Mobile Paediatric Practice servicing areas of South East Melbourne
Welcome
At Little Buds OT we love helping children who are struggling with everyday life skills, whether these are at home, kinder or at school. We also focus on preparing children for the best possible transition to school.
​
Therapy is never as effective when it is forced or not fun. We let the child lead so that they feel like they are the most important and valued person in the room. When we truly get to know each other and therapy becomes meaningful to the child, that's when we see them flourish.
​
We know that parents/caregivers are the expert on their child and we value the importance of parental involvement in therapy sessions. Therefore whenever possible we work with you and your child to achieve the best outcomes. If you can't be at therapy sessions, we make sure to provide you with progress notes, photos and sometimes videos, so that you can follow-up on what we are working on, at home.
​
All our therapists are registered to practice as Occupational Therapists through Allied Health Practitioners Registration Authority (AHPRA) and are members of their professional association Occupational Therapy Australia.​
​
We look forward to hearing from you and supporting you and your child.
Meet Our Team
Kat Peters Director/ Occupational Therapist
I graduated as an Occupational Therapist (Masters of OT Practice) from LaTrobe University in 2006. I have worked in community health, in private practice with adults with acquired brain injury, and in paediatric community health. After having my own children 13 years ago, I needed more flexibility and started up my own private paediatric practice to provide much needed services in my local areas of Casey and Cardinia.
I have worked with children with varying needs and difficulties and I have enjoyed being part of their journey and seeing them flourish.
​
I am always striving to learn more about how to help the children we see, and I regularly attend professional development opportunities. Some of these have included:
​
-
Primitive Reflex Integration Training - RMTi (Moira Dempsey)
-
DIR Floortime Certificate of Proficiency 201 - ICDL
-
Using Gravity to Facilitate Development in Infants & Young Children
-
Decoding Autism - Kim Barthel
-
The Alert program - “How Does your Engine Run?”
-
Traffic Jam in My Brain – Gen Jereb
-
M.O.R.E - Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions
-
Making Sense of the Senses – Gillian Griffiths and Shannon Downey
-
Handwriting - Getting it Write - Lisa Scott & Suzanne Wakefield
-
Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance - CO-OP
-
Eyesight to Insight - Visual Vestibular Assessment and Treatment
-
Sensory Processing and Everyday Life - Dr. Winnie Dunn
Emma Occupational Therapist
I am an Occupational Therapist who has always been passionate about working with children and their families, with a strong interest in self-regulation, emotional regulation and behaviour. I graduated from the Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. My passion for working with children has led me to volunteer in specialist schools and I have a Professional Certificate of Education Support.
​
Professionally I have experience working with children of all ages, including teenagers, with a variety of diagnoses and I believe that utilising a child’s/teenager's strengths is the best way to achieve their goals.
​
Personally I have experience of disability with my younger brothers, which I believe helps me be a better therapist and gives me insight into the families I work with. I come from a big family and love spending time with my four siblings, as well as my dog, cats and chickens!
​
Some recent professional development I have completed includes:​
​
-
Primitive Reflex Integration Training - RMTi (Moira Dempsey)
-
DIR Floortime 101 & 201 Certificate - ICDL
-
Using Gravity to Facilitate Development in Infants & Young Children
-
Traffic Jam in My Brain – Gen Jereb
-
Handwriting and the CO-OP Approach
-
The Zones of Regulation
-
Talking Toileting
Taya Occupational Therapist
I completed my Masters of Occupational Therapy at Swinburne University.
I have worked with people of all ages in a variety of roles including personal care assistance in aged care and disability support work within the community.
​
I am passionate about working with children and have experience working with children with a variety of needs, including within the school setting. I love being part of their journey and seeing them achieve their goals.
​
I value the principles of DIR Floortime and I enjoy learning from the children I see, just as much as I enjoy teaching them and seeing them grow. I also have a particular interest in being able to communicate with people in any way possible and have recently completed a certificate in Auslan Level 2.
​
Personally, I enjoy keeping fit and have been a volunteer junior netball coach for many years.
​
Some recent professional development I have completed includes:​
​
-
Primitive Reflex Integration Training - RMTi (Moira Dempsey)
-
DIR Floortime 101 & 201 Certificate - ICDL
-
Alert Program, How Does Your Engine Run?
Merna Occupational Therapist
I graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the Australian Catholic University in 2016. Since then I have gained experience through my employment with adults and children in a range of areas including hospitals, community health, return to work (Occupational Rehabilitation) and paediatrics.
I found my passion to work with children after having my own daughter in 2021. I highly value working with children and their families with a respectful, honest and supportive attitude. I am passionate about enabling children to reach their full potential through fun and engaging child led therapy.
Personally, I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering at my local church.
​
I recently completed the Primitive Reflexes and Rhythmic Movement training with Moira Dempsey, which I look forward to utilising in my therapy sessions.
Ebony Occupational Therapist
I completed my Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University. Over the duration of my studies, I have gained experience in working with individuals of all ages within a variety of settings including mental health, physical rehabilitation and neurological rehabilitation. As a recently graduated OT, I look forward to continuing to progress my career and attend regular professional development opportunities.
Whilst I am passionate about enriching the lives of all individuals, I am particularly passionate about the field of paediatrics and supporting children to achieve their goals through fun, meaningful, strengths-based therapy.
I am a positive and enthusiastic individual and always strive to develop a safe and trusting therapeutic environment for those that I work with. I recently completed valuable training in Primitive Reflexes and Rhythmic Movement.
Personally, I grew up playing netball and have always loved being active. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and my very much loved dog, Riley.
Kerrie Therapy Assistant
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (honours) at Federation University. My passion for Occupational Therapy is founded on my interest in paediatrics and my kind nature of helping individuals progress toward accomplishments that are meaningful to them.
​
I have gained experience working on home modifications with the elderly as well as assisting children to complete activities such as drawing a picture in a day-care setting. I am looking forward to gaining more experience supporting children to achieve their therapy goals with Little Buds OT. The part of my job I enjoy most are catering activities to the specific needs of each child enabling them to reach the best outcomes. I also love the way the children tend to light up my day with their constant positive energy.
​
I’m passionate about my health and fitness, with pilates being a part of my weekly routine. My other interests are very travel related as I enjoy the outdoors, exploring new places, and fun summer activities such as paddle boarding.
​
I recently completed the DIR Floortime 101 Certificate through ICDL, and I look forward to utilising this amazing way of interacting with my clients.
Meg Therapy Assistant
I am currently in my third year studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (honours) at Monash University. I was drawn to study Occupational Therapy from my own life experiences as I grew up with an older brother with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. The amazing therapists who worked with him and my family over many years are what inspired me to become an OT and I hope I can provide the same experience to my own clients in the future.
​
I am looking forward to developing my knowledge and skills in paediatric occupational therapy during my time working as a therapy assistant at Little Buds.
In my spare time, I enjoy practising yoga, cooking (and eating!), skiing, travelling, watching Collingwood win and spending time with my family and pets.
I always look forward to learning new things and I am currently enrolled in the DIR 101 Floortime certificate through ICDL which I will be completing in September 2023. I am excited to learn more about this technique and to use the framework to guide my sessions.
