Shireen Solker

Occupational Therapist, ADOS-2/ADI-R Assessor
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About

Shireen has acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (1995) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She gained extensive experience in both the clinical and teaching sector, whilst at the renowned Grootte Schuur Hospital, where she was exposed to various clinical areas of occupational therapy (OT). Additionally, she lectured at the University of Cape Town focusing on the area of neurology and was actively involved in the academic support programme and supervised students. Shireen was also a co-owner of a private OT practice, delivering intervention to both adults and children. 

After relocating to the UK in 2001, Shireen took a career break to raise her young family. On her return to work, her interest focused on paediatric OT in various school settings, predominantly working with autistic children. 

Shireen achieved her PGCert in Sensory Integration, through the sensory integration network and Ulster University, whereby she continues to attend training courses to enhance her skills. She is passionate about the impact that our sensory experiences have on our functioning, learning, work and engagement in certain environments. 

Shireen highly values using an holistic approach to inform her practice, taking into account the physical, social, emotional, sensory, cognitive abilities and needs of the individuals she works with. In addition to her direct work with autistic individuals, she has provided training and guidance to families and schools to further enhance their holistic understanding of those they support.

Shireen remains passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals and is dedicated to continually developing her knowledge and professional skills. She has gained extensive experience supporting autistic young people within education settings, the NHS and within the private sector. Alongside this, she has been afforded the opportunity to gain insight into the unique profile of each neurodivergent individual, through diagnostic assessments. To further enhance her skill set and inform her practice, Shireen has also completed further training in the use of gold standard autism diagnostic tools (ADOS-2 and ADI-R).

Position at Priory

  • ADOS-2/ADI-R Assessor

Training

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration at the University of Ulster (2020) 
  •  Administration and coding of the autism diagnostic observation schedule second edition (ADOS-2) to the level of clinical reliability with beginningwithA (2023) 
  • Administration and coding of the autism diagnostic interview-revised (ADI-R) to the level of clinical reliability with beginningwithA (2023)
    Research interests (if applicable)

Languages

  • Afrikaans
  • English

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa (1995).