Maree Byrne
Founding Director - Elefant Heart Co
Hello and welcome. I’m Maree, founder of Elefant Heart Co and a registered teacher with 17+ years of educational experience supporting neurodivergent and disabled learners of all ages. I also bring personal experience supporting family members with disability, giving me both professional expertise and genuine understanding of the experiences families may navigate.
What sets Elefant Heart Co apart is my education-led, collaborative approach. I bridge the gap between disability, education and allied health, working alongside children, young people, families, educators and professionals to translate goals and recommendations into practical, meaningful strategies that support participation in everyday life.
My practice is neuro-affirming, strengths-based, person-centred and evidence-informed.
If you’re a parent looking for someone who understands both the educational and lived realities of disability, or a support coordinator seeking a collaborative education and disability specialist in Cairns, you've come to the right place.
Teacher, B.Ed._Early Childhood Education
Disability & Inclusion Education Consultant
Literacy/Dyslexia Intervention Specialist
Certified Brick-by-Brick® programme Facilitator
Certified Pracitioner_Berry Street Education Model_Early Years
Services
Dyslexia-Reading-Writing-Spelling Intervention Sessions
A registered teacher with several years experience supporting students with dyslexic profiles, learning disabilities and literacy gaps, Maree uses current strategies from ongoing training in the Multisensory Structured Language approach to teaching to make learning feel safe and successful.
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Multisensory Structured Language Education - Dyslexia
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Foundations of Literacy - phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension
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Open to all ages
Disability & Inclusion Education Support Services
(Early Childhood & Beyond)
Working collaboratively with families, childcare centres, kindergartens, schools, and allied health professionals, therapy recommendations are turned into practical, everyday strategies that can be embedded into home, early learning, and school environments.
With extensive experience across education and intervention, consistent, supportive environments are created where people feel understood, capable, and empowered to reach their full potential.
NDIS funding available for self-managed and plan-managed participants.
Social Connection &
Creative Learning Sessions
Discover BRICK CLUB Brick-by-Brick LEGO® Groups run by Maree, Certified Brick-by-Brick® Facilitator.
Benefits of Brick-by-Brick LEGO®-Based Social Connection Groups
Through structured, collaborative LEGO® building activities, participants have opportunities to practise social communication, turn-taking, problem-solving, critical thinking, memory and teamwork, while building confidence, connection and a sense of belonging. As participants grow, they can take on new challenges and build on their skills through future Brick Club levels.
Learn
Reading-Writing-Spelling Intervention Assessment
Fee: $90 per session (50 min session)
Comprehensive assessment aligned with Australian Dyslexia Association and uses a multisensory structured literacy approach.
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Phonological Awareness
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Phoneme/Grapheme Knowledge
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Decoding and Encoding Skills
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Reading Comprehension
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Written Language
This assessment typically takes 2-3 sessions with results identifying specific gaps that inform the creation of a personalised intervention plan.
Ongoing Reading-Writing-Spelling Intervention Sessions
Fee: $90 (50-min session)
After creation of the individualised program,
engaging, multisensory sessions are designed to deliver a structured program built entirely around each learner’s profile, goals, and passions.
The focus remains on closing educational gaps and unlocking full potential. A nurturing environment ensures learners stay motivated while building the self-belief needed to thrive.
Administration
Fee: $90 per hour
Charged based on the time required to complete requested documentation:
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Letters of support
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Recommendations
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Comprehensive reports
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Forms and referrals
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Questionnaires
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Recommendations for individualised support plans
Create
Social Connection & Creative Learning Sessions
BRICK CLUB
Brick-by-Brick LEGO® Social Connection Groups
How To Join a Brick Club these
School Holidays ->
Pricing:
Accepted payment methods for Elefant Heart Brick Club include:
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Private fee-paying options; or
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Funding from participant's NDIS Plan.
NDIS pricing:
Pricing is based on the current NDIS Pricing Schedule and the type of support delivered. Individual and group sessions may be charged differently in accordance with applicable NDIS pricing and claiming rules.
NDIS participants: Pricing will be confirmed based on the participant's plan, the nature of the support being delivered, group size where applicable, and the applicable NDIS support item.
Coming Soon!
Paint Your Pet
Workshop
How it Works:
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Book the workshop
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Email through a picture of your pet's face.
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Your pet's face will be drawn onto a canvas.
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Arrive, find your pet on canvas, paint!
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Leave with a portrait of your pet's face!
Kandi Bracelet
Workshop
How it Works:
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Book the workshop.
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Decide on the Kandi Bracelet you'll be making.
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Arrive, settle in and have fun!
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Leave with a beautiful bracelet.
Grow
Disability & Inclusion Education Support Services
(Early Childhood & Beyond)
STEP • PREP • THRIVE!
Kindy to Prep Transition ProgramCommencing Term 4
A strengths-based, neuro-affirming program supporting children and families to prepare for a confident, connected start to school.
Individualised • Typically 8–12 sessions
Taking Bookings Now!Free Initial Consultation
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Maree provides a collaborative, wrap-around service that builds the skills and confidence of children, families, early learning educators, and school staff.
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Taking a holistic approach, goals from allied health teams are seamlessly incorporated into individual's natural daily routines within the home, kindergarten, childcare centre or school.
Pricing
Age: 0 to 8 Years
Initial Consultation - Free
Priced as per the 2026-27 NDIS Pricing Schedule
Hourly Rate: $193.99
Support Item Number: 15_625_0118_1_3
Support Item Name: ECI Professional - Early Childhood Teacher or Educator - Direct Service
Age: 9 + years
Initial Consultation - Free
NDIS participants: Pricing will be confirmed based on the participant's plan, the nature of the support being delivered, and the applicable NDIS support item.
Travel Costs
Priced as per the NDIA Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
*Travel Costs referred to in the Service Agreement.
Cancellations
Priced as per the NDIA Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
*Cancellations made within 48 hours of scheduled appointment with participant (including other third party providers) will be charged as per the cancellation policy within the Service Agreement.
October is
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Free Assessment 16th - 30th October
Send an Enquiry
Interested in Services provided by Elefant Heart Co?
0424055088
Cairns and surrounding areas
