
COVID-19
Announcement:
To ensure the highest level of health, safety, and cleanliness standards for our clients, Foundations for Learning now offers virtual consultations (tele-health) via Zoom. We continue to provide in-person sessions with additional cleaning and sanitation measures. Please contact our team for further details.
Occupational Therapy and Handwriting Expert
Serving Perth and the South-West
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Geraldine Ferry Smith offers extensive practical experience as an occupational therapist in addition to her post-graduate academic qualifications in learning disabilities and occupational therapy.
Difficulties with handwriting, fine motor skill development, written language and school readiness are common reasons for referral. Foundations for Learning provides a flexible and responsive individualised program for children who are learning to write, and for students and adults who need to improve their writing or relearn how to write after illness or injury.
Geraldine has a holistic approach to learning and has developed a handwriting instruction program which is embedded within a literacy framework. Instead of focusing solely on tracing and learning letter shapes, Geraldine focuses on alphabetic knowledge and letter formation within a structured synthetic phonics model. As the students become more competent writers, their confidence increases in the classroom and in daily life.
Clients are seen in Halls Head, with a mobile service operating between Perth and Bunbury.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Geraldine
Geraldine Ferry Smith
B App Sc (OT), M Hlth Sc (OT)
BA, Grad Dip Rehab Studs, PG Dip Ed Studies (LD),
M Dis Studs, M Ed, M Ass Eval.
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Foundations for Learning
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Building the foundations for lifelong learning since 2002


Foundations for Learning was establishedin 2002 by Geraldine Ferry Smith in a 100 year old bluestone terrace house in South Melbourne. It started as a general paediatric practice but Geraldine soon developed a reputation for helping children and adults to improve their handwriting.
Curious as to why well students were experiencing difficulties in learning to handwrite, Geraldine embarked on a long journey to investigate handwriting and specific learning disabilities. She attended conferences and training courses in Australia and overseas while earning four Master degrees from prominent Australian universities.
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Moving to Perth to be closer to family, Geraldine has re-established Foundations for Learning in Halls Head, a coastal town south of Perth. She brings the same interest and enthusiasm for working with children and adults to Perth and the South West.
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Our Story​
Speak with Geraldine in an obligation-free session
Leave your details below and I'll contact you for a 20 minute obligation-free chat about whether I am the right therapist for your needs.
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Alternatively, please feel free to ring me directly
on 0400 124 448.
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