Thank you for considering me to speak at your event.
I enjoy speaking regularly, offer talks, workshops and seminars to parents, professionals, schools and churches.
I mostly speak on topics related to parenting, child development and sensory processing. I always customize my presentation to meet your specific needs and my aim is to adjust the level of information accordingly. My goal is to facilitate the outcome you want to create.
My most requested topics are listed below. Keep in mind that I can present these as a keynote, a short talk or a workshop. Also, I have a half-day, and in some cases, full-day seminar versions.
Interested in booking me for an event?
Please feel free to contact me for your event, even if you don’t have a budget in place yet. Together we’ll discuss your requirements and create the package that best fit your needs.
An Overview of this Page
This page provides an overview of what I have to offer, along with a taste of what you can expect.
You can click on the links below to take you directly to the relevant sections.
Lizanne du Plessis received her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy with distinction and completed post-graduate training in Ayres Sensory Integration, DIR Floortime model and Therapeutic Listening. She has worked for over 23 years, both in the private sector in London (UK) and in South Africa, and has a special interest in treating fussy infants and toddlers with sensory processing disorders.
Lizanne feels passionate about empowering parents and her work has enabled thousands of parents and professionals to discover and understand their child’s true nature, support their development, manage daily challenges and build strong relationships. She is the author of “Raising Happy Children: The Key to a Calm, Connected Child” as well as “Speel-speel word jou kind so slim en oulik”. Lizanne has extensive experience in presenting workshops and lectures for professionals, teachers and parents on the subject of sensory processing and parenting and contributes regularly to professional publications and magazines.
She serves on the expert panels of Baba & Kleuter magazine and Finesse and is a regular guest on various parenting radio shows (RSG and Radio Tygerberg) as well as Television (Espresso and Groot FM).
Lizanne enjoys spending time with her husband, two girls and their golden retriever. She also loves reading, hiking and trail running.
I have spent most of my career working in the private clinic setting, both in South Africa and London (UK) as a paediatric Occupational Therapist. I’ve build and managed my own practice, which was part of a multi-disciplinary setting, in Durbanville, South Africa for five years, before moving abroad with my family. It was during our 10 years of living abroad that I discovered what it’s like to parent in the trenches (with a husband travelling abroad for more than half of the year), while at the same time building and sustaining a professional career.
Now that we are settled back in South Africa, I divide my time between my own kids, working in my private practise, consulting parents, writing and speaking. My passion is to encourage and empower parents to parent with intent. My special interest lies in the assessment and treatment of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers with sensory processing disorders, especially the sensitive anxious little ones.
In the past 5 years, not a month has gone by without some of my writing being featured in an in-print magazine. I currently write for Baba & Kleuter (the top baby and toddler care magazine in South Africa) and Finesse (a top lifestyle magazine in South Africa.) My first parenting book, Raising Happy Children: The Key to a Calm, Connected Child has been published by Metz Press and released in June 2014. My second book, Speel-Speel word jou kind so slim en oulik, is a parenting product that consists of a guide, an activity booklet and 9 videos.
I have been happily married for twenty two years and we have two teenage girls. When I’m not devoting my time to them and juggling the demands of work and house, I enjoy reading, trail running and hiking with my family and our golden retriever, Skye.
- Prompt, courteous and professional replies to phone calls and email messages.
- An initial phone consultation with me prior to your event to discuss your needs and the expectations of the audience.
- An announcement about your event on my monthly newsletter and social media channels (per your permission).
- A professionally prepared and delivered talk, workshop or presentation designed to meet the unique needs of the audience.
- A fun and interactive experience, with opportunities for questions and answers during the workshop and for some time afterwards.
- Backroom sales of my books with opportunities for the audience to buy the books and have it signed. I will organise and set this up.
- A quick follow-up communication after the event for evaluations purposes. (I’d love to hear how you think I can improve.)
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD INSIDE OUT
Your child is showing you every day what makes him unique – through the way he moves, plays and interacts. His behaviour provides important clues to what is going on in his body and brain. Just as your child’s fingertips are unique to him, his brain is uniquely wired to make sense of all the incoming information.
In this talk, I explore the following:
- The eight senses (yes, there are eight, not just five!);
- Why senses matter;
- Everyday activities for every sense;
- How it all comes together (with a process called sensory processing).
THE CRITICAL LINK BETWEEN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOUR
Years and years of neuroscience, brain scans and research have provided us with vital information about how our children’s brain develop and mature. We know that although genes play a major role in brain development, the way that children are parented and the opportunities we provide them, have a dramatic effect on how their brains are shaped.
In this talk we take a short journey into the child’s developing brain and discuss the critical link between brain development and behaviour.
We discuss:
- What the child’s brain look like;
- How and when it matures and;
- Five ingredients for healthy brain development.
DISCOVERING YOUR CHILD’S UNIQUENESS
Some children are social, alert and on the move. Others are laid-back, easy and adjustable. And then there are those who are sensitive, attentive and thoughtful. In this talk we look at three different sensory temperament styles and how it affects the way that children think, feel and behave. We’ll discuss the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of each temperament style and look at creative ways to ensure a calm, connected and happy child. Having this knowledge is the key to building deep meaningful relationships and managing challenging behaviours.
We will look at:
- Identifying your child’s unique sensory temperament
- Parenting your child’s according to his unique sensory temperament style
- Managing challenging behaviours within each unique sensory temperament style
Whether you’re a mum or a professional, this presentation will be one of the most inspiring, thought-provoking and empowering talks you’ll ever attend.
INTENTIONAL PARENTING TOOLS
Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences ever. Yet, there are times when it can leave us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and discouraged. In this presentation, Lizanne will explain how to overcome this and become an intentional parent. Using examples from her own personal and clinical experience as a mom and occupational therapist, she will share three tools for intentional parenting:
- Intentional parents nurture – All children need nurture to survive, and routine to thrive. Knowing how to do this will ensure calm, connected and happy children.
- Intentional parents set boundaries – It is not about whetherboundaries are set – it is about how they are set. Disciplining means teaching children how to regulate their feelings, thoughts and actions. When done in a warm, attentive and flexible manner, keeping the child’s age and unique sensory temperament in mind, the result will be calm, connected and happy children.
- Intentional parents look after themselves – It is vital that we look after ourselves, learn how to manage the demands placed on us so that we can enjoy the parenting journey.
(Each of these three points, could also become an individual presentation/talk or workshop.)
FACING CHALLENGING TIMES
There is more to children’s behaviour that meet the eye. In this presentation, Lizanne challenges parents and professionals to change the way that they look at challenging behaviours. For those who do, the rewards are great.
During this talk, we discuss the following:
- Defining challenging behaviour
- Six reasons for challenging behaviour
- Finding ways to deal with challenging behaviour in appropriate ways
THE ART OF MANAGING MELTDOWNS AND TANTRUMS
Managing meltdowns and tantrums is an art and a science. Understanding the science that lies behind meltdowns and tantrums leads us to finding ways to manage it in a way that ensures healthy and happy children.
In this thought-provoking talk, you’ll discover the following:
- The differences between meltdowns versus tantrums
- The secrets to managing meltdowns
- Successfully managing tantrums
Managing meltdowns and tantrums is of the most controversial subjects in child-rearing. Lizanne will discuss it in such a way that you will feel encouraged, empowered and enlightened by the time you leave.
MAKING SENSE OF SENSORY PROCESSING AND SELF-REGULATION
This workshop is specifically for teachers and professionals working in the field. Children are different – they develop, behave and learn in a way that is unique to them. The key to unlocking the child’s full potential and managing day-to-day challenges lies in understanding the unique way he/she processes sensory information. If you want to gain that understanding, then these practical and interactive workshops are for you.
The workshops will provide an overview of the theoretical concepts underlying sensory processing. Exceptional content will be delivered in an interactive, practical and thought-provoking way. You will find practical and easy to implement strategies that will enhance relationships, stimulate development, and sort out day-to-day challenges – assisting you to be a better parent, teacher and therapist.
If you deal with children who have sensory difficulties, this workshop is a must. I will be unpacking normal day to day attention, emotion and behaviour dynamics as it applies to children.
We enjoyed working with Lizanne. She combines being deeply knowledgeable about her subject with a relaxed, engaging yet professional delivery, ensuring that the programme was inclusive for delegates from a wide variety of backgrounds
Matt Turney, Centrevents, UKWe hosted Lizanne du Plessis at our parenting seminars at Success Centre. It was magic. She was able to craft a message for our audience that combined her body of expertise within the field of occupational therapy with her personal experiences of being a parent. Her delivery was exemplary. By combining humour and practical examples she had all of the parents fully engaged. True learning took place and the parents left feeling empowered and encouraged
Cornelia Liebentritt, Owner and director of Success CentreIt is always a pleasure to work with Lizanne. She presents termly training to our teaching staff at Won Life Early Learning Centre. Lizanne has the unique gift to share her passion, her experience and expertise with our staff in a way that is understandable and motivating. Our staff always leave with lots of new tools and strategies and a wealth of information that makes their lives in the classroom easier.
Geraldine Ellis, Director Won Life Early Learning Centre