Welcome to DCD South Africa!
Development Coordination Disorder (DCD) South Africa
The Team
Who We Are
Associate Professor Gillian Ferguson
Founder
Associate Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town
Gillian Ferguson, PhD is an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town and the founder of DCD-SA. Her work brings together research, teaching, and advocacy around Developmental Coordination Disorder — raising awareness across South Africa, supporting families, and training the clinicians and educators who help these children thrive.
Tasneem Ebrahim
Member
MSc candidate of Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town
Tasneem Ebrahim is a MSc candidate in the Division of Physiotherapy and a member of DCD-SA. She leads serves as Clinical educator, supporting students at various paediatric clinical sites and schools. Drawing on her extensive experience within mainstream school settings, Tasneem is committed to promoting awareness, strengthening early identification and advocating for inclusive, meaningful support for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Donna Le Roux-Jacobs
Member
PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town
Donna Le Roux-Jacobs is a PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town with extensive clinical experience working with children with neurological impairments. She forms part of the research team at the Children’s Institute (UCT) where her work focuses on childhood disability, developmental delay and advocacy. These research interests are closely aligned with the early identification and inclusion of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Cynthia Sebata
Member
Clinical Educator at the University of Cape Town
Synthia Sebata’s clinical experience and research interests are focused on paediatrics. She enjoys working with children and their caregivers to improve quality of life through skills development and education. Her master’s research investigated childhood obesity in children aged five years and younger, highlighting the need for earlier intervention, particularly as children under five remain a neglected group. She hopes to contribute to research that informs and supports the development of early intervention services in the South African context.
