In 2024, Bernike joined the ASI Wise & Sensory Project Team to manage innovation projects, ably turning her hand to project managing the mentoring programme and Sensory Ladders Global Translation Project.

Bernike is a seasoned Occupational Therapist with over three decades of diverse experience in fields such as sensory integration, childhood development, adult rehabilitation, and psychiatry. Until 2024 she served as the Programme Manager for the Blocks for Growth initiative at the Knysna Education Trust in South Africa. In this role, Bernike oversaw program design, staff mentorship, and implementation while focusing on empowering vulnerable children through sensory integration and early intervention strategies.

Key Areas of Expertise:

Lead for Mentorship Programme and Sensory Ladders Global:
Bernike is committed to mentoring staff and expanding training opportunities for teachers and therapists, emphasising the importance of sensory integration for vulnerable populations.
Pioneering Early Education in Rural South Africa:
She has spearheaded initiatives to support preschool learners in disadvantaged communities through tailored programs addressing developmental delays and academic milestones.
Focus on Trauma-Informed Care:
Her career highlights include designing resilience-building programs for teachers, assertiveness training for staff, and interventions for children impacted by trauma, such as post-disaster care following the devastating Knysna fires.

Bernike’s deep understanding of cultural contexts, her passion for capacity building, and her ability to forge connections across divides underscore her leadership in developing globally recognised educational and therapeutic programs.