Shafaq’s professional journey began in 2015, when she graduated with a BSOT from Dow University of Health Sciences and started her career at the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP).

Over the years, her work has been shaped by a close understanding of children, their individual needs and the families who support them.

Her experience has extended beyond clinical occupational therapy. Alongside her work at KDSP, she served as an Additional Learning Needs Coordinator at Candy Club Play School, giving her the opportunity to work within an educational environment and further understand how children learn, participate and develop in different settings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shafaq adapted her practice by introducing tele-clinics, allowing her to continue supporting clients locally as well as families living abroad.

Since 2024, Shafaq has been leading the Occupational Therapy Department at the Karachi Down Syndrome Program, while also continuing her private clinical practice.

Her professional learning has continued alongside her clinical work. She recently completed her certification in Handwriting Without Tears® from Learning Without Tears, USA.

She has also completed her certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) from the American Board of NLP and is a Master NLP Practitioner.

What remains central to Shafaq’s work is not simply the techniques she uses, but the way she approaches each child.

Compassion, creativity and a willingness to think outside the box are at the heart of her practice. Rather than relying only on conventional therapeutic approaches, she looks for creative and practical ways of working that can help children develop skills that are meaningful to their everyday lives.

“Instead of looking only at conventional ways of therapy, I believe in finding creative approaches that truly benefit the child in their daily life. Every child is different, and sometimes we need to think differently to help them discover what they are capable of.”