I have 30+ years of experience working with children that have learning differences. After teaching special education for nearly a decade, I returned to graduate school at Rush University to earn a Master’s of Health Sciences in Occupational Therapy. I pursued the degree as a means of better understanding how the brain and body work together. I have practiced as a licensed occupational therapist in a variety of settings, both private clinics and in schools. I place an emphasis on working with children who are not typical learners or have sensory processing difficulties. Many of the children I work with have Autism, ADD/ADHD, or learning disabilities. I have extensive training in Ayers Sensory Integration theory and techniques; I am a provider of The Listening Program and am a Core Specialist in-training for the Masgustova Method of Reflex Integration. I have seen first hand how using reflex re-patterning has improved outcomes for children.

I consider positive relationships with children to be imperative to success at home and in therapy. Often times it is hard to parent an atypical learner, and helping parents bring out the best in their child is part of each therapy session. I believe that by shaping foundational brain networks, we can improve our social emotional well-being as well as gain skills needed for everyday life. I have a strong belief that people learn best through meaningful activities that are fun and motivating.

As the mother of 3 young adults, my parenting experiences greatly inform how I work with children. I have learned so much from watching my own children struggle with learning disabilities, ADHD and anxiety. From that parent perspective I understand how hard it is for the whole family when a child is not a typical learner. I am ready to help each child and family create new foundations for optimal development.