Occupational Therapy, SPeech Pathology and Key Worker

Our lead clinician Debashis (Debu) Mondal is an AHPRA registered Occupational Therapist.  He focuses on providing a fun and captivating environment where children are actively engaged in therapy.  His warm and kind-hearted spirit attracts even the most apprehensive child. 

Debu brings a wealth of 22 years of experience to his role as an occupational therapist.  Specifically, he has dedicated 14 years to paediatric occupational therapy, serving with distinction at two leading early childhood intervention providers in Victoria. Before this paediatric specialised focus, Debu spent 8 years gaining invaluable experience across diverse settings, including an autism specialised school, mental health services, paediatric physical disability, community-based rehabilitation, as well as spinal & stroke rehabilitation.  

Debu is an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule  (ADOS ) trained therapist and he has practical experience working within a  renowned autism assessment clinic in Northern Melbourne. 

Debu has always had a passion for working with children and their families and a passion for learning.  He is certified in the SOS approach to feeding, specialised sensory based intervention, integrated listening, aquatic occupational therapy and many more areas of paediatric occupational therapy.   

Debu has an exceptional ability to connect with children who are usually on their own agenda and reluctant to engage. 

Debu is a loving father who enjoys his free time with family, traveling, going to sports & fishing  and sharing household activities with his wife.  

Shalini is a highly skilled Early Childhood Intervention Key Worker and Specialist Teacher, bringing over 14 years of experience in the education and therapeutic sectors. Her expertise spans across various domains, including child-centred care, play therapy, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Shalini is passionate about delivering personalized strategies that cater to each child's unique developmental needs, with a strong emphasis on family-centred collaboration and coaching. Her approach integrates communication and social skill development, ensuring that children not only achieve their NDIS goals but also build confidence as active participants in their own learning journey.

Shalini excels in working within multidisciplinary teams, collaborating seamlessly with educators, therapists, and families to design and implement effective programs. She is dedicated to creating inclusive and stimulating learning environments that comply with national quality standards, ensuring that each child thrives in a supportive setting. Her proficiency in assistive technology and behavioural support further enhances her ability to provide comprehensive care tailored to the needs of children with autism, learning, behavioural, and developmental challenges.

In addition to her technical expertise, Shalini’s strong interpersonal and communication skills make her an exceptional collaborator and advocate for the children and families she supports. She is committed to creating rich learning experiences that foster both emotional and developmental well-being. Shalini’s extensive background in program design and her focus on building positive self-image through practical, age-appropriate strategies reflect her dedication to providing high-quality care.

Shalini’s hands-on understanding of Early Childhood Intervention frameworks allows her to effectively integrate learning across home, childcare, and kindergarten settings. This ensures the seamless implementation of NDIS goals within early childhood environments, helping children develop critical skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Shalini is not only committed to her professional growth but is also passionate about fostering a love for learning in children from diverse backgrounds. Outside of her work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and travelling. 

Rachel Volbeda has been a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist for more than 12 years, working in transdisciplinary Early Childhood Intervention settings with preschool and school aged children and their families.

Rachel delivers a strengths-based service and values the priorities of parents and the relationship between children and their community. Rachel believes real change happens when parents and carers are supported to use strategies in their everyday routines. 

Rachel has a particular interest in using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) strategies for children who are needing extra supports to communicate, including signing (key word sign), picture supports and Speech Generating Devices. Rachel is experienced working with autistic children and supporting families to increase their understanding and confidence to advocate for their children in their early years and beyond.  Rachel is also experienced with fussy eating, speech and language disorders and general childhood development. 

At home, Rachel is a mother of two children and enjoys family walks, playing basketball and learning about new areas of Speech Pathology to share with families.

Pallavi Hardikar- Paediatric Physiotherapist 

Pallavi is an AHPRA registered Physiotherapist with 12+ years of dedicated experience in paediatric care. She passionately nurtures the potential within every child, recognising their unique abilities across a diverse spectrum of conditions, including genetic syndromes, developmental delay and neurological disorders. She is dedicated to ensuring that physiotherapy is not only effective but also enjoyable and playful for a child.

Holding a Master’s degree in Pediatric Physiotherapy, her expertise is a testament to her commitment to improving young lives. 

Pallavi collaborates closely with families to create interventions that combine clinical precision with integrated approaches, tailoring each session to the child’s needs. 

Outside of her professional life, Pallavi is a mother of two and enjoys spending quality time with her family and travelling together. 

Kara Moroney- Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Kara is a passionate Paediatric Occupational Therapist with extensive 12+ years of  experience across a range of settings; including specialist schools, community health, and private practice. Kara sees the strengths and capabilities within each child, inclusive of the family she works with. She values focusing on a child centred approach, whilst providing a collaborative plan with each family.

Her areas of interest include autism,  developmental delays, sensory processing, motor skill development, and educating/coaching parents to manage challenging behaviours.  

Outside of work, Kara is a mother of two and enjoys spending time with family, good coffee, and going to the beach.