Our Services
Supporting Your Child
through every phase of their childhood
Explore our tailored services designed to support your child’s unique needs and developmental goals. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to provide compassionate care and expert guidance, ensuring your child thrives in every aspect of their growth.
Speech Pathology
Helping children develop communication skills, whether verbal or non-verbal.
Occupational Therapy
Supporting the development of life skills, fine motor skills, and everyday tasks.
Psychology
Providing mental health support and interventions tailored to children’s unique needs.
Mobile Therapy
Ensuring your child receives the best possible treatment in a comfortable setting.
Group Therapy
Designed to help children practice real-life social scenarios, making therapy both fun and interactive.
Autism Spectrum Assessment
Experienced team ensures that your child’s unique needs are identified accurately.
School Holiday Programs 2026
Join Our Popular School Holiday Programs
Our very popular school holiday group programs are back again next January 2026! This is the perfect way for your child to develop skills in a way that is fun, with the guidance of 2 therapists, amongst their peers.
Registrations close Dec 20th so message us on socials or call us on 0426 776 028 or 0451 542 430 to reserve your spot. As always, spots will fill up fast.
Why Choose Us
Dedicated to empowering every child to reach their full potential
That’s the De Silva spirit
At De Silva Kids Clinic, we’re more than just a clinic—we’re your partner in your child’s development journey. Here’s why families trust us:
- Multidisciplinary Approach
- Specialised Autism Support
- State-of-the-Art Facilities
Our purpose-built sensory gym and advanced therapy tools create a welcoming environment tailored to your child’s needs.
- Collaborative Care
- Experienced and Caring Team
Join us and experience a place where your child’s success is our top priority.
Join our school holiday group programs!
All groups are fully covered by NDIS and 2 of our groups are already full. To register, please fill out our intake form and for the question ‘which services are you interested in?’, please select ‘group programs’.
For more information, please give us a call on 8418 8544 or message us on Instagram
Meet Our Team
The People Who Make It Happen
Our team of skilled professionals brings together extensive experience and compassion, all under one roof. We believe that when our team thrives, so do our clients. That’s why we prioritise the mental well-being of our staff, offering paid mental health days to keep our team healthy, happy, and energised.
Trudy De Silva
Practice Director & Principal Speech Pathologist
Trudy graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University and is currently undertaking a Master of Business Administration through La Trobe University on a scholarship. Trudy has worked as a speech pathologist with the paediatric population for over 17 years.
Trudy began working in both the private and public school sectors and soon afterwards, moved into working in the private clinic setting to deliver family centered therapy and to build an allied health team.
Trudy enjoys helping children with a range of communication delays, but is particularly passionate about working in the field of diagnosis and management of Autism Spectrum Disorders across all ages. Trudy regularly engages in public speaking and provides professional development educational sessions for schools, workplaces and other organisations.
Ruby McLeod
Senior Speech Pathologist/Team Leader
Ruby has experience working with children in the primary school and kindergarten settings, and in private practice. She has gained practical experience working in areas including language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), speech sounds, literacy, and stuttering. Ruby has previously provided clinical education to speech pathology students and has experience supporting a team in a clinic supervisor role.
Hana Elhammamy
Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist
Hana is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist with a background in psychology and a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne. Hana has experience working with children and families across clinical, educational, and research settings, and is currently involved in research on neurodegenerative conditions. This broad experience gives her a strong understanding of communication at all stages of life and helps her take a holistic approach to supporting children’s communication development.
Hana is passionate about helping children find their voice through a multimodal, total communication approach. She values family-centred and culturally responsive practice and enjoys working with bilingual families to support communication in both native languages and English, creating meaningful and functional outcomes for every child.
Afnan Alsafi
Afnan graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Speech Pathology.
With previous experience as an allied health assistant, Afnan is passionate about supporting children to achieve their full potential in speech, language, and communication. She also values collaborating with families to provide holistic and culturally sensitive care.
Some of Afnan’s areas of interest include language, fluency (stuttering), and social communication. She is highly keen to build on her skills and experience in all areas of paediatric speech pathology.
In her spare time, Afnan loves diving into a good book, going on nature walks, and spending quality time with her cat.
Auri Lavin Canduela
Psychologist
Auri completed her studies at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, earning a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology Practice in 2022. She spent two years working in the public sector, supporting children and young people in developing strategies to thrive through a strengths-based approach, including children with ASD, ADHD and trauma-related experiences.
Originally from Spain, Auri grew up in New Zealand before relocating to Australia to expanded her skills and transitioned into the private sector. She was drawn to a more hands-on role where she could continue using a holistic, evidence-based, and child-centred approach.
Auri discovered her passion for psychology during her final year of high school, where she served as a tuakana (big sister) in her school’s supported learning class. Since then, she has developed a strong interest in ASD and trauma. Auri is deeply committed to building strong relationships, promoting mental wellbeing, and helping children feel understood, supported, and empowered to recognise and harness their unique strengths to thrive in the long term.
Katie Bassett
Meet our dedicated receptionist, Katie, the welcoming face behind the front desk at De Silva Kids. Katie has over 20 years of receptionist and administration experience with extensive knowledge about the NDIS.
Maya Chandrasekaran
Maya is a generally registered psychologist who completed her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at RMIT University. She has experience working in both public and private practice settings with children, adolescents, and families, and is passionate about providing care in a holistic and client-centred manner.
Originally from Singapore, Maya has experience working with children and families from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds. She values working from a culturally informed perspective and adopts an integrative, collaborative approach, drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based approaches.
Maya is guided by warmth, kindness, openness, and cultural sensitivity, and strives to create a genuine therapeutic connection where clients feel safe and understood.
In her spare time, Maya enjoys yoga, cooking, exploring foodie recommendations, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Aleksandra Stojoska
Speech Pathologist
Aleksandra completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at La Trobe University.
Her honours project focused on supporting parents of Autistic children. This work involved developing practical resources to empower families while they navigate service waitlists. This strengthened her passion for family-centred and accessible care.
She is passionate about creating a safe, comfortable, and inclusive space where children feel confident to express their true selves and communicate their needs. She has a previous experience working with children across a range of presentations, including speech sounds, expressive and receptive language, and social and emotional learning groups.
Her key areas of interest include early intervention, language development, speech sounds, and autism. She is highly motivated to continue building her skills and experience across all areas of paediatric speech pathology.
Originally from Macedonia, where she lived until the age of 12, she has a strong appreciation for cultural diversity. She loves learning new languages, experiencing different cultures, and travelling. In her spare time, you’ll often find her at the beach, swimming in the ocean, or spending quality time with family and friends.
Testimonials
What Our Amazing Parents Say
FAQs
All You Need to Know
What is the process for booking an Autism Spectrum Assessment at your clinic?
How do your therapists collaborate on a multidisciplinary care plan for my child?
Can you accommodate children who have specific sensory needs during their therapy sessions?
Yes, our Mill Park clinic has a purpose-built sensory gym equipped with therapy swings and sensory tools to create a supportive environment for children with sensory processing challenges.
Aside from this, we also have a large collection of sensory regulation resources to support children with these needs.
How do you measure progress in therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
What types of group therapy sessions do you offer, and how can they benefit my child?
Every school holidays we run a range of different group therapy sessions that focus on developing social skills, communication, life skills, emotional regulation and peer interactions. These sessions are designed to help children practice real-life scenarios in a structured and supportive environment.
Is there flexibility with appointment times for families with busy schedules?
We understand that families have different schedules, so we offer flexible appointment times, including after-school hours and options for Mobile Therapy to fit your family’s needs.
We also offer Saturday sessions at Mill Park.
How does Mobile Therapy work if my child needs multiple types of therapy (e.g., speech and occupational therapy)?
Our Mobile Therapy service is designed to be as comprehensive as our in-clinic sessions. We can arrange for multiple therapy types to be delivered during one visit, ensuring continuity of care in the comfort of your home.
Please note: We provide mobile services for speech and occupational therapy, with the same high-quality interventions as offered in our clinic. However, only one therapist will work with your child per visit.
What should we bring to our first appointment, and how can we prepare our child for their session?
For your first appointment, please bring any previous assessments or reports that might help our therapists understand your child’s needs. We are here to support parents regardless of whether they are in a positive place with their childs’ deficits or not.
Do you offer training or resources for parents to support their child’s development at home?
Yes, we provide parents with practical strategies, resources, and guidance to continue supporting their child’s development at home. Our team is always available to answer questions and offer advice. If requested by a parent, the therapist can offer individual training sessions with the parent on any topic of their choice.
Additionally, feel free to check out our Director Trudy’s YouTube Channel where there are countless training videos for parents. Content on the channel is all about how parents can do speech therapy at home to help support the development of the childs’ skills.
What steps are involved if we need to transition from one type of therapy to another (e.g., from speech therapy to psychology)?
Just let either your therapist know or one of our friendly front desk team that you need to transition to another type of therapy and they will book it for you on the spot. It’s also just as easy to add more therapy streams to your child’s treatment plan.
How do you support children who are transitioning from early intervention services to school-based support?
What specific qualifications and experience do your therapists have in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Our therapists are not only qualified in their respective fields but also have specialised training and extensive experience in working with children on the autism spectrum. They continuously update their skills to provide the most effective, evidence-based therapies.
Additionally, Trudy De Silva the director of the team has had over 19 years working in the field of ASD.
Are there any additional support programs available for children with high-functioning ASD?
How do you involve the family in the therapy process?
Family involvement is crucial to our approach. We actively include parents and caregivers in setting goals for the child (as the family knows the child’s best), in the therapy process, providing regular updates, progress reports, and strategies to use at home to reinforce what is learned during sessions.
What makes your clinic’s approach to therapy different from other clinics in the Melbourne area?
Our approach is truly holistic, with a focus on not just the child but the entire family unit. The beauty of having all professional disciplines working under one roof is that it provides your child with a tailored approach to their specific needs. As the parent, you can rest assured that your child’s professionals all liaise with each other often … even in the hallway, or over coffee in the staff room about your child’s needs and progress.
How It Works
Your Journey with Us
Book an Appointment
Call our clinic to book your child’s session or join our waiting list.
Complete the Intake Form
Call our clinic to book your child’s session or join our waiting list.
Receive the Welcome Pack
We’ll send a Welcome Pack to guide you through your first session.
NDIS Service Agreement
NDIS clients complete the Service Agreement at their first visit.
Begin
Therapy
Your child’s journey to growth begins with our dedicated therapists.
Join our Team
Careers at De Silva Kids Clinic
Join a team that’s making a real difference in children’s lives! At De Silva Kids Clinic, we believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, we have a place for you.
Graduate Program
Kickstart your career with our Graduate Program designed for new therapists eager to learn and grow. You'll receive hands-on training, mentorship from experienced professionals, and the opportunity to work in a supportive, multidisciplinary team. This program is your pathway to becoming a skilled and confident therapist.
Senior Therapist Program
Ready to lead and make a bigger impact? Our Senior Therapist Program is crafted for experienced professionals looking to take on leadership roles within our clinic. You'll have the chance to guide a team, shape therapy plans, and drive innovative approaches to support our clients. We’re here to help you grow into the leader you’re meant to be.
Knowledge Center
Resources & Media Hub
Explore our Resources & Media Hub, where we share expert insights, helpful tips, and the latest news to support your child’s development journey. From articles and videos to podcasts and guides, our hub is designed to keep you informed and inspired.
Language Development in Bilingual Children
Supporting Emotion Regulation Skills at Home
The ability to regulate our emotions are an essential skill that contribute to a child’s wellbeing. They are important for coping with challenges, building healthy relationships, and building long-term success.
