Dr Johan Erasmus
DEVELOPMENTAL PAEDIATRICIAN
MBChB M MED(PAED) GKI/FCP (SA)(PAED)
PR 320 2453
M.P. 0245356
He is a certified ADHD trainer by SASOP
Dr Rassie Erasmus is a neuro-developmental paediatrician in private practise in Pretoria since 1989.
He has a special interest in developmental paediatrics, including children and adolescents with behaviour and learning problems.
He started the Learning Problem Clinic at 1 Military hospital during National Service under the guidance of commandant Cecile Marais and during specialisation helped out at the Child Guidance Clinic at HF Verwoerd Hospital.
He is an appointed extraordinary lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics at UP and served as a commitee member of Pharma Ethics research comittee from 2013-2023.
He serves on the advisory committee of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association of South Africa (ADHASA) and is a member of various societies in the field of child and adolescent development, neurology and psychiatry.
He is an avid cyclist and enjoys camping and nature. He studied singing and is a worship leader in their church.
He is married to Susan, an educator and they have three happily married children and four granddaughters.
Where it all started
My father was a paediatrician and also a child psychiatrist and as long as I can remember I wanted to become a paediatrician.
I love working with children and adolescents and during my studies as a doctor and doing paediatrics I became more and more convinced that this is what I wanted to do.
I started practice in February 1989 and my father died unexpectedly in August of that year. This meant that I inherited many of his patients but also his psychiatric patients and had to learn very quickly. So for many years my practice was 50% general paediatrics and 50% developmental and psychiatric patients.
For many years I did neonatology and intensive care and really enjoyed it but for the past 15 years or so I do only developmental paediatrics. This enables me to spend the necessary time with patients without the fear of being called out for an emergency. I think this is one of the very positive aspects of the practice having the time to spend with patients.
Many patients that we see has developmental delays and parents are very anxious about the referral and a possible negative diagnosis and it is important to be able to spend time with the parents.
I am also available during the day to take phone calls to answer questions or handle problems parents might have.
So today I have more than 30 years of experience with children with developmental delays, including ADHD, autistic spectrum disorders, delayed speech and motor milestones, syndromes, sleep problems, tic disorders, behavior problems, learning disorders, anxiety disorders and adolescents with concentration problems, learning disorders and anxiety problems. Unlike general paediatricians we see children till grade 12.
We work closely with pediatric neurologists and pediatric psychiatrists where necessary. We have a very good relationship with all therapists, including occupational and speech, clinical and educational psychologists, physiotherapists and schools.
I cherish family life and have 3 children that are all married and 4 grandchildren. I therefor do not consult on Wednesdays for the past couple of years as my wife and I spend time on Wednesdays. We love this time together and are now married for 37 years.
Member of the following societies
PANDA: Pediatric neuro-developmental association
ICNA: International child neurology association.
ACNA: African child neurology association
SAACAPAP: SA Association for child and adolescent psychiatry and allied professions
Autism SA
ALLSA: Allergy association of SA
ADHD World Federation
