Alison Clarke qualified as a Speech Pathologist in 1988. She first worked in Special Developmental Schools in the western suburbs of Melbourne, where a large number of the Prep and Grade 1 students were on the autism spectrum and needed intensive, collaborative communication programming. She then moved to the technology centre at Yooralla (now ComTEC), and again worked with many young children on the Autism Spectrum whose families were seeking Augumentative and Alternative Communication systems.

She then completed a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics and spent a year teaching English in Mexico before becoming a Senior Paediatric Speech Pathologist in Autism at Northwick Park and St Marks Hospital in London, managing a clinical caseload including a high number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and providing support and resources to other therapists to assist them in their work with children on the Autism Spectrum.

On her return to Melbourne Alison worked with Northwest Specialist Services of the Spastic Society (now SCOPE), Gloria Stalos and Christine Kendall (now Spectrum Speech Pathology), Monnington Early Intervention, the Autism Assessment Team at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brunswick Special Developmental School and Lewis and Lewis.

Alison started her Footscray-based private practice in 2001, and now offers a range of communication assessments including diagnostic assessment and individualised therapy programs for preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Therapy can focus on speech, language, imitation, play and/or social communication skills, and generally involves the use of visual communication systems such as PECS, scheduling and social stories/scripts.

Alison works with families to transfer children’s skills to a range of environments, and aims to use a child’s special interests and desire for predictability and routine as therapy motivators. She takes a functional communication approach to challenging behaviours and is available to visit homes, childcare centres, kindergartens and/or schools, in order to develop and maintain a consistent team approach and ensure a child successfully transitions to new environments.