About Natalie Kirkpatrick
I have grown up in Lightning Ridge. I moved to Dubbo temporarily but returned to raise my son in Lightning Ridge. It is the place I call home and I loved my childhood with my family and friends here. So…I guess you could say, I’m a Ridge local.
For the past 14 years, I have been working in the Early Childhood Education sector, which I enjoyed and loved immensely. Being a part of a child’s first 5 years, collaborating in partnership with families to assist them and their children to reach their full potential and developmental milestones, was a very important part of my career.
Early invention has always been a key area of interest of mine. Whilst working with visiting therapists, I was able to understand and learn the importance of early intervention. To learn the tools to implement strategies to help guide and prompt each child’s learning and for them to continue to thrive in their environment.
I hope to continue this in my new role as a Therapy Assistant at Outback Therapy.
Qualification and Professional Development
Australia Community Education Centre | Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Graduated 2015
Foundation Education | Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
Current ~
Clinical areas of interest
Speech Therapy: early intervention is the key to building communication skills and self-confidence.
Occupational Therapy: I was lucky enough, as an educator within the early childhood sector, to be educated and given strategies that were planned specifically for a child, assisting them to thrive in their daily expectations.
What are some of your favourite approaches to therapy?
I feel a fun and play based approach has worked best for intervention in early childhood, leading from the child interests and abilities to build on and furthering their development.
What is your favourite thing about working at Outback Therapy?
That I am a part of such a rich and inclusive team, learning and being able to share my own skills from early childhood education into the Allied Health Services.
FUN FACT!
“I Just Wanna Run” – The Downtown Fiction – I love to RUN!
outback-therapy.com 