The Team
CARLA PORT
Carla is a co-director and principal therapist at Just Kids Occupational Therapy. Since graduating, Carla has chosen to work in paediatrics from the word ‘go’ as this is her passion. As a therapist and mother, Carla believes that a child’s confidence is of primary importance and should be fostered during each OT session. Carla is a positive and dynamic therapist who has always embraced the challenge of working with children of varying abilities and tailoring sessions to their specific needs, interests and skill levels. Carla is passionate about making a difference in each child’s life and ensures that each therapy session is both fun and stimulating.
Carla enjoys the process of developing rapport with both children and their families and believes that regular communication with parents is essential for effective therapy. She feels that she has learned as much from her clients as they have learned from her.
As a therapist, Carla ensures that skills acquired during therapy sessions are transferred to the home environment in order to maximise the outcomes of therapy.
Carla obtained her Bachelor of Applied Science degree from The University of Sydney. She is a current Member of AHPRA, Occupational Therapy Australia and is an Accredited Occupational Therapist. In addition Carla is trained in the Spalding Technique – which is a scientifically based language-arts instruction programme and in the DIR Floortime Model.
She has extensive experience working with children of varying abilities and challenges including: Autism Spectrum disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental Delay, Attention Deficit and hyperactivity disorder, Motor Dyspraxia , handwriting and written expression difficulties. Carla gained additional experience in Sensory Processing Disorders while living in Connecticut, USA.
As a mother of three young children Carla is only too aware of how important early, professional and loving interaction can enhance a child’s ability to succeed. Her ongoing commitment to professional development ensures that she does just that.
TANYA SARZIN
Tanya Sarzin is a University of Sydney Merit graduate with a Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy – Children with Learning and Co-ordination Difficulties) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy).
Tanya is a co-director and principal paediatric occupational therapist of Just Kids Occupational Therapy. Tanya has focused on childhood development—and is also the mother of four young children.
With a professional paediatric OT background both in Australia and abroad, Tanya has worked in London at the Wembley Centre for Health and Care.
As the Wembley Centre’s Senior Therapist, she assessed and treated children with global developmental delay, cerebral palsy, neurological disorders, learning difficulties, co-ordination disorders and autistic spectrum disorders.
‘I believe in using up-to-date techniques and research to enhance your child’s independence and confidence in daily activities,” Tanya says.
‘The most effective method for children to achieve their goals is by creating a therapeutic environment that is both fun and challenging.’
Tanya has experience and expertise in areas such as learning difficulties, co-ordination disorders, handwriting, fine-motor skill acquisition, gross-motor skills, sensory-processing disorders, autistic spectrum disorders and visual perceptual difficulties.
Passionate about helping children to achieve their goals and develop their confidence in the classroom, playground and social environment, Tanya assesses the child and designs a treatment plan:
- to provide strategies that improve the child’s performance in learning environments
- to reduce barriers that limit student participation within and outside the school environment
- to support the needs of students with disabilities.
Tanya has a holistic approach to every child. She assesses the child’s strengths and weaknesses in the context of school, home and the leisure environment. Her treatment plan provides realistic and achievable goals for the child.
Tanya is a professional member of the AHPRA and the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists.