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Danni La Ferlita

I am a highly experienced neurodivergent Occupational Therapist who works with children and families, offering a range of services including individual sessions with the child and family, parent coaching, self-regulation coaching, Parenting groups and presentations. I can also provide a Telehealth service for parent or self-reg coaching. I have worked with children and families as an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years.

I was brought up in a large family, which included three neurodivergent siblings. It was through these experiences, and my family caring for many foster children throughout my childhood, that I was driven to explore Occupational Therapy, completing my Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and graduating with first class honours. My honour thesis was in the area of Handwriting interventions. I have travelled extensively and worked overseas across different settings including Birmingham Children Hospital, Manchester Children’s Hospital and Community health settings in London.

I thrive on new learning experiences and have always been a passionate advocate for using evidence-based practices. My curiosity to learn, to provide best practise for my clients, passion for play based learning, along with my sense of adventure and enthusiasm for life motivates me to continuously explore, research, experiment and study. I completed my Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy (Paediatrics). This was additional research and training. More recently I have completed the Foundation and Facilitator Courses for Stuart Shanker’s Self-Reg framework. This model provides a framework for my unique therapeutic approach. As an ADHDer Occupational Therapist I strive to be a Neurodiverse Affirming Therapist and parent, with neurodiversity within my own family.

I have completed extensive study in;

  • Shanker Self Reg  Framework – Foundation and Facilitator Mehrit Course

  • Ross Greene’s Collaborative Proactive Solutions Model

  • Kelly Mahler Interoception Curriculum

  • Trauma Informed practice

  • Sensory Integration in the United Kingdom and Australia

  • Sensory processing theory, assessments and interventions

  • Autism

  • DCD

  • Visual Perception Interventions

  • Learn to Play model

  • The PRPP System of Intervention

  • The Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance

  • Handwriting programs

  • Therapeutic Listening

  • M.O.R.E integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions

  • Parenting programs (Positive parenting, Tuning into Kids, Bringing up Great Kids, The Virtues Project)

  • Certificate in Mindfulness & Wellbeing For Children - Peaceful Kids, Peaceful Parents and Advanced Peaceful Kids

  • Gravity - Using Gravity to Facilitate Sensory Motor Development in Infants and Children

  • Lead The Way Institute Therapy Dog Training

  • DIR Floortime 201 and 101 for Professionals

My service, Enriching Kids is committed to empowering families through connection. The practice has a strong belief in a holistic, family centred approach, providing individual therapy, parent coaching and group programs. I am passionate about my practise and connecting with children and families through play, creativity, joy, fun and laughter. I value my relationships with my clients and families and the importance of engagement and connection.

I am also a mother to three wonderful, individual, energetic boys. It is my experiences through my life journey and my own family that have driven my interest in parenting, family life, neurodiversity, and the importance and relevance of integrating mindfulness and meditation. It is my personal experiences as an ADHDer, parenting neurodivergent children, and professional experiences that have facilitated my understanding of what today’s family life can be like and the joys and challenges this brings. I look forward to sharing this with you.