Meet The Team
Kristy Pennington
Kristy Pennington is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist with over 22 years of experience supporting children and adolescents in education and community health settings. She has a special interest in helping young people with language, literacy, and social communication challenges, working closely with families and educators to create strong, empowering connections.
Kristy is passionate about seeing children and adolescents overcome obstacles and thrive, and her dedication to building meaningful relationships with the families she works with is at the heart of her approach.
A proud mother and farmer’s wife, Kristy loves living and working in the Mansfield community. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, riding her horses, spending time with friends and family, and reading a good book.
Peta Martin is Small Talk’s dedicated Support Services, Allied Health Assistant and Disability Support Worker. Born and raised in Mansfield, Peta attended local schools before pursuing a diploma in Community Services and Children’s Services.
With over 14 years of experience in early childhood education and a decade as a medical receptionist at Mansfield District Hospital, Peta brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role.
Peta has a passion for helping people of all ages. Her enthusiasm for speech therapy and literacy shines through in her work, as she finds joy in observing children learn new skills and achieve their goals. Witnessing their pride and sense of accomplishment is what drives her commitment to support and care.
Outside of work, Peta enjoys horse riding, swimming, camping, cooking, and spending quality time communicating with friends and family.
Peta Martin
Autism Assessment Team Mansfield
The Mansfield Autism Assessment Team at Kidex is dedicated to providing local families with a high-quality, evidence-based pathway to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The team includes experienced professionals: Sally Hanratty, Psychologist; Alisha Forest, Occupational Therapist; and Kristy Pennington, Speech Pathologist. Together, they are committed to supporting the Mansfield community.
As long-time Mansfield locals with extensive experience delivering allied health services to children and adolescents, the team takes a multidisciplinary approach. Their thorough, neuroaffirming assessment process prioritises the needs of both children and families.
The team’s mission is to make the assessment process seamless and accessible. By offering comprehensive evaluations locally, they help families avoid lengthy waiting lists and the challenges of traveling to multiple therapists for assessments before seeing a pediatrician.
The Mansfield Autism Assessment Team is proud to support families in understanding their child’s unique strengths and challenges. They aim to foster a positive foundation for growth and development while ensuring children and families can access the support they need to meet their potential. Referrals can be made through Small Talk Speech Pathology.
Want to join our team?
Please contact kristy@smalltalkspeechpath.com.au.