Annemarie Bateman – Occupational Therapist – Strubensvalley

Annemarie Bateman - Occupational Therapist - Strubensvalley

Annemarie Bateman is a dedicated Occupational Therapist at Strubensvalley Therapy Centre in Strubens Valley, Roodepoort. She earned her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Stellenbosch in 1993. Consequently, she began her career at a pediatric practice in Oudtshoorn, where she supported toddlers and young children facing developmental delays and physical challenges. After one year, she moved to a pediatric clinic in Pretoria, dedicating eight years to refining her skills in motor development and sensory integration.

Furthermore, in 1997 Annemarie co-founded Strubensvalley Therapy Centre, helping to shape its multi-disciplinary model. Her decade-plus experience in South African hospitals and schools gave her deep insight into diverse pediatric needs. Moreover, she expanded her expertise in the United States, working with children who presented complex sensory processing and neurodevelopmental disorders. As a result, she returned with advanced techniques in assistive technology and therapeutic equipment, which she now integrates into the Centre’s service offerings.

In addition, Annemarie holds certifications in Ayres Sensory Integration and DIR® Floortime. She also serves on the board of the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI), which allows her to influence national standards and mentor emerging therapists. Consequently, every intervention she designs reflects both global best practices and her comprehensive local experience.

Services

• Sensory Integration Therapy
  Annemarie uses a structured sensory gym equipped with swings, trampolines, and textured surfaces. Therefore, children learn to modulate hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity effectively.

• Therapeutic Listening
  She implements specialized auditory programs that strengthen listening skills, attention span, and emotional regulation. Moreover, these interventions support language development and classroom focus.

• Developmental Assessments
  Annemarie conducts comprehensive evaluations of motor milestones, sensory profiles, and adaptive skills. Consequently, she tailors individualized intervention plans that guide children toward age-appropriate goals.

• Motor and Perceptual Development Therapy
  She delivers targeted activities—such as obstacle courses, handwriting drills, and fine-motor games—to refine coordination and perceptual abilities. As a result, children build confidence in daily tasks.

• Task-Centered Group Therapy
  Annemarie leads small groups in practical tasks like cooking and crafts. Additionally, these sessions foster social skills, teamwork, and independence.

• Assistive Technology Consultation
  She recommends and trains families in adaptive devices—such as dynamic seating systems and interactive software—to enhance participation at home and school.

Additional Information

Strubensvalley Therapy Centre offers a child-friendly environment featuring bright décor, soft lighting, and observation windows. Consequently, caregivers remain close without disrupting sessions. Moreover, the Centre employs digital progress-tracking platforms, which deliver clear milestone dashboards to families and professionals.

Annemarie practices in both English and Afrikaans, ensuring that language never impedes rapport or assessment accuracy. Furthermore, she provides telehealth follow-ups for ongoing support, which benefits families with busy schedules or mobility constraints. She also hosts quarterly professional workshops on sensory integration and motor development, thereby uplifting the broader therapy community.

Her professional style blends warmth with structure: she invites parents to co-design goals and integrates video-feedback to reinforce strategies. Therefore, caregivers feel empowered and informed at every stage. Finally, Annemarie’s role as mentor to interns and board member of SAISI ensures that her impact extends far beyond individual sessions, shaping the future of occupational therapy in South Africa.

To give your child access to decades of pediatric expertise and cutting-edge therapy, schedule a consultation today with Annemarie Bateman at Strubensvalley Therapy Centre.