Raquel Pessoa – Occupational Therapist

SAISA, HPCSA, BSc (hons), OTESA

Raquel Pessoa is a qualified Occupational Therapist in 2006 from Witwatersrand University in South Africa. She also has a BSc Degree in Psychology and has completed her postgraduate specialisation in Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy with the South African Institute for Sensory Integration in collaboration with the University of California. She has worked in various settings including a rehabilitative centre, remedial/special needs schools, private and public mainstream schools, and various private medical centres.

Raquel has worked with children with various diagnoses including:

• developmental delays
• ADHD and ADD
• learning disorders
• sensory processing disorders
• dyspraxia
• autism spectrum disorder

She is knowledgeable in pediatric evaluation using standardized assessments for goal setting and intervention planning. She believes that collaboration with families and other multidisciplinary team members including teachers, and other health professionals is important in aiding the child reach his/her full potential. Her passion is working closely with schools and teachers to meet the needs of some students to promote participation, performance, and independence in the school setting.