The Earlysteps Team
Staff at Earlysteps
Clinicians at Earlysteps provide all clients with varied and in depth experience in their relevant fields. They have national registration and are regularly engaging in professional development. All staff at Earlysteps are also required to have working with children checks.
Brett Waddell
Podiatrist and Occupational Therapist
Brett is the director of Earlysteps, which he established in 2007 after many years working in the private sector.
He holds a Bachelor of Podiatry and a Master of Occupational Therapy Practice, both from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.
Brett is passionate about supporting children and their families to overcome functional challenges, as well as addressing foot and lower limb conditions.
In addition to his role at Earlysteps, Brett has experience in early intervention at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) and in various educational settings.
He has contributed to several publications, including ‘Helping Children Put Their Best Foot Forward’, ‘Teaching Your Child to Get Dressed’, and ‘Feet First’. Brett also presented at the Australasian Podiatry Conference in 2009 and has been involved with the Australian Podiatry Association (Victoria) Paediatric Special Interest Group.
Brett’s diverse background enables him to offer a unique perspective on children’s functional performance.
Outside of work, Brett enjoys spending time with his three children, aged between ten and sixteen years. He also likes running, cycling, and watching movies and comedy series.
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Aimie Waddell
Occupational Therapist
Aimie completed a 'Bachelor of Occupational Therapy' at LaTrobe University and prior to this studied in graphic-design. She works part time as an Occupational Therapist at Earlysteps.
Aimie has previous experience working in autism specific early intervention, in special education settings, mainstream schools and in clinic and community based private-practice.
She has completed training in areas of Sensory processing, including the Alert Program, Play based therapy, DIR Floortime and Parental Education.
Aimie is aware of the challenges families can face in raising children and utilises this knowledge in her clinical practice. She is the mother of two boys and a girl.