Lorraine Gregg

I have personally done this course with my husband and we are really grateful that Annemarie designed and presented the course.......it has given us an insight into our child, and also each other.  Our family has most definitely benefited from this!

Murray Wilson

I found the workshop extremely informative. If you want to be a part of your sensory child’s life, this course is essential. Thank you Annemarie.

Tarren Wilson

Thanks so much for holding these workshops. It is so important for parents to know what they are dealing with - and more importantly to realise that while our children may have special needs - that our children are indeed special.

I do believe that our children can change the world, because they have the power to change those around them. My journey with Jess has been interesting, sometimes traumatic, but always very fulfilling - I wouldn't swap her or my experiences for anything. Jess has changed me and my outlook on life and the world around us.

So thank you for your intelligence, sense of humour and empathy in dealing with the parents of these special, awesome, amazing children. The insight from the workshop and interaction with other parents was invaluable.

Glynnis Clarke-Miller

Thank you so much for what you do for parents – it is invaluable. There is not a lot of support available to parents, and it is a relief to know that there are people that understand, and offer help, to enable them to cope with the demands of raising a child. Apart from understanding my own stressors better, you helped me understand the needs and stressors of my child.

Kim Bloom

A letter from Kim, a mother to her child's school principal after she attended a sensory intelligence workshop in August 2008:

Dear Mr Principal

I have just completed a Sensory Intelligence course/workshop with Annemarie Lombard (Occupational Therapist) and was completely blown away with what I learnt. I was so impressed with the course that I could not resist the urge to write to you and tell you about it (briefly). I have often pondered on the question as to why so many of the children of our time have to attend therapy at some point during their formative years. (OT, speech and hearing, physio etc). When I was at school, one very seldom heard of a child having the need to undergo any sort of therapy. The obvious answer to my question is the world we live in today is so very different to the world that you or I grew up in. If one just takes a visit to the supermarket in the 1970's as opposed to a visit in 2008 as an example - there was only one variety of peanut butter, Black Cat Peanut Butter. Today we have smooth, crunchy, low fat, no fat, with chocolate and even organic peanut butter. Not only do we have choices in regard to the texture, flavour and origin of the peanut butter but also to the brand. The same applies to so many choices that we are faced with today in our modern world. Imagine the visual impact that a visit to the grocery store had on me as a child in comparison to the impact that it has on my 7 year old son today in 2008? It could very easily be described as "visual overload" for my son. Think about the auditory overload that we (and our children) have to deal with daily, with 40 billion cell phones in the world, let alone all other forms of technology. Imagine the noise pollution being emitted from all these billions of cell phones whenever they ring. In the modern world today, all of our children's senses are overloaded on a daily basis. I do believe that the impact of such overload is undervalued and often misunderstood. I have learnt how to interpret my son's signals when he is reaching the point of "sensory overload" and also how to intervene so that he doesn't have a "shut down".

Today there are such a growing number of children who have diagnosed/undiagnosed sensory issues. Any teacher with "sensory intelligence" skills would be empowered with greater understanding and equipped with effective tools to deal with all children's' sensory needs, not just those with "issues".

I know that the teachers at our school attend continuing education courses and with that in mind, I decided to share my "continuing education" experience with you.

Anneke Strauss

Mother and industrial psychologist

Knowledge about sensory input and self regulation change people's lives! It changed my 3 year old boy's behaviour from being a nightmare to being a pleasure, and by making a few adjustments in my personal life; I am much happier and more productive.

Gail

As a pre-school teacher, these workshops have given me wonderful insight into the children in my class.

Sandra

This workshop has added such insight into my own sensory profile and will therefore equip me in dealing with my daughter's sensory needs.

Alet

What a brilliant, interactive, informative and fun workshop.

Gaby

Thank you so much for a workshop that was not only informative but also extremely practical. I felt like we were all in this together and learnt to much from other people's experiences.

Amanda

In the one week since the first session I have had much more compassion and insight in the behaviors of my family, and we have all been calmer and happier for it.

Tessie

This workshop really gave me much peace and freedom. I can now look at relationships with people, different than me, in a new refreshing way. Annemarie, you've provided a way with your workshop for growth beyond pre-conceived boundaries.

Elna Otter

- Occupational therapist

I did not realize how parents really experience their children until I attended the Sensory Intelligence workshop for parents. If we as Occupational Therapists really want to gain true insight into the way a parent think and cope at home, this workshop is compulsory. Without attending this course, our approach to parents will lack compassion.

Dedre van Wyngaard

- Occupational therapist

I often observed parents to come back from the sensory intelligence workshops understanding themselves, each other and their children so much better. There is new insight and awareness to the sensory difficulties that their children face each day in a world so often foreign to them. It makes such as big difference in the lives of these kids and the relationships in the family. I would encourage all parents to attend a workshop and become part of the learning process, which is often a life changing experience!

Angela

- Mother of 2

I still have the occasional "sensory overload" but now I know what's happening! And as such, I can manage them much more effectively, efficiently with added results. You were a great help and I must thank you for that.

Roanne Muller

Extremely practical information.

Jackie Collier

Sensory intelligence has made me realize I have subconsciously practised many of these techniques. Now I can put them into action in my own child's life - for tangible results. Finally I have joined the dots.

Anonymous

- (no name on evaluation form)

This was one of the best workshops I've ever attended.

Anel de Beer

It was amazing, full of new ideas and wonderful strategies that are both sensory regulators and fun!

Carina Taylor

The exploration of the sensory intelligent relationship components creates such a depth for parent guidance in sensory integration.

Karen McKenzie

- Executive coach, NLP practitioner, mum

Annemarie has a wealth of experience, knowledge & practical ‘know how' that will transform your parenting toolkit. A great course.

Bronwen Bamford

The sensory intelligence concepts were practical and made such sense. It is such a huge responsibility being a parent, and having this information is really helpful. Thanks, it was super!

Vanessa Lipowsky

A complete wealth of knowledge. Thank you for all your insight.

Richard

- who joined under duress from his wife

Excellent! I know now how to go about influencing my son correctly and understand my relationship with my wife better. Get Dad's to join in, they will not regret it!

Meg Meeding

- Occupational therapist

Incredibly insightful for parents and therapists alike. I gained the ability to understand my own sensory profile, as well as the children with whom I work.

Katy Harries

This has been very helpful in helping me understand each member of my family and how our relationships are impacted by the senses.

Corine Vorster

This process turned my idea of a depression-for-life victim into a treatable ADD winner! I also recognised the signs through my kids with ADD and after treatments and sessions with Annemarie, I got to know myself as an ADD adult so much better!  Life has never been more 'in sync'!

Isabel

Annemarie, thank you for this really incredible workshop!  You may remember that one of my objectives from the workshop was to be a "better mother" and to have "better relationships".....well there is no doubt that this was achieved.....with flying colours! I feel that my ability to relate to certain people has increased tremendously. I am also far more capable of spotting a sensory overload in my daughter......and am able to help her move out of it. Your book has also been an amazing help in enlightening my husband to his sensory thresholds and how they impact on Amy and I......how I wish he had done this workshop too!  Thank you for imparting such a wealth of knowledge in layman terms and so making such a fundamental difference to our lives.