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

 

BTC endeavours, based on Christian principles, to provide early specialised therapeutic intervention to children with developmental delays or special needs from birth to the age of three to provide:
Services:
Holistic therapy services to achieve maximum developmental progress.
Training and counselling for parents and caregivers to enhance their caregiving abilities and to maintain the well-being of families.
Support:
Therapeutic services to families from disadvantaged groups, regardless of creed, race or socio-economic backgrounds.
Excellence:
To continuously strive to be a Centre of excellence by maintaining the highest professional standards within our interdisciplinary
approach while providing evidence-based therapy.

 

 

THE TEAM

Scheán Babst

Scheán Babst

Head of Centre

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Nicole Kleynhans

Nicole Kleynhans

Occupational Therapist

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Mehnaaz Karim

Mehnaaz Karim

Speech Therapist

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Hannie Scheffer

Hannie Scheffer

Day Care Nurse

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Janine Van Niekerk

Janine Van Niekerk

Dietician

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Lizl Dennis

Lizl Dennis

Physiotherapist

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Mehnaaz Karim

Mehnaaz Karim

Speech Therapist

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Margot Haüsler

Margot Haüsler

Day Care Nurse

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Hermi Viljoen

Hermi Viljoen

Music Therapist

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Sr. Rina van der Grijp

Sr. Rina van der Grijp

Day Care Nurse

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Patricia Ngcobo

Patricia Ngcobo

Day Care Assistant

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Sajida Mitha

Sajida Mitha

Occupational Therapist

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Jennifer Jackson

Jennifer Jackson

Speech Therapist

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Scheán is a biological scientist specializing in forensic DNA with 25+ years of experience in a forensic science working environment.  Her insight into genetics and her scientific background has served her well to understand the conditions of children with special needs. Scheán also understands the fundamentals of a therapy-based approach to overcome developmental challenges in children with special needs.  She was appointed as the principal of Chrysalis Preschool in May 2016 and has extensive experience in management. 

Hannie started her nursing career with the completion of her basic nursing training at JG Strijdom Hospital in 1980, followed by Midwifery at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, Cape Town in 1982. In 1984 Hannie returned to Pretoria to study Community Health Nursing at the Pretoria Technicon. She completed her B.Cur degree at the University of Pretoria and obtained a Primary Health Care Diploma at Kalafong/University of Pretoria, both during 1988. Interspersed were stings at the Department of Health doing Family Planning, Occupational Health at the Hyperama and finally worked for 28 years at the City of Tshwane as a Primary Health Care Nurse involved with chronic health, HIV, immunization, acute illnesses, PMTCT, mother and child wellness and antenatal care. She is involved with CANSA doing screenings and also works from home as a Foot Health Practitioner. Hannie joined the BTC Day Care team in March 2019.
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.

Patricia started working at Chrysalis Preschool (a school for special needs children from three to twelve years old) as a Facilitator in 2009. During that year she completed the HAMBISELA course that teaches positioning, feeding, massaging and exercising children with Cerebral Palsy. Patricia joined the BTC Day Care team in October 2010. She completed courses in PEG- and MIC-Key tube feeding and the maintenance of the MIC-Key tube in 2015. During 2017 she also completed the Tiny Handz course that teaches South African sign language to parents, caregivers and therapists who are involved with the care of toddlers and young children within the special needs spectrum. She is also CPR/First Aid trained and completed a Fire Fighting course. Patricia’s experience and knowledge in caring for and handling special needs babies expands daily by working closely with the therapists and her fellow Day Care staff.
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.
Hermi completed her BMus Degree at the University of Pretoria in 2013; specialising in flute, music education and Music Therapy. Thereafter she completed her Masters Degree in Music Therapy at the University of Pretoria. In partial fulfillment for the Masters Degree in Music Therapy, she completed a 1000 hours of clinical internships at various institutions such as Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, Mohau Centre for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS, Unica School for Autism, Little Eden Rota Village, Eersterust Welfare Organisation for the Aged, and the Paediatric Oncology unit at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Currently, Hermi runs music therapy groups for young offenders at the Teddy Bear Clinic for abused children and group music therapy at Boys and Girls Town for youth at risk. She also has her own practice in Faerie Glen and Centurion in Pretoria. She teaches private flute and piano lessons part-time in Silver Lakes and performs as often as possible.
Sajida obtained her Bachelors’ degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Pretoria in 2015. After completing her community service at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, she continued to work for the Gauteng Department of Health, at Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital for three years.

She has completed training in Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment (GMA) in preterm, term and young infants, as well as on neurodevelopmental supportive care of the preterm infant. She has also completed ‘Hands-on Autism’ training with Autism South Africa. She has clinical experience in paediatric seating and has completed a professional wheelchair service delivery course with the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre. She has attended many short courses to improve her skill in paediatric rehabilitation and continues to build on her knowledge and expertise.

Sajida has a special interest in early childhood intervention and enjoys working with children with a variety of conditions to promote function and development.  She is passionate about helping children develop the necessary skills for the job of life.

Nicole obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy (with distinction) from the University of Pretoria.  She received the top achievement award in paediatrics and completed her community service at Potchefstroom Hospital. She has completed two courses in hand therapy as well as a course on Autism Spectrum Disorder. She regularly participates in short courses to continue learning. She has a special interest in sensory integration, hand therapy and ECI. She provides individual and group therapy to children with various needs and enjoys partnering with parents and other professionals as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

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.
Jennifer is qualified with a BA Honors degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy, as well as a Masters Degree in Audiology. She worked in Hong Kong in 2007 and thereafter for the Gauteng Health Department for five years. Jennifer went on to work in, and manage a Paediatric unit, specializing in acute Paediatric rehabilitation for nine years. Jennifer has a special interest in babies and young children with feeding difficulties, neurological impairments and those requiring Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC). She has completed the Paediatric Neuro-Developmental (NDT) course in 2012 as well as the advanced Baby NDT course in 2015. She is also trained in Sequential Oral Sensory Therapy (SOS) for fussy eating, Vital Stimulation Therapy, PROMPT Therapy, Therapeutic Listening and Talk Tools for Oral Placement Therapy. Jennifer joined the BTC Therapy Team in February 2020.
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.
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.

Rina

Sister Rina started her nursing career in 1971 when she completed her training in general nursing and midwifery at the (then known as) HF Verwoerd Hospital. Rina started to work as a Clinic Nurse at the Pretoria Municipality in 1979. She completed further training in community health and Psychiatry during this time. Rina was responsible for Nursery School Medical Services from 1989 until 1996 when the service was terminated. She was also responsible for community disease control at the City of Tshwane from 2001-2018. Rina joined our Daycare Team in January 2020.