About OTeam

OTeam has a pre-school and primary school focus. We specialise in working with children 0-12 years. We differ from traditional therapy by working with a child in their natural environments, which offers families a flexible and accessible service as well as being able to forge links with key caregivers in the child’s life. The name ‘OTeam’ reflects the core philosophies of my practice:


KATE RINGVALL

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST/OWNER

I have always been a kid at heart, and when it came time to get my very first part time job, I found myself at Toys R Us! I first became interested in working more specifically with children during my time at Flinders University, where I was studying Behavioural Science. In 2001, under the supervision of Dr Robyn Young, I took on some additional part time work as an ABA therapist with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as part of the Flinders Early Intervention Research Program. During that time, an Occupational Therapist came to talk to us about the role they play in children’s development, and this really appealed to me.

After completing my Behavioural Science degree in2003, I applied for the Master of Occupational Therapy Graduate Entry degree at Uni SA and was fortunate to be offered one of the few places. I studied from 2004-2006, and during this time completed a lot of Mental Health placements, and then (finally!) a 3 month paediatric placement at Disability SA – Early Childhood Services (Northern). Since graduating university, my employment experiences have been varied:

  • Disability SA Child & Youth Team (North-Eastern Region) 2006-2007
  • Melton Shire Council’s “Rusden Early Intervention Team” (Victoria) 2007-2009
  • Write Intervention Private Practice (Southern region) 2009-2011
  • Natalie Hooper Occupational Therapy Services Private Practice (Northern Region) 2011-2013

My employment history has provided me with opportunities to work in both the government and private sectors, in a range of community settings and with a variety of clientele. I feel that I have developed a broad range of skills, from case management and multi-disciplinary team approaches to quite individual and specialist clinical skills. I am able to work together with key caregivers and organisations in their lives, including education settings, FamiliesSA, Anglicare and so on. I have always maintained a keen interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders, but also worked with children with many other kinds of needs (Down Syndrome, Mental Health difficulties, Foster children and many more!).

At the end of 2012, I felt ready to start my own business, which will allow me greater control over how I want to practice therapy and deliver services to clients. I look forward to working with your family!

ERIN TAYLOR

Occupational Therapist

I have grown up in and around schools with both of my parents, my sister, grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins working as teachers – predominantly in Primary Schools! I have always felt as though this career path was one that I would be able to do well as I have always loved working with children, but I wanted to branch out and find a career that would allow me to do something a little bit different. This is what led me to Occupational Therapy! While studying I had an opportunity to learn in a number of different placement settings, including Aged Care, Community Development, Mental Health and Paediatrics. Work with children was so coveted in OT students, and I thought I was going to work within the Mental Health sector, until I met Kate.

Outside of tertiary study, I was working in a number of part time roles, including Out of School Hours Care (OSHC and I always felt drawn to the students with additional needs. For the last 8.5years I’ve also been volunteering through my local Church working with teenagers 11-18years of age, helping facilitating Friday night programs and informal counselling support for teens going through difficult school and family circumstances, and with a variety of different mental health, physical health, and learning needs.

I met Kate through some professional and family contacts when she was looking to expand her private practice and include another employee. This was my first official OT position in 2014 and I haven’t looked back! Kate has been a fantastic employer, therapist, and mentor, and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. Through OTeam I have had opportunities to work with children ages 2+ and I have found a particular passion for working with primary school-aged children. I have worked with children with a variety of diagnosed health conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Anxiety, Global Developmental Delay (GDD), and Cerebral Palsy.

I am passionate about seeing children thrive and being provided with the best possible start to life! I believe that each child is special, and with a supportive team behind them, that they can reach their own personal potential. I look forward to becoming a part of your team, to work with you and your child to help them blossom into the best they can be.

OTeam has a pre-school and primary school focus. We specialise in working with children 0-12 years. We differ from traditional therapy by working with a child in their natural environments, which offers families a flexible and accessible service as well as being able to forge links with key caregivers in the child’s life. The name ‘OTeam’ reflects the core philosophies of my practice:

We are a small, close knit team of 3 occupational therapists, with an aim to have a limited number of clients to whom we can give 150%! We pride ourselves on being thorough, reliable, dedicated and consistent.  We make a commitment to tailor every child’s therapy sessions to their individual needs, and hope to give you lots of ideas about how to continue your child’s development outside of sessions – often you’ll have lots of tools under your own roof!

OTeam has a pre-school and primary school focus. We specialise in working with children 0-12 years. We differ from traditional therapy by working with a child in their natural environments, which offers families a flexible and accessible service as well as being able to forge links with key caregivers in the child’s life. The name ‘OTeam’ reflects the core philosophies of my practice:

We are a small, close knit team of 3 occupational therapists, with an aim to have a limited number of clients to whom we can give 150%! We pride ourselves on being thorough, reliable, dedicated and consistent.  We make a commitment to tailor every child’s therapy sessions to their individual needs, and hope to give you lots of ideas about how to continue your child’s development outside of sessions – often you’ll have lots of tools under your own roof!