Our passionate team

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Witnessing the significance that occupational therapy played in her younger sisters’ lives, who were born at 26 weeks gestation, sparked her interest and love for occupational therapy and early intervention. Carryn decided that she wanted to support children to realise their full potential. She completed her OT degree at Wits in 2007. After completing her community service at Natalspruit Hospital, she went into paediatric private practice.

Carryn has worked in various paediatric settings, including preschools, primary and remedial school environments, neonatal ICU, as well as her own paediatric private practice at Sensoryscape Therapy Centre.

From her experience in treating children of various ages and diagnoses, Carryn found that parents also need guidance and support. Her MSc research study provided her with an opportunity to explore the effectiveness of a stress management programme for mothers with sensory over-responsiveness. The mothers who participated in the programme reported significant benefits. The programme not only decreased their stress levels, but also helped them to understand and manage their child’s challenging behaviour.

Her focus in working with children has included various training qualifications. Carryn has a passion for sensory integration, which led her to complete her Sensory Integration training in 2010. Then in 2018, she completed her training in the SOS Feeding Approach®, which has assisted in the more holistic and effective way of treating children with feeding difficulties.

Ayres believed that the young brain is naturally malleable and capable of change. Carryn believes that playing an integral part in a child’s life is very special, and truly a privilege.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Bianca completed her undergraduate training at the top of her class at the University of the Free State. Thereafter she served her Community Service year at Sebokeng Hospital where the value of therapy and serving the community became her biggest reward.

After qualifying, Bianca embraced the profession with gratitude for the opportunity to work at Sensoryscape Paediatric Occupational Therapists and is motivated by the difference that she can make in people’s lives.

Bianca has a special interest in working with premature babies and infants. She also has a passion to work with toddlers with sensory integration difficulties, special needs and other developmental challenges.

She has completed her postgraduate training in Ayres Sensory Integration through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI). Furthermore, she has completed the Prechtl’s qualitative assessment of general movements training as well as Test of Infants Motor Performance, which equips her to assess babies with a high risk for developing neurodevelopmental disorders.

Bianca believes that it is a privilege to be a part of so many children’s lives, to understand their world a little better and ultimately help them reach their full potential.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Angela completed a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2019. She then went on to complete her community service year at Chris Hani Baragwaneth Academic Hospital, gaining experience in paediatric, neonatal and orthopaedic OT. It was during this time, she found her passion for working with children.

Angela has a special interest working with neonates, neurodevelopmental conditions, and rehabilitation. Angela has a passion for furthering her education and is always looking for new ‘tools’ to add to her OT ‘toolbox’. Angela has furthered her education through various short courses, including courses in paediatric splinting, Makaton and neonatal therapy through Ithemba Neonatal Therapy Association South Africa. During 2023, Angela completed the Foundations of Neurodevelopmental Therapy course through SANDTA. She is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration through Sensory Integration Education, UK.

Angela believes it is a wonderful privilege to work together with children and their families to help little ones reach their potential and shine brightly

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kimberley completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2018 and completed her community service year at Kopanong Provincial Hospital in 2019, where she gained experience in various fields of OT including adult acute and chronic rehabilitation as well as paediatrics and the running of a monthly CP clinic.

After locuming shortly after the end of her community service year, Kimberley discovered her passion for children. She has a special interest in neonates as well as early intervention. Kimberley previously worked in Pretoria at a therapy centre working with children of all ages with a variety of special needs and developmental conditions, as well as assisting and providing therapy to the children at the associated special needs school. Experience in mainstream schooling has also been gained over the previous year.

Kimberley has furthered her professional skills through various courses including the Hammersmith Neonatal Assessment, Neonatal Therapy and Neonatal Pain courses through Ithemba Neonatal Therapy Association, Neurodevelopmental supportive care and intervention for the premature infant and she is currently in the process of completing her Ayres Sensory Integration training through the South African Institue for Sensory Integration (SAISI).

Kimberley believes in the idea that the sooner intervention can be provided to a child, the better the chances of helping children and their families reach their full potential. She believes every child is unique and should be encouraged to be the best version of themselves. She is passionate and enthusiastic and ready to grow and help wherever possible.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Stacey joined physikids in January 2020.

She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Witwatersrand, graduating in 2015.

She then went on to complete her community service year at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where she continued as a permanent staff member for 3 years. It was here that she developed her passion for paediatrics.

Over the last four years she has had the opportunity to work in the paediatric and neonatal ICU, paediatric burns unit, multiple multidisciplinary team clinics such as the tracheostomy and haemophilia clinic, as well as the neurodevelopmental rehab clinic.

In September 2019, she completed her training in the Basic Paediatric Neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) 8-week course based on the Bobath Concept. Most recently she has also done her training in the Prechtl’s general movements assessment and she is currently busy with her Masters degree.

She looks forward to working in the team and enriching the lives of her young patients.

FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ORTHOTIST AND PROSTHETIST AT GIBSON ORTHOTICS

Chair of the South African Orthotic Prosthetic Association. (SAOPA)

Kirsten is currently the resident senior clinical orthotist at the Early Bird Therapy Center and an executive committee member for the South African Orthotic & Prosthetic Association. Currently serving on the assistive devices and technology task team of the Health Professions Council South Africa.

Kirsten is part of the Orthomerica AllSTAR team: a clinical network comprises exceptional clinicians dedicated to the care of infants with deformational plagiocephaly and post-operative craniosynostosis using the STAR® Family of cranial remolding orthoses manufactured by Orthomerica Products, Inc

She is a regular guest lecturer in peadiatric orthotic treatment protocols throughout South Africa and is actively involved in improving orthotic knowledge within the South African NDT association.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Tracey Voigt is a registered Educational Psychologist and qualified teacher. She obtained her psychometry qualification and registration at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2008. In 2009, Tracey embraced her lifelong dream of being a psychologist and pursued her Masters degree in Educational Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She completed her internship at a remedial school where learners received therapeutic and individualised remedial support. Having had the opportunity of working within both remedial and mainstream schools, her aim is to work collaboratively with all significant role players in a child’s life. She is passionate about her work and has a special interest in working with children and adolescents. Tracey aspires to positively influence the practices, experiences, health and well-being of learners by assisting them in succeeding academically, socially, behaviourally and emotionally by identifying and addressing any learning and/or behavioural difficulties that may interfere with their ability to realise and achieve their full potential. She attends regular courses to expand her knowledge about various leaning barriers and to learn new skills and techniques to empower children to rise above their scholastic, emotional and social barriers allowing them to grow into the best version of themselves.

SPEECH THERAPIST

Kim Brewis qualified in 2011 from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal with a Bachelors degree in Communication Pathology, and then went on to graduate cum laude in her Masters degree in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), at the University of Pretoria.

Kim has a wide range of experience, spanning both the paediatric and adult populations. She has also been involved in clinical supervision of students, and has experience as a part-time lecturer at WITS university.

Kim believes strongly in an interdisciplinary team approach to therapy, and has witnessed how it has assisted her clients to thrive in their therapeutic journey. She enjoys solving unique problems and challenges in the various fields in which she works, and finds that working with the neurodiverse and paediatric populations help keep her creativity skills sharp. Kim is particularly passionate about language and literacy difficulties and how these can be tackled within these groups.

Further training/courses:

Makaton Level 1

PROMPT trained

RAV-O trained

SPEECH THERAPIST

Azraa studied at the University of KwaZulu Natal and qualified as a speech-language therapist in 2021. She is passionate about research and ongoing professional development and has a published article in the South African Journal of Communication Disorders. Azraa is also currently enrolled in a postgraduate program in pursuit of obtaining her masters degree.

Azraa has a passion for paediatrics and aims to provide therapy that maximises on fun learning experiences. She works closely with all key members in a child’s life to achieve holistic goals and helps to create a supportive learning environment. Azraa’s primary goal is to make a positive difference in the lives with whom she interacts and is constantly looking at ways in which to improve herself to provide the best possible outcomes.