Helping Parents Find Their Voice Through Knowledge and Advocacy
Heidi is a leading figure in Victoria's Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) dyslexia community, known for her tireless parent advocacy and support for families. Her journey began as a parent, deeply involved in understanding and assisting her two young adults with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Motivated by personal experience, she founded the social media group Dyslexia Victoria Support in 2014, which has grown into the largest state-based parent-led support group for dyslexia in the country, with over 10,000 members.
​
In 2018 Heidi and the Dyslexia Victoria Administration Team were awarded the Victorian Premier's Volunteer Champions Award for Teamwork.
​
Heidi currently serves as Vice President on the Committee of Management at SPELD Victoria. She frequently engages with various stakeholders, including schools, the media, state government departments, and national organisations and those driving change within the Victorian education system.
In addition to her advocacy work, Heidi provides consulting services and workshops, both in-person and online. Central to these workshops is the creation of a Student Support Binder (SSB), a personalised organisational tool that contains essential documents, information, and resources to support a student's educational journey. The SSB typically includes documents such as Individualised Education Programs (IEPs), medical information, reports, assessments, progress reports, and relevant educational materials. Its purpose is to centralise and streamline information, ensuring that educators, parents, and other stakeholders have easy access to everything needed to support the student effectively.
​
Heidi firmly believes in the saying, "If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen."
Heidi's SSB workshops are designed to empower parents, caregivers, and specialists with the tools and knowledge necessary to advocate for students' educational needs. These workshops help prepare documents for school meetings, meetings with health professionals, the application process for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the documentary process for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) Special Examination Arrangements for VCE External Assessments. Heidi's skills are well-honed in providing advocacy support to families, educators, health professionals, and speech pathologists.
Heidi is also an Information Specialist with extensive professional experience with a background in libraries. She has a comprehensive background in corporate training and managing complex information management systems and archives in both corporate and public service sectors.
​
In addition to her role at SPELD Victoria, Heidi is on the Panel of Experts for Dystinct Magazine and a committee member of the Sharing Best Practice.
Book with Me
Consultation and Workshops
- Available OnlineRead More
Let's catch up for a coffee on Zoom to discuss your needs.
1 hr
60 Australian dollars - Available OnlineRead More
Let's catch up for a coffee on Zoom to discuss your needs.
2 hr
90 Australian dollars - Available OnlineRead More
Let's catch up for a virtual coffee to discuss your personal needs.
2 hr
90 Australian dollars
Heidi's Parent Support
As a dedicated advocate for families navigating the complexities of children with learning difficulties, I understand the challenges that parents face on a daily basis.
From the overwhelming amount of paperwork that accumulates within the education systems to the constant juggling act of managing appointments, therapies, and school meetings, the journey can often feel like an uphill battle.
​
With over a decade of experience in this field, I've established a broad network of professionals ready to assist you in finding a solution.
​
During our meeting, participants can expect a personalised approach that takes into account their unique needs and challenges. I'll provide practical advice and resources to empower parents to advocate effectively for their child's special educational needs.
In addition to offering practical support, meeting with me can also provide parents with a sense of validation and reassurance. It's not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed and isolated on their journey, but by connecting with a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate, they can find strength in knowing they're not alone.
Whether it's a school ILP/SSG/PLP/IEP meeting, a session with a speech therapist, or a consultation meeting with a specialist tutor or a Health or Allied Health Professional, this binder has your back!
By participating in the workshop, attendees will:
​
-
Craft a Vision and Mission for Their Child's Educational Journey: Participants will develop a clear understanding of the importance of having a vision and mission for their child's education, and they will learn how to articulate these in a meaningful way.
-
Create a Contact List of Key Support Team Members: Attendees will compile a list of essential contacts, including teachers, counselors, tutors, and other professionals involved in their child's education, enabling effective communication and collaboration.
-
Learn How to Locate and Organise Documents: Participants will acquire skills in efficiently locating and organising important documents related to their child's education, ensuring easy access and reference when needed.
-
Identify Evidence Gaps: Attendees will be able to identify any missing documents or information crucial for their child's educational needs, enabling them to take proactive steps to address these gaps.
-
Utilise Downloadable Templates: Participants will gain access to downloadable templates designed to assist them in listing and summarising documents for their student support binder, facilitating ease of use and reference.