Nicola is married to Sean and is a proud mom to three vibrant, active children who keep her inspired and on her toes. She grew up in Durban North and completed her schooling in Umhlanga before embarking on her journey into Occupational Therapy at Westville University in 2004. After completing her Community Service at the Assessment and Therapy Centre in Phoenix, Nicola gained valuable experience working at Livingstone Remedial School and in various private practices.

 

In 2011, Nicola achieved her Sensory Integration qualification and established her own practice in Ballito, where she collaborated closely with local mainstream schools. While working in the Ballito area, Nicola identified a pressing need for a dedicated special needs school. Driven by her passion for inclusivity, she co-founded Bloom, a Special Needs Centre, in 2014 alongside a group of parents whose shared vision was inspired by their children. Nicola has also completed training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, expanding her expertise in working with children and families. 

 

In 2018, she ventured into the tech world, co-developing a therapy app designed to simplify and streamline the work of therapists while empowering parents and caregivers. Recognizing the lack of tailored tools for Occupational Therapists, Nicola and her partner took on the ambitious task of building a solution from the ground up.

 

"It’s been an incredible journey" Nicola shares. "From learning about technology and business to connecting with amazing therapists across South Africa, the experience has been transformational. Our mission has always been to make therapists’ work easier, empower parents to understand their children’s needs, and support patients throughout their therapy journey."

 

Nicola believes that SpecialT is revolutionizing therapy, especially for young therapists, by offering tools to reduce admin burdens and deliver research-backed, data-driven insights. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would reach this point—where technology truly supports therapists and accelerates patient progress. This is only the beginning. We’re excited to unlock even more possibilities for therapists and their clients in the future."

 

With a passion for innovation and a heart for helping others, Nicola is dedicated to transforming the therapy landscape and building tools that make a real difference in the lives of therapists, parents, and patients alike.