Joan is a fully qualified teacher with over 30 years experience teaching primary, secondary and tertiary level students. She has owned two Tutoring businesses where she was able to help students experiencing learning difficulties. She has a degree in Biological Science and Psychology and this, along with her teaching experience enables her to relate to children of all ages. Many children who come to see her have very low self-esteem and self-confidence because they are usually not achieving academically at the same level as their classmates. Joan is able to talk to them at a level that makes them feel comfortable and as a result, they usually leave with an increased optimism that they can achieve what is expected of them.
Children who come to see Joan have often fallen into reading habits that make it difficult for them to read effectively. Parents are often looking to Joan to provide them with strategies that they can use to help their children "catch up" to their peers.
Joan also sees many adults who have always had reading difficulties but thought that they just "had to live with it". Adults respond just as well as children in overcoming the problems that they experience while reading.
Julie is a dedicated Irlen Diagnostician and company director of the Irlen Diagnostic Clinic Newcastle. She was recently presented with her 15year Irlen Diagnostician certificate by the Irlen Institute at the latest International Conference, she has been part of the Newcastle clinic since 2009. As an Irlen sufferer herself, and with 3 now grown children also having Irlen Syndrome, she understands the importance of an Irlen diagnosis in improving people’s lives and is committed to advocating where possible for her clients in both educational and work situations.
Julie is also the current president of the Australasian Association of Irlen Consultants, a role which she has held for 2 years and is pivotal in keeping Irlen clinicians in New Zealand and Australia connected.
When not at work, you will find Julie at the gym, out for a walk or catching up with family and friends.
