Presenters

Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP has over 23 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment and case management of children, adolescents and adults with language learning disabilities, nonverbal learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, executive dysfunction, Asperger’s disorders and social pragmatics.
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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 expertise includes sensory processing dysfunction, sensory integration, and auditory interventions.
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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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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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Dr. Mitchell Scheiman 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.
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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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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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Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L is the founding owner of the Dyslexia Center of Tulsa, 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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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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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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Chana F. Yaroslawitz PhD, LCSW, BCBA has been working with children and families and educating professionals and teachers for over 15 years. Her focus is helping others understand how to incorporate practical tips by looking at the underlying root of the presenting challenge. Her passion is to create awareness in bridging the gap between current research and practice, funneling neuroscience into practical easy steps...
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Kelly Mahler MS, OTR/L, earned a MS in Occupational Therapy, as well as a Post-Professional Pediatric Certificate from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. She has been an occupational therapist and autism consultant for over 16 years, serving school-aged children and adults.
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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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Miriam Manela, is the director of Thrive Occupational Therapy, her private occupational therapy practice housed in a unique sensory gym. In addition to her private practice, Miriam is known for her workshops and lectures for educators and teachers as well as health-care professionals (MDs, OTRs, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, substance abuse professionals, and others).
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Dr. Jessica Gilson PT, DPT is a physical therapist who received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College and her Bachelors of Science from Yeshiva University Stern College for Women. Jessica primarily works with children and young adults ranging in age from birth to 21 years old in a variety of settings.
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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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Janet 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Jenni Halstead has worked in Occupational Therapy for the past 20 years. She has enjoyed working in various settings and has experience working with populations from pediatrics to geriatrics.
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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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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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