Jo graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy from Curtin University in 1995. She left Perth on graduating to work alongside her Occupational Therapist mother Barbara. She has over twenty-five years experience working with all age groups, a wide range of conditions and in hospitals, schools, homes and other community settings – however, within that generalist experience her particular passion is for helping families and children. While living remotely Jo taught her three sons on Meekatharra School of the Air, giving her a good understanding of the primary school curriculum and different ‘pull out’ programs that can meet both OT and curriculum goals.
Jo combined her writing and research skills with her desire to help families and wrote an influential and fully-referenced child development text focussing on self-regulation released in 2010 by HarperCollins. When working directly with families she aims to have parents walking out the door after the first appointment both understanding their child better and with a plan ready to go. Jo lives on a little farm in the Perth Hills with her extended family, and any spare time is spent on gardening and landcare.
Jo is a member of Developmental Occupational Therapy (WA).