Merisa James
About
Merisa James is a paediatric speech therapist based in Durban, passionate about supporting children and their families through a neurodiversity-affirming approach.
Merisa graduated with a Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology from UKZN in 2018. She has since been working in the private sector, specialising in paediatrics and special needs intervention.
In her private practice (Merisa James Speech Therapy), she works with young children who have speech, language, and communication differences, focusing on early intervention and building meaningful, functional communication skills.
Her approach prioritises connection, play, and understanding each child’s unique way of experiencing the world. She works closely with parents, equipping them with practical strategies and guidance so they feel confident supporting their child’s development at home.
Her goal is to create a supportive, inclusive space where children feel understood and families feel empowered.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology (UKZN)
ICDL DIRFloortime® Basic Certificate
Inclusive Solutions: Introduction to AAC
PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets): Introduction to Technique
SANDTA Introductory Course on the Clinical Analysis, Treatment and Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy