Simone Dudley delivers essential therapy to remotest children
From her farm in the NSW Riverina, this occupational therapist is levelling the playing field for children with developmental disabilities.
LONG before coronavirus lockdowns, occupational therapist Simone Dudley knew the downsides of isolation.
As an allied health professional she used to commute more than 130km from her family’s farm at Deniliquin to work with a paediatric autism assessment group.
“Not only did we have this long wait list for giving assessments, but people were travelling hours to get to us. By the time the families would arrive, everybody was exhausted,” said Simone, who specialises in childhood developmental disabilities.
Knowing that long-distance travel was taking a toll on rural families, Simone founded Therapy Connect, offering psychology, speech, occupational, nutritional and physiotherapy through video conferencing.
It means practitioners can give support to children without anyone leaving home.
“I could see that the potential of using technology was huge, it could decrease waiting lists, increase accessibility, increase frequency. This, in turn, gives consumers voice and control over how they access the services they need, when they need them,” Simone said.
Launched five years ago with West Victorian speech therapist Sue Cameron, the service now employs 40 part-time practitioners and delivers more than 1000 hours of therapy a month.
“I think the challenges have been that we are two rural women who are figuring all this out on our own,” said Simone, who built the business while battling several years of drought on her family’s farm.
The pandemic has fuelled demand and Therapy Connect has become a model for other telehealth operators.
Friend and fellow health professional Dr Megan Hosken said the service had changed the lives of rural and remote families.
“It means overnight they have access to the specific therapists who can meet every need of their child,” Megan said.
Simone is a nominee in The Weekly Times Shine Awards, supported by Harvey Norman.
The Shine Awards celebrates rural women who make a real difference to their communities, businesses and industries. Winners in six categories will receive a $2500 Harvey Norman voucher, and an overall winner will receive a further $5000, announced on November 18.
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