Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists

Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists Ashley Dearling OT is a Ballito based OT practice, passionate about Sensory Integration

Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists is delighted to host Lulu Becker, a physiotherapist with a special interest in p...
28/07/2026

Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists is delighted to host Lulu Becker, a physiotherapist with a special interest in paediatric pelvic health and women's health, for a practical, evidence-based course focused on children's bladder and bowel health.

Toileting challenges are something many therapists encounter in practice, yet they can often feel complex and difficult to navigate. This course has been designed specifically for Occupational Therapists and professionals working with children, providing a deeper understanding of common bladder and bowel concerns, practical management strategies, and guidance on when referral to a pelvic health physiotherapist is appropriate.

📅 Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
📍 Venue: Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists, Unit 8 Rey Park, Reys Place, Ballito
⏰ Time: 08:00–16:00
🎓 10 CPD Points (applied for)

Whether you're working with children experiencing constipation, faecal soiling, urinary incontinence, delayed toilet training, or other toileting difficulties, this course will provide practical tools and confidence to better support children and their families.

We are looking forward to welcoming therapists from across the region for another fantastic day of learning, collaboration and professional development.

For bookings and further information, please feel free to DM us or comment below

We're thrilled to be hosting the SenseUp "Sensory in Action" Workshop in Ballito! 💚Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapis...
28/07/2026

We're thrilled to be hosting the SenseUp "Sensory in Action" Workshop in Ballito! 💚

Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists is excited to welcome Kerry Evetts from SenseUp Training to the North Coast for a unique day of learning focused on sensory processing, regulation, trauma-informed practice and neuro-affirming care.

This workshop is designed to bring therapists, educators and allied health professionals together around a shared understanding of the children we support every day. Whether you work in a clinic, a classroom or alongside families, you'll leave with practical strategies and a common language that can immediately be applied in your practice.

For Paediatric Occupational Therapists, there is also the opportunity to attend the full-day programme, which includes an afternoon practical session exploring responsive, affirming treatment approaches using both suspension and non-suspension equipment.

📅 Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
📍 Hosted by: Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists, Ballito
⏰ Morning Workshop: 08:00–13:30 (Open to OTs, allied health professionals and educators)
⏰ OT Full-Day: 08:00–17:00 (Afternoon practical limited to 25 OTs)

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from an internationally respected presenter while connecting with colleagues who are passionate about supporting children in meaningful, evidence-informed ways.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ballito!

For bookings and further information, please get in touch or register by following the link below: https://www.senseup.org/sensory-in-action-workshop-SA/

Does your child seem to hold it together all day at school, only to fall apart the moment they get home?After-school mel...
24/06/2026

Does your child seem to hold it together all day at school, only to fall apart the moment they get home?

After-school meltdowns are incredibly common and are often a sign that children have been working hard to meet the demands of the school day. Paying attention, managing emotions, coping with sensory input, navigating friendships, and completing academic tasks all require significant mental and emotional energy.

For many children, home is the place where they feel safest to release the feelings they’ve been holding in all day.

In this week’s Ask an OT, we’re exploring why after-school meltdowns happen, practical ways to support your child, and when it may be worth seeking additional support.

Remember, behaviour is communication. Sometimes what looks like defiance or overreaction is simply a child saying, “Today was hard.”

Swipe to learn more ➡️

Today we celebrate a very special person in our team. Happy birthday, Tilly!Tilly is not only Ashley’s incredible second...
17/06/2026

Today we celebrate a very special person in our team. Happy birthday, Tilly!

Tilly is not only Ashley’s incredible second-in-charge, but someone who has helped shape the heart of Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists over the past 8.5 years. Her commitment, loyalty, and steady presence have been a constant through so many seasons of growth.

She shows up for every child and family with genuine care, deep understanding, and unwavering dedication. Her ability to connect, support, and truly “get” each child is something very special, and something so many of our families have benefited from over the years.

Behind the scenes, Tilly is the quiet force that keeps everything running smoothly. From the small details to the big picture, she is always willing to step in, support, problem-solve, and make things work, often without needing recognition.

Beyond the therapy room, Tilly is a wonderful mom and a truly special friend. She brings warmth, kindness, and a calm strength to everything she does, and our team is better because of her.
Tilly, we are so grateful for you, for your heart, your dedication, and the way you give so much of yourself to this team and the families we serve.

Wishing you the happiest birthday, filled with love, appreciation, and all the joy you bring to others every day! 

Teaching kids their ABCs feels like the first step to reading, but it’s not always as simple as just memorising letter n...
27/05/2026

Teaching kids their ABCs feels like the first step to reading, but it’s not always as simple as just memorising letter names.

Here’s what really matters:
✅ Learning the sounds letters make (phonics) ✅ Building connections between sounds and letters for reading and spelling
✅ Keeping learning playful, simple, and pressure-free

We also share fun, practical tips for teaching letter sounds and when it might be time to chat with a speech therapist if your child finds sounds tricky.
Every child learns differently, and that’s okay! The goal is to build a strong, confident foundation for reading that fits your child’s pace and style.

✨ One sound, one step, one success at a time!

Got questions about your child’s development, motor skills, or independence? Drop them in the comments or send us a DM, this is part of our Ask an OT series where we give you straightforward, practical parenting tips.

👉 Follow for more support and advice. 💙

18/05/2026

🎉 Christie – 3 Years with Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists 🎉

Today we celebrate an incredibly special milestone! Christie’s 3-year work anniversary with our team 🤍

Christie, your impact on our practice has been nothing short of exceptional. Your incredible work ethic, consistent dedication, and willingness to always go the extra mile do not go unnoticed. You bring such professionalism and heart into everything you do.

Your communication with both team members and families is outstanding, and your ability to connect with people at all levels, especially meeting children exactly where they are at, is something truly special. You build trust so naturally, creating safe and meaningful therapeutic relationships.

Behind the scenes, your organisation and admin skills keep everything running smoothly, and your readiness to jump in, support, and problem-solve wherever needed makes you an invaluable part of our team.

Because of the huge impact you’ve had, we are so proud to celebrate not only your anniversary, but also your promotion to Senior Occupational Therapist 🌟

Thank you for everything you bring to our team, Christie. We are so lucky to have you!

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ashley! 🎉Today we celebrate the heart behind Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists 🤍Ashley, your pas...
15/05/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ashley! 🎉

Today we celebrate the heart behind Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists 🤍

Ashley, your passion for helping children and families shines through in everything you do. Your dedication, leadership, and vision have created a practice that is not only skilled and professional, but deeply caring and supportive.

You lead with empathy, inspire with your knowledge, and bring such thoughtfulness and intention into every interaction. Your ability to guide both your team and the families you work with, while always keeping the bigger picture in mind, is what makes your work so impactful.

Thank you for the guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support you offer your team every day. You have created something truly special, and we are so grateful to be part of it.

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead filled with happiness, growth, and all the things that bring you joy ✨🥳

With appreciation,
Your ADOT Family 

🌸Happy Mother’s Day to the moms who… 🌸…celebrate the smallest milestones like they are the biggest victories.…show up, a...
10/05/2026

🌸Happy Mother’s Day to the moms who… 🌸

…celebrate the smallest milestones like they are the biggest victories.
…show up, again and again, even on the toughest days.
…learn, adapt, and try new strategies to support their child.
…hold their child through big emotions while quietly managing their own.
…advocate, encourage, and never stop believing in their child’s potential.

In our therapy rooms, we see your patience, your persistence, and your incredible love.

Parenting is not always easy, and for many of the families we work with, it comes with extra layers, extra challenges, and extra strength.

✨The effort you put in matters
✨The consistency you show matters
✨The love you give matters

Even when progress feels slow, those small steps are building something meaningful.

Today, we celebrate you; not just for what you do, but for who you are to your child.

Happy Mother’s Day. 💐

👟 Ask an OT: How Do We Teach Children to Tie Their Shoelaces?Learning to tie shoelaces is a big step toward independence...
29/04/2026

👟 Ask an OT: How Do We Teach Children to Tie Their Shoelaces?

Learning to tie shoelaces is a big step toward independence for children, but it can also bring frustration for both kids and parents!

The truth is:
👉 There’s no “right” age for mastering this skill.
👉 It’s all about readiness: fine motor strength, patience, and confidence.

In this post, we’re sharing step-by-step tips to help you teach shoelace tying the OT way:
✅ Simple methods (like Bunny Ears or One Loop)
✅ Fun pre-shoelace activities to build hand skills
✅ Tricks like coloured laces and bigger practice objects
✅ Encouragement for when it’s tough

And remember, every child learns at their own pace. Some need more time, different strategies, or temporary alternatives like elastic laces. That’s perfectly okay.

✨ One loop, one step, one success at a time!

Got a question about your child’s development, motor skills, or daily independence?

Drop it in the comments or send us a DM, we’ll be answering them right here in our Ask an OT series.

👉 Follow for more practical tips for everyday parenting. 💙

Ask an OT Series: How do I choose the right bike for my child? 🚲Choosing the right bike isn’t just about age or size, it...
22/04/2026

Ask an OT Series: How do I choose the right bike for my child? 🚲

Choosing the right bike isn’t just about age or size, it’s really about your child’s development, confidence, and readiness 💛

As occupational therapists, we look beyond “can they ride?” and focus on how a bike supports balance, coordination, motor planning, and independence. The right bike can build confidence and create success, while the wrong one can sometimes lead to frustration or fear of trying.

For many children, a balance bike is the best place to start. It teaches the most important skill first, balance, without the added challenge of pedals. This often makes the transition to a pedal bike much smoother and less overwhelming.

When children move to pedal bikes with training wheels, they can begin to learn pedalling and steering. These bikes can feel safe and predictable, which is helpful for some children, but it’s worth remembering that they don’t teach true balance and can sometimes delay independent riding.

Riding a pedal bike without training wheels requires many skills to come together at once: balance, coordination, strength, and confidence. Some children are ready for this earlier, while others need a bit more time and support along the way.

Safety is just as important as skill development. A well-fitted helmet, closed shoes, and regular bike checks all help keep your child safe while they learn and explore.

If your child is finding biking tricky, it doesn’t mean they’re not capable; it may simply mean they haven’t found the right starting point yet. Going back a step (like using a balance bike) can often make a big difference in building confidence.

Every child develops at their own pace, and there is no perfect timeline, only the one that supports your child’s success and enjoyment 🌈

Follow for more practical, real-life tips to support your child’s development 💛

Address

Unit 8 Rey Park, Rey's Place
Ballitoville
4399

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27848608221

Website

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