Gabbi Katzenellenbogen OT

Gabbi Katzenellenbogen OT Paediatric occupational therapy private practice in Sandton
- Sensory integration
- DIR Floortime
- SOS feeding

20/08/2026

Checkers Minis🛒

This fun activity is working on figure-ground skills 👀

Figure-ground perception helps children pick out and find something specific amongst lots of other visual information. It’s an important skill for everyday tasks such as finding an item in a busy drawer, locating information on a worksheet, and finding what they need in the classroom.

Learning through play makes practising these visual skills so much more fun! 🎉

💧 Think of your child's sensory system like a glass.Every day, your child's brain is constantly taking in sensory inform...
18/08/2026

💧 Think of your child's sensory system like a glass.

Every day, your child's brain is constantly taking in sensory information—sounds, sights, touch, movement, smells, and more.

Some children have a small glass, meaning they can only tolerate a small amount of sensory input before they become overwhelmed. Others have a larger glass and can manage much more sensory input before it affects them.

For a child with a "small glass," everyday experiences can quickly fill it up:
🛝 A busy playground
🎂 A birthday party
🛒 A shopping centre
📚 A noisy classroom
🚗 A long day of errands

Once their "glass" overflows, you may notice:
💥 Meltdowns
😢 Tears or frustration
🏃 Wanting to escape the situation
🙉 Covering their ears
😡 Irritability or difficulty coping

It's important to remember that the goal isn't to empty the glass completely or avoid all sensory experiences. Instead, we want to help children gradually build their capacity so they can tolerate more sensory input over time.

This is where Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy can help. Through carefully graded, play-based activities, children learn to process sensory information more effectively, increasing their ability to participate confidently in everyday life.

Every child's "glass" is a different size—and that's okay. 💚 Understanding your child's sensory threshold is the first step towards giving them the support they need.

📍Based in Sandton
📩 Contact us to find out more or book a sensory assessment.

Does your child seem to miss things that others notice straight away?Some children need more sensory input before their ...
11/08/2026

Does your child seem to miss things that others notice straight away?

Some children need more sensory input before their brains register and respond to what is happening around them. This is called sensory under-reactivity.

It doesn't mean they are ignoring you or being lazy—their nervous system simply takes longer to notice and respond to sensory information.

Children with sensory under-reactivity may:
👂 Need their name called several times before responding
🌀 Spin or move for long periods without becoming dizzy
🖐️ Not notice messy hands or food on their face
🏃 Constantly seek movement or sensory experiences
😴 Seem slower to get going or less aware of their surroundings
💥 Not notice bumps, scrapes, or pain as easily as other children

Every child is different. Some children with sensory under-reactivity actively seek more sensory input, while others may appear quieter, less alert, or slower to respond to what is happening around them.

Understanding why these behaviours occur is the first step in supporting your child. A Sensory Integration Occupational Therapist can assess your child's sensory processing and provide strategies to help them engage more successfully in everyday life.

📍Based in Sandton
📩 Contact us to find out more or book an assessment.

Does your child seem to experience the world more intensely than others?Some children find everyday sensations overwhelm...
04/08/2026

Does your child seem to experience the world more intensely than others?

Some children find everyday sensations overwhelming. Sounds may seem too loud, clothing may feel uncomfortable, messy play may be unbearable, or playground equipment may feel scary.

This is known as sensory over-reactivity. It isn't a child being "difficult" or "overly sensitive"—it's how their nervous system processes sensory information.

Children with sensory over-reactivity may:
👂 Cover their ears in noisy environments
🖐️ Avoid messy play or certain textures
💡 Be bothered by bright lights or strong smells
🎢 Avoid swings, slides, or fast movement
👕 Refuse certain clothing because of how it feels
😣 Become overwhelmed in busy or unpredictable environments

These behaviours are often your child's way of coping with sensations that feel much more intense to them.

The good news? With the right support, children can learn to process sensory information more effectively and participate more comfortably in everyday activities.

If you're wondering whether your child's reactions are related to sensory processing, a Sensory Integration Occupational Therapist can help assess their needs and provide strategies to support them.

📍Based in Sandton
📩 Get in touch to learn more or book an assessment.

29/07/2026

Here are some fun bath activities to make fingers strong 🤚💪

Bath time is the perfect opportunity to build strong little hands! 🛁

These simple activities help develop the hand strength needed for skills like: ✏️ Holding a pencil ✂️ Using scissors 👕 Doing up buttons and zips 🍴 Using cutlery

What is Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy?Have you ever wondered what happens during Sensory Integration (SI) Occ...
28/07/2026

What is Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy?

Have you ever wondered what happens during Sensory Integration (SI) Occupational Therapy? 🤔

Sensory Integration OT is a specialised, evidence-based, play-based approach that helps children process and respond to sensory information more effectively.

When a child's brain is able to organise sensory information better, everyday tasks become easier, including:
✨ Paying attention and learning
✨ Playing with confidence
✨ Dressing independently
✨ Developing fine and gross motor skills
✨ Participating in sports and everyday activities

Every child is unique, which is why SI therapy is never "one size fits all." Therapy is carefully tailored to each child's strengths, challenges, and individual goals, using fun, meaningful activities that motivate them to learn and grow. 💚

If you've noticed your child struggling with coordination, attention, emotional regulation, motor skills, or sensory sensitivities, an assessment by a Sensory Integration Occupational Therapist may help identify how we can support them.

📍Based in Sandton
📩 Contact us to find out more about Sensory Integration OT or to book an assessment.

🌟 Vestibular Activity: Jump Over Cushions on a Trampoline 🌟Looking for a fun way to challenge your child's balance and c...
21/07/2026

🌟 Vestibular Activity: Jump Over Cushions on a Trampoline 🌟

Looking for a fun way to challenge your child's balance and coordination? Try placing a few cushions on the trampoline and encourage them to jump over them!

This simple game turns jumping into a purposeful activity that develops a range of important motor skills while keeping children engaged.

✨ This activity helps to:
✔️ Stimulate the vestibular (balance) system
✔️ Improve motor planning
✔️ Develop coordination and timing
✔️ Strengthen visual tracking and eye movements
✔️ Build body awareness and confidence in movement

💡 Make it more challenging:
• Use cushions of different sizes.
• Ask your child to jump over one colour at a time.
• Count their jumps or time how long it takes to complete the course.
• Change the cushion positions each round to encourage flexible motor planning.

⚠️ Always supervise children when using a trampoline and ensure it is used safely.

Save this activity to try at home and follow for more play-based OT ideas!

Vestibular Activity: Hop on One Leg on a Trampoline Learning to hop on one leg is an important gross motor milestone—but...
14/07/2026

Vestibular Activity: Hop on One Leg on a Trampoline

Learning to hop on one leg is an important gross motor milestone—but it can be tricky for many children!

A trampoline is a great place to practise because the gentle bounce provides extra sensory feedback and support, making hopping feel more achievable. Once your child has mastered hopping on the trampoline, they can gradually practise on solid ground.

✨ This activity helps to:
✔️ Stimulate the vestibular (balance) system
✔️ Improve balance and coordination
✔️ Strengthen leg muscles
✔️ Develop single-leg balance
✔️ Build motor planning skills

💡 Try this: Count how many hops your child can do on each leg, hop to a favourite song, or play "Simon Says" to keep it fun and motivating.

⚠️ Always supervise children when using a trampoline and ensure it is used safely.

🛝✨ Want to level up trampoline play? Add a ball!Throwing or hitting a ball while jumping on a trampoline is a fantastic ...
23/06/2026

🛝✨ Want to level up trampoline play? Add a ball!

Throwing or hitting a ball while jumping on a trampoline is a fantastic way to challenge a child’s balance, coordination, and visual tracking — all while having FUN! 💚

This activity can help develop:
• vestibular processing
• bilateral coordination
• motor planning and timing
• shoulder and upper body strength
• visual tracking and eye movements
• attention and body awareness

Simple movement games like this are great for supporting sensory processing and building foundational skills for learning and play 🎯

Tip: Use a large lightweight ball first to make the activity easier and more successful!

💚 Looking for an easy sensory activity your kids will LOVE?Try adding cushions onto the trampoline! 🛝✨Jumping, crashing,...
09/06/2026

💚 Looking for an easy sensory activity your kids will LOVE?

Try adding cushions onto the trampoline! 🛝✨

Jumping, crashing, climbing, and landing into cushions gives children powerful vestibular and proprioceptive input while keeping play fun and engaging.

This activity can help with:
• body awareness
• coordination and balance
• strength and motor planning
• regulation and attention
• sensory seeking needs

The “crashing” input can also be incredibly calming and organizing for some children 🧠💫

Simple activities at home can make a big difference in supporting development through play!

Address

173 Rivonia Road
Sandton
2196

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

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