About Us

Brianna Smith (Ba. OT, Acc OT) has had over 4 years experience as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and has enjoyed every moment of it! Brianna has worked primarily in early intervention settings and has also spent time working in special schools in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Brianna has a particular interest in Sensory Processing and enjoys working with families, helping them to find ways to overcome difficulties and maximise strengths in this area. She has participated in a large range of professional development activities and has completed courses in Sensory Processing, Neurodevelopmental Treatment (for infants & toddlers), Autism and working in a Strength Based Approach.

Brianna is looking forward to working with the children, their families and caregivers at Sprout Paediatric Therapy Services; she will be working both at the Mornington and Moorabbin clinics.

Monica Leo (Ba. OT (Hons), Acc OT - Director) has worked as an Occupational Therapist since 1997 in both the UK and Melbourne, and specialises in working with children with social, emotional, behavioural, sensorimotor and learning difficulties.

Monica is passionate about working with children, families and schools/kindergartens and has experience in early intervention settings, and community programs. She has extensive experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, Developmental Delays and Learning difficulties. Monica is also involved in various research projects, and presents at community programs and professional conferences throughout the year.

She has been working in private practice in the Bayside area of Melbourne since November 2001. Sprout was established by Monica in 2005 when she began running the private practice full time.

Davina Pasmanik. (Ba. OT) will be providing both visit and clinic based services from both clinics over the week. Davina has had many years working with a range of children and families in schools and homes. She has had particular experience in working with children who have autism spectrum disorders and developmental delay.

Davina is a creative therapist who enjoys incorporating music, dance, yoga and art into therapy programs. She has training in The Sensory Toolkit. Davina loves working with children and enjoys celebrating small achievements with them and their families.

Davina has recently completed The Alert Programme training and works across both of our Mornington and Moorabbin clinics

Cara Paull (Ba. OT, Acc OT)
joined the team at Sprout in Feb 2007 and has over 9 years experience in a variety of early intervention and school and cultural settings, working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, Developmental Delays and Learning difficulties.

These experiences have afforded Cara opportunities of working closely with families, caregivers, kinder/school teachers and other allied health professionals.

Cara is passionate about working for and with families and caregivers to explore and develop the individual learning potential of each child and is currently involved in learning the DIR-floortime model to expand her knowledge and skills to further families and caregivers in encouraging their child’s development.

She has a certificate in Swimming Instruction, Introduction to Counselling and Makaton (vocabulary development).

Carah Jones (Ba. OT (Hons)) will be providing clinic and community based services from both clinics across the week. Carah has had many years experience working with varying children and their families in the home, school, community, and clinic setting. Carah has particular experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. She also has received training in Sensory Processing.

Carah is an enthusiastic paediatric therapist with a passion for children, creativity, and individuality. She enjoys working as part of the health, educational, and family team to help a child reach their potential and experience the world around them. Carah works across both of your Mornington and Moorabbin clinics.