Skip to main content

About Solongo

About Us

A leading certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) early intervention provider in Melbourne

About Us

At Solongo Early Intervention, we are dedicated to fostering the development and growth of children through the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). Our specialized intervention services cater to children on the autism spectrum or those who exhibit developmental delays.

We are committed to delivering evidence-based practices that prioritize the developmental well-being of children. Our expert team specializes in implementing the renowned ESDM, a comprehensive intervention program firmly grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and developmental science.

We personalize interventions to suit each child's unique needs, focusing on building crucial skills in communication, social interaction, play skills fine and gross motor skills, joint attention, self-care, and behaviour management.

At Solongo Early Intervention, we are more than just an early intervention provider; we are partners in your child's developmental journey. Join us as we create a nurturing and supportive environment that empowers children to thrive.

Our Approach

Our Services

  • Certified ESDM Expertise

    Our team comprises certified professionals with extensive experience in implementing the ESDM approach. A certified therapists team specialize in delivering ESDM therapy sessions tailored to your child's developmental requirements. Through play-based, engaging activities, we target specific goals to enhance your child's overall development.

  • Comprehensive Assessments

    We conduct thorough assessments to evaluate your child's strengths and areas needing improvement. These assessments guide our intervention plans, ensuring a personalized approach for each child.

  • Evidence-Based Practices

    We adhere to the highest standards of evidence-based practices, ensuring the effectiveness and success of our interventions.

  • Individualised Approach

    We recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of each child, tailoring interventions to their specific needs.

  • Collaborative Environment

    We foster a collaborative environment, encouraging open communication and teamwork between ourselves therapists, parents, and any other professionals involved in the child's care.

  • Family-Centred Care

    We believe in the importance of collaboration with families, valuing their insights and involving them in the intervention process.

Meet Our Team

Our Team

  • Sharon

    Program Supervisor

    • Registered Developmental Educator
    • Certified ESDM Therapist
    • ESDM Parent Coacher
    • Senior Early Intervention Consultant
    • Bachelor of Education
    • Master of Autism and Neurodivergent

    I'm Sharon Sirige, a Certified ESDM Therapist and ESDM Parent Coach, and a dedicated mother of two boys. Possessing a natural ability to connect with children and an unwavering dedication to assisting parents in their children's developmental journey, I contribute a wealth of expertise to our ESDM Program.

    As a nurturing mother, I understand the importance of fostering genuine connections with children. Beyond my personal experiences, my professional commitment extends to mentoring and training fellow therapists. My goal is to amplify the positive impact of ESDM therapy through knowledge-sharing and expertise.

    I emphasize inclusivity, recognizing the pivotal role parents play in their child's development. My approach involves fostering a collaborative relationship where parents actively participate in understanding and supporting their children's journey towards realizing their full potential. Understanding the significance of parent involvement, I provide coaching and guidance not only in ESDM therapy but also in empowering parents to become active participants in their child's progress. Proficient in English, and Mandarin, I ensure effective communication, reaching out to a diverse range of families.

    My passion lies in collaborating closely with parents, acknowledging their vital role in their child's growth. Through this partnership, I strive to tailor interventions and strategies that resonate with each child's unique needs, ensuring a holistic approach to their development.

    In every session, I bring my expertise, empathy, and profound understanding of child development to create an enriching environment where children thrive, and families flourish.

    I look forward to being a part of your child's developmental success!

  • Pree

    Registered Psychologist & Board Approved Supervisor

    • Master of Professional Psychology Practice
    • Master of Professional Psychology
    • Master of Science (Psychology)
    • Bachelor of Arts

    Pree is a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with diverse thinking and learning styles. Her practice is grounded in a neuro-affirmative approach, fostering environments where clients feel understood, valued, and supported. By shifting the focus from deficits to strengths, Pree offers tailored care for children, adolescents, and adults navigating the complexities of neurodiversity and trauma.

    Her therapeutic approach combines evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and trauma-informed care. Pree empowers neurodivergent individuals to build confidence, skills, and positive mindsets, fostering self-determination. To accurately assess client needs, Pree utilises a range of assessments including autism, ADHD, cognitive, functional, and behavioural evaluations. These assessments inform the development of personalised intervention plans that build on strengths and foster resilience.

    Pree believes in the power of collaboration and works closely with clients and their families to create supportive environments that promote growth and resilience. By equipping parents with knowledge and tools, she empowers them to understand and support their unique needs. This collaborative approach fosters a strong partnership between the psychologist, child, and family, leading to improved outcomes. Ultimately, Pree's work is driven by a belief in the inherent potential of all individuals. Her practice reflects a commitment to empowering clients to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.

  • Jody

    Speech Pathologist

    • Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
    • Theraplay-informed
    • Social Thinking

    Jody is also familiar with, and utilizes a variety of therapy programs such as 'Social Thinking'. Jody has been a clinical educator for 4th year Speech Pathology students from La Trobe University.

  • Lily

    Parenting & Well-being Practitioner

    • Bachelor of Education
    • Diploma of Community Services
    • Certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
    • Certified Tuning Into Kids Facilitator
    • Certified Bringing Up Great Kids Facilitator
    • Certified Brief Parent Coach
    • Certified Seasons for Growth Companion

    Lily is a certified parenting and well-being practitioner passionate about supporting families get connected, supported, and included. Lily has worked for more than 20 years across education, child protection, and family and parenting services. She specialised in attachment, parent–child relationships, emotional development, and culturally inclusive practice. Her approach is deeply child-centred, evidence-informed, and trauma-informed. Families described her support as warm, practical, and easy to connect with. Her focus is on creating a safe, respectful space where parents feel supported, confident, and empowered to understand their children and themselves.

    As a bilingual practitioner fluent in Mandarin and English, she supports families, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds, by helping bridge gaps between parents and the essential services and systems they need. She strengthens family engagement, navigates systemic challenges, and builds trust to foster smoother collaboration, ensuring children can access the support they need to thrive. Central to her work is the understanding that children flourish when their parents feel connected, informed, and supported.

  • Anita

    Program Coordinator

    • Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
    • Advanced Trained ESDM Therapist
    • Bachelor of Education
    • Master of Learning Intervention (Specific Learning Difficulties)
    • Master of TESOL

    Anita is a dedicated Senior Early Intervention Therapist with over three years of experience supporting young children with developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD and learning difficulties across clinical, school and community settings. She is passionate about early childhood intervention and committed to helping every child reach their full potential through respectful, evidence-based and family-centred practice.

    Anita holds a Master of Learning Intervention, a Master of TESOL, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Melbourne. She has a strong foundation in special education and Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) principles. She is now working towards ESDM certification and pursuing registration as a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practitioner. She adopts a neurodiversity-affirming approach and works closely with families and professionals to deliver individualised, consistent support. Anita is fluent in both English and Mandarin. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, caring for animals, and spending time with her two beloved cats.

  • Trista

    Advanced Trained ESDM Therapist

    • Master of Education

    Trista has a Master of Education background and she has over five years of experience working with primary school-aged children across diverse educational settings. She is currently undertaking certification in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), reflecting her strong commitment to evidence-based early intervention and neurodiversity-affirming practice.

    Trista has a particular interest in inclusive education and has contributed to supporting children with additional needs through both professional roles and volunteer programs in Australia and internationally. Her practice is grounded in a compassionate, child-centred approach, with a focus on fostering engagement, developmental progress, and emotional wellbeing.

    Known for her calm, patient, and empathetic manner, Trista creates safe and supportive learning environments tailored to each child's individual strengths and needs. She is fluent in both English and Mandarin, enabling her to effectively engage with culturally and linguistically diverse families.

    Trista is committed to ongoing professional development and aspires to pursue doctoral research in inclusive education, contributing to best practice in supporting children with diverse learning needs.

  • Evelyn

    Behaviour Intervention Therapist

    • Candidate for Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
    • Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis

    Evelyn is a dedicated therapist and BCBA candidate specialising in early intervention for children with autism and developmental delays. She has experience providing behaviour support across home, school, and community settings, focusing on strengthening communication, social skills, and independence. She is also actively pursuing Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) to further enhance her practice in delivering person-centred and values-aligned support.

    Evelyn is known for her calm, patient, and engaging approach, tailoring each session to each child's individual strengths and needs. She values strong collaboration with families and is committed to delivering neuroaffirming, evidence-based support. Her background in music, including teaching guzheng to children with additional needs, enriches her practice by fostering creativity and meaningful engagement in learning.

    Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Evelyn strives to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps for diverse families. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, Pilates, badminton, and exploring traditional music through the guzheng.

  • Chloe

    Behaviour Intervention Therapist

    • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
    • Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis

    Chloe holds a Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). She has a strong academic background in supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental differences through evidence-based behavioural interventions.

    Chloe has gained valuable hands-on experience working with neurodivergent children across settings. She has been practiced a range of approaches within Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), including both structured and naturalistic intervention strategies across different clinical and educational environments. In her roles, Chloe also supported therapists in implementing individualised intervention programs, collected and reviewed behavioural data to monitor client progress, and collaborated closely with clinical supervisors to develop and implement tailored support plans. She has experience contributing to assessments such as the VB-MAPP and tracking the implementation of Individualised Education Programs (IEPs).

    Chloe is passionate about delivering person-centred and culturally responsive support to neurodivergent communities. She is committed to ongoing professional development through supervision while working towards further certification.

  • Rachel

    Early Intervention Therapist

    • Bachelor of Secondary Education
    • Master of Learning Intervention (Current)

    Rachel is an experienced therapist specialising in early intervention and inclusive education. She is currently undertaking training as an Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Therapist and is a bilingual secondary teacher provisionally registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Rachel is completing a Master of Intervention at the University of Melbourne and brings over ten years of classroom teaching experience, alongside more than three years working directly within inclusive education settings.

    Drawing on both her educational and clinical training, Rachel develops practical, developmentally appropriate strategies tailored to children with diverse learning profiles. She has extensive experience in implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), ensuring each child's strengths, goals, and support needs are collaboratively addressed across home and school environments.

    Rachel's bilingual background enables her to build strong and effective relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse families, supporting meaningful collaboration between parents, educators, and allied health professionals.

    With a warm, collaborative, and strengths-based approach, Rachel is committed to supporting children's independence, empowering families, and fostering inclusive learning environments that promote positive developmental outcomes.

Book a free consultation

Talk with our team about your child's next step.

Every child's journey is unique. Book a free, no-obligation conversation with the Solongo team and we'll help you find the right pathway.