OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Defined
OT is a skilled therapy service that aims to help individuals achieve their highest level of independence in all areas of daily living. These areas may include self-care skills, work, leisure, social skills, and play skills. Occupational Therapists (OTs) help those they work with succeed at the “job of living.” Being successful and independent allows an individual to feel fulfilled and realize their sense of purpose.
Signs OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY may be needed
OTs work with a wide range of ages and diagnoses, both pediatric and adult. In our pediatric practice, OT may be warranted if any of the following signs or symptoms are noticed:
Fine Motor Difficulties:
Feeding and/or Oral-Motor Challenges:
Sensory Motor Difficulties:
Coordination Problems:
OT can help adults following an injury or those who’ve experienced a stroke or other neurological challenge.
Meet our Occupational Therapists
Morgan Han
Morgan Hellenbrand-Han, MS, OTR/L has a bachelor's degree in psychology and graduated with a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse in 2012. Morgan has been with CSTC since June of 2015. In addition to seeing clients she is the Director of Operations. Morgan previously worked in early intervention in Massachusetts and has experience in sensory integration from her fieldwork. Morgan enjoys working with children and families on sensory processing and feeding difficulties. Morgan has completed courses in the Therapressure Protocol, Astronaut Training Program, Rhythmic Movement Training (RMTi), and feeding. In her free time Morgan enjoys running and completing triathlons.
Kendra Smiatowicz
Kendra Smiatowicz, MS, OTR/L graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2015. She joined the CSTC team in 2016. Kendra has completed both the Astronaut Training Program and the Handwriting Without Tears Program. She has also taken extra courses in sensory integration & processing and feeding. She was nominated as a 2018 Angel Award recipient through Early On Interagency Coordinating Council for outstanding work with the birth-3 population. She likes running, reading, and gardening.
Angie Bethune
Angie Bethune MOT, OTR/L graduated from the University of St. Augustine, San Marcos, CA in 2014. Angie started her career working at a Skilled Nursing Facility then quickly followed her passion for pediatrics working in early intervention and school-based therapy since 2015. She joined the CSTC team in 2022. Angie is the mother of 3 wild boys. She enjoys quiet time practicing yoga and gardening.
Nicole Cameron
NC - Nicole Cameron, OTRL, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and earned her masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University in 2015. She has worked in a variety of settings and roles, including classrooms, an after-school program, a residential treatment facility and in-home. She has experience working with children with behavioral, learning and emotional challenges, sensory, feeding, and physical challenges. She worked as a pediatric OT in an outpatient clinic for two years in the Grand Rapids area prior to joining the team at CSTC in September 2017. She is an Interactive Metronome Certified Provider, and is AMPS certified (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills). In addition, she has completed courses on the CO-OP approach (Cognitive Orientation of Daily Occupational Performance), telehealth, emotional regulation, feeding, sensory integration and processing, and motor development. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing the piano.
Lauren Siciliano
Lauren Siciliano, MOT, OTRL graduated from Baker College of Graduate Studies with her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2017 and joined the CSTC team in 2018. She has previous experience working in hospital and home care settings. Lauren was inspired to become an OT as she grew up watching therapists work with her younger brother, who has cerebral palsy. Lauren specializes in feeding and is the Assistant Director of Clinical Operations for CSTC. She enjoys reading and playing with her Goldendoodle, Lani, in her free time.
Hannah BURNS
Hannah Burns, MS, OTRL, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Central Michigan University in 2017 and earned her master's degree in Occupational Science & Therapy from Grand Valley State University in 2018. She joined the CSTC team in October of 2019 and her current specialty areas include feeding, vision, physical disabilities, and sensory intervention. She is the Lead Occupational Therapist for CSTC and in her free time enjoys reading, exercising, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.
TORI HOVEY
Tori Hovey, MS, OTRL, graduated with honors from Saginaw Valley State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Medicine. She then went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree in 2020. She has fieldwork experience working in schools, inpatient rehabilitation, correctional facilities and acute care. Tori also has special interests in pediatrics, mental health, sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders, which stems from her 2+ years of working as a Behavior Technician. She loves working on multidisciplinary teams and seeing her clients progress. In her free time, Tori enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and being outdoors.
Jaide Metcalfe
Jaide Metcalfe, MS, OTRL graduated with her Masters Degree of Science in Occupational Therapy in December 2022 from Saginaw Valley State University. She then joined CSTC team in January 2023. Jaide is a very dedicated and enthusiastic addition to the CSTC team. She is especially interested in mental health, feeding/eating, and promoting occupational balance. When she is not at work, Jaide enjoys shopping, puzzling, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat.
Tori DeKarske
Tori DeKarske COTA/L graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Health Fitness in Preventative Rehabilitation in 2005. After some years of working in the fitness industry, she went back to school in 2018 to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Tori started her career working with seniors in skilled nursing facilities and PACE organizations. She has always had an interest in working with kids and joined CSTC in September 2023. Tori specializes in yoga for all populations and mindfulness techniques for stress reduction. In her spare time, Tori spends time with her family (husband and toddler son), and likes to go to the lake on the weekends
Kristen Harris
Kristin Harris OTR/L, graduated from The University of Findlay with her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2017. She has previous experience working in skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation and hospital settings. Kristin joined the CSTC team in February 2024 and is excited to share her passion and expertise within the pediatric population. When she is not at work, Kristin enjoys hiking, spending time with family, friends and her dog.
What OT Looks Like
In our pediatric population, OT looks like play. Play is the “job” of children, so our OTs make therapy challenging and goal-directed, yet a lot of fun. Our therapy gyms are equipped with enticing climbing equipment, various swings, and a wide selection of toys, games, arts and crafts. Activities are mindfully chosen to promote skill development to reach a child’s goals, with the focus on having fun! Your child will likely think of OT as “play time”. For example, a child who struggles with tolerating various food textures may spend time in our therapy gym blowing bubbles while on a swing to prep for eating. Climbing through an obstacle course and digging for a “treasure” in play dough may be used to help a child with delayed fine motor skills.
Resources
Books:
Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) by Lucy Jane Miller
No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges by Doreit Bialer and Lucy Jane Miller
Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues by Lindsey Biel.
Online:
The OT Toolbox: www.theottoolbox.com -Blog with information on various developmental areas and a break down of many easy, fun activities to develop and improve skills.
OT Mom: www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com - Website written by an occupational therapist that offers very nice visual examples and clearly written out activities to help with various skills, mainly related to foundational skills needed for school.
Therapy Fun Zone: therapyfunzone.net -Blog with great activities, downloads, and an online store.
The Inspired Treehouse: theinspiredtreehouse.com -Blog run by physical therapists and occupational therapists that offers information, tips, and strategies to help readers conquer the common developmental roadblocks that come up for kids.
