Therapists
Meet the flutterbys TherapY TEAM
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
KATHRYN ATKINSON
I have been working in paediatrics full time since I graduated at the University of Cape Town in 2014. I completed my community service year in 2015. I have always been passionate about working with children and have been full time in paediatric practice since I completed my community service year. I did my community service year in Tara Psychiatric Hospital and saw the children in the outpatient clinic there. This started to foster my love for holistic treatment and looking at all areas of the child in order to achieve the best results.
I have a special interest in Ayres® Sensory Integration and am currently SIPT Certified. I am busy converting this into the latest assessment , which is the EASI. I love integrating music and sound therapy into my therapy sessions and have done level 2 training in the Tomatis ® Sound therapeutic listening program. I have also completed my training in the DIR Floortime Approach and am currently completing my intervention course in Trauma and Attachment.
I started my practice in Morningside , OT Kids at Hart in 2019. I currently have 3 therapists who work with me at the practice. I love working with families and using play to help them to develop their full potential.
CIARA HEFFERNAN
I have been working in the field of paediatrics since I graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2019. I completed my community service year at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, which specialises in the treatment of mothers and children. It was here that I gained great exposure to children with a variety of diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions and developmental delay. I completed many courses which furthered my knowledge and passion for children of all ages.
I was offered an occupational therapy position at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child after my community service year and stayed a further 15 months. I was involved in both inpatient and outpatient care, in addition to assisting with supervision of students and running groups and developing programmes at the hospital.
I have a special interest in Ayres ® Sensory Integration in addition to DIR Floortime. I have also completed the Malamulele Training course for therapists, which centres around cerebral palsy. I presently completing my intervention course in Trauma and Attachment. I am currently enrolled for a master’s program with the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. I am constantly furthering my knowledge through courses and reading journal articles to ensure I am as up to date as possible, and that the children I treat are receiving the best care possible.
I enjoy working together with families to foster the development and growth of children in a holistic sense. I thoroughly enjoy working with and look forward to meeting new children at Flutterbys.
TANYA Fisher
I graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2020 and completed my community service year at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. I spent the year developing and fostering my knowledge and passion for working with the paediatric population. I worked with children of various ages and was exposed to children with a variety of conditions including developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions, orthopaedic conditions and burns.
I have a special interest in Ayres® Sensory Integration and am currently training in this. I also have a special interest in children with neurological conditions and am currently completing my training in MAES therapy. I am level 1 trained in the Tomatis® Sound therapeutic listening program to provide an extra tool in my therapy to assist children with sensory difficulties. I enjoy furthering my knowledge in the field of paediatrics and attend courses regularly.
I have always wanted to work with children and make a difference. I found that OT is so special in its holistic approach and that each child’s individuality is celebrated. I’ve found it so rewarding working with kiddies helping them reach their full potential, as well as, working with their families.
JENNIFER BRUETON
Jennifer Brueton Occupational Therapy was established in 2015 as an outpatient Neuro Occupational Therapy practice in Glen Austin, Midrand. Since then we have secured ourselves firmly in the healthcare sector and have already helped many clients achieve their goals for an independent life.
We provide Occupational Therapy to clients at Midstream Mediclinic, Midstream Estate and Centurion as well as in Rivonia, Sandton. We also perform home visits to clients in the surrounding areas who are unable to get to our rooms. The services that we offer are specific to neurorehabilitation, physical rehabilitation and paediatric rehabilitation.
Jennifer has fifteen years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working both in South Africa and the UK. She is passionate about improving all areas of function in her clients and is experienced in neurological rehabilitation as well as return to work and case management.
Jennifer has completed post-graduate training in MAES Therapy to provide therapy to children with neurological conditions and is also Workwell trained. She is an LSVT BIG certified therapist and is trained in treating people with Parkinson’s Disease.
Website: https://www.jenniferbrueton.co.za
JESSICA JOUBERT
I graduated from the University of Pretoria (Cum Laude) in 2020 and am currently completing my Sensory Integration qualification. Furthermore, I will be completing my MAES (Movement Analysis and Education Strategies) training at the end of 2023.
I am a young passionate therapist and have special interests in early intervention and paediatric neurology.
I love that as an OT I have the opportunity to bring meaning and purpose to the lives of children and be a part of their journey in becoming the best they can be.
SPEECH THERAPISTS
ASHIRA SILBERMAN
Owner of Happy Kids Speech Therapy
I have been a speech therapist for a number of years and am grateful to say that each day fills me with excitement and love for my work. I am passionate about my role in building children’s speech, language and confidence within my sessions. I love being able to watch them grow and develop into their individual personalities. It is a privilege to work at this beautiful school, with families and closely with teachers to help build these young minds.
Training: Prompt, Makaton (level 4), TalkTools, SOS Feeding
Jody Kaplan
Speech-Language Therapist
I am a dedicated professional that strongly believes that the art of communication is the language of leadership. Within a variety of settings, I am passionate about working closely with individuals and their families in order to facilitate effective communication skills development and implementation. Not only will this allow for changing of individuals own experience of the world, but it will also allow for changing of the worlds experience of them.
Being a part of enhancing others communication skills, specifically within the paediatric population, is a truly rewarding experience, as our kids are our future.
Alysha Singh
Speech-Language Therapist
I am a firm believer that communication is a key part of our lives and we should be able to express ourselves through multiple modes of communication. I am passionate about both children and adults. I enjoy working with caregivers to ensure the best treatment is given.
Communication is not a thing. It is EVERYTHING.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
Physikids is a paediatric physiotherapy practice based at the Early Bird Therapy Centre in Woodmead and a number of hospitals around Johannesburg.
Our physiotherapists use a neurodevelopmental approach to assess and treat a wide range of neurological, developmental, orthopaedic and respiratory conditions (in neonates, infants and children).
JESSICA JOFFE
Practice Owner
- BSc (Physio) (UCT)
- MSc (Physio) (UCT) in Paediatric Neurological Physiotherapy
- Basic and Advanced Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) training
- Basic and Advanced Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment accreditation
- Jessica has a special interest in neonates and early intervention, neurodevelopmental rehabilitation of infants and children with cerebral palsy, however, continues to treat a wide variety of condition.
- Jessica believes strongly in achieving an individual’s highest level of functional independence and social integration.
- Sport plays a massive part in achieving this and Jessica is an accredited Medical Paralympic Swimming Classifier
SAMNTHA ROSIE
Practice Owner
- BSc (Physio) (Wits)
- MSc (Physio) (Wits) in Paediatric Neurological Physiotherapy
- Basic and Advanced Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) training
- Basic Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment accreditation
- Samantha has seen first-hand the impact early therapeutic intervention has on a child’s life and is driven to giving infants this opportunity to thrive.
- Her other special interests are in ICU rehabilitation, neurological and genetic disorders, and neonatal neurodevelopmental care and follow-up.
STACEY KENNEDY
Flutterbys Treating physiotherapist
- BSc (Ph ysio) (Wits)
- Currently undertaking an MSc (Physio) at Wits
- Basic Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) training and Basic Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment accreditation
- Stacey has a special interest in paediatric physiotherapy. She has experience in both acute care and long-term rehabilitation, in hospital and outpatient settings
- Stacey is passionate about enriching the lives of her young patients and improving their quality of life while working closely with families and caregivers and the MDT
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
NAVESHINI THUMBIRAN
I started my career as a Foundation Phase Educator for 5 years. Being a teacher inspired me to specialise in Educational Psychology. My belief in the uniqueness, acceptance and support of every child guides my current work as an Educational Psychologist in private practice. I am passionate about Psychotherapy and Psychoeducational assessments.
I work with children of all ages, teenagers as we well as adults; using a person-centered, psychodynamic and integrative approach in supporting my clients to reach their full potential. Furthermore, I am currently an Inclusive Education Lecturer at Varsity College where I assist student teachers with the knowledge to support and accommodate children with learning barriers within the school context.
DIETITIAN
Dietitian 4 Autism
SALOMEI WILSON
- Expand your child’s limited diet.
- Recommendations on supplements.
- Resolve constipation, bloating, stomach cramp, etc
- Dietary recommendations to meet your child’s nutritional needs
I HELP PARENTS USE NUTRITION TO HAVE A HEALTHIER, CALMERAND HAPPIER CHILD!
Contact Number: 064 738 1907
Email Address: salomeiwilson7@gmail.com
Connect with me in Instagram: @dietitian4autism
ABA / BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIST
Shereen etsebeth
- Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology (second major in Education)
- Honours Degree in Counselling Psychology
- Makaton certificates
- ABA training by Dr. Joshua Pritchard from the Florida Institute of Technology (USA)
- Natural Environment Training (NET training)
- Experience as Classroom Teacher in Autism specific centres
- 13 Year’s experience with special needs learners
I provide one-on-one facilitation focusing on Language and Communication, Pre-Academic skills, Academic skills, Fine Motor skills, Life skills, Toilet Training and Behavioural Challenges. I also provide support to families at home through family and caregiver training and support. I believe in a holistic approach and working together with family, teachers and other therapists in order to achieve goals.
School Creed: SUCCESS
To laugh often and much.
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.
To appreciate beauty.
To find the best in others.
To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
“Ralph Waldo Emerson”