Santana Calabro 

Occupational Therapist

Hi, I’m Santana. I have only recently joined the team after finishing my studies at UniSA in November 2022. I completed my final 9-week placement at Can:Do 4Kids, and loved it so much that I applied!

Growing up I knew that whatever career I ended up choosing, I wanted to be helping people. Having had two amazing OTs as a child, I saw that OTs are some of the biggest helpers around and can help change other people's lives, just as they did mine. Working at Can:Do 4Kids provides me the opportunity to help children, as much as their families too.

I personally found school and University very difficult, as I have ADHD. This wasn’t diagnosed until I was an adult. After my diagnosis, new avenues opened up for me and I was able to access tools that lead to me thriving and accomplishing things I never knew were possible. This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about my job; so I can provide the services to children that would have changed my life if I had access to them at an earlier age.

I completed a previous placement in a hospital setting; one in a mental health ward and the other facilitating a project on delirium in a GEMU ward. It was at these placements that I found a passion for mental health and is something I hope to continue supporting clients with in the future.

I have a very play-based approach when working with clients, and try to make sessions as fun as possible while still reaching goals. I do this by keeping up with current research and using online resources to find fun, functional activities.

Before starting at Can:Do 4Kids I had worked as a Foodland (supermarket) supervisor for nearly 8 years. This being my first job, I learned a lot about working with people and being part of a team, which is something that's very valuable when working in allied health.

In my free time, I enjoy exploring nature through hiking and camping, and spending time with my friends and family.

Santana Calabro
Occupational Therapist