OUR HISTORY
BTC was established in 1994 after a need for an ECI Therapy Centre was identified and was subsequently established with the support of the Johanniter Orden (the German equivalent of the Order of St. John).
We have, since our inception, developed a pioneering focus with regards to therapy. Over time this focus evolved into a model that implements a child-centred and holistic approach to coaxing each of our little ones towards achieving their full potential.
Our model has moved away from a compartmentalised check-box approach, towards an integrated child-specific approach describing development. The focus is on your child’s ability to become functional while following the ICF Model (explaining the child’s limitations in activities and acknowledging the immediate and broader environmental role players), first within the context of their own disability and then more broadly, in the context of the home, community and society as a whole.
In this model, the various therapies employed become more than mere token remedies. It begins to serve the overall need of your child to manage daily tasks for themselves and to develop a healthy frame of mind and emotional well-being within the context of their circumstances. This model moves away from a competitive, idealised or stereotypical approach, towards a view which sees every child as beloved, valuable and having a productive and valuable role to play in society.
We aim to provide and create a happy, family-orientated environment.
VISION AND MISSION
THE TEAM
Margot Haüsler
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Ilse Van Niekerk
MUSIC THERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Martelize Gropp
SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND FEEDING THERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Annarine Welthagen
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Janine Van Niekerk
DIETICIAN
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Mehnaaz Karim
SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND FEEDING THERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Candice Els
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Karin Müller
HEAD OF CENTRE
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Taryn Camden-Smith
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Heléne Crafford
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Lizl Dennis
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland. In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane. On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Margot completed her training as a General Nurse, Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse and Community Health Nurse in Pretoria, Gauteng. On completion of her training, she started her career in a private care for three years followed by a year working in a hospital in Beru, Switzerland.
In 1979 Margot started her career as a Community Health Nurse in Klerksdorp where she worked for two years. She then went on to serve the community for thirty-four years working as a nurse for the City of Tshwane.
On retirement, Margot started doing contract work for CANSA as well as working for BTC on a part-time basis.
Annarine completed her Bachelors of Nursing Science (General, Psychiatric, Community Nurse and Midwife) at the University of Pretoria in 2001.
On completing her training, she worked in both the medical and surgical paediatric units at the Steve Biko Hospital for two years. In 2010 she started at Femina Hospital working in the Paediatric as well as the Antenatal Units.
In 2011 and 2012 Annarine worked for Target Life, counselling and guiding students in self-actualisation and leadership development. In 2015 she was also involved in staff- and student training at the Femina Hospital until she joined the BTC team in 2016.
Annarine has completed courses in IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses), Basic Life Support, Lactation Management and Neonatal Resuscitation. She is also Tiny Handz trained and a qualified assessor.
Candice qualified from the University of Pretoria in 2005. After that, she completed her community service year in Thabazimbi, where her passion for the community as well as paediatrics grew. After gaining experience in the neurology field and realising the importance of not only the client but their family and structures too, Candice completed her Master’s degree in ECI in 2010. In 2013 she joined the Chrysalis Preschool and BTC team. Candice is Tiny Handz trained and certified in Newborn Behavior Observation (NBO). She enjoys being provided with a ‘window’ into the neurodevelopment of these little ones and has a special interest in facilitating and encouraging the strength based and family-centred approaches. She further feels privileged to work within the multidisciplinary team, meet the little ones and understand their uniqueness and competencies.
Heléne completed her B. Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch in 2009 after which she finalized her training with her community service year at the Embhuleni Hospital near Badplaas in Mpumalanga. On moving back to Pretoria in 2011 she practised privately for eighteen months with a focus on children. In 2012 she started at the Pretoria School for Learners with Cerebral Palsy (CP) where her main focus was on the Gr RR to Gr 1 groups who had a variety of physical and mental disabilities. In 2014 she completed the first three modules of the Sensory Integration Course, and have attended a variety of different one-day courses regarding paediatric occupational therapy. She has eight years of working experience in die paediatric field and enjoys working with children with special needs.
Ilse completed a music degree from the University of Pretoria (UP), after which she gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from UP, followed by an MMus (Music Therapy) from UP. Ilse works as a music therapist in private practice as well as in the public sector. She has been the chairperson of the South African Music Therapy Association (SAMTA) since 2012 and serves as South African music therapy representative on both the South African National Arts Therapies Organization (SANATO) and the PR committee of the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT). Ilse has taught piano and music theory on a part-time basis for nine years. She enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, highlighting the benefit of a psychotherapeutic approach to enhance the overall quality of life.
Janine obtained her Dietetics degree (Cum Laude) from the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in 2004. After working for a few years in Leratong and Kalafong Hospital as a community service and junior dietician, she started her private practice in 2008 with a special interest in paediatric nutrition. She currently consults at BTC as well as the Pretoria Centre for Cerebral Palsy (PCCP) at Life Groenkloof Hospital. Janine has also been involved as an external marker and e-Tutor for the past ten years at Unisa’s Department of Life and Consumer Sciences and has completed the eighteen-hour UNICEF breastfeeding course.
Karin is an experienced Occupational Therapist who qualified in 1978 from the University of Pretoria. Her interest and expertise have always been in the field of paediatrics. Throughout her career, Karin has worked extensively with most types of special needs/disabilities. She has also been involved in student training at the University of Pretoria.
During her many years in private practice, Karin has been exposed to multi-disciplinary work, management and the general running and maintenance of a practice. She also has extensive experience in the handling, education and counselling of the parents/families of the children she has treated.
Lizl qualified from Stellenbosch University in 1999 with a B.Sc. Physiotherapy degree. She worked in England from 2000-2006, mostly in the field of Adult Neurology in various settings in the National Health Service (NHS) – hospital and community-based. She returned to South Africa at the end of 2006 and started working in Paediatric Neurology, with a specific interest in ECI. Lizl is NDT trained and has completed her Advanced NDT certification in the early detection and treatment of cerebral motor disturbances in babies. She is certified in Prechtl’s Method on the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements in preterm, term and young infants (GMA) which is used for early detection of neurological anomalies and developmental deficits in later life. Lizl enjoys working in a multidisciplinary setting and is passionate about equipping parents to understand and participate in their baby’s development to allow babies to flourish to their full potential.
Martelize Gropp qualified as a Speech Therapist and Audiologist at the University of Pretoria in 2011 and obtained a Master’s degree in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) at the AAC department at the University of Pretoria in 2015. She worked for the Gauteng Department of Health for four and a half years and has a passion for neurology, paediatric dysphagia (feeding difficulties), the developing brain and the role players within this field. Martelize is also VitalStim trained and has completed numerous courses in paediatric dysphagia.
Mehnaaz qualified with a B.Communication Pathology: Speech, Language Therapy and Audiology degree from the University of Pretoria in 2006. She worked for the Gauteng Department of Health for eight years before joining the BTC team in 2015. Mehnaaz has a special interest in babies and young children with feeding, vision and neurological impairments. She has completed the Pediatric Neuro-Developmental (NDT) course as well as the advanced baby NDT course. Mehnaaz is certified in Newborn Behavior Observations (NBO) and has completed the PROMPT-course up to the bridging level. She is also Tiny Handz trained and is currently studying towards an MSc Med Child Health: Neurodevelopment Masters at the University of Witwatersrand.
Taryn qualified from the University of Witwatersrand with a B.Sc. Physiotherapy degree in 2013. She has since completed the Paediatric Neuro-developmental Therapy (NDT) course and is currently studying towards her Master’s degree in Public Health with a specific focus on child and maternal health.