Speaker
Dr Michèle van Niekerk
Dr van Niekerk worked as a general & hospital paediatrician for many years. In recent years, she developed a keen interest in neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, the Autisms, Specific Learning Difficulties (previously known as Dyslexia and other disabilities) and other co-occurring conditions, which may impact on mental health and which often result in scholastic and behavioural challenges. In 2018, she completed training and accreditation in the use of the DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social & Communication Disorders), a validated assessment tool for the diagnosis of autism and related conditions. She continues to attend training and workshops to stay abreast of advancing knowledge and also does presentations to promote awareness about neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr van Niekerk is passionate about promoting early diagnosis and early intervention, in order to preserve the mental health of children and adolescents. She currently runs a dedicated Neurodiversity practice which serves the entire Overberg. Due to the nature of neurodevelopmental conditions, she collaborates closely with Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Therapists, Psychiatrists & Child- & Adolescent Psychologists. She is a member of SA-ACAPAP, an Associate member of the ADHD Special Interest Group (ADHD-SIG), an Associate member of SASOP and a member of Autism-SA. Along with an OT and a Speech & Language Therapist, she is a founder member of the Multidisciplinary Team known as the Hermanus Paediatric Working Group, who have been active since 2003. Dr Michèle van Niekerk
Dr van Niekerk worked as a general & hospital paediatrician for many years. In recent years, she developed a keen interest in neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, the Autisms, Specific Learning Difficulties (previously known as Dyslexia and other disabilities) and other co-occurring conditions, which may impact on mental health and which often result in scholastic and behavioural challenges. In 2018, she completed training and accreditation in the use of the DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social & Communication Disorders), a validated assessment tool for the diagnosis of autism and related conditions. She continues to attend training and workshops to stay abreast of advancing knowledge and also does presentations to promote awareness about neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr van Niekerk is passionate about promoting early diagnosis and early intervention, in order to preserve the mental health of children and adolescents. She currently runs a dedicated Neurodiversity practice which serves the entire Overberg. Due to the nature of neurodevelopmental conditions, she collaborates closely with Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Therapists, Psychiatrists & Child- & Adolescent Psychologists. She is a member of SA-ACAPAP, an Associate member of the ADHD Special Interest Group (ADHD-SIG), an Associate member of SASOP and a member of Autism-SA. Along with an OT and a Speech & Language Therapist, she is a founder member of the Multidisciplinary Team known as the Hermanus Paediatric Working Group, who have been active since 2003.