Jessica Hajdu
Jessica Hajdu, Director, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
*Jess is currently on maternity leave with her second child*
Jess Hajdu is a paediatric speech pathologist with a special focus on infant and paediatric feeding difficulties, as well as communication development across 0–12 years. She completed a four‑year Bachelor of Speech Pathology at the University of Queensland in 2009 and has been supporting children and their families for the past 16 years.
Alongside her speech pathology work, she is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and enjoys helping families build confidence in both breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Her career has included roles across a range of public health settings in Australia and the UK, working with babies and children with communication and feeding challenges. She continues to hold a public health position while also building Sound Beginnings Allied Health.
Jess is a Certified Practicing Member of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) and member of Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ).
Jessica is trained in a range of approaches which form part of her therapy tool box -
- Neurodiversity Affirming approaches to social skills and feeding challenges
- Sounds Write Phonics - for literacy tuition
- PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
- ADOS Assessment (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
- Hanen It Takes Two to Talk and More than Words
- Gestalt Language Processing
- SOS Approach to Feeding Basic and Advanced Courses
- SOFFI Method: Successful Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants
- ARFID - the Anxious Eater
- Responsive Feeding - Feeding Therapy Australia 4 day course
Rachel Suetani
Rachel Suetani, Certified Practising Paediatric Speech Pathologist
Rachel has a background in research and brings a family-centered, evidence-based perspective to her clinical work. As a parent herself she understands the challenge of juggling work, life, and family, and aims to deliver therapy that is practical, supportive, and fits naturally into everyday family life.
Her clinical interests include early language development, early literacy, and working with children with developmental delays and disorders. She has a special interest in supporting children to develop communication and school-readiness skills in the preschool ages, using play-based approaches to help children build their speech and communication skills through meaningful interactions.
Rachel is trained in a range of approaches including:
- Masters of Speech Pathology (The University of Queensland)
- Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist(Speech Pathology Australia)
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science, First Class Honours (Biochemical Basis of Health and Disease; The University of Otago)
- PhD (Human Genetics; The University of Otago)
Rachel is also trained in a range of approaches including:
- SoundsWrite - phonics-based literacy training
- Nuffield Dyspraxia Program - treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing) - treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Lidcombe Programme - for stuttering in young children
Rachel has appointments available in our Ashgrove clinic Wednesday-Friday between 8.30am - 4:00pm.
Jessica Bartlett
Jessica Bartlett, Certified Practising Paediatric Speech Pathologist
Jessica is a dedicated paediatric speech pathologist who is passionate about helping children develop strong communication skills. She enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities, supporting their speech, language, and literacy development in a fun and engaging way.
Jessica graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) and values a family-centred approach, ensuring therapy is tailored to each child's unique needs while empowering parents with the tools and strategies to support their child's progress. Jess is trained in the Sounds-Write program to support literacy intervention.
Jessica is available for appointments at the Ashgrove clinic on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Alyce Finnen
Alyce Finnen, Certified Practising Paediatric Speech Pathologist
Alyce is a paediatric speech pathologist with a particular interest in developing articulation and language skills, as well as supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders through play-based intervention. She enjoys working with children of all ages and communication needs and is committed to a family-centred approach that ensures families feel informed, supported, and confident in fostering their child’s communication development.
Alyce holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Queensland. She is a Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia and has a diverse background that includes experience in swallowing disorders and aged care. Most recently, Alyce worked abroad in Canada, supporting a wide range of clients in the areas of speech, language, literacy, fluency, and social communication skills.
Alyce is available for appointments at the Ashgrove clinic until 6:30pm on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays, and 8am - 4pm on alternating Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Ali Burmeister
Ali Burmeister, Certified Practising Paediatric Speech Pathologist
Ali is a passionate and experienced Speech Pathologist dedicated to helping families and their little people. She has been a Paediatric Speech Pathologist since graduating from University of Queensland in 1996 and is experienced in a wide range of clinical areas. Her specific interests include working with babies and children with feeding difficulties, autism, complex language and speech sound disorders. Ali understands that every child and family is different. She is flexible in her approach and particularly enjoys getting to understand families and tailoring treatment to achieve the best outcomes. She has worked abroad and in various locations around Australia including Brisbane hospitals with children.
Ali is trained in a range of approaches including:
- SOFFI Method
- SOS Approach to Feeding: Basic and advanced courses
- ARFID Masterclass - the anxious eater
- ADOS Assessments (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
- PROMPT (Prompts for restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
- Hanen Programs: It Takes Two to Talk, More than Words, Learning Language and Loving It, ABC and beyond.
- Cracking the ABC code - literacy program
- Responsive Feeding - Feeding Therapy Australia 4 day course
In her spare time, Ali enjoys swimming, cooking and "hanging" with her three teenage children and deciphering 'teen-speak'.
Ali is available to see clients in clinic every second Friday 7am - 4pm and is accepting only clients with feeding challenges, including ARFID.
Arabella Burke
Arabella, Allied Health Assistant.
I am currently in my fourth and final year of studying a bachelor of speech pathology (honours) at the university of Queensland. When I'm not at Uni or the clinic, I enjoy listening to music, watching movies and trying new restaurants with my friends.
I really enjoy working in speech pathology as I am given the opportunity to support children in meaningful ways through creating engaging sessions that make learning feel fun. I am interested in deepening my understanding of speech sound disorders and early language development as I continue my studies.
Arabella is available Thursdays and Saturdays.
Maddie Boucher
Maddie Boucher, Allied Health Assistant.
I am a Bachelor of Speech Pathology student at the University of Queensland. I'm currently in my second year of study and loving it! When I'm not working at Sound Beginnings or studying, I enjoy playing sports with my friends and being creative. At the moment I am loving crocheting and scrapbooking.
Working in a speech pathology setting is super rewarding - I love helping families and clients reach their goals, whatever they may be! I am especially interested in the areas of articulation therapy, both paediatric and adult, whether developmental or acquired. I am working towards studying a Doctor of Medicine and am taking every opportunity to learn from real-life practice!
Maddie is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Marisa Ricketts
Marisa Ricketts, Allied Health Assistant & Admin Assistant
My name is Marisa and I am currently in my third year, studying speech pathology at ACU. In my spare time I love to go on adventures, play sports, go to the gym and spend time with my friends.
For me, I love working in a speech pathology setting as not only can I continue to learn, experience and benefit individually but I am able to provide meaningful assistance in helping children and their families. As I continue my studies, I look forward to further developing my clinical skills and strengthening my love for working with children.
I am available on Tuesdays.
