Elsje obtained an Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Pretoria in 2008 followed by international, post-graduate qualifications in Sensory Integration and DIR & Floortime, and an Honours degree in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)at the University of Pretoria during 2023.

She has worked in paediatric private practice in South Africa and the United Kingdom, delivering services to schools, nurseries, special education centres and orphanages.

Elsje is familiar working in multi-disciplinary settings with other health-care professionals on aspects such as communication, relationship building, behavioural modification, play and environmental adaptation.

She is fluent in English and Afrikaans and can provide therapy, consultation and feedback in both languages.

She has worked extensively with infants and children with special educational needs, learning difficulties, Attention Deficit Disorder, global developmental delay and sensory processing dysfunction.

Her specialist interest in Autism Spectrum Disorderhas led her to complete a variety of post-graduate courses on this topic.

Elsje believes in family involvement and education. She actively encourages parents and teachers to engage in the child’s therapy process.

She aims to provide needs-specific, family-orientated and play-based input in order to support each child in reaching their full potential.

Sharon joined our practice during 2023. She is a passionate and experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist who qualified at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2007.

Since qualifying, she has worked in South Africa and more than fourteen years in the United Kingdom as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in private practice, local health trusts, community centres and specialist schools.

Sharon has worked with children of all ages with varying educational needs and learning difficulties, including Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Dysfunction and other developmental challenges.

She has a particular interest in autism, has post-graduate training in Sensory Integration and has completed other relevant training courses such as Therapeutic Listening, SCERTS, Warning, screen readers, this is an external link and DIR & Floortime.

Sharon takes a holistic approach to therapy and uses a combination of therapeutic interventions to ensure that her input is targeted and functional.

She works with children, families and other key role players (e.g. teachers) to integrate therapy into daily life.

As a mother of two busy little boys, Sharon understands the pressures of parenting and the desire to support one’s child in every possible way.

Her experiences as a mother have given her a hands-on understanding of childhood development. She feels that this has helped her be more patient, compassionate and realistic in supporting parents to carry out therapy recommendations within the home setting.