Brandhorst Specialized Therapy
Stabilize, Grow, and Thrive
Expert Therapy
who we are
At Brandhorst Specialized Therapy, we recognize that bodies are complex, integrated systems. When a presenting problem does not respond to traditional therapy, we dig deeper! The vision held by a single therapist working out of her car has expanded to include like-minded clinicians with diverse speech and pediatric occupational therapy specializations.
We diagnose and treat movement, motor, speech, sensory, and feeding disorders. These disorders may be related to premature birth, picky eating, Autism Spectrum Disorder, tethered oral tissue, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, degenerative disease, CVA, TBI, apraxia of speech, developmental delay, and more. We work with other medical professionals to uncover the airway, musculoskeletal, and neurological factors that contribute to the observable concern. Then we develop individualized, family-centered treatment strategies, drawing from both traditional therapy practices and innovative techniques.
Our approach enables patients to find the answers and support needed to stabilize, grow, and thrive.
Our Services
- Expressive/ Receptive/ Social Language
- Oral Motor Dysfunction
- Voice Disorders
- Executive Functioning
- Movement/ Strength/ Balance
- Growth and Play
Growth and Play
While play and exploration are central to a child’s growth and development, it is a struggle for some children. Issues with fine or gross motor skills, sensory processing, and visual-perceptual skills can hold them back. Occupational therapy can help children develop the physical, emotional, and social skills needed to balance connection and independence in their daily tasks.
We can help children who:
- Missed or delayed developmental milestones
- Struggle with using scissors, drawing, stringing beads, using utensils, and other fine motor skills
- Overreacts to touch, taste, sounds, movement, or smells
- Underreacts to certain sensations (high pain tolerance, doesn’t notice cuts or bruises)
- Constantly moving, jumping, touching, or running into things
- Cannot learn, play, or socialize at an age-appropriate level
- Lacks independence in daily activities
Expressive/ Receptive/ Social Language
Language enables us to comprehend the world around us, communicate with others, and navigate social interactions. We help patients of all ages who face language challenges.
Indicators someone is struggling in this area include:
- Delayed speech development
- Inability to initiate or maintain conversation
- Leaving words out of sentences or repeating phrases or words
- Cannot identify and understand the main point of what they hear, read, or watch
- Unable to process information in “busy” environments
- Trouble reading and responding to social cues
Oral Motor Dysfunction
Weakened or uncoordinated movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw impede feeding, breathing, speaking, and more. We help patients recognize structural anomalies and strengthen muscles to gain optimal function. We partner with other healthcare providers when structural changes are recommended.
Signs of oral motor dysfunction include:
- Problematic or ineffective nursing
- Excessive drooling
- Swallowing difficulties
- Problems drinking from a bottle, cup, or straw
- Picky eating or unwillingness to try new foods
- Problems chewing or keeping food/drink in mouth
- Stuttering
- Cluttering
- Lisping
- Snoring or noisy breathing
Voice Disorders
Reduced vocal quality can indicate a problem with the vocal cords. Often this is the result of a neurological condition or brain injury. We help patients learn to strengthen, care for, and improve their voice.
Characteristics of voice disorder include:
- Scratchy, hoarse, breathy, or weak voice
- Discomfort with speaking
- Chronic sore throat or cough
- Sensation of something in the throat
- Voice fatigues easily
- Loss of singing range/quality
- Shortness of breath during speech, singing, or exercise
Executive Functioning
There are many cognitive skills needed to perform daily activities: attention, planning, memory, and problem-solving. We can help patients improve these skills and learn strategies to compensate for them.
Signals that executive functioning support is needed include:
- Failureto keep personal space and belongings organized
- Inability to retrieve, hold, and review information to complete a cognitive task
- Trouble initiating an activity or generating ideas, responses, or problem-solving strategies
- Cannot recognize and follow behavioral expectations and unwritten social rules
- Lack of inhibition
- Difficulty processing own emotions or responding to others’ emotions
- Rigid response to new or unexpected situations
Movement/ Strength/ Balance
Many infants and children have difficulty moving their bodies the way they want to in everyday activities. This can be caused by delayed development, prematurity, injury, genetic disorder, a nerve/muscle condition, or simply a lack of coordination. Physical and occupational therapy helps infants and children improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance and coordination so play and movement activities (gross motor skills) become easier. Occupational therapy also helps make adaptations for those who need extra help to be as independent as possible.
Your baby or child could benefit from occupational therapy if they:
- Tilt or only turn head to one side
- Have a flattened area on their head
- Cannot tolerate tummy time
- Fail to reach milestones for rolling, sitting, crawling, bearing weight or walking
- Frequently walk on tip toes or have an unusual walking pattern
- Frequently trip or fall while walking or running/clumsy
- Cannot jump, skip, ride a bike, play sports, or catch or throw a ball
- Have poor posture or difficulty maintaining posture
- Have pain
- Have low or high muscle tone
- Lack strength, have low endurance and/or fatigue quickly
Growth and Play
While play and exploration are central to a child’s growth and development, it is a struggle for some children. Issues with fine or gross motor skills, sensory processing, and visual-perceptual skills can hold them back. Occupational therapy can help children develop the physical, emotional, and social skills needed to balance connection and independence in their daily tasks.
We can help children who:
- Missed or delayed developmental milestones
- Struggle with using scissors, drawing, stringing beads, using utensils, and other fine motor skills
- Overreacts to touch, taste, sounds, movement, or smells
- Underreacts to certain sensations (high pain tolerance, doesn’t notice cuts or bruises)
- Constantly moving, jumping, touching, or running into things
- Cannot learn, play, or socialize at an age-appropriate level
- Lacks independence in daily activities
Expressive/ Receptive/ Social Language
Language enables us to comprehend the world around us, communicate with others, and navigate social interactions. We help patients of all ages who face language challenges.
Indicators someone is struggling in this area include:
- Delayed speech development
- Inability to initiate or maintain conversation
- Leaving words out of sentences or repeating phrases or words
- Cannot identify and understand the main point of what they hear, read, or watch
- Unable to process information in “busy” environments
- Trouble reading and responding to social cues
Oral Motor Dysfunction
Weakened or uncoordinated movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw impede feeding, breathing, speaking, and more. We help patients recognize structural anomalies and strengthen muscles to gain optimal function. We partner with other healthcare providers when structural changes are recommended.
Signs of oral motor dysfunction include:
- Problematic or ineffective nursing
- Excessive drooling
- Swallowing difficulties
- Problems drinking from a bottle, cup, or straw
- Picky eating or unwillingness to try new foods
- Problems chewing or keeping food/drink in mouth
- Stuttering
- Cluttering
- Lisping
- Snoring or noisy breathing
Voice Disorders
Reduced vocal quality can indicate a problem with the vocal cords. Often this is the result of a neurological condition or brain injury. We help patients learn to strengthen, care for, and improve their voice.
Characteristics of voice disorder include:
- Scratchy, hoarse, breathy, or weak voice
- Discomfort with speaking
- Chronic sore throat or cough
- Sensation of something in the throat
- Voice fatigues easily
- Loss of singing range/quality
- Shortness of breath during speech, singing, or exercise
Executive Functioning
There are many cognitive skills needed to perform daily activities: attention, planning, memory, and problem-solving. We can help patients improve these skills and learn strategies to compensate for them.
Signals that executive functioning support is needed include:
- Failureto keep personal space and belongings organized
- Inability to retrieve, hold, and review information to complete a cognitive task
- Trouble initiating an activity or generating ideas, responses, or problem-solving strategies
- Cannot recognize and follow behavioral expectations and unwritten social rules
- Lack of inhibition
- Difficulty processing own emotions or responding to others’ emotions
- Rigid response to new or unexpected situations
Movement/ Strength/ Balance
Many infants and children have difficulty moving their bodies the way they want to in everyday activities. This can be caused by delayed development, prematurity, injury, genetic disorder, a nerve/muscle condition, or simply a lack of coordination. Physical and occupational therapy helps infants and children improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance and coordination so play and movement activities (gross motor skills) become easier. Occupational therapy also helps make adaptations for those who need extra help to be as independent as possible.
Your baby or child could benefit from occupational therapy if they:
- Tilt or only turn head to one side
- Have a flattened area on their head
- Cannot tolerate tummy time
- Fail to reach milestones for rolling, sitting, crawling, bearing weight or walking
- Frequently walk on tip toes or have an unusual walking pattern
- Frequently trip or fall while walking or running/clumsy
- Cannot jump, skip, ride a bike, play sports, or catch or throw a ball
- Have poor posture or difficulty maintaining posture
- Have pain
- Have low or high muscle tone
- Lack strength, have low endurance and/or fatigue quickly
Growth and Play
While play and exploration are central to a child’s growth and development, it is a struggle for some children. Issues with fine or gross motor skills, sensory processing, and visual-perceptual skills can hold them back. Occupational therapy can help children develop the physical, emotional, and social skills needed to balance connection and independence in their daily tasks.
We can help children who:
- Missed or delayed developmental milestones
- Struggle with using scissors, drawing, stringing beads, using utensils, and other fine motor skills
- Overreacts to touch, taste, sounds, movement, or smells
- Underreacts to certain sensations (high pain tolerance, doesn’t notice cuts or bruises)
- Constantly moving, jumping, touching, or running into things
- Cannot learn, play, or socialize at an age-appropriate level
- Lacks independence in daily activities
Expressive/ Receptive/ Social Language
Expressive/ Receptive/ Social Language
Language enables us to comprehend the world around us, communicate with others, and navigate social interactions. We help patients of all ages who face language challenges.
Indicators someone is struggling in this area include:
- Delayed speech development
- Inability to initiate or maintain conversation
- Leaving words out of sentences or repeating phrases or words
- Cannot identify and understand the main point of what they hear, read, or watch
- Unable to process information in “busy” environments
- Trouble reading and responding to social cues
Oral Motor Dysfunction
Oral Motor Dysfunction
Weakened or uncoordinated movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw impede feeding, breathing, speaking, and more. We help patients recognize structural anomalies and strengthen muscles to gain optimal function. We partner with other healthcare providers when structural changes are recommended.
Signs of oral motor dysfunction include:
- Problematic or ineffective nursing
- Excessive drooling
- Swallowing difficulties
- Problems drinking from a bottle, cup, or straw
- Picky eating or unwillingness to try new foods
- Problems chewing or keeping food/drink in mouth
- Stuttering
- Cluttering
- Lisping
- Snoring or noisy breathing
Voice Disorders
Voice Disorders
Reduced vocal quality can indicate a problem with the vocal cords. Often this is the result of a neurological condition or brain injury. We help patients learn to strengthen, care for, and improve their voice.
Characteristics of voice disorder include:
- Scratchy, hoarse, breathy, or weak voice
- Discomfort with speaking
- Chronic sore throat or cough
- Sensation of something in the throat
- Voice fatigues easily
- Loss of singing range/quality
- Shortness of breath during speech, singing, or exercise
Executive Functioning
Executive Functioning
There are many cognitive skills needed to perform daily activities: attention, planning, memory, and problem-solving. We can help patients improve these skills and learn strategies to compensate for them.
Signals that executive functioning support is needed include:
- Failureto keep personal space and belongings organized
- Inability to retrieve, hold, and review information to complete a cognitive task
- Trouble initiating an activity or generating ideas, responses, or problem-solving strategies
- Cannot recognize and follow behavioral expectations and unwritten social rules
- Lack of inhibition
- Difficulty processing own emotions or responding to others’ emotions
- Rigid response to new or unexpected situations
Movement/ Strength/ Balance
Movement/ Strength/ Balance
Many infants and children have difficulty moving their bodies the way they want to in everyday activities. This can be caused by delayed development, prematurity, injury, genetic disorder, a nerve/muscle condition, or simply a lack of coordination. Physical and occupational therapy helps infants and children improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance and coordination so play and movement activities (gross motor skills) become easier. Occupational therapy also helps make adaptations for those who need extra help to be as independent as possible.
Your baby or child could benefit from occupational therapy if they:
- Tilt or only turn head to one side
- Have a flattened area on their head
- Cannot tolerate tummy time
- Fail to reach milestones for rolling, sitting, crawling, bearing weight or walking
- Frequently walk on tip toes or have an unusual walking pattern
- Frequently trip or fall while walking or running/clumsy
- Cannot jump, skip, ride a bike, play sports, or catch or throw a ball
- Have poor posture or difficulty maintaining posture
- Have pain
- Have low or high muscle tone
- Lack strength, have low endurance and/or fatigue quickly
Growth and Play
Growth and Play
While play and exploration are central to a child’s growth and development, it is a struggle for some children. Issues with fine or gross motor skills, sensory processing, and visual-perceptual skills can hold them back. Occupational therapy can help children develop the physical, emotional, and social skills needed to balance connection and independence in their daily tasks.
We can help children who:
- Missed or delayed developmental milestones
- Struggle with using scissors, drawing, stringing beads, using utensils, and other fine motor skills
- Overreacts to touch, taste, sounds, movement, or smells
- Underreacts to certain sensations (high pain tolerance, doesn’t notice cuts or bruises)
- Constantly moving, jumping, touching, or running into things
- Cannot learn, play, or socialize at an age-appropriate level
- Lacks independence in daily activities
Meet our team
Lindsey Brandhorst | MA, CCC-SLP
Lindsey is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and founder of Brandhorst Specialized Therapy. She takes a non-traditional approach to helping people of all ages recognize and overcome feeding and
learn moreKelly Martin | MA, CCC-SLP, LOUD Certified
Kelly is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with nearly a decade of experience treating adults for a variety of voice, communication, swallowing, and cognitive concerns. She has been an
learn moreJen Hoeger | CCC-SLP
What drew Jen to this career? Check back soon to find out! Specialized areas: speech sound disorders; articulation; apraxia; school aged language
learn moreAngie Jones | OTR/L
Angie Jones (OTR/L) holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and is trained in SOS for feeding, Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol, and Therapeutic Listening. She has 20 years of experience as a
learn moreTracie Barlow | OTR/L, C/NDT
Tracie is a pediatric NDT-certified (Neuro-Developmental Treatment Approach) Occupational Therapist who treats infants and children with a variety of developmental delays related to motor, sensory, and feeding issues. She has
learn moreBri Nickell | MA, CCC-SLP
Bri is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who wants every child to be understood and to understand and communicate their own thoughts, ideas, wants, and needs. She likes to
learn moreShari Damaso | Office Manager
Shari works outside the therapy room to ensure you have a great experience at Brandhorst Specialized Therapy. Shari graduated from the University of Iowa twice (B.S. in Psychology, M.A. in
learn moreFAQs
- General Questions
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Myofunctional and Feeding Therapy
Do I need a physician referral to see you?
We do not require a referral for our services. However, some insurance companies do. We are happy to initiate the referral request. If your doctor is aware of the concerns, they usually agree to an evaluation and, if warranted, treatment.
How expensive is therapy?
If you have health insurance, most policies cover our therapies. If you do not have insurance – or do not want claims filed — we offer a competitive private pay rate. Therapy is an investment in your health; we do not want finances to prevent you from pursuing it! If needed, we will work out a payment plan that fits into your budget.
What is the parent’s role in their child’s therapy?
Parental involvement is vital for optimal and timely therapy results. We encourage you to join us in the therapy room to learn with your child; you may be surprised by the new information! Then we ask you to partner with us through home exercises; this daily work builds muscle memory and forms new habits. At the next therapy session, we evaluate progress and introduce the next step toward the goal. Siblings can help by modeling, positive reinforcement, and even joining the home exercises. Therapy can be a family affair!
How does therapy help after stroke (CVA) or head injury (TBI)?
Occupational therapy helps with strategies to manage daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, writing, and cooking. Speech therapy helps with cognition, memory, problem-solving, organization, reading, speaking, and swallowing. We offer both therapies for infants and children; speech therapy is also available for adults.
How long is your waiting list?
We sometimes have waiting lists for some services or therapists; contact us to find the current status. When we have a waiting list, we can tell you how long the “next-to-place” patient has been waiting but we cannot predict when we will have openings. Since each patient’s therapy is individualized, our treatment courses vary in length. When your name comes to the top of the list, we will call to offer you an evaluation slot. We often discuss a possible treatment time with you and add a hold for that as well. On a side note, if you enjoy solving problems and helping people overcome obstacles, consider a therapy field…we need more practitioners in our area!
I'm not sure if my loved one needs therapy; what should I do?
You have concerns for a reason, so trust your observations and get professional input! Scheduling an evaluation allows us to determine what is happening and whether therapy would be appropriate. Sometimes patients only need a few sessions to gain the tools needed to master the skill. At other times we are happy to report your loved one’s mastery falls within normal limits. We may also recommend giving them more time to work on this skill and scheduling a re-assessment if they have not progressed. While we are happy to offer services to those who need our support, we are also happy when patients stabilize, grow, and thrive without our intervention!
General Questions 
Do I need a physician referral to see you?
We do not require a referral for our services. However, some insurance companies do. We are happy to initiate the referral request. If your doctor is aware of the concerns, they usually agree to an evaluation and, if warranted, treatment.
How expensive is therapy?
If you have health insurance, most policies cover our therapies. If you do not have insurance – or do not want claims filed — we offer a competitive private pay rate. Therapy is an investment in your health; we do not want finances to prevent you from pursuing it! If needed, we will work out a payment plan that fits into your budget.
What is the parent’s role in their child’s therapy?
Parental involvement is vital for optimal and timely therapy results. We encourage you to join us in the therapy room to learn with your child; you may be surprised by the new information! Then we ask you to partner with us through home exercises; this daily work builds muscle memory and forms new habits. At the next therapy session, we evaluate progress and introduce the next step toward the goal. Siblings can help by modeling, positive reinforcement, and even joining the home exercises. Therapy can be a family affair!
How does therapy help after stroke (CVA) or head injury (TBI)?
Occupational therapy helps with strategies to manage daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, writing, and cooking. Speech therapy helps with cognition, memory, problem-solving, organization, reading, speaking, and swallowing. We offer both therapies for infants and children; speech therapy is also available for adults.
How long is your waiting list?
We sometimes have waiting lists for some services or therapists; contact us to find the current status. When we have a waiting list, we can tell you how long the “next-to-place” patient has been waiting but we cannot predict when we will have openings. Since each patient’s therapy is individualized, our treatment courses vary in length. When your name comes to the top of the list, we will call to offer you an evaluation slot. We often discuss a possible treatment time with you and add a hold for that as well. On a side note, if you enjoy solving problems and helping people overcome obstacles, consider a therapy field…we need more practitioners in our area!
I'm not sure if my loved one needs therapy; what should I do?
You have concerns for a reason, so trust your observations and get professional input! Scheduling an evaluation allows us to determine what is happening and whether therapy would be appropriate. Sometimes patients only need a few sessions to gain the tools needed to master the skill. At other times we are happy to report your loved one’s mastery falls within normal limits. We may also recommend giving them more time to work on this skill and scheduling a re-assessment if they have not progressed. While we are happy to offer services to those who need our support, we are also happy when patients stabilize, grow, and thrive without our intervention!
Speech Therapy
Do you see adults for speech therapy?
Yes! Common referrals are for voice, fluency, or speech. Adults also may benefit from therapy for language and cognitive disorders due to stroke or head injury. We help people of all ages maximize their communication.
When should I be concerned about my child’s speech development?
Missed or delayed developmental milestones are flags to ask for an evaluation. There is generally an underlying reason that can be identified and addressed. Ask for an evaluation if your child has not met these milestones:
By 6 Months
Your child should babble (ex: baaaaa, uuuuum)
By 9 Months
Your child should use variegated babble (ex: mamama, gagaga)
By 12 Months
Your child should say their first words, follow simple directions.
By 28 Months
Your child should put 2 words together (ex: shoe on, truck go)
By Age 3
Your child should speak 3 or 4-word sentences.
By Age 4
Your child should be 100% intelligible but some speech sounds may be wrong.
By Age 5
Your child should be 100% intelligible and all speech sounds correct.
My child gets frustrated and acts out when they are not understood. Any tips?
Recognizing the frustration that comes from blocked communication is an important first step! Schedule a free phone screening with us to discuss age-appropriate expectations and next steps. There is hope and help!
Can my loved one’s degenerative disease or neurological disorder be helped by speech therapy?
Therapy offers many benefits for those facing these challenges. We can help patients of all ages with intelligibility, compensatory strategies, augmentative communication, swallowing, and cognition. Call or email us to take the next step of adding us to your care team.
My voice feels weak or hoarse. Can speech therapy help?
You do not have to accept a weak or hoarse voice as your new normal! There can be a number of treatable causes for this change. Schedule an evaluation to determine the root cause and develop a treatment plan to strengthen your voice.
I am having more difficulty composing thoughts and getting words out. How can speech therapy help?
Executive functions are skills that help you carry out daily activities. They include attention, planning, memory, and problem-solving. Speech therapy helps people improve these skills and develop strategies to compensate for them. We offer evaluations to determine what is causing the difficulty and how to help you stabilize and thrive.
Occupational Therapy
When should I be concerned about my child’s gross motor development?
Missed or delayed developmental milestones are flags to ask for an evaluation. There is generally an underlying reason that can be identified and addressed. Ask for an evaluation if your child has not met these milestones:
By 3 Months
Your child should lift and maintain head control while on tummy; maintain head in midline in all positions; kick legs reciprocally when on back; bear weight through legs when held at the trunk.
By 6 Months
Your child should grasp feet with hands when on back; roll from back to belly and belly to back over both sides; push up on hands when on tummy; reach for toys when on tummy; maintain prop sitting with supervision, sit unsupported briefly with supervision.
By 9 Months
Your child should sit independently and get in and out of sitting; play easily on tummy; belly crawl forward with alternating arm and leg movement; get on hands and knees.
By 12 Months
Your child should crawl forward on hands and knees; pull up to knees and stand at surfaces; cruise along surfaces; take steps with hands held.
By 18 Months
Your child should walk independently.
By 24 Months
Your child should play in a sustained squat position; crawl and working towards walking up and down stairs holding a railing; run; kick; throw; start to jump.
When should I be concerned about my child’s fine motor development?
Missed or delayed developmental milestones are flags to ask for an evaluation. There is generally an underlying reason that can be identified and addressed. Ask for an evaluation if your child has not met these milestones:
By 6 Months
Your child should reflexively grasp (birth); voluntarily grasp (3 months); controlled reach (6 months).
By 12 Months
Your child should reach, grasp, and put objects in their mouth; transfer objects from one hand to the other; drop and pick up toys; pincer grasp (ex: grab cheerio between thumb and 1 finger).
By Age 2
Your child should build a tower of 3 small blocks; place 5 pegs into a pegboard; scribble with a crayon; feed self with minimal help; hold and drink from a cup independently; turn 2-3 book pages at a time.
By Age 3
Your child should string four large beads; use one hand consistently in most activities; eat without assistance; imitate circular, vertical, and horizontal writing strokes; hold a crayon with thumbs and fingers, not fist; turn a single page of a book.
By Age 4
Your child should build a tower of nine small blocks; copy a circle; imitate drawing a square; use their non-dominant hand to assist and stabilize the object; snip paper using scissors.
By Age 5
Your child should cut on a line continuously; copy a cross (+) and square; copy most letters; print letters of their first name; write numbers 1-5; have well-established handedness; dress/undress self independently.
By Age 6
Your child should cut out simple shapes with scissors; copy a triangle; color within lines; use a 3 fingered grasp of pencil and use fingers to generate movement; draw a basic person.
By Age 7
Your child should form most letters and numbers correctly; print letters consistently on the line; build with Legos, K’nex, and other blocks; tie shoelaces.
By Age 8
Your child should maintain legible handwriting for the entire length of a sentence/simple story.
When should I be concerned about my child’s sensory development?
Missed or delayed developmental milestones are flags to ask for an evaluation. There is generally an underlying reason that can be identified and addressed. Ask for an evaluation if your child has not met these sensory processing milestones:
By 6 Months
Your child should track objects with eyes; coordinate suck, swallow and breathe; communicate hunger, fear, or discomfort by crying.
By 12 Months
Your child should play 2-3 minutes with a single toy; imitate gestures; respond to facial expressions; identify self in a mirror; tolerate a range of different textured foods.
By Age 2
Your child should play next to children; engage in imaginative play; sit to look and listen to books being read; enjoy/tolerate messy play; tolerate a range of different textured foods; copy sounds that you make; solve problems by trial and error.
By Age 3
Your child should pay attention for 3 minutes; tolerate a range of different textured foods; point to 5-6 parts of a doll when asked; follow simple instructions (ex: give the ball to mommy).
By Age 4
Your child should have awareness of parent’s approval or disapproval of their actions; take turns; play with 2-3 children in a group; tolerate different clothing textures (seams, tags, etc.); express emotions; play themes expand beyond personal experiences (ex: fireman rescuing people).
By Age 5
Your child should develop friendships; settle themselves to sleep at night; follow rules; play with 4-5 children in a group; focus in busy/noisy environments.
By Age 6
Your child should know where their body is in time and space to coordinate body movements for ball skills; distinguish between right and left; sit at a desk, following teacher instructions, independently do simple in-class assignments; recall events, and describe them.
By Age 7
Your child should attend for longer periods of time; eat a wide range of foods and tolerate a variety of textures; take on more responsibility/chores; sit still in class, at mealtimes, etc.; toilet independently day and night; read a book on their own.
My baby cries when I put her on her tummy. Should I be concerned?
Tummy time is important for your baby’s sensory, gross motor, fine motor, and oral motor development, but it should absolutely be fun and enjoyable! Physical therapy can help get to the root of why it is difficult and make this a pleasurable experience.
My baby has a flat area on his head. Will it go away on its own?
It can be concerning when your baby does not have a round head. Physical therapy can help determine the cause for the flattened area and assist with strategies to help it improve.
My baby won’t turn her head to one side. Should I be worried?
Babies should freely move their heads from side to side. If they are not, it is easier to fix the earlier it is addressed. Full movement is important for your baby’s sensory, gross motor, and visual-motor development and for preventing flattened areas on the skull. Physical therapy gently improves this movement.
My infant was described as “floppy” and weak by our doctor. Will therapy help him get stronger?
Children described as “floppy” often have low muscle tone that can interfere in developing normal motor milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking. Our therapists can help; call us for a consultation.
My child walks on his toes a lot. Will he grow out of this?
It is normal for children to walk on their toes at times. It can turn into a problem if your child walks like this more than normal walking. Some children grow out of it, but many do not. Physical therapy can help tease out your child’s reasons for toe walking and give you strategies to improve it. The earlier it is addressed, the easier it is to improve.
My child does not really play with toys, has poor eye contact, and prefers to be alone rather than playing with other children. Should I be concerned?
These can be early warning signs of some significant disorders. Please contact us for an occupational therapy evaluation to discover the root of these behaviors and therapy options.
My child has problems coloring, cutting, doing puzzles, or has an odd pencil grasp. Can occupational therapy help?
Many children have delayed fine motor skills that interfere with play and school activities. It is important to address these delays as easily as possible. Set up an evaluation to determine how we can help them progress.
My child is very clumsy and seems to always be falling or running into things. Is this normal?
Sensory-motor processing issues can cause many problems like these. Occupational therapists specialize in helping children with all types of sensory processing problems. We are happy to set up an evaluation and gain insight that will help your child stabilize, grow, and thrive.
My children are very sensitive to touch. One cannot tolerate tags in clothing, socks with seams, loud sounds, playdough, or bare feet on grass or sand. The other must touch everything and is constantly moving. Would therapy help?
Both situations describe possible sensory problems that can interfere with daily activities. Tactile, proprioceptive, auditory, visual, and vestibular systems must all work together for a child to thrive. Our occupational therapist can help you and your child learn more about sensory processing.
Myofunctional and Feeding Therapy
Feeding is so stressful for us! Could it be more than a bad latch or picky eater?
When feeding goes well, we do not realize how complicated it is! Gagging, gassiness, reflux, colic, failure to gain weight, excessive drooling, choking, picky eating, and refusal to try new foods can be indicators a structural issue is interfering with sucking, chewing, or swallowing. Contact us for a feeding evaluation. We can help transform mealtime stress into an enjoyable experience!
When does a tongue or lip tie need attention?
Awareness of tethered oral tissue (TOT) is increasing, but healthcare professionals disagree about when they need attention. Infants who struggle to feed or are colicky, children who have difficulty producing speech sounds, and anyone who mouth-breathes or snores may be experiencing decreased oral function due to TOT and benefit from therapy or revision. We recommend
- any
TOT that interferes with oral function be evaluated, so you can make the best decision about your specific situation.
Should I see a myofunctional therapist or an OT for feeding concerns?
We have therapists in both fields who are trained to address feeding concerns. When you contact us to schedule, we will ask a few questions to help determine which service and provider is the best match for your situation. Our therapists often collaborate, so no matter who you work with you may get the benefit of both knowledge from both disciplines during your treatment!
Do you release oral ties?
No, we do not perform releases in our office. We work with patients to determine if a release is needed and provide pre- and post-release therapy for optimal results. We offer recommendations on which release procedure would be best for you and provide contact information for area providers who offer that service.
testimonials
Hope Breitbach
Around 3-4 weeks after my second son was born, I knew something was wrong. He would click while nursing, was extremely gassy, and uncomfortable when laying flat. After seeing a post about someone’s child having lip and tongue ties, I started my research. I am forever grateful that my search led me and my son, Eli, to Lindsey. She evaluated us within the week, determined my son did, in fact, have both a lip and tongue tie and gave me recommendations on how to proceed. Since he was not having weight gain issues, we decided to do exercises that she provided for two weeks before revision. Lindsey provided me with handouts on exercises, videos to watch, and tons of recommendations for dental providers. Two weeks later, my son had his revision surgery. I am CONFIDENT when I say that it is only because of Lindsey and the dentist that my son and I were able to successfully nurse for 13 months. I will forever refer family, friends, and strangers to Lindsey for her services.
Reston's mom
We are so pleased with the services we have received from Brandhorst. We had started out with speech therapy at a different clinic and just felt like there was more we needed or were missing out on. Lindsey thinks outside of the box. She is non-traditional in her approach and it is a refreshing change. She also gives suggestions for other services to seek that may help your child progress even further. We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Lindsey and her clinic and would highly recommend them to anyone!
Jerilyn
Two of my children have seen therapists at Brandhorst and graduated from needing assistance. I would love to pass along a huge thank you to all she staff! Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic. From my very first call I made to the office with zero knowledge and desperate for help, to the jokes in the lobby, and the therapists themselves, you all are amazing. You are all making a difference in people's lives.
Jordan
Lindsey exhibited good patience and love for her job. I was so comfortable having her work with my son when I noticed his speech was falling behind. My son has made excellent progress in speech all thanks to Lindsey!
Mollie
I came to Lindsey because a friend recommended her... and I'm so glad I did! Lindsey got us in quickly and treated me with respect and care. I suspected my 2 week old daughter had oral ties and she confirmed that for me with a quick evaluation. It was easy to get in and she referred me to a great dental office that took care of my baby. I am very happy with the end result.
Paige Eastburn
I reached out to Lindsey seeking help with my child who has extensive feeding difficulties plus a severe oral aversion. I appreciated her willingness to first listen to my concerns, second get to know my son and his likes and dislikes, and third thinking out of the box before jumping into working on his challenges. She developed a weekly plan and gave us tools and techniques to approach his oral aversion and feeding challenges that were not overwhelming and impossible to follow. Lindsey was so patient and so caring towards my son's situation and celebrated the small yet mighty victories that he accomplished. I would recommend Lindsey to anyone who is seeking a compassionate and caring, yet very effective, approach to your child's struggles and challenges.
Hope Breitbach
Around 3-4 weeks after my second son was born, I knew something was wrong. He would click while nursing, was extremely gassy, and uncomfortable when laying flat. After seeing a post about someone’s child having lip and tongue ties, I started my research. I am forever grateful that my search led me and my son, Eli, to Lindsey. She evaluated us within the week, determined my son did, in fact, have both a lip and tongue tie and gave me recommendations on how to proceed. Since he was not having weight gain issues, we decided to do exercises that she provided for two weeks before revision. Lindsey provided me with handouts on exercises, videos to watch, and tons of recommendations for dental providers. Two weeks later, my son had his revision surgery. I am CONFIDENT when I say that it is only because of Lindsey and the dentist that my son and I were able to successfully nurse for 13 months. I will forever refer family, friends, and strangers to Lindsey for her services.
Reston's mom
We are so pleased with the services we have received from Brandhorst. We had started out with speech therapy at a different clinic and just felt like there was more we needed or were missing out on. Lindsey thinks outside of the box. She is non-traditional in her approach and it is a refreshing change. She also gives suggestions for other services to seek that may help your child progress even further. We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Lindsey and her clinic and would highly recommend them to anyone!
Jerilyn
Two of my children have seen therapists at Brandhorst and graduated from needing assistance. I would love to pass along a huge thank you to all she staff! Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic. From my very first call I made to the office with zero knowledge and desperate for help, to the jokes in the lobby, and the therapists themselves, you all are amazing. You are all making a difference in people's lives.
Jordan
Lindsey exhibited good patience and love for her job. I was so comfortable having her work with my son when I noticed his speech was falling behind. My son has made excellent progress in speech all thanks to Lindsey!
Mollie
I came to Lindsey because a friend recommended her... and I'm so glad I did! Lindsey got us in quickly and treated me with respect and care. I suspected my 2 week old daughter had oral ties and she confirmed that for me with a quick evaluation. It was easy to get in and she referred me to a great dental office that took care of my baby. I am very happy with the end result.
Paige Eastburn
I reached out to Lindsey seeking help with my child who has extensive feeding difficulties plus a severe oral aversion. I appreciated her willingness to first listen to my concerns, second get to know my son and his likes and dislikes, and third thinking out of the box before jumping into working on his challenges. She developed a weekly plan and gave us tools and techniques to approach his oral aversion and feeding challenges that were not overwhelming and impossible to follow. Lindsey was so patient and so caring towards my son's situation and celebrated the small yet mighty victories that he accomplished. I would recommend Lindsey to anyone who is seeking a compassionate and caring, yet very effective, approach to your child's struggles and challenges.
Hope Breitbach
Around 3-4 weeks after my second son was born, I knew something was wrong. He would click while nursing, was extremely gassy, and uncomfortable when laying flat. After seeing a post about someone’s child having lip and tongue ties, I started my research. I am forever grateful that my search led me and my son, Eli, to Lindsey. She evaluated us within the week, determined my son did, in fact, have both a lip and tongue tie and gave me recommendations on how to proceed. Since he was not having weight gain issues, we decided to do exercises that she provided for two weeks before revision. Lindsey provided me with handouts on exercises, videos to watch, and tons of recommendations for dental providers. Two weeks later, my son had his revision surgery. I am CONFIDENT when I say that it is only because of Lindsey and the dentist that my son and I were able to successfully nurse for 13 months. I will forever refer family, friends, and strangers to Lindsey for her services.
Reston's mom
We are so pleased with the services we have received from Brandhorst. We had started out with speech therapy at a different clinic and just felt like there was more we needed or were missing out on. Lindsey thinks outside of the box. She is non-traditional in her approach and it is a refreshing change. She also gives suggestions for other services to seek that may help your child progress even further. We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Lindsey and her clinic and would highly recommend them to anyone!
