ABOUT US
At NK Speech Therapy, we believe every voice has a story, and we're here to help yours be heard
WELCOME TO NK SPEECH THERAPY
Where Communication Connects Lives
At NK Speech Therapy, we believe that communication is the foundation of human connection. Whether it is a child saying their first words, a stroke survivor rebuilding their voice, or a student developing confidence in the classroom, our goal is to empower every individual to communicate clearly and meaningfully.
Founded by Nabeelah Kathrada, Speech Therapist and Audiologist, NK Speech Therapy was established from a passion for holistic, person-centered care. With extensive clinical experience, our practice provides comprehensive speech, language, communication, feeding, swallowing, and cognitive-communication therapy for individuals across the lifespan. From toddlers to older adults, we work closely with our clients and their families to support meaningful progress at every stage.
Our practice specializes in working with individuals with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and developmental language delays. We also support clients with acquired communication disorders, such as those resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, and other neurological conditions. NK Speech Therapy is particularly passionate about early intervention, school readiness, executive functioning skills, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
At NK Speech Therapy, we take pride in our collaborative and family-centered approach. We work closely with parents, teachers, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized, evidence-based therapy plans that are practical and achievable. Our therapy spaces are designed to be welcoming, supportive environments where progress is celebrated and every small milestone matters.
What sets NK Speech Therapy apart is our commitment to community involvement and professional excellence. Beyond clinical services, we provide training workshops and educational programs for schools, healthcare professionals, and parents, ensuring that the strategies learned in therapy can be applied in everyday environments. Our therapists are also actively involved in clinical supervision, research, and professional development, helping to ensure that our practice remains aligned with the latest evidence-based approaches in speech and language therapy.
Above all, NK Speech Therapy is built on a belief in hope, growth, and possibility. Whether you are seeking support for a child, an adult, or yourself, our team is here to help you find your voice and reconnect with the world through confident communication.
SEE Our sKILLED EXPERT TEAM
Director/ Chief Senior Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist
BA (Sp & H) (Hons) (WITS) MA (Speech Pathology (Wits)
Nabeelah
leads NK Speech Therapy Inc. with a focus on both clinical excellence and
community partnerships. She brings over a decade of extensive experience across
paediatric and adult communication and swallowing care, including
neuro-rehabilitation (stroke, TBI, aphasia, dysarthria, dysphagia),
neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, ADHD , Down’s Syndrome etc),
developmental language, articulation, phonology, and literacy-linked therapy.
She has trained and supervised students at Wits University and developed
numerous teacher and parent workshops. Her approach is collaborative,
empowering, and rooted in evidence-based best practice. She routinely works
with community and social upliftment projects in ensuring sustained health
care.
Special
Interests: Adult
neuro-rehabilitation, paediatric neurodevelopment, early intervention, literacy
intervention, clinical supervision, medico-legal cases, corporate communication
and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist
PhD (UP)| MPH (MEDUNSA) |BCommunication Pathology (UP) |PgDip Health Sciences Education (WITS)
Dr Khetsiwe Masuku is a Senior Lecturer and former Head of
the Speech Language Pathology Discipline in the School of Human and Community
Development at the University of the Witwaetrsrand (WITS). She obtained her PhD
(2020) from the University of Pretoria for her research on access to healthcare
for persons with disabilities. She holds a Masters in Public Health, a Bachelor
of Communication Pathology with Specialisation in Speech Language Pathology
from University of Pretoria (2007), and she obtained an Advanced Diploma in
Health Sciences Education from Wits (2022). Her research focuses on human
rights for persons with disabilities, with a particular interest in access to
quality healthcare and education.
Special Interests: Persons with communication disorders
including deafblindness, and aphasia are of special interest to Khetsiwe. She
is well published with a growing postgraduate supervisory record. She holds
grant funding from Carnegie and she is also a fellow of the Future Professor’s
Programme (Cohort 4).
Business Analyst/Finance Manager
Fayaaz’s background is in retail, where they have grew a
business from a single store to 58 locations across South Africa. Along the
way, he has helped facilitate the acquisition of Hamleys, the world's leading
toy retailer, and built the business now known as Rand Outfitters from the
ground up, developing independent systems across finance, procurement,
planning, forecasting, and auditing, and automating processes to bring
efficiency and digital thinking into everyday operations.
I bring that same experience and discipline to NK Speech
Therapy, building the same strong operational foundation and bringing digital
into every part of how we work.
Speech-Language Therapist
(BA) Speech Therapy (UP) ; MA (Speech Pathology) (WITS)
Zaakirah is a versatile clinician who works across both
paediatric and adult caseloads. Her practice experience includes early
communication and language development, autism and neurodiversity support,
paediatric feeding, and school-age language, as well as adult dysphagia and
communication following neurological injury. As a Clinical Supervisor at Wits
University, she guides future therapists in complex language and adult neuro
practice. Zaakirah is known for her compassionate, structured, and goal-driven approach.
Special Interests: Early language intervention, autism
spectrum support, adult swallowing and communication rehabilitation, paediatric
feeding, and telehealth service delivery.
Speech-Language Therapist
(BA) Speech Therapy (UP) ; MA (Speech Pathology) (UP)
Mishta is a compassionate and person-centered clinician who
works with both paediatric and adult populations. She has significant
experience supporting children with autism, ADHD, and developmental delays, as
well as adults with aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, and swallowing disorders. Her
ongoing Master’s research in post-operative swallowing management reflects her
evidence-based, research-informed approach to therapy. Parents appreciate her
warmth, professionalism, and practical strategies.
Special Interests: Paediatric neurodiversity, feeding
and swallowing management, adult neuro communication, and multidisciplinary
teamwork.
Speech-Language Therapist
(BA) Speech Therapy (Wits)
Aatiqah has experience across educational and clinical
settings, providing therapy for articulation, language, and literacy
difficulties. Her academic foundation and calm, structured approach support
learners in building both clarity of speech and confidence in communication.
She has worked within public healthcare, university clinical supervision, and
private practice settings.
Special Interests: School-age language, articulation
therapy, diagnostic audiology, and language for learning.
Speech-Language Therapist
(Bachelor of Speech Language Therapy(UKZN)
Fatima is a dedicated and highly motivated Speech Therapist,
that strives to provide high quality care for patients with varying
communication and swallowing disorders. She leverages her expertise to enhance
communication and swallowing skills to improve the quality of life for those
she serves. .
Special Interests: Dysphagia management(adults), Literacy,
Neurological communication disorders and neurodevelopmental communication
disorders
Intake Manager/ Administrative Support
(BA) Speech Therapy (UP) ; MA (Speech Pathology) (UP)
Rizwaana ensures smooth coordination between parents, therapists, and schools, acting as the friendly first point of contact for every family that walks through our doors. She manages scheduling, appointment confirmations, and documentation with care and precision, ensuring that families are always informed, supported, and never left wondering what comes next. Beyond the day-to-day administration, she plays a key role in keeping communication flowing between everyone involved in a child's therapy journey, parents, therapists, and school staff, so that nothing falls through the cracks and every family feels genuinely looked after. Her welcoming manner and efficient, clear communication help maintain a therapy environment that feels both professional and genuinely nurturing, for parents, therapists, and children alike.
Work Process
How To Begin the Journey!
01
02
03
04
Frequently Asked Questions
Speech therapy is a specialised
health service that assesses and treats difficulties with speech, language,
voice, fluency, and swallowing. It is provided by a qualified, HPCSA,registered
Speech,Language Therapist and is suitable for people of all ages , from
toddlers to adults. Whether your child is not yet talking or an adult is
recovering from a stroke, speech therapy can help.
Key warning signs include: no
words by 12–18 months, fewer than 50 words by age 2, speech that is difficult
for others to understand by age 3, or persistent sound errors beyond age 5. You
should also be concerned if your child stutters, regresses in skills they have
already mastered, or avoids communication. If something feels "off",
do not wait , early intervention leads to the best outcomes.
A speech delay means a child is
developing communication skills in the right sequence, just more slowly than
expected , many children with a delay catch up fully with support. A language
disorder is a deeper, persistent difficulty with understanding or using
language that affects more than just timing. A formal assessment is needed to
tell the difference, as the two require different treatment approaches.
The first session is an
assessment, not a treatment , the therapist will gather background information
from you, use age, appropriate tests, and observe your child during play or
conversation. At the end, you will receive clear feedback on the findings and a
recommended plan going forward. The process is child friendly and low pressure;
your child does not need to "perform".
In South Africa, a speech
therapist must hold a recognised degree and be registered with the Health
Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) , you can verify this on the HPCSA
website. Registration ensures the therapist meets national professional and
ethical standards. At NK Speech Therapy, Our Speech Therapists are fully HPCSA registered;
you are always welcome to ask about qualifications.
No , you can contact NK Speech
Therapy directly to book an assessment without a referral. However, some
medical aid schemes require a GP or paediatrician's referral before they will
cover costs, so it is worth checking your plan's requirements beforehand. If
you are unsure, simply contact us and we will guide you.
The most impactful things parents
can do are follow the home programme provided by the therapist, read together
daily, and create lots of natural conversation opportunities without rushing or
correcting. Instead of saying "that's wrong", simply model the
correct form in your response , children learn through hearing language used
naturally. Your therapist will coach you on specific strategies so you always
know exactly what to do at home.
Yes , NK Speech Therapy works with
a broad range of conditions including autism spectrum disorder, stuttering,
hearing loss, speech sound disorders, language delays, and Developmental
Language Disorder (DLD). Each condition is approached with evidence, based,
individualized therapy tailored to the child's specific needs and goals. If you
are unsure whether we are the right fit for your child's diagnosis, contact us
directly and we will advise honestly.
It is never too late , while early
intervention (before age 5) produces the fastest results due to brain
plasticity, meaningful progress can be made at any age, including for school,
age children, teenagers, and adults. Adults recovering from strokes,
Parkinson's disease, or voice disorders benefit from speech therapy throughout
their lifetime. If you have been wondering whether to reach out, the answer is:
now is always the right time.