Presenters

Peter Vermeulen, PhD in Psychology and Clinical Educational Sciences, has more than 35 years of experience in the field of autism. Founder of “Autism in Context”, where autism is understood in context. Peter is an internationally respected lecturer/trainer and he presents all over the world.
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Dr. Missimer is the founder of The Movement Paradigm® and a recognized leader in integrative physical therapy and functional medicine. With over 20 years of experience, she brings together expertise in airway health, somatic regulation, nutrition, and movement science. A TEDx speaker, Muscle Nerds educator, and STRONG Fitness Magazine columnist, she delivers high-impact education designed to empower clinicians with whole-body, root-cause strategies.
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Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, has a doctorate in physical therapy and has practiced for 40 years in the field. Involved with birth to three through early intervention since 1986, she developed techniques to be utilized in homes, childcare centers, and school systems to advance therapy programs in children.
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Sheila Frick, OTR/L is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and founder of Vital Links. Since 1980, Sheila taught internationally clinician, lecturer, and pioneer in Occupational Therapy. Sheila has well over 30 years of clinical experience, having worked in psychiatry, rehabilitation, and home health before specializing in pediatrics. Sheila's expertise includes sensory processing dysfunction, sensory integration, and auditory interventions.
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Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L, earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. She has been an occupational therapist for 19 years, serving school-aged children and adults. Kelly is winner of multiple awards including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award.
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Aubrey Schmalle, OTR/L, SIPT has 20 years experience working with neurologically diverse children using a sensory integrative approach. She graduated from Boston University in 2003 with a Bachelors in Occupational Therapy and continued to advance her clinical knowledge through self-study, mentorship, certification in sensory integration theory and practice (C-SIPT), Consultant level certification in the Tomatis Method, and training in Tomatis-based auditory interventions.
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Dr. Varleisha Lyons (formerly Gibbs) is a globally recognized expert in social neuroscience, self-regulation, and innovative therapeutic interventions for individuals with neurodivergence, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A licensed occupational therapist with over two decades of clinical and academic experience, Dr. Lyons specializes in integrating neuroscience, technology, and evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for individuals across the lifespan.
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Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist, author, speaker, and social-emotional learning specialist with extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, families, educators, and professionals. She specializes in social communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.
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David D. Nowell, Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in Northborough, Massachusetts. He offers consultations to patients on an inpatient rehabilitation unit and is an adjunct instructor in neuropsychology to graduate students in the Clark University psychology program.
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Leslie Paparsenos, PT, MS, C/NDT is an independent, pediatric therapy provider, licensed Physiotherapist in Australia, and licensed Physical Therapist in the United State of America. She specializes in evidenced-based, pediatric rehabilitation, serving babies, children, and adolescents across a spectrum of neurological and developmental disabilities, and their families.
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Karen Tzanetopoulos, M.S., CCC-SLP  is a Speech-language therapist, math learning specialist, and co-author of How Children Learn Math: The Science of Math Learning in Research and Practice. Karen reveals the hidden language and cognitive demands behind math — and how SLPs and teachers alike can make them transparent for every learner. Karen is a nationally recognized math learning expert and provides professional development to schools across the country.
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Anna Vagin, Ph.D., is a licensed speech/language pathologist with over 30 years of experience. Currently, in private practice in Marin County, California, she provides individual sessions and social learning groups to families and children 8 years through young adulthood. Her particular interests are using media and gaming, including Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games, to support students with social cognition and language differences, and the role of mental processes in communication, relationships, and life satisfaction.
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Jess Curtin, M.Ed is a special educator and senior consultant with Vivido (now part of Wilson Language Training). For 25+ years, Jess has taught educators how to use Brain Frames®, EmPOWER™, and Unlocking Sentences™ — visual tools that make the invisible patterns of language visible so students can get ideas out of their heads and onto paper. She is a co-author of EmPOWER: Classroom Materials and EmPOWER: Tools for Teaching Expository Writing. Currently, Jess makes up 1/2 of the new Writing Science and Instruction department at Wilson Language Training.
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Lindsey Biel is a pediatric occupational therapist with a private practice in Manhattan. She is co-author of the award-winning Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, with a foreword by Temple Grandin and the author of Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids & Teens.
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Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, an organization serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. He writes, lectures, and provides training internationally on the topic of social skills training and managing challenging behaviors. He is an award-winning author of 8 books.DISCLOSURES: Financial: Dr. Baker will receive a speaker's honorarium from TheraMoves Services for this presentation and he receives royalties from the sale of books he has authored that he will refer to in this course. Nonfinancial: He has no non-financial relationships to disclose
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Brooke Ober, MS, SLP is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience across hospitals, schools, and private practice. Her work has increasingly focused on executive functioning and social-emotional learning. She has consulted with schools nationwide and helped develop a two-week overnight camp in Maine designed to support neurodivergent children in building executive functioning, social, and independence skills. Brooke is the co-owner of MindBright Therapy and the co-founder of The Skola, a nature, place, and project-based elementary school in Whitefish, Montana. She is passionate about viewing education through the lens of the science of learning - designing authentic learning experiences that intentionally integrate executive functioning, social-emotional learning, and meaningful application into everyday academics. 
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Jocelynn B. Wallach is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 46 years of experience. Jocelyn has practiced in a variety of settings, including the community, private practices, hospitals, and public schools. For the past 27 years, she has worked in the Westwood Public Schools while also maintaining her own private practice, Capable Hands Pediatric Services.
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Amber Fessler, OTD, MS, OTR/L, is a highly experienced pediatric occupational therapist with two decades of expertise working with diverse pediatric populations. She is a contributing author to Dr. Scheiman’s Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists (4th Edition) and has published research no occupational therapy and optometry collaboration in pediatric care in the Vision Development and Rehabilitation Journal.
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Danielle has more than 20 years of broad experience as an occupational therapist, working with children, teenagers, and adults through the lifespan. She is the founder of SensoryWellness LLC, a practice dedicated to working with adults and teenagers with regulation and sensory processing challenges.
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Howard Glasser is Founder and creator and developer of the Nurtured Heart Approach®. He is a voice of greatness for children as they find their own voices of greatness. Howard’s background is in family treatment, clinical studies, and educational leadership. His formal studies, along with direct experience with the most intense and challenging children, form the basis of the approach that he has now brought to many.
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Eileen Richter, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA has over 30 years’ experience working with a variety of disability groups in public schools, hospitals, and private practice. She has her Master of Public Health degree in Maternal & Child Health, is NDT certified, and has published a number of books.
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Amy Saltzman M.D. is a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, devoted student of transformation, long-time athlete, and occasional poet. Her passion is supporting people of all ages in enhancing their well being and discovering the Still Quiet Place within. She is a pioneer in the fields of mindfulness for youth and began offering mindfulness to youth over 25 years ago. Dr. Saltzman co-founded and directs the Association for Mindfulness in Education, served on the steering committee for the Mindfulness in Education Network, and chaired the USCD Bridging Hearts and Minds of Youth for many years.
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Ricki Dembitzer has been an Occupational Therapist for over 20 years specializing in pediatrics. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in psychology from Wayne State University in Michigan and received an additional Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Sciences as well as a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Touro College in New York City.
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Kate C. Wilde has spent the last 30 + years working with children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as with therapists, educators, and schools. She is the author of the acclaimed books, Autistic Logistics: A Parent’s Guide to Tackling Bedtime, Toilet Training, Tantrums, Hitting, and Other Everyday Challenges, The Autism Language Launcher: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Child Turn Sounds and Words Into Simple Conversations and Autism: Abracadabra: Seven Magic Ingredients to Help Develop Your Child’s Interactive Attention Span. Kate is renowned for the courses she teaches throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Kate also speaks at worldwide online autism summits.
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Shawnee Thornton Hardy is a Yoga Therapist, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, Somatic Touch Facilitator, Ayurvedic Wellness Guide, author, educator, and the founder of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs, Yoga Therapy for Youth, and Embodied Wellbeing Yoga Therapy. She is also the co-founder of the Women Writers Collective in Yoga Therapy. With over three decades of experience working with children, teens, and young adults with complex needs, Shawnee is passionate about supporting nervous system regulation, resilience, embodiment, emotional well-being, and authentic connection through yoga therapy, somatic practices, sensory integration, relational approaches to healing, Ayurveda, and nature-based practices.
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Lori Benson Adams, M.Ed., has extensive experience with children with learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Having taught K-12 in public, private and psycho-educational settings as well as the early intervention field, she brings decades of knowledge and practical “front line” understanding. In private practice for the past 15 years, Lori brings a unique mix of personal and professional insight to the table.
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Dr. Mitchell Scheiman, OD, Ph.D. is a nationally known optometric educator, lecturer, author, and private practitioner. He is the author of “Understanding and Managing Visual Deficits: A Guide for Occupational  Therapists”, and Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Guide for Occupational Therapists” published by Slack Incorporated. Dr. Scheiman has a long and close relationship with occupational therapists.
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Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, COTA, CLT, NBC-HWC is the founder and owner of DyslexiaRx, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Penny has over 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist that includes working with children who have special learning needs.
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Cheryl Chase, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Independence, Ohio, specializing in psychological assessments and treatments for clients across the lifespan. With a focus on conditions like ADHD, learning disorders, and emotional challenges, Dr. Chase offers expert diagnostic services and tailored treatment strategies.
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Kristen Pfeil OTD, OTR/L graduated from Creighton University in 2002 with a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy. Over the last 22 years she has spent her professional career in pediatrics working in NICU, early intervention, outpatient clinic and school based settings. She owns a pediatric therapy practice in Lincoln, NE.  Connect Pediatric Therapy specializes in partnering with families struggling with sensory processing, self-regulation, and feeding difficulties.
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Patricia Oetter, MA, OT, FAOTA has earned her B.S. degree in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas and her master’s degree in special education from Kansas State Teachers College. She has clinical experience with individuals of varying disabilities, age’s newborn to adult. Her primary emphasis has been infants and toddlers, preschool and elementary-aged children with learning, communication and/or sensory processing disorders.
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Dr Joel H Warshowsky OD has practiced the sub-specialized field of Pediatric Behavioral Optometry for 49 years. As an Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus at SUNY College of Optometry he clinically taught interns, residents and lectured for 37 years. During that time Dr Warshowsky has served as Assistant Chief of Vision Therapy and Founding Chief of Pediatrics.
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Lyn Bennett is an occupational therapist, play therapist and DIRFloortime expert practitioner/training leader. Lyn is originally from England and moved to the US in the mid 90’s. She has worked extensively in pediatrics in hospitals, schools, early intervention and private practice. Currently, she is co-owner of Play for Real Therapy Services in Rockledge, Florida. In addition to her clinical work, Lyn also teaches DIRFloortime to a wide range of professionals through the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL).
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Dr. Lindsey’s educational preparation and certification includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at Indiana University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy at The Finch University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School, now known as Rosalind Franklin University; a Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management at the University of Phoenix; and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), KRI Yoga Instructor, a Level 3 Reiki Practitioner, Certified Dolphin Therapist, Certified Fall Prevention Specialist, and is Certified in Tai massage and Dry Needling.
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Jessica Gilson-Shore, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist who holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Touro College and a Bachelor of Science from Yeshiva University Stern College for Women. Jessica primarily works with children and young adults, ages birth to 21, in a variety of settings.
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Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA, is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst, special educator, as well as a consultant to schools internationally (www.jessicaminahan.com). Jessica has over seventeen years of experience supporting students who exhibit challenging behavior in urban public-school systems.
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Tracy Bjorling; M.S., OTR/L, is a pediatric OT currently pursuing a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tracy has had the wonderful opportunity of being mentored by Sheila M. Frick in her clinic. Working in conjunction with Sheila,
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Miriam (Manela) Frankel, OTR/L, is the founder of https://www.otinyourpocket.com/ provides toolkits for parents and educators to deal with struggling children. It is unique in its combination of both hands-on techniques and demonstrations of physical exercises, to be used at home as remediation, alongside guidance and emotional support for parents so that they have tools, along with their own intuition, to deal with different behaviors and challenges.
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Amanda Newchok, MS, OTR graduated from Quinnipiac University with her Bachelor's of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2000. She went on to receive a Master’s of Science in Health Care Management from the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ.
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Dr. Janis Leinfuss is a passionate occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience working with the pediatric population. She is a specialist in Sensory Processing and Integration Disorder, certified in the evaluation and treatment of SPD by the Sensory Therapies and Research Institute, specializing in the treatment of children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
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Erin has been a practicing occupational therapist for over 20 years. She began her journey with a degree in occupational therapy from Quinnipiac University. As a believer in lifelong learning, she continued to pursue knowledge that would help her as a clinician provide the most current evidence-based interventions.
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Amy Coopersmith is a lecturer and consultant who worked as an OT Supervisor, clinician, and evaluator for the NYC Department of Education for 17 years. She is passionate about promoting student self-determination and has provided workshops at national conferences and online learning communities on this topic for the past seven years.
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Gail Ritchie, OTR, C/NDT is an independent, pediatric therapy provider and Occupational Therapist offering a range of therapies based on the culmination of skills and expertise attained over the last 35 years.
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Tracy Murnan Stackhouse, MA, OTR is the executive director of Developmental FX (DFX) in Denver, Colorado, a non-profit organization providing clinical and training services to engage and elevate pediatric therapeutic practice. She is a leading pediatric occupational therapist (OT) involved in clinical treatment, research, mentoring, and training regarding OT intervention for persons with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Fragile X Syndrome and autism. Tracy has a master’s degree in developmental psychology/neuroscience. She received her NDT training with Lois Bly. She is SIPT Certified and was the clinical specialist in sensory integration at The Children’s Hospital in Denver as well as the OT for the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. Tracy continued her clinical and research work with Dr. Randi Hagerman at the UC Davis M.I.N.D.
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Amy Lewis is the coauthor of Powerfully You, a social-emotional learning curriculum that focuses on self-regulation. She currently works primarily for Powerfully You: teaching, writing, and supporting therapists and is affiliate faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina.
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Linda is a speech-language pathologist and RDI® Consultant. She co-founded Peer Projects - Therapy From the Heart, a clinic in Beverly, MA dedicated to helping kids and families by using a positive, thoughtful communication style that emphasizes understanding, patience, respect, and kindness.
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Melanie has over 20 years of experience as a successful pediatric feeding therapist. Melanie’s advice has been shared in a variety of popular television and print media. She is the co-author of the award-winning Raising a Healthy Happy Eater: A Stage-by-Stage Guide to Setting Your Child on the Path to Adventurous Eating (2015) and Baby Self-Feeding: Solutions for Introducing Purees and Solids to Create Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits (2016). Melanie is the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids (2010) and the producer of the award-winning kids’ CD Dancing in the Kitchen: Songs that Celebrate the Joy of Food!
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Jenni Halstead, BS, COTA/L has worked in OT for the past 25 years. She is an instructor and academic fieldwork coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Washburn University in Kansas. She worked in pediatrics prior to instructing at WU for 13 years, and has also worked in upper extremity rehab, acute care, and long-term care. She specializes in reflex integration training
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Alex Lopiccolo a/k/a Mr. Alex is an experienced Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant. Alex is well known as The King of Swings.
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Tania is the co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology. She is a registered Psychologist and a registered Play Therapist. She completed her undergraduate studies in South-Africa before engaging in a one-year, full time internship in Chicago at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In 2012, she received her Masters of Counselling from City University of Seattle.
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Heather Spann has practiced in pediatrics for over 20 years in a variety of settings including private practice, hospital practice, early intervention, residential youth programs, and schools.  In her previous roles, she has served as a clinic administrator and in program development for a multidisciplinary pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center and as a community liaison in grant funding and residential care facilities.  Throughout Heather’s career, her passion continues to be clinical practice with a specialty in sensory integration.
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Dr. Zehr is an international trainer to schools and organizations in the cognitive skills method, the Feuerstein Program. She also offers unique personalized coaching to corporate executives who wish to improve or restore cognition to continue important contributions to their professional field of expertise.
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Jenny L. Clark, OTR/L, BCP (AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics) graduated from The University of Kansas in 1990 with distinction and has helped children over the past 28 years as a licensed pediatric occupational therapist working as a speaker, consultant, private practitioner at her own clinic (Jenny’s Kids, Inc.), school-based occupational therapist, independent contractor for early intervention services, author, and inventor.
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Dr. Bialer is an experienced seminar leader, educational adjunct instructor and lecturer, providing numerous clinical workshops across the country on the topics of Sensory Processing Disorder; School Based Therapy, Attention, Praxis and Executive Functions.
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Carrie is a 1996 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia Occupational Therapy program. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings in Georgia, New York, and South Carolina, and Colorado. Over the past 20+ years, Carrie has continually sought to further her knowledge and understanding by completing continuing education on topics including sensory integration theory, infant massage instruction (IAIM), Integrated Listening Systems (iLs ), and Handwriting without Tears (HWT).
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Dr. Robert Melillo is one of the world’s most sought after and respected experts in Developmental Functional Neurology, Brain Imbalances, hemispheric integration and the diagnosis and correction of most neurobehavioral disorders and learning disabilities.
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A unique combination of clinical psychologist, nutritionist, and special education teacher, Dr. Nicole Beurkens, PhD, has almost 20 years of experience supporting children, young adults, and families. She has specialized expertise in evaluating and treating a wide range of developmental and mental health concerns...
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Mary Hallway, OTR/L, SWC, C/NDT received the Bachelor of Science degree with honors in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University and has forty years of experience specializing in pediatrics in medical, educational, and community-based settings.
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Bethanne N. Mazurczak MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT has been a practicing clinician since 1990, specializing in the pediatric rehabilitation of infants, children, and adolescents. Bethanne has a wide range of experience in working with children of all ages with neurological and developmental disabilities. She is certified in Neuro-DevelopmentalTreatment, SOS Feeding, and is currently completing the process as an NDT Candidate Instructor for the NDTA.
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Rosetta graduated from NYU Physical Therapy with a BS/PT in 1990. Rosetta has over 30 years experience in orthopedic/sports therapy, as well as pediatric early intervention home care and school based therapy.
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Janet McDonald trained directly with the founders of RMTi™, psychiatrist Harald Blomberg, MD, and kinesiologist Moira Dempsey. She is a Learning Specialist, Licensed Massage Therapist LMT, has studied numerous methods of Reflex Integration and served as international instructor.
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David Blaski is a neonatal/pediatric occupational therapist and certified early intervention specialist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of sensory processing disorders, neurological and orthopedic disorders, developmental delay and autistic spectrum disorders.
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Paula Cox, PT, DSc, PCS, is a licensed, board certified, physical therapist with over 35 years of clinical experience in pediatric neurological and neuromuscular rehabilitation.
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