Kirsty Fleischer OT

Kirsty Fleischer OT At Kirstin Fleischer OT we do Occupational Therapy well by helping children be all they can be!

You’ve noticed the signs. You’ve asked for help. And now… you’re waiting.Long waitlists for ADHD and Autism assessments ...
20/04/2026

You’ve noticed the signs. You’ve asked for help. And now… you’re waiting.

Long waitlists for ADHD and Autism assessments are incredibly common right now, and that waiting period can feel overwhelming.

Here’s what many parents don’t realise:
✨ You do NOT have to wait for a formal diagnosis to start supporting your child.

At Kirsty Fleischer OT, we often begin with diagnostic therapy, gentle, play-based sessions that help us understand your child’s sensory profile, motor skills, emotional regulation, and functional challenges.

We focus on:
✔️ Regulation before behaviour
✔️ Building core strength and postural control
✔️ Supporting fine motor skills
✔️ Understanding sensory modulation
✔️ Reducing anxiety in everyday tasks

All while building trust at your child’s pace.

We also complete full standardised assessments when your child feels comfortable, being mindful that formal testing environments can increase anxiety.

Waiting doesn’t have to mean doing nothing.

Early support often reduces frustration, improves confidence, and gives families clarity, even before a diagnosis is confirmed.

You are not overreacting. And you don’t have to navigate this alone.

If you're currently on a waiting list and unsure what to do next, reach out.
We’re here to walk this journey with you 💛

www.otherapy.co.za

What an incredible day at the Westville Junior Primary School Fun Day: Meet, Mingle & Explore! Our occupational therapis...
19/04/2026

What an incredible day at the Westville Junior Primary School Fun Day: Meet, Mingle & Explore! Our occupational therapist loved connecting with families, sharing insights, and watching little ones explore, create, and grow through meaningful activities.

A special moment captured with our amazing multidisciplinary team — alongside social worker Nicola Strachan and speech and language therapist Amy Russel 🤝
Together, we support every child’s journey in a holistic and empowering way.
Here’s to building strong foundations through collaboration, curiosity, and a whole lot of fun! 🌈✨
ChildDevelopment WestvilleJuniorPrimary

Come and join us for a fun filled day. Kirsty Fleischer will be on-site to answers questions you may have too.
17/04/2026

Come and join us for a fun filled day. Kirsty Fleischer will be on-site to answers questions you may have too.

Come and join us for a FUN filled day. Our team at WJP will be available to show you around and answer any questions you...
17/04/2026

Come and join us for a FUN filled day. Our team at WJP will be available to show you around and answer any questions you may have.

“Maybe they’ll grow out of it…”“But what if they don’t?”One of the biggest challenges parents face is knowing the differ...
13/04/2026

“Maybe they’ll grow out of it…”“But what if they don’t?”

One of the biggest challenges parents face is knowing the difference between developmental variation and red flags.

Every child develops at their own pace, and variation is normal.

But persistent difficulties that impact daily life are worth exploring early.

🚩 Possible red flags may include:
• Frequent, intense meltdowns beyond expected age
• Ongoing difficulty with transitions
• Extreme sensory sensitivities (noise, clothing, textures)
• Delayed fine or gross motor skills
• Avoidance of peer interaction
• Significant anxiety around everyday tasks

Early Occupational Therapy support matters because we don’t wait for labels, we look at function.

We ask:
How is this impacting school?
Friendships?
Self-esteem?
Family life?

When we intervene early:
✔️ Neural pathways are more adaptable
✔️ Frustration is reduced
✔️ Coping skills are built sooner
✔️ Parents feel empowered with strategies
✔️ Children experience success instead of repeated failure

Most importantly, early support protects confidence.

And every child deserves that 💛

www.otherapy.co.za

10/04/2026

Little hands, big achievements 🐣✨
This past week was full of fun, creativity, and skill-building as our kiddies got into the Easter spirit! From sensory play and fine motor activities to cutting, sticking, and decorating their very own Easter creations 🐰🎨
Every activity was designed to support development while keeping things playful and engaging 💛
We love seeing their confidence grow with every task they complete!
SensoryPlay LearningThroughPlay

Wishing all our patients and families a joyful Easter filled with hope, renewal, and meaningful moments 💛🐰 We will see y...
05/04/2026

Wishing all our patients and families a joyful Easter filled with hope, renewal, and meaningful moments 💛🐰 We will see you back in the practice on Monday, the 13th of April 🌟

As paediatric OTs, this is one of the most important questions we ask.Because sometimes what looks like:•⁠ ⁠“Picky eati...
19/03/2026

As paediatric OTs, this is one of the most important questions we ask.

Because sometimes what looks like:
•⁠ ⁠“Picky eating”
•⁠ ⁠Refusing vegetables
•⁠ ⁠Only eating beige foods
•⁠ ⁠Gagging easily
•⁠ ⁠Overeating
•⁠ ⁠Constant snacking
•⁠ ⁠Avoiding mixed textures

…is not behavioural. It’s sensory.

From an OT perspective, eating is a full sensory experience

Every bite involves:
•⁠ ⁠Tactile processing – How food feels in the hands and mouth
•⁠ ⁠Oral sensory awareness – Texture, temperature, consistency
•⁠ ⁠Taste and smell processing
•⁠ ⁠Interoception – Recognising hunger and fullness
•⁠ ⁠Proprioception – Jaw strength and chewing feedback
•⁠ ⁠Visual processing – The look of the food on the plate

If any of these systems are over- or under-responsive, eating becomes overwhelming or confusing.

A child who is sensory avoidant may experience mashed potato as overwhelming or yoghurt as unbearable.

A child who is sensory seeking may prefer very crunchy, spicy, or strongly flavoured foods because they need more input to “feel” the food.

Children don’t expand their diet when they feel forced. They expand their diet when their nervous system feels safe.

www.otherapy.co.za

When we talk about improving eating habits, most parents immediately think about food choices.But in paediatric OT, we l...
12/03/2026

When we talk about improving eating habits, most parents immediately think about food choices.

But in paediatric OT, we look at something deeper first:👉 Posture. Environment. Regulation.

Because before a child can eat well, their body needs to be ready.

🪑 1️⃣ Position matters more than you think

Good eating starts with strong postural support.

When a child is:
•⁠ ⁠Sitting upright
•⁠ ⁠Feet flat and supported
•⁠ ⁠Hips and knees at 90 degrees
•⁠ ⁠Table at the correct height
•⁠ ⁠Core muscles engaged

They can:
✔️ Use both hands effectively
✔️ Coordinate cutlery
✔️ Bring food to their mouth with control
✔️ Chew more safely and efficiently
✔️ Stay at the table longer

If a child is kneeling, dangling their legs, slouching, or constantly shifting their body is working harder to stay upright than to eat. And when posture is unstable, fine motor skills (like using utensils) become frustrating.

This often leads to finger feeding, avoiding certain foods, or leaving the table early.

Strong posture = better eating skills!

It’s just fussy eating…or is it?We are seeing an increasing number of children referred to our practice for “fussy eatin...
05/03/2026

It’s just fussy eating…or is it?

We are seeing an increasing number of children referred to our practice for “fussy eating.”

But when we gently begin to unpack the story it often isn’t fussy eating at all.

And alongside this, we are also seeing more children entering our practice classified as “overweight” which tells us something important: this is not simply about preference or willpower. It’s about understanding the whole child.

🍽️ Eating is complex. It is not just about food.

Eating is:
•⁠ ⁠Sensory processing
•⁠ ⁠Oral motor skills
•⁠ ⁠Postural control and core stability
•⁠ ⁠Emotional regulation
•⁠ ⁠Routine and predictability
•⁠ ⁠Family culture and traditions
•⁠ ⁠Anxiety levels
•⁠ ⁠Executive functioning
•⁠ ⁠Interoception (recognising hunger and fullness cues.

When we label it “fussy,” we risk missing the root cause.

💛 At Kirsty Fleischer OT, we approach feeding and eating with curiosity, not judgement. We partner closely with parents. Because diet and eating are deeply rooted in family culture, heritage, and routine.

From what we eat, to when we eat, to how we eat, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Let’s move beyond the label, and support the whole child.

www.otherapy.co.za

🌟💬 OT helps children do the things they need and want to do.Why do children need Occupational Therapy?Because sometimes,...
25/02/2026

🌟💬 OT helps children do the things they need and want to do.

Why do children need Occupational Therapy?

Because sometimes, development doesn’t follow the expected path. Sometimes, for example, they struggle to:
- Regulate their emotions or sensory input
- Stay focused long enough to learn
- Write their name or catch a ball
- Sit still in class without feeling overwhelmed

These aren’t behaviours, they’re signs of an underlying difficulty.

🔍 At Kirsty Fleischer OT, we don’t just assess, we connect. We start with diagnostic therapy to understand the “why” behind what you’re seeing.

Through:
- Sensory integration
- Core strength and motor coordination programs
- Executive functioning training
- Play-based emotional support

We help your child reconnect with their strengths and rebuild the foundational skills they need to thrive, in school, at home, and in life.

💛 OT is where compassion meets evidence-based care. We walk this path with you.

www.otherapy.co.za

🎨🛝 Play is where learning begins.So often we hear, “They’re just playing,” but for a child, play is their most important...
18/02/2026

🎨🛝 Play is where learning begins.

So often we hear, “They’re just playing,” but for a child, play is their most important work.

Through play, children develop:
- Fine motor skills (cutting, drawing, manipulating objects)
- Gross motor skills (climbing, running, balancing)
- Social skills, problem-solving, and emotional resilience

When children are not engaging in enough play, or their play is limited to screens, we begin to see:
- Poor body awareness
- Sensory seeking or avoiding behaviours
- Social withdrawal or difficulty with peer interactions
- Delays in executive functioning and flexible thinking

🧩 In OT, we use play therapeutically to:
- Build postural control and motor planning
- Encourage communication and turn-taking
- Support emotional expression and regulation

Play is not a reward, it’s the medium through which we connect, build skills, and grow.

www.otherapy.co.za

Address

24 Saltfleet Road
Westville
3629

Telephone

+27825199279

Website

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