Occupational Therapists

 
north liberty occupational therapist teresa grueter

Teresa Grueter, MS, OTR/L, SIPT

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST/ FEEDING SPECIALIST/ CEO

Teresa is the owner and founder of Sensory Kid Iowa and an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. She is the captain of the ship, boss lady, CEO, and overall fun person to hang out with. 

Her favorite “F” word is flexibility and that’s not just for the kids. Teresa puts flexibility into action with her positive attitude and ability to go with the flow.

Simply put, Teresa wants kids to do better in the areas where they struggle so their self-esteem and confidence can soar. Not only that, she helps them to feel comfortable when adjusting to things that initially feel difficult. 

  • A Southern Illinois native, Teresa and her family own cattle and a farm in Illinois.  A mom of 3, wife, cancer survivor; the beach is her favorite place. She loves all things Disney and whenever time allows, she makes her way south to Texas to visit friends & family.  

    • Mentoring other therapists

    • Empowering parents

    • Fostering community connections

    • Sensory processing disorders

    • Autism Spectrum Disorders

    • ADHD 

    • Difficulties with self-regulation

    • Sensory Integration therapy

    • Bachelor of Science from Illinois College (1998)  

    • Midwestern University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (2000) 

    • Sensory Integration Praxis Testing(SIPT) certified (2008)                

    • Interactive Metronome

    • Therapeutic Listening

    • Yoga for Mindfulness

    • Mary Benbow Developmental Hand Program

    • Floortime/DIR approach

    • S.O.S. Approach to Feeding

    • STAR SPD Intensive training

    • Kelly Mahler The Interoception Curriculum:

    • The Zones of Regulation

    • SAS (Secret Agent Society) social skills provider

    • 4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care, Iowa City, IA

    • Foundation 2 Youth and Family Services, Cedar Rapids, IA

    • Access for Special Kids – ASK Resource Center, Johnston, IA

    • Purple Bloom School, Coralville, IA

    • Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, IA

    • Combining experience, training, and personal touch, Teresa was recognized by the “The Autism Society of Middle Tennessee” in 2004 for the positive impact she offered in the lives of children on the spectrum.

Kathy Barnhart, COTA/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT/CLINIC DIRECTOR

Kathy is instrumental in providing top-tier care for your family at Sensory Kids. Her extensive experience enhances her capacity to develop the unique talents and abilities of each child. Kathy excels not only as a therapist but also utilizes her managerial skills to ensure that the operations behind the scenes function flawlessly.

  • Dogs hold a special place in Kathy's heart. Specifically, Dachshunds. Her fur baby Hank is the best!

    • Mentoring other therapists

    • Empowering parents

    • Fostering community connections

    • Sensory processing disorders

    • Autism Spectrum Disorders

    • ADHD 

    • Difficulties with self-regulation

    • Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Kirkwood University

    • Experience with The Listening Program

    • Handwriting without Tears

In her occupational therapy and management career, Kathy has engaged with a wide variety of clients and locations. She refers to Sensory Kids as "home" due to the positive and significant impact we create, truly making a difference in the lives of the families we support.

Katelyn Bekkum, MOT, OTR/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Katelyn was drawn to Sensory Kids for our “collaborative and sensory friendly environment” for each child, with excitement to practice occupational therapy in a family centered clinic.

No challenge or obstacle is too great for Katelyn in her work with children from any background or age.

Her expertise in various areas, including social-emotional learning and mental health, enables her to collaborate with families in navigating a wide range of situations.

  • Watch out on the slopes this winter, Katelyn has over 10 years of experience as a ski instructor and taught adaptive skiing for a season in the mountains of Colorado.

    • Social Emotional Learning

    • Play Based Therapy

    • Adaptive Equipment

    • Mental Health

    • Sensory Integration

    • Interoception Curriculum

    • Autism

    • Developmental Delay

    • ADHD

    • Therapeutic Listening (Safe & Sound Protocol)

  • Katelyn received a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University

    Katelyn also has training in Zones of Regulation, Interoception, and Therapeutic Listening- Safe and Sound Protocol

Cori Hobart, COTA/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

From a young age, Cori knew her passion lay in working with children. This passion drove her to pursue an education as an occupational therapy assistant. She excels at fostering a positive atmosphere in all settings and achieving success in every session. Her positive and enthusiastic voice resonates throughout the clinic.

  • Family is where it’s at for Cori. She grew up with 3 brothers and sisters. The cherry on top are her fabulous nieces and nephews who she adores!

    • Social Emotional Learning

    • Child Development

    • Psychology

    • Mental Health

    • Autism

    • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Minor in Human Relations from the University of Iowa

    • Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program at St. Catherine University in Minnesota.

    • Interoception Curriculum

    • Interactive Metronome

    • Zones of Regulation

Her passion for her job is evident quickly: "I take pleasure in building personal relationships with clients and their parents at Sensory Kids."

Faith Evans, COTA/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

The values of Sensory Kids, which include "teamwork, positivity, and excellence," are among the many reasons why Faith is an exceptional part of our occupational therapy team.

Faith's experience with children across various age groups steered her towards a career in pediatric occupational therapy. Her eagerness to expand her knowledge is evident in her pursuit of certifications and ongoing education in domains such as social-emotional learning and sensory integration, among others.

  • Faith is our resident coffee fanatic. She enjoys trying out new coffee shops in pursuit of the best ice coffee around!

    • Social Emotional Learning

    • Play Based Therapy

    • Adaptive Equipment

    • Mental Health

    • Sensory Integration

    • Interoception Curriculum

    • Autism

    • Developmental Delay

    • ADHD

  • Faith gained her occupational therapy assistant certification right here in Cedar Rapids at Kirkwood Community College.

    She prioritizes continuing education by always learning and growing as a therapist to best serve Sensory Kids clients and families. This includes undergoing training in interoception Curriculum, Interactive Metronome, Zones of Regulation. and Super Flex.

Speech Therapists

Natalie Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPIST/ FEEDING SPECIALIST

Natalie joined Sensory Kids Iowa as the lead speech therapist in 2020. Since then, the speech therapy program has flourished under her skillful direction.

Always ready to jump in and help in any way necessary, she radiates a special combination of expertise and joy. 

“I have a special heart for working with children with autism, increased behaviors, and I am all about child-led and play-based therapy”

  • On weekends when she isn’t crafting or cleaning, she can often be found with her husband, Ryan and their fur babies: Riggs, a 7-year-old Chocolate Lab, and Max, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever.

    • Feeding therapy

    • Autism Spectrum Disorders

    • Parent education

    • Incorporating sensory and movement into speech sessions

    • Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa

    • B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Iowa.

    • S.O.S. Approach to Feeding

    • The Zones of Regulation

    • Interactive Metronome

    • Beckman Oral Motor Approach

    • Oral Motor Skills in Infants

    • Tongue Ties and Breastfeeding

    • Reflux and Allergies with Breastfeeding

    • Ayers Sensory Integration


Whitney Struchen, CFY-SLP

SPEECH THERAPIST

As a part of our speech therapy team, Whitney treats each client and family with great respect and care.

She possesses heart and passion, striving to achieve success daily for each client.

“I enjoy a child-led approach and how it allows children to have fun at speech therapy while also meeting their goals”


  • Whitney possesses many hidden talents including tennis & playing the violin!

    • Autism

    • Early Language

    • Early Intervention

    • Apraxia of Speech

  • I have an M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from UNI and am currently in my Clinical Fellowship Year with Sensory Kids.

Support Staff

 

Melissa Bresler

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT and BILLING COORDINATOR

As our administrative assistant, Melissa keeps important gears turning for therapists and clients alike!

We feel very fortunate to have Melissa on our team because she plays such a critical role in making sure each family has a great experience from the initial call to the final bill. Providing care for others is a service from the heart for Melissa. She works hard to manage tasks from start to finish with an unmatched joy. 

  • Sand volleyball is more than just a pastime for Melissa. She met her now husband on the court and still plays regularly today.

  • Melissa holds bachelor’s degrees in Child Life and business from the University of Iowa. She has served as a Child Life Specialist in hospitals and most recently worked with adults with disabilities in the local community.

Shanna Tilley

FRONT DESK ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

When you arrive at Sensory Kids you may just be greeted by Shanna’s smiling face and warm presence. Shanna brings the sunshine as she answers your calls, schedules, and maintains administrative duties in the clinic. 

Shanna maintains a deep personal connection to pediatric therapy, having witnessed her own family members benefit due to these services.

What she loves most about working at Sensory Kids is the chance to provide “meaningful and helpful” services for people in our community.

  • Creative could be Shanna's middle name. She got her start making grapevine wreaths in the yard as a child and now works on crochet projects while at her children's sporting events or on long car rides.

  • She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and has studied personal training through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Hannah

THERAPY TECH

Hannah has been a great team member at Sensory Kids. A kid at heart, Hannah loves joining in on games and activities with our clients while also helping us keep Sensory Kids a safe and fun environment for all. 

  • Hannah enjoys working with people of all ages and currently also works as a recreation aide for the older adult population in a local retirement community. She also enjoys cooking and trying new foods in the kitchen when not busy with work or school.

  • Hannah is currently attending the University of Iowa for her degree in speech and hearing sciences with plans to apply for schools to pursue occupational therapy for her next journey in education.

Hannah has a passion for helping others and currently serves as a therapy tech in our clinic. The greatest reward for a day of hard work is all the smiles and achievements she gets to witness here at Sensory Kids. 

Maria

THERAPY TECH

Maria’s heart for service shines when she is at Sensory Kids helping others. As a therapy tech, she works hard to provide a clean, safe space for children to be themselves. Maria knows how to have fun too and joins in on all the activities happening each day!

  • Maria treasures the little things in life. From her rubber duck collection to her love of books, she can find joy in all places.

  • Maria currently attends the University of Iowa. She is majoring in Speech and Hearing Science on track for a career in speech-language pathology.

Maria hopes to become a speech-language pathologist herself and was drawn to Sensory Kids for our unique approach to meeting each child where they are at.

Emma

THERAPY TECH

Emma's initiative helps keep Sensory Kids moving behind the scenes in many ways from organization and cleaning to craft ideas and being a play partner for games.

As a therapy tech, Emma gets to enjoy the wins of all sizes with our clients and families. Celebrating and witnessing those wins is her favorite part of working at Sensory Kids.

  • Put her in Coach, she's ready to play! Emma played softball her whole life including one year of collegiate softball.

  • Emma is a go-getter and currently holds an associate's degree in psychology while pursuing her bachelor’s in psychology and pre-occupational therapy.

nash the therapy dog

Nash, the Therapy Dog

Nash is an 8-year-old standard poodle and he is training to become a therapy dog.

He has a special knack for sensing the needs of each child. For some, he’s a calm, reassuring presence. For others, he brings out smiles, giggles, and fun.

  • His favorite thing to do is go for long walks in Auburn Hills park.

    Loves playing and bringing out the best in kids who come to Sensory Kids, Iowa.

    • Completed all shots

    • Hypo-allergenic

    • Certificate in Puppy Training

    • Certificate in Basic obedience

    • Therapy dog in training with over 100 hours of socializing with children