Our Team
Established in 2013, Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children consists of its founder and Principal Physiotherapist, John Drysdale, and a team of experienced senior physiotherapists. The team have over 100 years experience in paediatric physiotherapy between them. We have extensive expertise within the areas of children’s developmental physiotherapy and childhood disability.
All staff at Movement Matters Physiotherapy are registered Physiotherapists with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA). All staff have Medicare Provider Numbers, enabling access to Medicare Programs. John also has involvement with Reimagine Australia, formerly known as Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA), which has been the leading Australian body for early childhood outcomes for young children with a developmental delay or a disability and their families, since 1986.
All staff hold a current Child-Related Employment Screening from the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DSCI, SA Government) which indicates our suitability and safety to work with vulnerable people including children.
John Drysdale
DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST
John graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 1992. Since then, John has acquired expert knowledge in the area of Paediatric Physiotherapy. He has worked in Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s and Lyell McEwin Hospitals, Novita and Disability Services (formerly IDSC); and in the United Kingdom in a variety of paediatric settings, including hospitals, child development centres, family homes, and schools for children with special needs. Read more
John has comprehensive knowledge and expert physiotherapy skills covering many paediatric conditions such as developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, genetic or chromosomal abnormalities (including Down Syndrome), and physical disabilities (including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophies). He has travelled extensively and presented at national and international conferences on topics relating to developmental outcomes of premature children. Read less
Chris Innes-Wong
BUSINESS MANAGER & PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Chris is a physiotherapist and the current manager of Movement Matters Physiotherapy. He delivers innovative, energetic, and creative therapy solutions to help children achieve their goals. With extensive experience in rehabilitation and disability across all ages, Chris has particular expertise in neurological recovery, managing movement disorders, and prescribing complex equipment. Read more
He recently completed a Master of Health by Research, investigating innovative rehabilitation approaches for children with acquired brain injury (ABI), and has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences on rehabilitation post-ABI. Chris believes curiosity is key to discovering new ways to motivate and empower the people he works with, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Outside of work, Chris is a dad who loves spending time with his family, surfing, and competitive sport. Having competed at high levels in both tennis and athletics — including making the final of the Stawell Gift — he has a particular passion for helping people find enjoyment in sport and recreation. Read less
Ashley Kimber
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Ashley graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 2019, and since then she has predominately worked with children in the disability field. Prior to graduating she worked as an allied health assistant with this population. Ashley is passionate about providing holistic and meaningful care for clients with a range of paediatric conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, and Cerebral Palsy. Ashley supports play-based therapy and working with families in their community to best support them to achieve their individual goals.
Bec Fleet
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Rebecca (Bec) graduated from University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 2002. Bec began her career working in country South Australia, where she worked with children, adults and in aged care. She realised her passion is working with children and their families, and has since worked in the children’s disability field for over 15 years. Most recently Bec has worked at Kudos in the Early Childhood Early Intervention service. Read more
Bec re-joins us with extensive experience and expertise in working with children with a variety of disabilities, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, a variety of syndromes, autism, and movement disorders. Bec has a very family-centred holistic approach. She has a special interest in early intervention, equipment, and aquatic physiotherapy. Read less
Bec Pontifex
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Bec graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 1997. Since then, she has worked as a Paediatric Physiotherapist in public hospitals including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, private practice, community health centres, family homes and schools for children with special needs, both in Adelaide and abroad. Read more
Bec has a special interest and extensive training in the early detection and intervention therapies for premature babies, children with complex medical needs and children with developmental delays and movement disorders (such as cerebral palsy). Bec is a qualified Marte Meo Therapist – a communication method to help strengthen connections between parents and their child. Read less
Deb Thompson
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Deb graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 1997 and is currently studying a Masters of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Melbourne. She has many years of experience working with children both in hospitals and in the community. Read more
Through her high quality physiotherapy services, she helps children with disabilities and developmental delays to fully participate in family and community life. Deb works in partnership with families and other important people in a child’s life to support the child’s needs and goals. She recognises the value of play in children’s development and makes sure this is central to therapy.
Deb is also highly experienced in orthopaedic physiotherapy, and is able to design rehabilitation programs to help children with conditions affecting their bones, joints and muscles to build movement, strength, and confidence. She also provides casting and splinting for a wide range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions, integrating this into the overall management of the child. Read less
Jamila Ansaar
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Jamila graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 2014. She has over 10 years experience as a paediatric physiotherapist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Jamila has a special interest in paediatric orthopaedics and hydrotherapy. With a background in ballet, movement and exercise form the foundation of her practice. Working with children, she enjoys using play to promote exercises that help children to achieve their goals in an enjoyable way. Read more
Her work in orthopaedics means she is experienced in treating children with conditions affecting their bones, muscles and joints. She uses serial casting and splinting as part of her treatment approach. Read less
Jane Burton
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Jane graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from The University of South Australia in 2005. Since graduating, she has worked in Pediatric Physiotherapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Queensland Health and within the community and private settings in South Australia. Read more
Jane has a special interest in working with children with neurodevelopmental delay in both a land and hydrotherapy environment. She currently combines her time between Movement Matters and as a Clinical Educator at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Read less
Marguerite Neate
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Marguerite graduated from the University of South Australia in 1998 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. Since graduating Marguerite has worked in Paediatric Physiotherapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, in private practice and in community settings. Read more
Marguerite has extensive experience in the area of Neurodevelopmental Physiotherapy particularly in pre school and school aged children with low muscle tone, coordination difficulties, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and developmental delays as well as other conditions. Marguerite has a passion for assisting children with coordination difficulties to build their skill level and optimise their potential to be more at the level of their peers.
Marguerite worked as the Senior Physiotherapist in the Minimal Motor Dysfunction Unit gross motor group program at the WCH for over 10 years. This comprehensive service included initial assessment followed by intervention in specific skill based learning in small groups in the community.
Marguerite has a special interest in and 15 years experience working in aquatic physiotherapy using buoyancy and resistance of the water for facilitation and enjoyment of movement, muscle strengthening, balance, coordination and confidence. Read less
Geraldine Riley
PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSISTANT
Geraldine has been a Physio Assistant since 1992, joining Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children in 2017. She assists with running movement groups, serial casting and hydrotherapy classes. Her passion is assisting children to make their rehabilitation fun and successful, dividing her time between Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Unit.
Monica Roach
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Mon joined Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children in mid 2016, and provides integral support to the physiotherapists in their roles. Mon has first-hand lived experience as parent of a child with a disability. She also inputs into various disability-related consumer groups.