About Kathy
Kathy Clarkson has been an Occupational Therapist since 1993, specialising in working with children and adults with sensory processing, mental health, neurological and developmental difficulties using a trauma informed approach.
In 2002, having returned to Australia from spending several years working in the USA, Kathy was finding it challenging to source the equipment she wanted to use to support her clients within Australia.
How SenseAbilities Started
A conversation with her sister Robyn Kirkham and SenseAbilities was born.
Back then we worked out of Robyn’s home with Kathy providing the therapeutic knowledge on the best products to support clients and Robyn providing dedicated retail expertise.
SenseAbilities quickly out grew the home based set up and we moved into the current shop in Mooroolbark.
Over the next 20 years SenseAbilities continued to grow and has become one of the longest running and most trusted shops for sensory and developmental toys and equipment in Victoria.
Moving Forward…
In 2022 it became time for a change. Robyn was ready for retirement, but Kathy was keen to continue the business and explore integrating further with the therapeutic expertise the team from her other business – Melbourne Occupational Therapy Associates – could provide.
Who’s Who Now
The new management team at SenseAbilities continues to be led by Kathy as Director and Occupational Therapist, but also now adds Cathy, a highly experienced primary teacher and social worker and Rodd a teacher and specialist in bespoke and integrative technology solutions for those living with disability. Together we support customers to find the right equipment and resources to achieve theirs personal, client, student or families goals, while our wonderful retail team aim to get those orders out to our customers in a smooth and no fuss approach.
Continuing the tradition
SenseAbilities, under the new management team, looks forward to continuing the excellent tradition set by Robyn and Kathy into the next decade.
