Gerrisa Basdew

I am a motivated and dependable professional with a strong commitment to child-centred support and continuous professional growth. I am responsible, adaptable, and take pride in fully engaging in my role. With over twelve years of experience in the autism field, I have developed strong skills in patience, problem-solving, creativity, and flexible thinking.

Through my work at Blossom Interventions, I value evidence-based practice, collaboration with families and teams, training support for parents and educators as well as teaching teams and creating supportive environments that promote regulation, communication, and independence.

Co-Director at Blossom Interventions (2021 – Present)

• Lead programme development and service planning.
• Train, mentor, and support new practitioners
• Conduct home and school visits to assess and support learners
• Provide training and guidance to educators, parents, and caregivers
• Oversee supervision, case management, and progress monitoring
• Compile professional reports and intervention recommendations
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic support

Senior Practitioner at Autism Project (2018-09 – Present)

• IEDP assessment
• Programme development
• Home and school visits
• Supervision of colleagues
• Relationship development with other schools, organizations and clinical professionals

Senior Autism and Special Needs Intervention Practitioner at Imbalito Hope College (2015 – 2018-10)

• Supervised delivery of Behavioural services to clients
• Introducing low functioning clients to a school setting and teaching them to interact with their peers and in a class setting
• Professional observation and report writing
• Maintain and revise the client’s program file
• One on one therapy sessions, teaching new skills, managing challenging behaviours and working on gaining compliance
• Provide feedback on child’s progress to the relevant parties
• Heading and supervising the early intervention class
• Introducing and prompting client’s self-help skills
• Assisting in integrating Makaton and Teacch skills
• Scheduling Therapists sessions monthly
• Supervising junior staff

Supervisor and Senior Therapist at Breakthrough Interventions South Africa (2012-05 – 2014-12)

Behavioural therapist- Facilitator (May 2012 – October 2013) Senior position: Supervisor and Senior Therapist (October 2013 – December 2014)

• One on one ABA Therapy
• School facilitation
• Junior staff supervision
• Training in the area of Behavioural intervention
• Professional observation and report writing
• Provide guidance and support to junior staff
• Communicate with teachers and parents
• Maintain and revise client’s profile
• Provide regular one on one therapy sessions, which includes teaching new skills, managing challenging behaviours and working on gaining compliance.
• Providing detailed feedback on client’s progress

Matric Certificate

Bachelor of social science in psychology (counseling and industrial psychology)

Psychology Honours in Counseling Psychology

Psychology Honours in Industrial and Organizational Psychology