Meet our team of dedicated professionals
Meet our team of dedicated professionals
Elize Janse van Rensburg
Occupational therapist and Associate
Elize is an experienced occupational therapist with a keen interest in the fields of sensory integration, peadiatric occupational therapy and neurodevelopmental conditions. Elize holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy from the University of the Free State. She completed her sensory integration training through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI) and is trained in the use of DIR Floortime and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), both early intervention models for children on the autism spectrum. She is trained in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), as well as in Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment (GMA) which is used in the assessment of neonates and infants in relation to neurological and neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities.
Elize loves working with children and families who face challenges in participation in daily activities. She believes strongly in the power of early intervention, and particularly loves working with babies and young children who experience sensory integration and other engagement challenges. She has a special interest in autism, genetic and rare diseases, ADHD and learning difficulties, and believes in a holistic, child- and family centred, strengths-based approach.
Elize is a former lecturer in occupational therapy at the University of the Free State and has served on the executive boards of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA) as well as the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI). She currently serves as treasurer of SAISI and is also part of the SAISI lecturing team, contributing to the training of occupational therapists in the use of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI®) in capacities as a lecturer and a mentor. Elize also loves contributing to research in her field and has authored several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She is co-founder of “Built to Bloom”, a business focused on the development of products related to paediatric occupational therapy and early childhood development.
Her motto in therapy and in life: “I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen” (Frank Lloyd Wright).
Chané Potgieter
Occupational therapist and Associate
Chané completed her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of the Free State. She completed her sensory integration training through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI) and did her master’s degree in the field of sensory integration. She is trained in DIR Floortime, and is trained in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) as well as the Stark Griffin Dyslexia Assessment.
Chané has a passion for children with developmental delays, sensory processing challenges, autism and learning difficulties including dyslexia. Due to her own sensory processing challenges she can truly relate to the daily struggles of the children and their parents. She believes in working as a team along with the parents, teachers, and multidisciplinary team to allow the child to reach his/her full potential.
Steve Jobs said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” To Chané, being an occupational therapist is more than just a job, it is her passion and privilege to be able to work with children.
Elzani Lombard
Occupational therapist
Elzani earned her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of the Free State and she completed her certification in Ayres Sensory Integration through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI). She also serves as a board member of SAISI.
Elzani has a keen interest in the socio-emotional development of children, particularly toddlers. She aspires to advance her studies in this area, as well as in the neurodevelopment of children. She has undertaken introductory courses in DIR Floortime and Baby Neuro Development.
Elzani is committed to empowering all caregivers to effectively support children on their developmental journeys. She believes that children are priceless because “even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” (J.R.R. Tolkien).
Nadia Truter
Occupational therapist
Nadia obtained her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Free State in 2020. She completed her community service year at Boitumelo Regional Hospital in Kroonstad and has worked in the private practice setting ever since. Nadia has completed her training in sensory integration through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI).
Although Nadia has experience in various fields of occupational therapy, she has a passion for children and a special interest in child development and school based intervention. She loves assisting children of all ages to reach their full potential by empowering them with the skills required to have the best school experience possible. She believes in teamwork and supporting parents and teachers to broaden their knowledge on how to assist children with different needs.
Nadia believes that each child is unique and deserves individual care to fulfil their potential. To quote Dr. Seuss: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
McKayla Bradfield
Occupational therapist
McKayla obtained her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Free State and completed her community service year at MUCPP in Bloemfontein. In this time she gained experience in working in various school settings and at the Department of Education, where her passion for working with and advocating for children with sensory processing challenges, developmental delays, ADHD, autism and scholastic difficulties was cultivated.
Here she truly witnessed that “the best education does not happen at a desk, but rather engaged in everyday living, hands on, exploring, in active relationship with life,” (Vince Cowman).
McKayla joined the Sensory Roots team at the start of 2025 and is aspiring to become qualified in sensory integration and more, as she continues her journey as an occupational therapist at the practice.
McKayla views her chosen career as platform that enables her to be an instrument in the LORD’s hand, and views each day as an opportunity to learn from and serve individuals, sharing the Fathers love, grace and hope with every individual she encounters.
Annika Smith
Occupational therapist
Annika obtained her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch. She completed her community service year in Smithfield and fell in love with the Free State and its people.
Annika comes from a family of teachers and is passionate about school based intervention. Through experience she knows that teamwork with parents and teachers are the key to helping children overcome learning obstacles.
Being a farm girl, she believes that children, now more than ever, need to master the art of play to develop necessary skills for learning. Finding creative ways to play and learn is her favourite part of occupational therapy.
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are” – EE Cummings, and therefore it is a great privilege for her to encourage children to grow and become the unique, best version of themselves.
Elsa Viljoen
Occupational therapist
Elsa Viljoen obtained her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Free State. She has completed her qualification in sensory integration through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI).
She has a special interest in working with infants and toddlers, as well as premature babies and completed her Little Steps training. She also did the Little Steps parenting facilitator course. She is NBAS and TIMP trained which enables her to effectively evaluate the neonates in NICU.
She has a passion for developmental delays and sensory processing difficulties. She believes in the importance of empowering parents with the knowledge in understanding and helping their children with their difficulties, so that they can blossom in their daily activities.
Alisje de Klerk
Office Administrator
Alisje is the friendly voice on the other side of the telephone, and the welcoming smile on the other side of the reception desk. Alisje matriculated from Fichardtpark High School in Bloemfontein and has experience in various administrative and technical roles in the service, retail and health care industries.
She is a qualified MUA (make-up artist) and has worked in retail shops as well as private events where she was responsible for planning events, doing financial tasks, make-up services and teaching make-up workshops.
Alisje enjoys administration and finance and she loves working with people and children.
