The Team
Lara Hirschmann – BSc (Hons) OT WITS, Sensory Integration

Lara Hirschmann is an ambitious, motivated and dedicated Occupational therapist. Her particular interest has always been Paediatrics and she adores working with children of all ages. Lara graduated from Wits University in 1997. She then worked at Baragwaneth Hospital before moving to the UK, where she held long term locum positions at Northwick Park Hospital and Willesden Green Hospital in the Paediatric department. In 2002, Lara completed her Sensory Integration qualification through SAISI. In 2003, Lara opened her own Practice, which has since expanded into several schools in Johannesburg, as well as into the “Shining Stars” O.T Practice, established in 2012. Lara currently manages and works within these Practices, addressing any O.T difficulties, from reduced postural tone to sensory issues, fine motor and perceptual difficulties. She works closely within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as providing regular feedback to parents.
Tiffany Heaney – BSc (Hons) OT UCT

After spending many years successfully pursuing a career as a professional stage ballerina, Tiffany changed course to graduate from the University of Cape Town in 2011 with a BSc in Occupational Therapy. She initially worked in the field of adult physical rehabilitation serving patients in private hospitals in Cape Town, but soon found her passion in childhood development. She has worked in various private paediatric practices in Cape Town from 2014 to 2020 and successfully ran her own school based practice for the last five years. She was also part of a multi-disciplinary paediatric team of professionals at Cape Town Therapy Hub servicing children on the Atlantic Seaboard from 2019 to 2020. Tiffany worked part time at Nanny ’n Me from 2017 to 2020, which is a program that trains nannies in early childhood development through interactive play, hands-on activities and a supportive community. Tiffany joined Shining Stars OT in February 2021 after relocating back to her hometown of Johannesburg. She is passionate and enthusiastic about helping children to reach their full potential in all spheres of life. She is currently completing her training in Sensory Integration.
Kate Delmont – BSc (Hons) OT WITS, Interactive Metronome

Kate Delmont is a motivated Occupational Therapist who works part-time at Shining Stars, specifically administering the Interactive Metronome Program. She graduated with a BSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of Witwatersrand in 2014, and has a special interest in pediatrics and adolescents. She completed her training in the Interactive Metronome in early 2016 and has since then been administering it to a variety of children from different backgrounds with different diagnoses and areas of concern. She is passionate about using the program, and is particularly interested in the role of virtual technology in therapy.