Hi, I’m Rebecca Eager
I’ve been a Registered Music Therapist since 2009 (Masters of Music Therapy – Uni of Queensland) and before that I was an instrumental music teacher and performer.
I am passionate about learning, teaching others and sharing knowledge.
In 2010 I pursued extra training in Neurologic Music Therapy and have been working within this treatment system ever since. I served on the International Advisory Council for the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy and currently enjoy being an Assistant Faculty member for the Academy’s training programs. I was an Academic lecturer and Clinical Placement Coordinator for the Masters of Music Therapy program at the University of Queensland from 2012-2015.
Rhythm and Movement for Self Regulation
Since 2016 I have been engaged in work with the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education Department co-designing the RAMSR (Rhythm and Movement for Self Regulation) program and RAMSR for Toddlers program.
We’re supporting individuals with complex communication needs and sensory motor differences.
My passion and the majority of my therapy work lies in the autism field. Over the last decade plus, I have worked with many incredible individuals at various stages of their communication journey. I’ve been lucky to work closely with and learn from speech therapists specialising in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This has led me to explore continuing professional development opportunities that support non speaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking individuals to develop AAC methods.
In 2022 I became a certified Spelling to Communicate practitioner and now utilise both my NMT background and S2C practitioner skills to help individuals’ develop the motor skills necessary for pointing to letters and words for communication.
We work from a presuming competence and neuro-affirming approach.
In particular, looking at how to support sensory integration and motor planning to allow individuals to work towards their goals and give them the tools to meet their true potential.
Meet Vanessa Jouet
Vanessa is a Registered and Neurologic Music Therapist. She has completed fellowship NMT training and is contracted as an assistant faculty member for the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy’s online and Australian based training programs.
Throughout her 17 years working with both children and adults with disabilities, Vanessa has experience across several multidisciplinary settings including paediatric, hospital, brain injury rehabilitation, adult disability and early intervention settings.
She specialises in assisting autistic children and those with speech and language disorders, having worked at The Glenleighden School between 2009 and 2023. Vanessa is mum to two young boys and has a warm and welcoming presence. She is dedicated to applying the latest research to ensure high standards of best practice and achievement of goals.
Presuming competence is at the forefront of our work.
We know that not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say, and that ‘kids do well if they can’ (Dr Ross Greene). We are inspired by mentors and colleagues (such as Anne Donnelan and Martha Leary) who have helped many to rethink their attitude and approach towards non-speaking speaking individuals. We look beyond behaviours (thank you Mona Delahooke) and always regulate before we educate (we love the work of Greg Santucci, OT). Understanding movement differences and diversity is crucial, and researchers such as Elizabeth Torres inform much of our work.
Staying up to date with professional development in sensory integration is as enjoyable for us as our hobbies!
It’s important to us that we have a sound understanding of sensory processing and how rhythm can help integrate sensory information, optimise neural networks, and regulate the nervous system.
We strive to listen to the lived experiences of autistic individuals and their supporters, and ensure that we are providing a culture of valuing neurodiversity.
Finally, we know we don’t have all the answers and so we are in a continued state of learning, listening, and evolving. We invite collaboration with our clients, their valued supporters, other like-minded professionals and value a whole team approach to our work.
Our aim is to support people to live the life they want (not fix or change anyone) as well as provide information, training and support to those around the individual.
