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I started out my speech therapy training at Stellenbosch University and then moved on to the beautiful rural areas of Mpumalanga to complete my community service year. I began my private speech therapy career in Cape Town’s Northern suburbs. Thereafter, I spent some time in the primary healthcare sector in the beautiful Stellenbosch sub-district. These days, you will find me at my own private speech therapy practice Jeffrey's Bay. My husband and I moved here at the beginning of 2021. In these areas, I support the children in pre-schools and primary schools, as well as adult patients with communication, hearing, and swallowing difficulties. My new town and its caring people have become precious to me and I love my new home.

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I am a community-oriented speech therapist with experience in various healthcare and school environments. I have managed patients in both public and private healthcare settings, which has provided me with opportunities to deliver speech therapy for adults and children alike. Continuous learning is of utmost importance to me, so I regularly attend training events and workshops to give my patients the best and most up-to-date support.

 

My therapy takes a wide approach, whereby I do not focus only on communication and swallowing difficulties, but rather on the individual within his or her community. I work close to occupational therapists to support my patient’s physical and sensory developmental needs. We are complex human beings with various needs and influences from our everyday environments and I consider this in my practice. Speech therapy is not just a treatment but becomes an enabling factor that can allow us to form an integral part within our communities. Therefore, I prioritise teamwork and assistance from my colleagues and always seek to promote skills that help my patients to thrive, not only within speech therapy, but in their community.

 

My patient care is built on strong relationships, clear communication and understanding who my patient is.

 

I believe that a strong relationship motivates and encourages endurance in our speech therapy sessions, and I treat and empathise with my patients to the extent that I think of my network as a family. I love supporting my patients and seeing how they progress towards their goals – while creating an environment in which the therapy journey can be just as enjoyable and important as the end goal.

 

"I believe in celebrating every small success."

 

I have had the privilege to work with many occupational therapists, including an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration. She has helped me to understand that every person you meet, has a unique sensory profile and that I can use this profile to reach our speech therapy goals. Some children might enjoy loud noises and seek movement in order to focus or enjoy therapy, whilst other children might despise it. After reaping the fruits of her advice, I have developed a special interest in neurodiversity, such as children on the autism spectrum and children with learning difficulties. Therefore I am broadening my knowledge in the areas of sensory processing, reading and writing, and alternative communication methods.

 

If you are a parent or interested in speech therapy, follow my Instagram and Facebook pages as I continue to write my speech therapy story and share information and tools with you. In the time being, remember that a child will do as they see and not necessarily as they are told to do. Cultivate a love for reading, by reading with your child. Read, read, read as much as you can. The single biggest predictor of high academic achievement is reading to children. If you would like to start helping your child, set out time to start reading, together, today!

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For any other speech therapy related queries, I am here to support you and your family.

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Lots of love,

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Alicia Eksteen-Jansen van Rensburg