Passionate about occupational therapy, hardworking and reliable professional with a strong interest in pediatrics, rehabilitation, learning disorders, and cerebral palsy. Thrives in a collaborative environment, excels as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and comfortable taking the lead or following directions. Extensive knowledge of policy and legislation relevant to occupational therapy ensures staying well-informed and up-to-date. Committed to professional growth, active member of OTASA, MPS, and SAISI. Outside of work, two daughters aged 6 and 10 bring immense joy to life.
Hi, I’m
Alice Atherstone
Johannesburg
Summary
Overview
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Miracle Mission Children's Orphanage
Occupational Therapist
01.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Weekly Occupational therapy sessions as needed for babies in the home aged birth to 4 years old
- Provide training and support for staff and monitor stimulation programs
- Complete reports needed for adoptions.
Own Practice
Occupational Therapist
10.2015 - Current
Job overview
- Took over management of an established Sensory Integration Based Occupational therapy practice
- Provide an Occupational therapy service at 4 schools and in private therapy rooms
- Including both assessment and treatment of children with difficulties in sensory processing, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual perceptual skills and concentration difficulties
- Varied caseload ranging from neurodivergent children, mainstream learning support and those with genetic disorders
- Current caseload of 52 children seen weekly
- Run groups of 4-6 children, focusing on fine motor, social skills and Physifun
- Run teacher and parent education sessions
- Manage 5 staff members, practice marketing and budgeting.
Own Practice
Teacher supervision and support
08.2021 - 07.2024
Job overview
- Provide support to teachers within established Playsense playgroups
- Make recommendations for children having difficulties in the school
- Evaluate teacher’s implementation of the playsense curriculum and teaching framework
- Playsense schools established by Meg Faure.
Labuschagne and Graham Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapist
07.2012 - 10.2015
Job overview
- Provide an Occupational therapy service to clients between the ages of 2 and 18 years of age
- Treating mainly children in mainstream schooling with sensory integration dysfunction
- Including children with concentration difficulties and on the autism spectrum
- Running both groups and individual therapy sessions, performing school visits and facilitating multidisciplinary meetings
- The groups include social skills, fine motor skills and Physifun (postural control and gross motor coordination)
- Provide an Occupational therapy service at Bryanston Primary School and Laerskool Jan Celliers
- Practice marketing and teacher and parent education.
Rita Henn and Partners
Occupational Therapist
02.2011 - 07.2012
Job overview
- Worked in the Spinal Rehabilitation unit for 6 months
- Treating patients between the ages of 16 and 80
- From August 2011 worked in the Paediatric Rehabilitation unit
- Providing an Occupational therapy service to clients between the ages of birth and 16 years of age, both in-patients and out-patients
- Treating children with TBI’s, Hypoxic brain injuries, burns, spinal cord injuries, genetic disorders, cerebral palsy as well as other physical dysfunctions, sensory integration dysfunction and children on the autism spectrum.
Elsie Labuschagne Inc
Occupational Therapist
01.2009 - 01.2011
Job overview
- Provide an Occupational therapy service to clients between the ages of birth and 18 years of age
- Treating learning disorders, physical dysfunction, sensory integration dysfunction and children on the autism spectrum
- Running both groups and individual therapy sessions, performing school visits and facilitating multidisciplinary meetings
- Provide an Occupational therapy service at Bryanston Primary School
- Practice marketing and teacher and parent education.
Port Shepstone Regional Hospital
Community Service Occupational Therapist
01.2008 - 12.2008
Job overview
- Provided an Occupational therapy service to the regional hospital
- Began an Occupational therapy service for clients with psychiatric conditions in the hospital and clinics
- Provided an Occupational therapy service to the 10 clinics within the Ugu district
- Organised a Cerebral Palsy awareness campaign for the Ugu district
- The Occupational Therapy service at Port Shepstone Hospital focuses on community development, head injuries, spinal cord and CVA rehabilitation, hand injuries, burns and a variety of paediatric conditions.
Education
University of WitwatersrandJohannesburg, South Africa
Bachelor of Science from Occupational Therapy
12.2007
University Overview
Sandringham High SchoolJohannesburg, South Africa
GED
12.2002
University Overview
- Received 4 distinctions (English, Afrikaans, Biology, Geography) Other subjects included Science and Maths
- Received half academic colours
Skills
- Family and patient education
- Clinical reasoning
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Direct Patient Care
- Sensory Integration
- Therapeutic Techniques
- Progress Monitoring
- Patient Assessment
- Pediatric Therapy
- Case Management
- Treatment implementation
Coursework
Coursework
- Completed EASI (Evaluation Ayers Sensory Integration) conversion course August 2021
o Assisted with South African normative data collection.
- Completed Fidelity Measure training in Ayers Sensory integration March 2020
- Qualified to run Physifun courses in November 2013
o Gross motor coordination and postural control exercise program
- Completed Sensory Integration Training in October 2011
o A Sensory Integration Course on Theory. Presented by SAISI (5 Days)
o A Sensory Integration Course on Test Administration. Certified to administer the SIPT. Presented by SAISI (5 Days)
o A Sensory Integration Course on Test Interpretation. Presented by SAISI (5 Days)
o A Sensory Integration Course on Treatment. Presented by SAISI (5 Days)
- A 4-day course in Paediatric Aquatic Techniques presented by Peggy Schoedinger 12-15 May 2012
- Trained in the use of the Therapeutic Listening program.
o 'Listening with the whole-body Series' Certified to use Therapeutic Listening as a treatment tool. Presented by Sheila M. Frick. (3 Days)
- Level 1 First Aid CPR for adults and children
- Various other pediatric related courses in compliance with continued Profession development guidelines
Languages
English
HPCSA Registration
HPCSA Registration
OT 0071986Practice number
Practice number
0547557Driver'slicense
Driver'slicense
Yes (Code B)Personal Information
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 07/25/84
- Nationality: South African
- Marital Status: Married
- Religion: Roman Catholic
Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and Interests
- Gardening
- Dancing
- Gym
- Arts and Crafts
- Reading
- Action Cricket
- Netball
Timeline
Teacher supervision and support
Own Practice
08.2021 - 07.2024
Occupational Therapist
Miracle Mission Children's Orphanage
01.2017 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Own Practice
10.2015 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Labuschagne and Graham Occupational Therapists
07.2012 - 10.2015
Occupational Therapist
Rita Henn and Partners
02.2011 - 07.2012
Occupational Therapist
Elsie Labuschagne Inc
01.2009 - 01.2011
Community Service Occupational Therapist
Port Shepstone Regional Hospital
01.2008 - 12.2008
University of Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Science from Occupational Therapy
Sandringham High School
GED
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