Occupational therapy
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Our special interests:
Fussy Infants
Fussy Feeders
Neurodiversity
Sleeping Difficulties
Infants who are at risk due to prematurity or developmental delay
Children presenting with sensory processing difficulties
Children with suspected Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)
Children struggling with preschool / learning within their academic environment
Children with conditions such as:
CP, ADHD & hyperactivity, genetic disorders & syndromes, Autism, learning difficulties, developmental delays.
Sensory Matters OT is a paediatric occupational therapy practice that was established in 2008 by Jacklynn Langkilde and Jacqui Jorge. We are passionate about our work in pediatrics with a special interest in early intervention. Although we have a strong focus on sensory integration; function, independence, and quality of life are important considerations and are addressed in therapy.
We work with children and families of all ages and challenges. We aim to support children and their families to reach their potential through education, support, and therapy. A culture of learning and keeping up with current knowledge is important to us and we thus regularly attend workshops and courses. Our therapists are trained in Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT), Therapeutic Listening, MAES Therapy, SOS Feeding, Makaton (level 1), and CVI Range. Having a range of tools assists us in offering the most holistic service to our clients. We hope to interact with our clients as ‘sensible navigators’ – helping to prioritise therapy, and providing advice in creating a ‘road map’ to follow, as families make their decisions to best support their children.
Sensory Matters consists of full-time and part-time Occupational Therapists who are passionate about their work and together form a dynamic and passionate team.
We offer individual and group therapy sessions depending on the child and family’s needs and means. Sessions are usually 45 minutes and are usually held once or twice a week for 6 months after which a reassessment is conducted and recommendations are made.
Our qualified therapists…
Jacqui Jorge
Qualifications:
- BOccTher(PRET)
- MScOT (WITS), SI, ANDT
Experience:
Jacqui completed her studies in 2005 at the University of Pretoria. Following her community service year in 2006, she started her pediatric private practice in Edenvale.
In 2008, Sensory Matters Occupational Therapy was formed together with her business partner Jacklynn Langkilde and it has since grown to include practices in Benoni, Edenvale and Bedfordview.
Jacqui obtained her Master’s Degree in OT through WITS in 2012, which included her Sensory Integration training. She has also completed her training in Neurodevelopmental Therapy and Advanced training in infants and is trained in the SOS approach to feeding. In addition she has attended many short courses on various topics such as Makaton, DIR, Therapeutic Listening and CVI.
She has obtained further training in TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) as well as her Diploma in Cranio Sacral Therapy.
Jacqui is the mother of two teens – they have been her teachers in the joys and challenges of raising children.
Marianne Raw
Qualifications:
- BOccTher(PRET)
- Dip (Ed) (Remedial Education) (Cum)( RAU)
- MAES
- NDT
Experience:
Marianne Raw qualified for her Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Pretoria in 1991 and has spent the last 24 years working with children. She worked for the Educational Department of Mpumalanga at the Child Guidance Clinic in Middelburg, and later the Educational Aid Centre.
In 1996 she started her own practice in Middelburg. Because of her passion to work with children, and especially babies, she is trained in Sensory Integration. She then went on and completed her NDT training in 2006 and her NDT baby course in 2007. Instead of accepting a post and moving to Australia, she met her husband and rather moved to Edenvale, Johannesburg.
Now happily married, she lives with her husband, his two boys as well as her daughter. She started with Sensory Matters in 2013 and is very happy to be part of the TherapyWorx team.
Keila Kalil-Zacky
Qualifications:
- BOccTher(PRET)
Experience:
Keila qualified in 2018 from the University of Pretoria. She completed her community service at Tambo Memorial Hospital in 2019 and joined Sensory Matters in 2020. She is passionate about working with children and has embarked on her Ayers Sensory Integration (ASI) qualifications.
Raheema Ravat
Qualifications:
- BScOT (WITS)
Experience:
Raheema completed her degree in 2018 and completed her community service year at Bertha Gxowa Hospital in 2019. Raheema joined Sensory Matters in 2021. She is passionate about children and their families and is committed to doing all she can to support them. She has started with her Sensory Integration training and is looking forward to using her knowledge and skills within our practice. She has also completed her training in the SOS approach to feeding.
Erin Miller
Qualifications:
- BScOT (WITS)
Experience:
Erin obtained her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2020. She completed her community service at Fezi Ngubentombi District Hospital in 2021 and joined Sensory Matters in 2022.
Erin is currently completing her Sensory Integration training through SAISI and has completed her training in the SOS approach to feeding. She has a special interest and passion in making a child’s life easier and helping them to cope with their everyday challenges. A big part of this includes understanding and addressing their sensory needs.
Chelsea Nkosi-Muir
Qualifications:
- BScOT (UCT)
Experience:
Chelsea has been working at Sensory Matters since 2021, after graduating from the University of Cape Town in 2019 and completing her community service year at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. She is in the process of obtaining her sensory integration qualification. She is passionate about working with infants and their parents to assist in navigating their new life and to support the parent-child bond. She has a keen interest in the emotional development of a child, helping them make sense of their complex emotions.
Bianca Steyn
Qualifications:
- BOccTher(PRET)
Experience:
Bianca completed her degree at the University of Pretoria in 2020. She completed her community service year at Letaba Regional Hospital, outside Tzaneen, in 2021. She joined Sensory Matters in January 2022.
Bianca has started her Ayers Sensory Integration training through SAISI and has completed her training in the SOS approach to feeding. She has a passion for working with children with a variety of abilities.
Chané Oelofse
Qualifications:
- BOccTher(UFS)
Chané obtained her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2022 from the University of the Free State. She completed her community service in 2023 and joined Sensory Matters in 2024. She is passionate about working with children and is in the process of completing her Ayres Sensory Integration qualifications through SAISI.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US…
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
067 168 0291
087 754 9425
sensorymatters@therapyworx.co.za
How can Occupational Therapy help my child?
OT helps children play, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities. It also boosts their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. With OT, children can:
- Improve your child’s sensory processing – ability to respond more appropriately to sensory input and use this information to support learning.
- Develop fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys and develop good handwriting skills.
- Improve eye–hand coordination so they can play and do needed school skills such as bat a ball and copy from a blackboard.
- Master basic life skills such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and self-feeding.
- Learn positive behaviors and social skills by practicing how they manage frustration and anger.
- Assist in sourcing special equipment to help build their independence. These include wheelchairs, splints, bathing equipment, dressing devices, and communication aids.
How much does a session cost?
Assessment and therapy costs vary slightly based on your child’s needs. Please feel free to contact us to enquire about session costs.
We are not contracted to medical aids and please request that you pay for your assessment and therapy bill upfront, which you can claim back from your medical aid (these claims come from your day-to-day benefits).
If your child has a disability identified under the prescribed minimum benefits, you may apply for PMB additional funds through your medical aid.
Some medical aids request ex-gratia applications in order to fund further therapy – it would be important that you contact your medical aid to identify their process and procedures.
What can I expect when coming to my first session?
Parents often ask this question when their child is anxious. If your child is particularly anxious we are happy to send pictures of our space or set up a visit prior to the appointment to create some familiarity.
But what we love most about OT is how much fun it is! It is NOT like going to a doctor – although we do wear scrubs Children are quickly put at ease by our fun therapy space, and our playful approach. Children don’t realise how hard they are working on their areas of challenge when they are at OT. We believe that through fun, their anxiety is reduced and then active learning can take place.
To a parent watching – therapy looks just like that – fun play! But don’t under-estimate the science and clinical reasoning that goes into activity choices, structuring, presentation and grading. These aspects of the therapy session together with our assessment findings and therapy goals guide us in our therapy planning.
Therapy creates a fun safe place where its ok to fail, to try again and explore different ways of doing things without fear.
Are parents allowed at these sessions?
We often leave this up to parents and their children to decide. As a parent you know your child – our question is often – will your child cope best with or without you present and follow their lead based on this.
We love having parents observe sessions for younger children. We also welcome nanny’s or aupairs who spend a lot of time with your children so they can learn skills for carry over or to put homeprograms in place.
Sometimes the aim of therapy is to move towards independence. In such cases we may discuss a ‘parent exit plan’ to work on this skill as a team.
We really value a team approach to therapy – to this end we sometimes suggest a school visit or team meetings to discuss progress etc.
Do I need a referral for an appointment?
You are welcome to contact us directly if there is anything about your child’s development that you are worried or uncertain about. Parents are the experts in their children – so trust your gut! We firmly believe in the value of early intervention – even if your child doesn’t end up needing therapy, the insights and advice your receive can really support you and your child.
I have no idea where to start, can someone help me?
We have an absolute passion for being ‘sensible navigators’ for families and guiding them on the roadmap ahead. It can be so daunting when you have either received a diagnosis, or when you have been recently referred for help. Its often difficult to know where to begin or who to see.
We would be able to guide you in the process – and may e.g. refer you to another professional based on your child’s needs, or help you to prioritize recommendations made.
Contact us via email or phone. We will ask you about your concerns and then decide if OT can assist you best and set up a time with one of our practitioners.