About Stefanie

Stefanie is an occupational therapist who has been working in private practice in South Africa for 22 years. She has a special interest in Ayres Sensory Integration® and works with children between the ages of 1 – 9 years. Stefanie enjoys working with diverse diagnoses such as autism, cochlear implants, premature/multiple birth, Downs Syndrome and learning and behavioural difficulties. She believes in a holistic approach and enjoys working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Stefanie is involved in occupational therapy student training at the University of Pretoria . She recently also became involved Telehealth training.

Besides her clinical work, Stefanie is involved in post-graduate training for the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI) since 2004 for SASIC 1 courses and was the Course leader in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

She became involved in the Ayres Sensory Integration® intervention training for SAISI and presented at SASIC4 in 2013 , 2015 and 2019.

Stefanie is also an active protocol marker and rates video sessions according to the Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) fidelity measure. Stefanie has been on the SAISI board since 2004 and is a mentor for post-graduate protocol and fidelity video submissions as part of their training through SAISI.

She presented on an international platform at the Fourth European Sensory Integration Conference in Burmingham, UK (2015) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress in Cape Town, South Africa (2018). She also obtained international experience working at a centre for early childhood development in Dubai, UAE (2003).

Previously, Stefanie worked at a long term psychiatric hospital where she first came into contact with Ayres Sensory Integration® in the paediatric ward. Her passion for Ayres Sensory Integration® has been growing ever since. She promotes sensory awareness and empowers caretakers and teachers to the benefit of each child.

Qualifications and Post-graduate Training

  • Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy (University of Pretoria 1997)
  • Completed post graduate Ayres Sensory Integration® qualification (2002)
  • Qualified SIPT administrator (SAISI 2008)
  • Adheres to ASI® Fidelity Measure during intervention (SAISI 2017)
  • Masters degree in Occupational Therapy* (University of Pretoria 2020)