Speakers

Maureen Kane -Wineland PhD, OT/L, is the co-owner of Rehab Dynamics Inc. in Toledo, Ohio. Maureen has been working with young children and their families for over 30 years in a variety of capacities. She has developed an expertise in addressing the needs of children with sensory processing disorders, as well as those with difficulties relating and engaging, using both sensory integration and DIR ®/Floortime™ approaches. Maureen is SIPT certified and a PLAY Project Home Consultant. Maureen received her PhD. in special education/educational psychology in 2002 and examined the effects of prenatal drug exposure on sensory processing capacities. She has developed a number of creative programs to meet the needs of children with sensory processing disorders in her private practice, in early intervention, and in the community. Maureen is a co-author of the book and CD version of the book Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers. Contact her through rehabdynamics.com

Cheri Fraker, CCC/SLP, CLC is an ASHA certified pediatric speech pathologist who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, 1986. Cheri’s work in feeding is recognized internationally. She has published articles on Food Chaining in international medical periodicals, The Nest and Nutrition and the MD. Cheri has worked in pediatrics for over 25 years. She developed the techniques of Pre-Chaining and Food Chaining. Cheri has lectured on pediatric feeding disorders at ASHA, the UCLA/UMH Nutrition Leadership Conference, The American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, The North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the 2004 World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in Paris, France. She is the co-author of the books “Evaluation and Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders: From NICU to Childhood” and “Food Chaining: The Six Step Solution to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems and Expand Your Child’s Diet.” Cheri specializes in evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders and is lead therapist for the pediatric feeding team clinic at The Center for Selective Eating and Pediatric Feeding Disorders and the SIU-Koke Mill Pediatric Swallowing Clinic in Springfield, Illinois. Cheri and Laura Walbert have presented together for over 15 years. They recently presented their PreChaining programs at the 2009 Neonatal Nutrition Conference and The Neonatal Update Conference at UMass in 2010. Laura is a certified lactation consultant and she specializes in treatment of breastfeeding problems, selective eating and pediatric dysphagia. She provides therapy services at The Center for Selective Eating and Pediatric Feeding Disorders and is part of the diagnostic team for the SIU-Koke Mill Pediatric Swallowing Clinic in Springfield, Illinois.

Laura Walbert, CCC/SLP, CLC is an ASHA certified pediatric speech pathologist who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, 1996 . Laura’s work in feeding is recognized internationally in medical journal periodicals and conference presentations on pediatric feeding disorders. Laura has also presented on evaluation and treatment of athlete’s with vocal cord dysfunction. She is the co-author of the books “Evaluation and Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders: From NICU to Childhood” and Food Chaining: The Six Step Solution to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems and Expand Your Child’s Diet.” Laura and Cheri Fraker have presented together for over 15 years. They recently presented their PreChaining programs at the 2009 Neonatal Nutrition Conference and The Neonatal Update Conference at UMass in 2010. Laura is a certified lactation consultant and she specializes in treatment of breastfeeding problems, selective eating and pediatric dysphagia. She provides therapy services at The Center for Selective Eating and Pediatric Feeding Disorders and is part of the diagnostic team for the SIU-Koke Mill Pediatric Swallowing Clinic in Springfield, Illinois.

Mark Fishbein, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He is an Associate professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Fishbein co-authored the Food Chaining: The Sensible Six Step Solution for Picky and Problem Eaters. He has written articles published in several medical and nutrition journals including Articles about Food Chaining have appeared in The Wall Street Journal. He has completed research in the area of feeding most recently including: State Provided Programs: A Survey to Determine Whether They are Meeting the Needs of Infants and Children with Feeding Disorders and Training pediatric feeding therapists: How well are we doing? Presented at NASPGHAN meeting, November 2009.

Angela Searcy M.S., D.T. holds a B.A. degree in English and secondary education with teacher certification though the state of Illinois and a M.S. degree in early childhood development from Erikson Institute, with a specialization in Infant Studies and a credential in developmental therapy. Angela is a Diversifying in Higher Education in Illinois Fellow at Argosy University in the Doctor of Education Program Angela is the owner and founder of Simple Solutions Educational Services, has over 20 years of experience in the field of education, is an approved professional development provider by the Illinois State Board of Education, an educational consultant for the Multisensory Training Institute (MTI) in Needham, MA, , Lakeshore Learning, Carson CA and Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) at Vanderbilt University. Angela is also a professor at Rasmussen College. A former associate at the Neuropsychology Diagnostic Center in Orland Park, Illinois, Angela has specialized training in the neurosciences and is a nationally recognized speaker with extensive experience working with professionals, young children, and their families as an early childhood teacher, child development specialist, staff developer, mental health consultant, parent educator, language arts teacher, college professor and tutor. Her expertise encompasses developing behavior modification programs from a neuropsychological perspective, and creating professional development grounded in neuroscience research related to adult learning. She has been featured on Chicago Public Radio’s Chicago Matters, Chicago Parent and Chicago Baby Magazines and is a regular speaker for the Learning and the Brain Conference Sponsored by Harvard, Yale and Stanford Universities.

Victoria Knackley, M.S. OTR/L, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Utica College, Utica, NY. Tory has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 30+ years, specializing in sensory processing, motor learning, early intervention, and handwriting. She is a co-author of Sensory Stories, an intervention approach to promote participation in daily activities for children who have over-responsive sensory modulation.

Christine Cayo, OTR, Christine Cayo is currently on staff at Ozaukee Therapies outpatient clinic and Aurora Sinai Hospital neonatal intensive care unit in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. She assesses and treats children from birth into adulthood. Christine is a certified NDT practitioner as well as an occupational therapy instructor for the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association, active status. Christine has been on staff at Boehme Workshops for the past 17 years and has extensive experience in the treatment of children with neurological challenges. Research regarding efficacy of treatment has been another area of interest and Christine has been an active participant in various research projects over the last 10 years. She is a member of AOTA, WOTA and NDTA professional associations.

Susan Swindeman, OTR/L, is a registered occupational therapist and the CEO of Wee Care Therapy in Dyer, IN. Susan has over 25 years of pediatric occupational therapy experience. She is certified in the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests, and trained extensively in neurodevelopmental treatment. She is known for her intuitive sense in appreciating the importance of nurturing the development of “self” in children. Susan is recognized for her work in identifying and treating children with sensory processing disorders. She co-authored the book and cd, Tools for Tots: Sensory Options and Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers, 2007 & 2009.