Meet Our Staff
Occupational Therapists
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.
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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.
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Mentoring other therapists
Empowering parents
Fostering community connections
Sensory processing disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
ADHD
Difficulties with self-regulation
Sensory Integration therapy
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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
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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.
Ashley Brandt, OTD, OTR/L
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Ashley was drawn to Sensory Kids for our “welcoming atmosphere” with excitement to practice occupational therapy in a family centered clinic.
There is never a challenge or obstacle too big for Ashley when it comes to working with kids of any background or age.
Ashley’s knowledge on many topics such as social emotional learning and mental health allows her to partner with families to navigate lots of situations.
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You may just catch a glimpse of Ashley cruising through town on her bicycle! She worked for two summers in Mackinac Island, MI where she developed a love for bike riding.
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Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health
Interoception Curriculum
Zones of Regulation
Interactive Metronome
Autism
Developmental Delay
ADHD
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Ashley received both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University. Most recently Ashley has become certified in Interactive Metronome and The Interoception Curriculum.
Ashley prioritizes continuing education by always learning and growing as a therapist to best serve Sensory Kids clients and families.
McKenzi Hilleshiem, COTA/L, CLT
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
McKenzi joined the team at Sensory Kids Iowa in 2021 after previously working in a skilled nursing facility. With her, she brought an infectious love for adventure and play.
It doesn’t take long to hear her love for her work, “I enjoy working with all age groups, but have always held a special place in my heart for pediatric clients. I hope that families see a positive change in various areas of day-to-day life, as well as having fun during our sessions!”
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As a family-oriented person, McKenzi fills her free time with her favorite people. Growing up, she was always outside – climbing trees or exploring. Still loving adventure, she’s notorious for gathering up whoever is willing to come for last-minute road trips throughout the state of Iowa.
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Celebrating each child’s gifts and abilities
Lymphedema training
LSVT-Big for addresses neurological movement disorders
Sensory processing disorders
Autism
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Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Kirkwood Community College.
Continuing education to be a Certified Lymphedema Therapist(CLT)
LSVT-BIG Training
Traci Pepin, M.A. OTR/L, CAPS
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Traci is an occupational therapist who brings a wealth of knowledge, experience to our community and Sensory Kids Iowa. Her philosophy honors the power of human agency and holding space for others as an essential part of growth and transformation.
Her special gift is helping children and their parents learn to be more present with each other for better connection and play.
Her mission is clear, “I want others to feel empowered, have a strong sense of self-worth, increase confidence, take appropriate risks, and value life-long learning.
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Traci has a husband and 3 boys – 2 are already grown and out of the house and my 3rd medical-miracle son is in middle school.
Some of her favorite activities include gardening, knitting, hiking, snowshoeing, and other adventures. And coffee and tea… thank goodness for those!
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Mental health and well-being
Promoting self-regulation
Space design to create functional, safe, and meaningful spaces.
Bringing creativity and fun into sessions
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A year of Doctoral work in occupational therapy.
Trauma and Sensory Modulation Training
Behavior, Anxiety, and Executive Functioning Skills Training
Every Moment Counts by Dr. Susan Bayzk
Trauma-informed Schooling
Assistive technology for decreasing barriers to participation
Closing the Gap Conference on the use of assistive technology
Presenter on the impact of anxiety on regulation and executive functioning
CAPS certified (Certified Aging in Place Specialist)
Universal design (UD) training
Mary Scheck, MOTR/L
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST/ FEEDING SPECIALIST
Mary’s expertise in pediatric occupational therapy and ability to work with kids comes from her years of experience in the field. She believes that "occupational therapy is where science, creativity, and compassion collide” and brings that philosophy to each session.
When asked about her work, she says, “What I love about being at Sensory Kids is the team atmosphere and how being a private clinic, the kids are the priority and we are able to provide top quality care!”
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Living life to the fullest is what Mary does best. From enjoying the company of friends and family, cuddles with her cat Albert or trips the Heyn’s ice cream. She treasures the little things in life and some good food!
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SOS Approach to Feeding.
Feeding therapy focused on development of oral motor skills and for self-feeding
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
Dynamic Movement Intervention (Introductory Level A & B)
Neuro Reflex Integration
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Mary attended St. Ambrose University graduating in 2015 with a BA in Psychology and in 2016 with her Masters of Occupational Therapy.
Her specialized training consists of:
SOS Approach to Feeding
Dynamic Movement Intervention
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
Speech Therapists
Caitlin Thornburg, CCC-SLP
SPEECH THERAPIST AND THERAPY MANAGER
As a parent herself, Caitlin knows the highs and lows of parenthood along with how each parent yearns to provide the best for their child. She brings that parent connection and desire for great outcomes into each session as a speech therapist at Sensory Kids Iowa.
When asked about what she enjoys about her job as a speech therapist, she says, “I have a passion for strengthening families through cultivating joy and communication. Ultimately, this expanded ability to communicate means success for the family as a whole.”
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Caitlin took many years of dance lessons and was a cheerleader in high school.
She enjoys being active by hiking local trails and finding parks to explore with her family. She frequently recommends her family’s favorite outdoor place, Kent Park, because it has it all: from hiking trails to the playground and even a storybook walk.
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Auditory and Language Processing
Autism
Social Skills
Articulation of speech sounds
Fluency of speech
Oral Motor Skills
Early Intervention
Alternative and Augmentative Communication
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The University of Northern Iowa with my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology
Actively pursues continuing education to be at the forefront of the field
The Zones of Regulation
Interactive Metronome
Natalie Taylor, MA 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”
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On weekends when she isn’t crafting or cleaning, she can often be found with her husband, Ryan and their fur babies: Riggs, a 5-year-old Chocolate Lab, and Max, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever.
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Feeding therapy
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Parent education
Incorporating sensory and movement into speech sessions
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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
Language Acquisition through Motor Planning for AAC
Jaymie Elkins M.S., CCC-SLP
SPEECH THERAPIST
As a part of our speech therapy team, Jaymie excels at understanding each kid and giving them the tools to express themselves to the world.
When asked about what she loves about her work as a speech therapist, she said, “No matter the diagnosis or specific areas of need, each child is unique, and I love that moment when I see what makes them tick. While breakthroughs and progress in therapy are fantastic, the primary goal of what we do is to increase communication with loved ones outside of the therapy clinic.
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As a child, Jaymie loved to do pretend games with her friends. Especially pretending adult scenarios like store, office, and imagine living without parents. Even as a "grown-up," Jaymie still loves bringing creative play into her work with kids!
When not working and playing with kids, Jamie now enjoys swimming and exploring nature out in the country of Iowa.
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Autism
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Early intervention
Pragmatic Communication Disorders
Receptive and Expressive Language disorders
Articulation and Phonological Disorders,
Velopharyngeal Dysfunction
Feeding Disorders
Apraxia of Speech
Social Skills
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M.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology at University of Nevada
Reno Hanen Parent Education
Language Acquisition through Motor Planning for AAC
Talk Tools
Emily Aanrud, M.S. CCC-SLP
SPEECH THERAPIST / OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
As part of our speech therapy team, Emily works on areas like language development, oral motor skills, and speech sound disorders.
When work feels “more like play” then you must be doing something right! Emily thrives in our play based therapy style and brings her passion for helping others to each session.
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Speech therapy isn’t Emily’s only talent, horseback riding is another skill she possesses. She competed in dressage, show jumping, & cross country events with horses for most of her life.
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Speech Sound Disorders
Expressive and receptive language
Oral Motor Skills
Parent education
Autism
Language Development
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Emily received her bachelor’s of arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Iowa and her master’s in Speech Language Pathology from St. Ambrose. Emily has worked with pediatric clients for many years in various settings and brings with her a great deal of experience and knowledge.
Kim Albreight, M.S. CCC-SLP
SPEECH THERAPIST
Kim joined our team in 2022 bringing with her years of experience in pediatric outpatient clinics. As a part of our speech therapy team, Kim treats each client and family with great respect and care.
Kim enjoys play-based, child-led therapy and working with family every step of the way.
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Iowa hasn’t always been “home” for Kim and her family. She grew up in Oklahoma and Colorado and has been here, there and everywhere as she and her husband pursued higher education. They enjoy the outdoors and keeping up with their son!
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Articulation
Fluency
Expressive and receptive language
Pragmatics
Augmentative and alternative communication
Parent education
Social emotional disorders
Autism
Developmental Delay
ADHD
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I received my Bachelor of Sciences degree from Idaho State University in communication sciences and disorders in 2015.
I received my speech-language pathology assistant certification from Metro State University of Denver in 2015.
I received my Master of Sciences degree from the University of Central Missouri in speech-language pathology in 2017.
Support Staff
Elizabeth “Liz” Vest
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
As our administrative assistant, Liz keeps important gears turning for therapists and clients alike!
We feel very fortunate to have Elizabeth on our team because she plays such a critical role in making sure each family has a great experience from initial call to final bill. She says, “I thoroughly enjoy seeing the progress these kiddos are making each week. The children are what we're here for, and there's nothing more rewarding than to see that our program is working and making an impact in each family's lives.”
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Besides a love for cats, Liz also has a passion for Disney. Inspired by family trips as a child, Liz worked in the hospitality industry with Walt Disney World.
She continues to use her experiences to make Sensory Kids a “magical” place for all our families and clients!
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Liz has obtained degrees in education, hotel management and a B.S. in hospitality.
From each of these, she has gained more and more knowledge to bring to her current role at Sensory Kids.
Maddy
THERAPY TECH
Maddy has been a part of Sensory Kids since 2019. A kid at heart, Maddy loves joining in on games and activities with our clients while also helping us keep Sensory Kids a safe and fun environment for all.
When asked about her work here at Sensory Kids she says, “I like working at Sensory Kids because of the connections I get to build with the community. It's a unique environment because I get to have fun and help others at the same time!”
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If Maddy could travel anywhere, her first choice would be a trip to Disney World (I’m sure Sensory Kids is a close second). It is her favorite place to visit because of the wonderful memories made there with her family.
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Maddy is currently in high school with hopes to pursue a career in pediatric health services.
Brooklyn
THERAPY TECH
Brooklyn joined our staff as a therapy tech after serving as a volunteer in our clinic. You can find her welcoming you at the front desk and even playing in games or activities with the clients.
When asked about her work, she says, “Being able to help our therapists throughout the day with fun activities and getting to know our kiddos makes my job so fun and makes me look forward to come to work!”
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Her competitive spirit started strong from a young age as an avid sports fan and playing softball. Brooklyn still enjoys playing in sporting events and attending as a fan today.
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In the future, she hopes to become an occupational therapist just like our very own therapists here at Sensory Kids.
Currently, she attends the University of Iowa to pursue her degree in health studies.
Allison
THERAPY TECH
As a therapy tech, Allison shares her passion and hard work to assist in many ways around the clinic. From cleaning, playing, and everything in between, Allison does it with the positivity that Sensory Kids is all about!
She gets to share in some special moments with our clients and families and says, Getting to watch the clients grow and develop as learners is a really cool experience, and I look forward to working with them each day!”
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Being outside is her “happy place”. You can find her hiking, attending outdoor sporting events with friends and even an occasional fishing trip with family.
Allison also serves our communities elderly population as a home health aide. It is obvious how caring and kind she is to all she meets!
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Currently attending the University of Iowa, she is majoring in Health Studies with a minor in Psychology. In the fall, she will be applying to schools to further her education in occupational therapy.
Delaney
FRONT DESK/ THERAPY TECH
Delaney is the warm face that greets families on Saturday mornings and part of the team that keeps us running smoothly as a therapy tech during the week.
She’s happy to share how special this place is, “I really like all the people I've met, from fellow staff to kids and their families. And I always have so much fun when I'm at Sensory Kids; it has really cemented for me that I want to be an occupational therapist in the future!”
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She has an ear for music as an avid french horn player currently playing in improv groups and ensembles at the University of Iowa.
Her love for music and acting grew from childhood on. Believe it or not, she even played the role of Mushu in Mulan in middle school.
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In hopes of becoming an occupational therapist someday, she is currently undergoing an undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa.
Nash, the Therapy Dog
Nash is a 5-year-old standard poodle and he is training to become a therapy dog. (He’d be done already, but he can’t get his hours with senior citizens due to COVID.)
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.
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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.
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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
