- Core Vocabulary Boards
- Aided Language
- Social Stories
- Video Self Modelling (VSM)
​
And...
When I am not working, I love to spend time at the beach. I love to spend quality time with my family and friends. I am well known for spoiling the dogs in our family.
Dwayne Johnston
Dwayne is one of our amazing Allied Health Assistants. Dwayne has many years experience working with children however is new to the field of allied health. Dwayne comes with a passion for excelling in his new career and brings a world of enthusiasm. Dwayne has experience working with teenagers and young adults, as well as lived experience raising young children. Dwayne joined Communicate With Us in 2024, after completing his studies. Dwayne's passion lies in supporting teenagers and young adults with specific regards to their social communication difficulties. Dwayne also enjoys working with children and supporting their speech and language development through the magic of sport and movement. Dwayne is committed to supporting his clients and their families to engage in all aspects of their lives and feel a strong sense of community each and every day.
"I am looking forward to a career change and working in a field that offers so much. I am loving working with my clients each week."
Accreditations
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
And...
When I am not working, you will find me with my kids at local sports, watching sport or playing sport. I love spending time with my family and friends.
Nikki Jack
Nikki is one of our amazing Allied Health Assistants. Nikki has 16 years experience working in school settings with students with Moderate-Severe Intellectual Disabilities, Autism and/or physical disabilities. Nikki joined Communicate With Us in 2024. Nikki will be working behind the scenes at CWU in 2025, making some amazing resources for all of our clients and completing much of the non-face-to-face client based work. Nikki is committed to providing clients with visual and other supports that will increase their independence and overall quality of life. Nikki enjoys supporting students of all ages to create a fun and positive learning environment to support their individual learning goals and to foster their independence.
Accreditations
- Certificate IV in Community Services (Disability Work)
- Integration Aide
Additional Training & Experience
"I enjoy supporting clients of all ages across all areas, to create a fun and positive environment and to foster their independence."
- Key Word Sign (KWS)
- Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD)
- Core Vocabulary Boards
- Social Stories
- Boardmaker
​
And...
When I am not working, I love spending my time with family and friends. My partner, two children and our new puppy are keen adventurers, we love holidaying and going to new places. We enjoy sharing our adventures with family and friends too. My favourite part of the week is our family movie night. Movies, takeaway and hanging out together.