Louisa Backus
Louisa Backus is the Director of Thrive Speech Pathology and has more than 25 years clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing difficulties. Louisa has training in the specialty of Orofacial Myology and has also trained as a Lactation Consultant and uses these techniques to facilitate effective breast/bottle feeding and normal oral development in infants. Louisa works with adults and children experiencing feeding and severe speech difficulties. Louisa also has training in Hanen, Prompt, Voicecraft and Walt Fritz Manual Therapy for Voice and Swallowing.
.jpeg)
Lauren Pukallus
Lauren Pukallus graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2010. She enjoys working with children particularly those in the 2-4 year age range who are reluctant communicators. Lauren has trained in Hanen, SOS Approach to Feeding, Intensive Interaction, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Orofacial Myology. She loves living in Emerald and is originally from the nearby farming district of Gindie.
Linda Tucker
Linda is an Allied Health Assistant and is currently completing her Speech Pathology degree at Charles Darwin University. Linda has many years experience in working with children who have language delays and disordered speech sound development. Linda has trained in the specialty of Orofacial Myology and loves helping Emerald kids to communicate and connect with others..
Makayla Andrews
Makayla is an Allied Health Assistant who has worked as an early childhood educator for 10 years and assisted in intervention programs for children alongside therapists during this time. Assisting children during the early years has always been a passion, particularly in the 2-5 years age range.Makayla's eldest son has been in speech therapy for 2 years and her youngest has recently started. It is through their growth that she has developed a love and respect for speech therapy. She hopes to give back by providing the same support to the families and children of Emerald.
Matilda Downie
Matilda is completing a school based apprenticeship with Thrive Speech Pathology. She will complete her Certificate III (Allied Health Assistant). Matilda hopes to study Speech Pathology at University in 2026.
Join the team
We have a full time Speech Pathology position available in Emerald or we have capacity for you to work anywhere in Australia via Telehealth