Meet Our Therapist Team
Answering Your Sensory Processing Questions
Your general questions will be answered by our Therapist Team, who are all experienced Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists or Speech and Language Therapists who have completed postgraduate training in sensory integration therapy. We are growing our Therapists Team to meet the demand from parents and carers; currently, our core therapists are:
Lelanie Brewer
Occupational Therapist, Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration
Dr Lelanie Brewer is a devoted Occupational Therapist (OT) with extensive experience in helping children and young people with sensory processing difficulties. She is an Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration.
Originally qualifying as an OT in South Africa, Lelanie gained her MSc in OT at Brunel University, London. Lelanie has an impressive background in clinical practice, working both within the NHS and private practice and within settings including schools, the community and private homes. When working as a school-based therapist, Lelanie trained teachers and support staff about sensory integration and how sensory processing difficulties can impact children's participation at school.
Lelanie has a passion for higher education and lifelong learning, both as a student and an educator. She holds a PhD from Newcastle University's Population Health Sciences Institute. Her research focused on self-care in children with and without motor difficulties. Before joining Sensory Integration Education, where she is the Professional Advisor for Lifelong Learning, Lelanie was a Senior Lecturer in OT and MSc OT programme lead at Northumbria University. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
"I'm committed to helping parents and carers to support and empower their children with sensory processing difficulties so they can access activities and participate in daily occupations. Knowledge really does empower families and individuals."
Emer Broderick
Occupational Therapist, Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration
Emer Broderick is a paediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) with experience working in both Ireland and the UK with children with diagnoses of autism, developmental coordination disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cerebral palsy, as well as babies with developmental difficulties. Emer is an Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration and holds an MSc in SI.
Emer's interest in sensory integration began when she was working as a children's occupational therapist in the NHS in London, both in the community and in a child development centre. Emer noticed a significant increase in the number of referrals to her department for children with sensory processing difficulties, many of whom were also autistic.
As well as NHS work, Emer has worked with children in private clinics, mainstream schools and a special school for children with a primary physical disability. She also mentors therapists undertaking postgraduate training in sensory integration.
"I am passionate about sensory integration and the positive changes it can bring to people's lives. It's really fulfilling to be able to talk to families and see the moment when they suddenly get it, when things fall into place, and they understand where sensory needs are behind certain behaviours, reactions and preferences."
Jessica Kirton
Occupational Therapist, Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration
Jessica Kirton is an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner, holding an MSc in SI. She has over 11 years of experience in a range of settings including NHS, private practice, special schools, mainstream schools and specialist intervention for early years. She has also completed voluntary work overseas and is a lecturer for Sensory Integration Education.
Jessica has a particular interest in helping young people with disabilities and autistic young people tackle everyday tasks. In a recent school setting, Jessica has been able to deliver support in Physical Education, English, Design Technology and Cookery lessons and with sensory processing across all subject areas. She has devised sensory strategies that are now embedded into school routines including sensory breaks, handwriting strategies and adaptive equipment for cookery to support children to participate.
Working alongside clinical psychologists, Jessica has provided strategies to support children with social, emotional and behavioural needs. She has supported children with extra-curricular activities including snow sports, rock climbing, and trampolining alongside supporting them with managing travel, money skills and shopping. She has great empathy and truly believes that all children should have opportunities to be the best they can be.
“Teaching parents and carers how to support their child's sensory needs, with really practical, realistic strategies is unbelievably fulfilling. My approach is to empower parents to empower the child because that's the way to help the child develop and thrive as they mature."
