Speech and Language Therapists / spraakterapeute

Jacqui de Beer, Bronwyn Engelbrecht, Chelsea Wilson and Nadia du Plessis

Hours

Mo- Fri: 7:30 to 17:30
(by appointment only)

Contact number

079 081 8008
083 964 7314
079 735 9892
063 643 4735

Jacqui de Beer

Jacqui studied at the University of Pretoria and graduated as a speech – language therapist and audiologist in 2004. In 2005 she completed a year of community service in Potchefstroom, and in 2006 she moved to London, where she worked for the National Health Service for 7 years. During this time, she worked with a diverse background of patients and therapists, and her passion for early communication intervention came to the fore. She returned to South Africa in 2013, and opened her private practice in Pretoria East.

Jacqui’s therapy objective is to help children to reach their communication potential by delivering therapy in a child-centred and fun way. She shares her skills with parents and teachers to empower them to continue to facilitate the child’s progress at home and at school. As a mother of three, she understands how busy life can be – and helps parents to incorporate therapy goals into every day routines.

“Your voice and words matter – together, we will learn to say BIG things!”

Bronwyn Engelbrecht

Bronwyn qualified as a speech-language therapist at the University of Pretoria, and has experience implementing services in schools and private practice in the areas of feeding, language disorders and delays, early communication intervention and for children with special needs.

She believes that every child has the ability to communicate, and brings a creative and positive attitude to each therapy session, ensuring that every child is treated with love and compassion. Bronwyn enjoys working in a team environment to be able to support children holistically. It is of utmost importance that therapists, teachers and parents work in collaboration to help children to achieve their communication goals.

“A little progress each day adds up to big results.”

Chelsea Wilson

As a qualified speech-language therapist, Chelsea has a passion for supporting children’s early language, feeding, and communication skills. Since qualifying at the University of Cape Town, she has gained experience evaluating and treating children with a wide range of diagnosis including expressive and receptive language delays, articulation disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, fluency disorders, auditory processing difficulties and developmental delays.

Chelsea is passionate about ensuring that children can enjoy the gift of speech, and have the freedom to express themselves confidently and creatively with language. She really enjoys the fulfilment that comes from helping each child meet their goals. She is compassionate and gentle, and incorporates a balance of play and structure into each therapy session.

“Everyone deserves a voice!”

Nadia du Plessis

Nadia qualified from the University of Pretoria, and is the newest member of our team. She has a special interest in working with children with diverse needs (specifically neurodiversity), and those needing assistance with literacy, language and learning.

Nadia strongly encourages the inclusion of caregivers, teachers and families in the therapy process as they play an integral part in the child’s development. She believes in building trust, and a safe space for all her therapy children to find their voices – knowing that communication gives them the power to connect.

“Communication is the essence of human life.”

Treatments and Diagnosis

Screening and Assessment

Comprehensive informal and formal assessment of the following areas:

Oral-motor and feeding
Speech and articulation
Language and language learning
Fluency (stuttering)
Auditory processing
Play and social communication
Reading and spelling

Listen Up! Language Enrichment

A programme designed and facilitated (at preschools) by speech and language therapists, to support children’s development in the following areas:

attention and listening
pre-literacy and auditory perception (crucial for reading and spelling)
language and confidence in communicating in groups

Reading and Spelling Groups

Weekly reading groups in schools, targeting phonics, phonemic and phonological awareness, vocabulary, reading fluency and reading comprehension.

Training and Parent Evenings

Customized training for parents, teachers, therapists on a wide variety of topics

School Services

Our team of therapists make the above services available at the following schools in and around Pretoria East, Bronkhorstspruit and Centurion:

Anchorage Academy
Bronkieland
Curro Academy Pretoria
Curro The Blyde
Daizee Educare
Dibber (Eldoraigne)
Kingdom Preparatory School
Little Flowers Babyhouse & Pre-School
Marianne’s Playgroup
Minikidi Village
Piglet’s Playpen
Situla Constantia Park
Situla Rooihuiskraal
Tyger Valley College
Tyger Valley Montesorri

Treatment and Therapy

Individualized therapy and treatment programmes for children needing support with:

Early communication intervention
Oral-motor and feeding delays / disorders
Phonological delays and articulation disorders
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Language and language learning
Fluency (stuttering)
Auditory processing
Play and social communication
Reading and spelling
Aural rehabilitation (children with hearing aids or cochlear implants)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cleft lip and palate

Testimonials

We were referred to Jacqui by my son’s creche teacher since she was seeing another little boy there at the time who had a similar personality to that of my son’s. Jacqui’s patient, caring approach created an environment where he could focus on improving his vocabulary and pronunciation in a fun and engaging way. She provided practical exercises for us to do at home which guided my husband and I to create consistent opportunities to develop his speech and confidence.

When she was satisfied with his progress and confident that we had the tools to assist him further she advised that speech therapy was no longer required and instead suggested occupational therapy to promote his school readiness. Unnecessary therapy is, I believe, something every parent fears. Jacqui clearly has great respect for both her profession and clients, and we are grateful for the positive influence she has had on our son.

I took my bubbly headstrong 3-year-old girl for a speech and language evaluation to Jacqui and had no expectations of how it would go. My daughter surprisingly loved every second of the evaluation, which was done in an age appropriate informal, playful yet structured way. It was never threatening and only hopeful to me as parent. My daughter was seen at her school and she absolutely enjoyed her individual sessions each week. Jacqui really brought out the best in her!

You have no idea the huge impact you have had on P's life and education. Before we met you, we were anxious and agitated about his future, now he just cannot stop expressing himself and learning new words. The ‘M’ family would like to thank you and your team for an amazing year and helping our son become more comfortable and happier with himself. We could not thank you enough and we love you.

I remember driving to Pretoria with my son once a week and how this was the highlight of his week! Jacqui de Beer became like family to us. She helped our kids excel in ways we never imagined. We have so much gratitude and will never be able to thank her enough. Jacqui, you are a rare gem and I know you will touch each and every person you continue to meet.