Speech Therapist & Audiologist / spraakterapeut & Audioloog

Martelize Gropp

Hours

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to best suit your needs.

Contact number

Martelize Gropp

My name is Martelize Gropp. I am a qualified Speech and Language therapist and an Audiologist registered with the HPCSA. I have a special interest in the paediatric population and treat children with speech disorders, language difficulties, hearing rehabilitation and especially feeding difficulties, ranging from neonates to older children who are fussy or problem eaters. My passion is Early Intervention and I follow a holistic approach in the assessment and treatment to utilise all contributing factors to ensure the best possible outcome for the child and the family. Therapy is family centered and the Hanen approach to Early Intervention is used. I am enthusiastic about my work, am kind-hearted and have a good listening ear.

Treatments and Diagnosis

Speech and Language Intervention

A holistic approach to intervention is followed, treating children with:

Communication difficulties (typical developing child, child with a syndrome, a child with a specific diagnosis such as Autism, children with a neurodevelopmental diagnosis, prematurity, or any other diagnosis)
Speech disorders
Language delays/difficulties
Auditory Rehabilitation including Auditory Processing therapy
Phonological awareness difficulties
Literacy and Reading

Speech and Language Assessment:

Including a holistic, comprehensive evaluation of a child’s communication skills, including pre-communication skills, speech- development and repertoire, language development, pragmatic skills, listening skills, early literacy skills and play development.

Feeding Treatment: The goal is safe and sufficient feeding

In the NICU

Assisting with postural stability, oral motor skills development, reading a baby’s cues, handling a baby, Kangaroo Mother Care.
Assisting with oral feeding (Breastfeeding or Bottle feeding)
Assisting the mom to read the baby’s communication cues
This is in collaboration with the Dietician and the treating Doctors
If needed advise on oral motor stimulation to enhance oral motor skills

In the PICU

Assisting with postural stability and treating oral motor skills with food therapy and/or oral stimulation,
Establishing feeding routines,
Treatment for oral aversions and swallowing difficulties,
Acknowledge the sensory integration difficulties regarding food in conjunction with the Occupational Therapist,
Advise on oral motor skill development
Parental/ caregiver support

A baby or toddler or older child

Assisting with optimal safe feeding
NGT or PEG weaning
Assisting with postural stability and treating oral motor skills with food therapy and/or oral stimulation,
Establishing feeding routines,
Treatment for oral aversions and swallowing difficulties,
Treating sensory integration difficulties regarding food with the help of the Occupational Therapist,
Advise on oral motor skill development
Parental/caregiver support

Multidisciplinary approach A multidisciplinary approach is followed to treat the child holistically, including a dietician and an Occupational Therapist.

Feeding Assessments

In the NICU

This includes assessments of premature babies to determine readiness for oral feeds,
Assessment of especially oral motor skills to successfully feed orally
Neurodevelopmental approach to feeding assessment is followed including assessment of physiological state, sensory system, oral-motor skills, state behaviour of a baby, caregiver bonding, communication skills including communication of the baby’s stress cues.

In the PICU

Neurodevelopmental approach to feeding assessment is followed including assessment of physiological state, sensory system, oral-motor skills, state behaviour of a baby, caregiver bonding, postural stability etc.

A baby or toddler or older child

This includes a problem feeder, a fussy feeder, not gaining sufficient weight, sensory integration difficulties regarding food, parental concern.

Testimonials

Wow, what an amazing woman Martelize is. She is always friendly and happy to us. She is always willing to walk the extra mile and her ears are never deaf to my needs or requests. Martelize takes her job very seriously and never gives up. Whenever there is a problem or a need she will always follows up, make sure, me as “mommy” is fine, knows what to do and are clear about the instructions.

Martelize has a very soft spirit and has a compassion for the children that she works with. She always, but always, handles my child with the necessary care and caution. Martelize, always speaks in a soft and tender voice to my child and explains everything she does or is going to do (because of my child’s vision impairment). Whenever my child does something on this own and cooperate, she cheers my child.

Martelize, gives me hope for the future and never gets tired of what she does. She always has a positive attitude and a word to encourage me and baby.

Anyone that comes in contact with her leaves with a smile. One can really see that she enjoys her work and loves what she does.

Many Blessings

Ons het so vasgesit met ons 4 maande oue dogtertjie omdat sy net glad nie wou drink nie, nadat ons alles probeer het, het ons na Martelize toe gegaan wie vir ons fantastiese advies gegee het. Met jou advies het ons dogtertjie gemaklik gedrink na net een van jou sessies. So baie dankie vir dit!