Dr. Tessa Weadman

Director and Owner 

Tessa is the new owner of The Little Bookworm. She took over the business from Dr. Michelle O'Brien at the beginning of 2023. She currently works with children at The Little Bookworm on a Saturday morning. She also works at La Trobe University as a lecturer and researcher in the School of Education. 

Tessa recently completed her PhD, exploring the role of early childhood teachers in supporting preschoolers' oral language and emergent literacy skills using shared book reading. 

Tessa has experience working with children across a range of clinic, school and kindergarten-based settings. Her main clinical experiences including supporting students with literacy and learning difficulties (reading, writing, spelling, reading comprehension and phonemic awareness). She also works with children with speech and language difficulties, and children with autism. 

Tessa is a member of Speech Pathology Australia. She is trained in Sounds-Write, SRSD, Talk for Writing, The Writing Revolution, The Lidcombe Program (therapy for preschool children who stutter), Key Word Sign, and  Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). 

She has a strong passion for working collaboratively with families to provide evidence-based therapy, whilst maintaining a fun and friendly approach.

Dr. Michelle O'Brien

Senior Certified Practising Speech Pathologist

Michelle is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, a member of Speech Pathology Australia and the founder of The Little Bookworm. She works part-time at The Little Bookworm (Wednesday to Saturday). 

She has 30 + years experience as a paediatric speech language pathologist, working with children and their families in early intervention (children 0-6) and with children in schools. Her background includes working with children with underlying physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and also children with developmental speech and language delays and disorders, and literacy difficulties. In addition, she has previously worked at La Trobe University as a lecturer and researcher.

Her clinical skills and experience are in the following areas:

- Speech development and disorders (delayed speech, disordered or distorted speech, dyspraxia (difficulty with coordinating oral muscles to form speech sounds), dysarthria (difficulties with muscle tone - low tone resulting in floppy muscles, or high tone resulting in very tight muscles and the impact of muscle tone on speech);
- Language development and disorders (children late to begin talking, difficulties with any aspect of spoken language development such as spoken grammar, vocabulary, narrative and conversation skills);
- Autism spectrum disorders including children from mild disorders, to children who have no speech;
- Pre-literacy skills (oral vocabulary, phonological awareness - the ability to identify words in sentences and part words (sounds and syllables) in words;
- Parent/child interaction and its impact on early speech, language development, pre-literacy and literacy development; and
- Assisting parents and carers choose books and use book sharing strategies that enhance their child's interest and skills in oral language, pre-literacy and literacy.

Michelle has skills and interests in using up-to-date research evidence to inform her clinical practice.
In addition to her qualifications and experience as a speech pathologist, she is also a parent and Aunty, and has the practical day-to-day experience of managing a household, family and career. As a result of this experience, she understands the importance of incorporating speech and language goals into everyday activities where possible rather than attempting to add them to an already busy day.

Michelle has two gorgeous dogs, Audrey and Henry, who are at the clinic with her (Wednesday - Saturday), helping children to relax, laugh and understand that even dogs can have a different agenda to theirs.

Laura Elder

Senior Certified Practising Speech Pathologist

Laura is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia. Laura works full time at The Little Bookworm as one of our senior speech pathologists (Monday to Friday). Previously she worked as a Paediatric Speech Language Pathologist in the UK. She moved to Melbourne in late 2018 and has been enjoying working at The Little Bookworm ever since. Laura is passionate about using evidence-based therapy approaches while ensuring therapy sessions are relaxed and fun. She strives to tailor therapy to each child's interests as best she can to keep them motivated and enthusiastic about learning.

Laura has experience working with children requiring support with a range of communication skills including speech sounds, receptive and expressive language skills, and social skills. She has a particular interest in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Laura holds a Post-Graduate Degree in Speech and Language Therapy from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh as well as an Honours degree in Linguistics and Spanish from the University of Edinburgh. She regularly attends professional development events and familiarises herself with current research in order to ensure she is up to date with current evidence which can inform her clinical practice.

Laura is a bubbly team member who loves art, indoor gardening and her adorable cat 'Beans'.

Melissa Anthonisz

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist

Mel works 4 days a week at The Little Bookworm (Monday to Thursday). She has 7 + years of experience working with children and adolescents with language and literacy difficulties. As a former gymnastics coach, she enjoys involving movement and fun in her sessions whenever she can.

Mel is a member of Speech Pathology Australia and holds a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne as well as an undergraduate degree with a major in linguistics. She has experience working with children of various ages in both primary and secondary school. She has also previously had the privilege of working with members of the AFL and VFL to improve their language and literacy skills. You’ll recognise Mel from a mile away as being the short therapist with very bright clothing!

Natasha De Mel

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist

Natasha is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist who works full time at The Little Bookworm (Tuesday - Saturday). She has a Master of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University and Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Deakin University. She is a member of Speech Pathology Australia.

Tash is passionate about working closely with her clients and their families to support their goals with fun, strengths based activities. She has experience working with speech sound disorders, early language development and stuttering. 

Tash is a proud ADHDer and is passionate about working with and advocating for her neurodivergent clients. Tash is committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming care and is always looking for opportunities to learn from the neurodivergent community. 

Jessica Mollard

Allied Health Assistant/Admin Support