Website coming soon…
6A Kilnap Business Park, Old Mallow Road, Cork
Tel: 021 430 4822
Email: info@steppingaheadclinic.com
Website coming soon…
6A Kilnap Business Park, Old Mallow Road, Cork
Tel: 021 430 4822
Email: info@steppingaheadclinic.com
Cathy Courtney is the Office Administrative Manager and Project Manager for Stepping Ahead Clinic. Cathy brings over 25 years of administrative and managerial experience in Management, Human Resources and Accounting. She assists in the development and implementation of company policies and procedures; manages and oversees the administration of HR policies and procedures, she oversees accounts and finances.
Ann graduated with a MSc Honours degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Limerick in 2012. Prior to this, Ann graduated with a BA in Health Promotion from Waterford Institute of Technology. Ann joined the Stepping Ahead Clinic team in 2015. Since joining the team, Ann has worked with children of all ages providing therapy and conducting assessments. Ann has completed training in Sensory Integration, DIR Floortime Approach and Parents Plus. Ann is also ADOS and ADI-r trained. Ann has always has had a special interest in providing support for parents and families in additional to the therapy we provide to the individual child.
In her current role as Clinical Manager, Ann is responsible for the training and management of the clinical staff to ensure a high standard of service is provided at all times to our clients and families. Ann continues to remain involved in clinical work on a consultation basis and as part of Occupational Therapy and Multidisciplinary Team Assessments.
Ann is extremely passionate about working with children, parents and families and trying to support them to overcome challenges and progress in everyday life. She wants to ensure that clients and parents feel supported and listened to during every interaction with clinic staff and that children benefit from the expertise of the therapy staff within the clinic. Ann is dedicated to the continued development and progression of the clinic and ensuring that all parents and children are provided with the best service.
Jennifer has over twenty years of clinical experience in Occupational Therapy services in Ireland, the UK and New Zealand. She is passionate about providing an excellent standard of service to children, adolescents and their families and has a special interest in Autism and Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
Jennifer is actively involved in educating and training school staff and organisations on the importance of Occupational Therapy and how to recognise and support a child with developmental difficulties. Jennifer has also previously lectured in the Occupational Therapy Department at the University College Cork and has presented at conferences throughout Cork.
Furthermore, Jennifer has been involved in developing therapeutic and sensory rooms in many Cork schools and homes.
Roscha recently graduated from UCC with a joint honours degree in English and Philosophy. Roscha is currently doing a conversion master’s in Psychology with the hopes of studying either Clinical or Educational Psychology in the future. Her job as an Occupational Therapy Administrator in the Stepping Ahead Clinic has provided her with professional exposure to life beyond college and study, giving her an insight into a number of different disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Psychological intervention.
This job is extremely rewarding, as she gets to communicate with a number of different individuals both from within and outside of the clinic providing her with a host of communicative, social, and organisational tools.
Kayleigh is an Office Administrator for Stepping Ahead Clinic. Kayleigh spent time in Birmingham, England before she returned home to Cork and joined the Stepping Ahead team. Her role involves appointment scheduling and communications as part of Autism assessments. Kayleigh thrives off organisation and scheduling appointments in a time efficient manner for parents, children and schools.
Clíodhna graduated from University College Cork with a BA in Applied Psychology in 2023 and later graduated from University of Galway with an MSc in Health Psychology. She is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). As a previous Office Administrator for Stepping Ahead Clinic, Clíodhna has experience with the MDA process and now works as part of the Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team.
Clíodhna is passionate about building her professional experience and continually furthering her career in psychology.
Jess graduated with a Master’s in Applied Psychology from University College Cork. Jess is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Jess is passionate about neuro-affirmative practice and early intervention to support child and adolescent mental health. Jess works as part of the Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team in Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Jess has previous experience working with neurodivergent individuals in both clinical and community settings, and is dedicated to continuing her professional development working towards her goal of completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Lisa graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology. She is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Lisa works as part of the Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team in Stepping Ahead Clinic. Lisa is trained in the administration of the ADOS-2 assessment and uses this training to support the delivery of comprehensive autism assessments.
Lisa is committed to ongoing professional development and plans to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology to continue building her knowledge and skills in order to best support the children and families she works with.
Dr Fiona Ryng is a highly experienced Educational and Child Psychologist with a Doctorate in the field. She is passionate about neuroaffirmative practice and is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based Autism assessments that respect and empower neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Before joining Stepping Ahead, Fiona worked within a Local Authority in London, where she specialised in supporting adolescents with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Fiona’s professional interests encompass Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), motivational interviewing, and the broader fields of counselling and psychotherapy.
Fiona maintains her professional standing by holding current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom and membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Her work is underpinned by a strong belief in creating inclusive, strengths-based support for young people and their families.
Yvonne Lion-Cachet is a Senior Chartered Educational Psychologist with extensive experience in the field of children and adolescents. She initially graduated as a teacher, where her love of children was fostered. She then went on to complete her honours in education before embarking on her journey of psychology. Yvonne adopts a child-centred approach; rooted in positive psychology and a strengths-based approach. She thrives in a collaborative working environment.
Yvonne is passionate about ‘seeing’ the individual; acknowledging that humans are all unique with innate character strengths. Her favourite quote is by Brene Brown: ‘True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.’
Aine holds a BSc Honours Degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Aine is registered with CORU and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Aine has previous experience working with children and adolescents within the mental health service in Ireland.
As a member of the Autism Diagnostic Multidisciplinary team, Aine is trained in administering ADOS-2 assessments. Aine is experienced in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of a variety of speech and language needs. Passionate about supporting children and their families, Aine fosters communication development and growth, tailoring her approach to each child’s individual goals. She embraces a neuro-affirmative approach with her clients and aims for therapy to be an enjoyable and an empowering experience. Aine has special interest in supporting the social participation of neurodiverse children. She is continuously pursuing professional development opportunities to enhance the quality of care for her clients.
Sarah graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Sarah joined the Stepping Ahead team in June 2022. Sarah is a CORU registered therapist and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Sarah is passionate about supporting children and adolescents with communication and swallowing difficulties, ensuring every child receives the care and attention they need to thrive. Sarah has developed a strong proficiency in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and has completed several courses to further enhance her skills in this area. As a member of the Autism Diagnostic Multidisciplinary team, Sarah is skilled in administering both the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments, helping families understand and support their child’s unique needs.
Sarah has previous experience working within the CDNT, working with children with Autism, intellectual disability and other complex needs. Sarah has also worked within an acute care setting where she was an integral part of the stroke team. Sarah is continuously furthering her clinical skills and has completed additional trainings pertaining to AAC, Lámh, and Dysphagia. Sarah is a vibrant and dedicated therapist committed to tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client.
Orla graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Orla is a CORU registered therapist and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Orla has many year’s experience working as part of a multidisciplinary diagnostic team assessing and diagnosing children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
Orla has also gained clinical experience as part of a HSE Early Intervention team, working with children with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and other complex needs. Orla also has experience working within the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in Cork. Orla has extensive experience in completing speech and language therapy assessments, delivering one to one therapy, group intervention as well as parent training.
Orla is continuously furthering her clinical skills through continuing professional development. Orla has a specialist interest in autism and in early development. Orla’s main priority is to help others and strives to facilitate the best quality of life possible for her clients and their family while incorporating person centred and evidence-based approaches to improve their day-to-day life.
Jennifer is employed as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with the Stepping Ahead Clinic, Cork. Jennifer graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork in 2012. Jennifer is a full member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists and is registered with CORU.
Communication (expression and understanding) is a fundamental skill for children, teenagers and adults to develop; Jennifer is passionate about working to enhance the communication and interaction skills of children with speech and language needs and supporting their families to follow-through on strategies in everyday life. Parents and caregivers are in the best position to support their children and young people to develop their communication and interaction skills in naturalistic ways. Jennifer also greatly enjoys being part of the clinic’s Multi Disciplinary Assessment Team and provides parents and families with support around their child’s assessment and potential diagnosis.
Before joining the Stepping Ahead Clinic, Jennifer worked as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with the Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism – Jennifer worked very closely with the children and the families of the Rainbow Club in supporting the children to develop their communication, interaction and social skills through everyday strategies and activities. Jennifer worked as a home tutor with young children with a diagnosis of Autism; as a Speech and Language Therapist with children and teenagers with Down Syndrome at ‘Down Syndrome Cork’ and as a private Speech and Language Therapist providing a home-based therapy service. Jennifer greatly enjoys working with young children with significant communication and interaction needs and uses a variety of approaches including ‘Hanen: More than Words’ strategies, core communication boards, AAC, Picture Exchange Communication System and Lámh signs to support these clients, their families and their teachers in everyday life.
Áine graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Áine is registered with CORU and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Áine has experience working with all age groups, but has a particular interest in working with young people with speech and language differences, who are neurodivergent, and supporting young people and their families to identify goals that are person centred and meaningful to them.
Before joining the Stepping Ahead Clinic, Áine worked as a Speech and Language Therapist with the North Wicklow Children’s Disability Network Team. Additionally, Áine’s work on this team involved actively supporting young people in a Special School for children with a diagnosis of Moderate to Profound Intellectual Disability. Áine worked in partnership with young people, their families, and wider community to identify meaningful goals using a family-centred approach.
Áine is committed to ongoing professional development, and has completed additional trainings in Lámh, AAC, and Paediatric Feeding Eating Drinking and Swallowing. As a member of the Autism Diagnostic Multidisciplinary Team, Áine has training and experience completing the ADOS-2. Áine is committed to supporting young people and their families to feel supported and to achieve meaningful goals through evidence based, child-led intervention.
Aoibheann graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Aoibheann is registered with CORU and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT).
Aoibheann has experience working with all age groups but has a particular interest with working with children with speech difficulties, language differences and Autism, aiming to help clients and their families by working towards goals that are most meaningful to them. Aoibheann is passionate about advocating for and working with children as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team. Aoibheann has training in ADOS-2 and is a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team here at Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Aoibheann is committed to advancing her professional growth and providing care that is in line with the most recent research, that is neuroaffirmative and strengths-based. Aoibheann has completed additional trainings in AAC, Lámh, speech sound specific interventions, Gestalt Language Processing and in play-based therapy.
Ciara is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist who completed her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2025. She is CORU registered and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).
Before qualifying as an Occupational Therapist, Ciara worked as a primary school teacher after earning her Bachelor of Education Degree from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick in 2021. She has experience teaching in mainstream classrooms, special education settings, and autism classes. This background has given her an understanding of the school environment, curriculum demands, and the diverse needs of children. Her teaching experience enhances her ability to collaborate effectively with families, teachers, and other professionals, supporting children in a holistic way and helping to bridge the gap between therapy and classroom learning.
Ciara is passionate about supporting children, and their families. She is committed to making appointments fun, engaging, and a relaxed space where children and families feel comfortable and supported. Ciara combines her warm, empathetic approach with evidence-based practice to ensure high-quality care tailored to each child’s needs. She brings both professional and personal experience of supporting children with additional needs, which has shaped her deep appreciation for empathy, patience, and meaningful connection. Ciara is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the children and families she works with.
Andrea graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI).
Andrea has both professional and personal experience of supporting people with additional needs. This has given her a real appreciation of the value of empathy, patience, and strong therapeutic relationships, which continue to guide her approach as an Occupational Therapist.
Andrea has a genuine passion for working with children and their families. She enjoys helping children to reach their potential, while also supporting parents and caregivers with practical tools and strategies that make everyday life easier and more fulfilling. She believes therapy works best when it is collaborative, and when families feel understood, supported, and encouraged.
Committed to continuous learning, Andrea regularly engages in professional development to expand her skills and provide the best possible care. She is dedicated to creating a warm, positive, and relaxed environment where children feel comfortable and confident, and families feel welcome and reassured.
Jodie graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy from University College Cork and is a newly qualified Paediatric Occupational Therapist. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).
Jodie is passionate about supporting children’s development, independence, and emotional well-being through meaningful and engaging therapy. She has a strong interest in early childhood development, sensory processing, and helping children build the skills they need to participate in everyday activities. Jodie recognises the importance of supporting not only the child but also their family, valuing the key role that parents and caregivers play in supporting a child’s development and therapy journey.
Jodie takes a holistic, strengths-based, and evidence-informed approach to therapy. She aims to create a warm, inclusive, and playful environment where each child feels safe, supported, and empowered to explore their potential. Jodie is committed to ongoing learning and professional development, and brings fresh enthusiasm, compassion, and creativity to her role as a paediatric occupational therapist.
Carol is a dedicated paediatric occupational therapist with a First-Class Honours degree from University College Cork. She is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).
With clinical experience spanning Ireland and Australia, Carol specialises in supporting children and young people aged 2–18 with Autism, ADHD, developmental coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia, sensory processing differences, and a range of functional challenges.
Her experience includes managing diverse caseloads in both clinic and school settings, leading group-based interventions such as community access and school readiness programmes and conducting comprehensive assessments as part of multidisciplinary teams. Carol is proficient in administering and interpreting a wide range of standardised assessments, and designing tailored intervention plans that promote motor skills, sensory integration, emotional regulation and self-esteem.
Carol values a collaborative approach, working with schools and families to ensure the best outcomes for each child. Carol is committed to best practice and being a trusted partner for families seeking assessment, intervention, and ongoing support for their children.
Eimear graduated from University College Cork in 2020 with an Honors Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Eimear has experience in paediatric practice and multidisciplinary autism assessment and intervention. In 2025 she returned from Sydney, Australia, where she worked in a paediatric therapy service, managing her own caseload and providing school-based interventions.
Prior to her time in Australia, Eimear was part of the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic from 2020 to 2023, supporting children and adolescents with autism, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), sensory processing differences, and emotional regulation challenges.
She is trained in the use of Autism diagnostic tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R and has contributed to multidisciplinary assessments across both clinical and educational settings. Eimear also has training in the DIR 101 Floortime approach. In addition to her clinical work, Eimear has experience as a practice educator, having supervised a final-year Occupational Therapy student on placement. She is passionate about collaborative practice and strives to empower families through clear communication, practical recommendations, and compassionate support throughout the assessment and intervention process.
Jenny holds a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Cumbria in United Kingdom. She is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Jenny is trained in the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessment tools and is part of a multidisciplinary autism assessment team.
She has international experience working within the Justice System in Australia and across various mental health services in the United Kingdom. After returning to Cork, she joined the team at the Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she currently provides assessments and interventions for children with a wide range of needs. She has a particular passion for facilitating group sessions and brings a bubbly yet calm approach that helps children feel at ease and engaged. Dedicated to ongoing professional development, Jenny continually enhances her skills to ensure she delivers the highest quality of care to her clients.
Orla is a dedicated and highly enthusiastic Senior Occupational Therapist with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Essex. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). She brings a wealth of experience from diverse areas including stroke rehabilitation, acute medical units, healthy aging, neuroscience and critical care, all within a fast-paced acute adult setting in central London. Driven by a long-standing passion for paediatrics, Orla gained valuable experience with a Paediatric Community Occupational Therapy team before returning home. Orla is also a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Assessment (MDA) Team in Stepping Ahead and is trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). She is currently completing the Sensory Integration Education course, further enhancing her clinical skills and knowledge.
Orla is deeply committed to delivering high quality assessments and school observations and enjoys Autism Diagnostics within the MDA team. She loves consulting with families and providing clear, supportive feedback and recommendations to help them feel empowered in their child’s development. Orla is a diligent and compassionate therapist who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients.
Kevin graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. He is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). Following Kevin’s graduation, he worked in a range of inpatient and community settings within the Mental Health Services in London, before returning to Cork and joining the team at Stepping Ahead. This experience has provided him with the knowledge and skills necessary to work collaboratively with families and to tailor approaches and interventions to meet individual needs.
He is a member of the MDA Team in Stepping Ahead, and is trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Kevin has a special interest in adolescent mental health, anxiety and social participation.
Leah graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI).
Leah is a kind and compassionate therapist who has a strong interest in sensory regulation, child and adolescent mental health, and supporting children and their families to promote independence in everyday activities and a positive and fulfilling quality of life. She has personal and professional experience working with children with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, and Down Syndrome. She also has experience in child and adolescent mental health and care of older adults, further supporting her understanding and awareness of the broader challenges that can impact a child or young person and their family, and their participation and engagement in activities they need to, want to, and have to do.
Leah takes a holistic, inclusive, evidence-based, and child and family-centred approach to practice. She strives to create a fun, positive, and collaborative environment that highlights the child or young person’s strengths and abilities and provides them with the safety and security to explore and develop their unique sense of self.
Rowen is a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist who holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Glasgow Caledonian University. She brings valuable experience from her work in rehabilitation with older adults in Scotland, where she focused on promoting independence and enhancing community participation.
Upon returning to Ireland, Rowen joined the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she now works in paediatrics. She has a particular interest in supporting children with sensory and emotional regulation challenges, as well as fostering independence and functional skills in daily life. Rowen has completed training in Functional Visual Skills and Visual Perception through University College Cork (UCC), which further informs her holistic and evidence-based practice.
Rowen’s therapeutic approach is inclusive, positive, strengths-based, and empowering, with a strong commitment to supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She strives to create a collaborative and nurturing environment that celebrates each child’s unique abilities and potential.
Julianne is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist with a strong interest in sensory integration, emotional regulation, and supporting children to develop independence in their everyday activities. She graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. Julianne has personal and professional experience working with children with additional needs, including autism and Down syndrome. She also has experience in mental health and cognitive rehabilitation, which supports her understanding of the wider challenges that can affect children and their families.
She is passionate about promoting children’s wellbeing and independence through a holistic, child-centred approach, while also providing support and guidance to parents and carers. Julianne is ADOS-2 trained and is part of the autism diagnostic team. She contributes to the assessment process through clinic-based observations, as well as school visits.
Sandra graduated from University College Cork in 2021 and has been working at the Stepping Ahead Clinic since receiving her qualification. Sandra is an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist who regularly conducts comprehensive occupational therapy assessments, screenings, and delivers individualised intervention sessions to a consistent caseload of clients. She is a valued member of the clinic’s autism team and is trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2).
Sandra has pursued ongoing professional development since joining the clinic, including completion of DIR Floortime 101, Autism Level Up, and Modules 1 to 3 of the Sensory Integration training. She integrates these evidence-informed approaches into her clinical practice to support the unique needs of each child and their family.
Sandra is particularly passionate about working with individuals experiencing sensory processing differences, with a strong focus on how these differences may impact daily functioning and participation across various environments. She has a great interest in working with schools and teachers and ensuring the school environment is conducive to helping the child reach their goals.
Sarah is an occupational therapist who enjoys all areas of paediatric OT, with a particular interest in sensory integration and child and adolescent mental health. Sarah has previously worked in the Paediatric Primary Care Services. She holds an MSC in Occupational Therapy from Northumbria University, United Kingdom, a BA honours in Applied Psychology from University College Cork and a Counselling Skills Certificate from Munster Technological University.
Alongside her work as an occupational therapist, Sarah is also a certified yoga teacher and practitioner. She aims to bring the calming principles of mindfulness and movement into her therapeutic practice.
Sarah is also part of the autism diagnostic team, where she supports the assessment process through home and school visits, as well as clinic-based observations and consultations (ADOS-2 and undertaking ADI-R training). Her approach is firmly rooted in neuroaffirmative practices, ensuring that therapy is inclusive, strengths-based, and empowering for neurodivergent children, their families, and support networks.
Robyn graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). Robyn is a member of the Occupational Therapy and Multidisciplinary Team in Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Robyn is trained in the administration of ADOS-2 & ADI-R assessments and uses this professional training to conduct individualised, holistic autism assessments. Robyn enjoys working with a variety of professionals including Speech and Language Therapists and Psychologists to support parents and children to develop an understanding of autism.
Robyn also provides therapeutic intervention to children and adolescents, and their families. Robyn utilises her knowledge of autism identification in order to provide neuro-affirmative therapeutic support to her clients.
Robyn enjoys working collaboratively with families in order to identify children’s areas that require support and ensure the necessary supports and strategies are in place to support children in their growth and development. Robyn enjoys participating in Continuous Professional Development opportunities, such as the DIR 101 FloorTime course, in order to expand her skillset and provide the highest quality of care to her clients and their families.
Rebecca graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies and then went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in the University of Limerick. She is registered with CORU, is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI) and is on the committee of the Paediatric Advisory Group. She has training in Sensory Integration, Lámh, PECS, Handwriting Without Tears, is ADOS-2 and ADI-R trained and is a member of the Autism multidisciplinary assessment team.
Rebecca has experience providing assessments and intervention to children with a wide variety of needs and is dedicated to continuing her professional development to provide the highest quality service for her clients.
Louise graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and a Member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Following her graduation, Louise spent time working with children and adolescents within Mental Health Services in Ireland.
Louise has a special interest in Autism, and has completed a Diploma in Autism Studies within UCC and a Postgraduate Diploma in Ayer’s Sensory Integration from Sheffield Hallam University, earning the title of Advanced Sensory Practitioner.
Louise is a registered Clinical Mentor for Sensory Integration students. Louise is trained in administering both the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments and is a dedicated member of the Autism team in Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Kellie graduated from National University of Ireland, Galway in 2016. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). Kellie is a passionate occupational therapist dedicated to helping children thrive in their everyday lives.
Kellie has had the privilege of working with children with sensory processing differences, ADHD, Autism and coordination difficulties, just to name a few. Kellie’s approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, creativity, evidence-based and neuro-affirmative practice. She believes in creating a nurturing, engaging, and strengths-based environment where children feel safe, included and empowered to explore, learn, and grow.
Kellie is passionate about supporting children to participate in their learning and play activities in the school environment. She collaborates closely with families, educators, and other healthcare professionals to identify barriers to participation and create practical and individualised strategies that support learning, attention, motor development and regulation. By working together with families and schools, Kellie aims to create consistent and supportive environments that empower children to reach their full potential.
Clodagh graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southampton in 2016. After qualifying, she gained valuable experience working in Mental Health services in the UK, where she supported individuals with a wide range of complex needs. This experience has greatly shaped her therapeutic approach and continues to inform her work today.
In 2019, Clodagh returned home to Cork City and joined the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she currently works as a Senior Occupational Therapist. Since joining the clinic, Clodagh has worked closely with children, schools, caregivers, and families—delivering therapy, completing Occupational Therapy assessments, and contributing to multidisciplinary assessments. She has completed additional training in courses such as DIR Floortime, Sensory Integration, and is trained in both ADOS and ADI-r.
Clodagh is passionate about supporting children, teenagers, and their families, with a strong interest in mental health and emotional well-being. She believes in the importance of educating and empowering families, and values the opportunity to help others better understand their child’s needs.
Clodagh aims to make appointments fun, enjoyable, and relaxed for children and families, creating a warm and supportive environment that helps put everyone at ease. She is deeply committed to delivering high-quality, family-centred care, and is proud to be part of the Stepping Ahead Clinic team.