Meet The Team
Simone
Simone is a Director and Co-Founder of CHAMP, and a dedicated paediatric occupational therapist with over a decade of experience supporting children and their families. Passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment, she is committed to ensuring CHAMP remains a centre of excellence for specialist paediatric therapy.
She graduated with an Honours degree in Occupational Therapy from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where she was awarded the Best Undergraduate Research Thesis for Allied Health Sciences, later presented at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress in 2018. Her extensive clinical experience spans hospitals, private practice, and schools, where she has worked with children facing a wide range of developmental, sensory, and motor challenges.
Simone is a qualified Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI®) practitioner through the South African Institute of Sensory Integration (SAISI), and is trained in diagnosing Dyspraxia using the gold-standard assessment, the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT). She is also a certified ADOS-2 practitioner, enabling her to provide diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as a qualified SOS-Feeding practitioner with additional training in Therapeutic Listening. Her expertise includes assessing and treating children with sensory processing difficulties/disorders, feeding challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, physical developmental delays, retained reflexes, and handwriting difficulties.
Simone is a dedicated champion for children’s rights and well-being, with extensive experience in Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications, assessments, and tribunal cases. She collaborates closely with leading legal firms and EHCP coordinators across London to guide families through these processes, ensuring that children receive the services and support they need.
Beyond her clinical work, Simone enjoys travelling and discovering hidden corners of London. She recharges by spending time with family and friends, reading, and enjoying the outdoors.
Saskia
Saskia is a paediatric occupational therapist and a Director & Co-Founder of CHAMP. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Stellenbosch University and has specialised in Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI®) through the South African Institute of Sensory Integration (SAISI).
Additionally, Saskia has completed further training in wheelchair seating, is a qualified SOS-Feeding practitioner, and has undertaken Therapeutic Listening training. She is also qualified to conduct ADOS-2 assessments, enabling her to provide diagnostic services for children suspected to be autistic. Alongside autism diagnostics, she specialises in assessing and supporting dyspraxia using the latest gold-standard assessment, the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI).
Passionate about advocating for children’s needs, Saskia has extensive experience with EHCP and Tribunal assessments. She collaborates closely with leading legal firms and local authority EHCP coordinators across London to support families through the process.
Saskia’s clinical experience spans primary healthcare, secondary schools, and specialised neurology hospitals, where she has worked with children with learning difficulties, developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and rare genetic conditions. Currently, she provides occupational therapy in mainstream and specialist schools, including Autism and SEN bases, as well as in CHAMP’s clinic in Wandsworth, London.
Believing in the power of play, Saskia tailors her therapy sessions to each child’s needs and interests, ensuring a comfortable and engaging process for growth. She emphasises hands-on therapeutic input and works closely with parents and schools to implement holistic therapy strategies. She also adopts a whole-school approach, frequently conducting whole-school workshops and trainings to embed occupational therapy recommendations into daily practice.
Outside of work, Saskia enjoys relaxing at home, dining out, exercising, spending time outdoors, and making the most of quality time with loved ones.
Aaliyah
Aaliyah is a dedicated paediatric occupational therapist with a specialised interest in Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI®). She holds an Honours degree in Occupational Therapy from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and is currently pursuing a postgraduate qualification in ASI®. Aaliyah has also completed various short courses, including those focused on cerebral palsy assessment and treatment, reflex integration, visual perception, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Makaton Level 1.
With extensive experience in both school environments and private practice, Aaliyah supports children with a wide range of needs, such as autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, and neurological conditions. She specialises in sensory integration techniques, helping children to improve their ability to process and respond to sensory information, thereby enhancing their engagement in daily activities at home and school.
Aaliyah’s child-centred approach fosters a supportive environment where children can explore and develop their skills. She works closely with families, teachers, and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to each child’s development. Committed to ongoing professional growth, Aaliyah stays abreast of the latest research in sensory integration and paediatric occupational therapy.
Outside of her professional life, Aaliyah enjoys quiet evenings at home with her husband, as well as picnics, ice cream, tea, and discovering new places through travel.
Perfect
Perfect is a dynamic paediatric occupational therapist specialising in Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI®). He holds an Honours degree in Occupational Therapy from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and is furthering his ASI® qualifications, having completed Modules 1 and 2 through Sensory Integration Education (UK) and Sheffield Hallam University.
Perfect has extensive experience in both private practice and school settings, where he provides Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) provisions for children across various London schools. He develops and implements occupational therapy programmes to support children’s sensory and motor needs, ensuring their active participation in educational and home environments.
Committed to professional development, Perfect has completed numerous short courses, including sensory processing, regulation support, motor coordination assessment, Canaan Barrie signing, SEND Basic Awareness, and training with the Council for Disabled Children.
Passionate about play-based and hands-on therapeutic techniques, Perfect focuses on child-centred approaches. His patient and playful nature helps him build strong rapport with clients, facilitating effective collaboration with parents and schools to ensure the holistic implementation of therapeutic strategies.
Outside of his professional life, Perfect enjoys home-cooked meals, exploring new places, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Tanya
Tanya is an enthusiastic paediatric occupational therapist with a deep passion for the field of paediatrics. She graduated from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where her early experiences working with children sparked a profound commitment to paediatric therapy.
Currently, Tanya is advancing her expertise through Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI®) training and has completed numerous postgraduate courses focused on child development. Her diverse experience in hospital settings, private practice, and educational environments has equipped her with a broad range of skills to address the various challenges and needs faced by children.
Tanya utilises play and sensory integration techniques to foster development, tailoring her approach to the unique needs of each child. Her work is driven by a strong belief in the boundless potential of every child, and a commitment to fostering their confidence and creativity. She finds great joy in witnessing children’s imaginative play and enthusiasm, striving to encourage them to dream big and believe in their capabilities.
Outside of her professional life, Tanya enjoys travelling, spending quality time with her husband and friends, exercising, and embracing the outdoors. She believes that maintaining a balanced lifestyle contributes to her effectiveness in working with children and promoting positive outcomes.
Services
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