Jo is a highly experienced neuro-affirming speech pathologist with over two decades of expertise supporting children’s communication skills, in particular autistic children, adults, and their families. Currently based in the Kiama region her career has taken her across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia, where she has worked in multidisciplinary clinics, schools, diagnostic centres, and Defence Force schools in Europe.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Psychology and Speech Pathology from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Autism and Neurodivergent Studies. She is the director and principal therapist of Starfish Speech Pathology, known for its evidence-informed, high-quality, child-led therapy that embraces a “Team Around the Child” approach.

Training & Education Support

Jo is passionate about empowering parents, educators, and professionals through informative screenings, training, and practical support. She has worked extensively within the Catholic Education System in Sydney and the Illawarra, delivering Allied Health training programs that enhance inclusive practices in schools.

She also leads ‘Super Dads’, an initiative supporting fathers and male caregivers in their parenting journey. In addition, she co-directs Inclusion Therapy Training, a consultancy providing education and training for health and education professionals.

Specialist Areas

Jo’s commitment to ongoing learning is reflected in her extensive postgraduate training in:
Autism, ADHD, Gestalt Language Processing, situational mutism, anxiety, sensory integration, Key Word Sign, executive function, literacy, writing, dyslexia, working memory, dyspraxia, AAC, and feeding difficulties, among others.  See below for a list of courses she has undertaken.

She is also a certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) therapist, a relationship-based intervention for young autistic children, and is qualified to deliver parent and educator training programs, including

• Project ImPACT (Improving Parents As Communication Teachers). Project ImPACT is recognised as one of the most effective coaching programs for parents of young autistic children and related social communication differences.
• Coping with Uncertainty in everyday situations (CUES). Coping with Uncertainty in Everyday Situations (CUES©) is a parent-mediated group intervention aiming to increase autistic children’s tolerance to uncertain situations

• Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) and Classroom Facilitator (COSP) Classroom. The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

Beyond Speech Pathology

Outside of her professional life, Jo is a mother to two active teenage boys and a spirited springer spaniel. She enjoys the outdoors, yoga, and pilates and believes that children thrive when they feel safe, connected, and autonomous, with shared knowledge and respectful collaboration among those supporting them.

Professional Development & Certifications

Jo continuously updates her knowledge through specialist training with global experts in neurodivergent-affirming therapy. She is currently studying part-time for a Masters of Autism and Neurodivergent studies. See below for a list of training courses she has attended.

• 2026 The Pair Model Connect Play Learn
• 2025 Yellow Ladybugs Conference
• 2025 AAC intervention. Practical Clinical Strategies for SLPs: Amanda Hartmann
• 2024 Australian ADHD Conference
• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions. Dr Ross Green (2024)
• Yellow Lady Bugs Conference (2024)
• Bringing the energy: And all the autism Level up tools to support it. Level Up Autism. Dr Amy Laurent and Dr Jacquelyn Fede (2024)
• Play Learn Chat –Supportive Spaces. Adina Levy (2024)
• Supporting Autistic and ADHDer children at school. Chelsea Luka. (2024)
• Meaningful Speech for Gestalt Language Processors  (GLPs) and  AAC for GLPs. Meaningful Speech  (2023/2024).
• ADHD in Preschool: Early Diagnosis and Intervention for Young children. Alexis Bancroft, Ph.D (2024).
• Trauma Responsive Practice with children and families  Australian Childhood Foundation (2024).
• Exploring Friendship for autistic children in the Primary Years. Professor Tony Attwood & Dr Michelle Garnett Clinical Psychologists (2023).
• ADHD NSW conference (2023).
• ADHD and Autism. Professor Tony Attwood & Dr. Michelle Garnett Clinical Psychologists (2023)
• Bringing the energy: And all the autism Level up tools to support it. Level Up Autism Dr. Amy Laurent and Dr. Jacquelyn Fede (2023).
• The impact of masking on identifying autism and mental health. Speech Pathology Australia (2023).
• Making the shift Jessie Ginsburg and Chris (2023).
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) for Professionals Professor Tony Attwood &
• Dr Michelle Garnett Clinical Psychologists (2023).
• Play Learn Chat – Affirming Social Support. Adina Levy (2023).
• Social Stories 10.4 Carol Gray (2023)
• Executive Functioning  Seeds of Learning Terra Sumpter Full course (2023).
• Selective Mutism Treatment for Speech Pathologists Dr Elizabeth Woodcock (2023).
• Autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Professor Tony Attwood &
• Dr Michelle Garnett Clinical Psychologists (2022).
• Oral Language and Communication K-2 Katheryn Thornburn SP (2022).
• Supporting Literacy skills for Tier 3 Learner with co-existing conditions Kathryn Thornburn (2022).
• Executive Function Master Course Cara Koscinski OTD, MOT, OTE/L, CAS  (2022).
• Postgraduate Paediatric 4-day Feeding Workshop Responsive feeding Debbie Alvarez SP and Valerie Gent SP (2022).
• Diagnosis and Management of Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) Using Dynamic and Tactile and Temporal Cuing (DTTC) Edith Strand PH.D  (2020).
• LAMP  AAC strategies for promoting the development of Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020).
• Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech Preschool and more severe children  Tricia McCabe (2018).
• Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech Older and less severe children Professor Tricia McCabe PhD CPSP August (2018).
• Basic Key Word Sign NSW KWS (2019).
• The Power and Promise of Neurodevelopmental Approaches  Simone Gerber Ph.D.CCC (2015).
• Supporting Intentionality through the language of toys  Rebecca Berg MA OT and Kristin McNally MS OT (2015).
• Dyslexia Action UK Full Course (2013).
• Literacy: Learning to Read. Dr Roslyn Neilson (2012).
• Pragmatic language deficits. A contemporary approach from an interdisciplinary perspective. DR Cordier and Dr Munro (2012).
• Traffic Jam in my brain Gen Jereb (2012).
• How does Your Engine Run?  (2012).
• Using A developmental approach to address anxiety with children with ASD  Dr Ricki Robinson MD, MPH (2011).
• How to help children overcome aggression and behavioural problems  Stanley Greenspan MD. (2010).
• Basic DIR Course  Stanley Greenspan (2010).
• PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) Deborah Hayden (2009).
• Literacy as easy as ABC.