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Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Basis of Health and Disease), BBiomedSci (Hons I), (University of Otago)
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Doctor of Philosophy with a thesis in Human Genetics, PhD (University of Otago)
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Master of Speech Pathology Studies, MSpPathSt, (The University of Queensland)
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Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Rachel’s path into speech pathology has been a little different to most. Before becoming a Speech Pathologist, she was an academic researcher in the field of Human Genetics, working across universities in New Zealand and Australia. While she found research intellectually rewarding, she was drawn to a profession where she could make a tangible difference in people’s lives every day. Rather than working towards outcomes that might take years to translate into clinical practice, Rachel wanted to see the impact of her work firsthand through the small but meaningful changes that help children and families thrive.
Rachel brings a unique combination of scientific knowledge, research expertise and clinical experience to Kids Chatter. She holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, a PhD in Human Genetics, and a Master of Speech Pathology Studies. Prior to joining Kids Chatter, she worked in a generalist paediatric private practice setting, supporting children and families across a range of communication and feeding needs.
Rachel particularly enjoys working in the areas of literacy, early language development, and school readiness skills. She has a special interest in supporting children in their Kindergarten and Prep years, helping them build the communication foundations they need to thrive both socially and academically as they transition into school.
Why Kids Chatter?
“I first became aware of Kids Chatter through word of mouth from other clinicians and, as someone who lives locally, I’d also heard positive things from families in the community. What really stood out to me was the collaborative team culture and the support available to clinicians. Being part of a team that shares ideas, learns from one another and is united by a genuine commitment to helping children and families was something that really appealed to me.”
Outside of work, Rachel is kept busy with the many activities that come with mum and family life, from school commitments to sport and music. When she does find some downtime, she enjoys baking up a storm or curling up with a good book.
