Speakers
Last Updated on Friday, 18 March 2011 02:03
Disclosures
The speakers agree to inform Wee Care Therapy of any proprietary interest in materials used during the seminar (e.g. commercial interest in selling books or other materials during the presentation). If they do have such interest, it is indicated in their biography. Wee Care Therapy may have books, CDs, or other therapy related supplies available for sale at each seminar.
Mary Massery, PT, DPT
Dr. Massery received her BS in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in 1977, her DPT from the University of the Pacific in 2004 and she is currently a Doctorate of Science student at Rocky Mountain University, in Provo, Utah. Mary has published her work in numerous journals and textbooks on topics relating to ventilation and postural impairments in children and adult populations. Dr. Massery has been invited to give over 600 professional presentations in 46 US states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 9 countries worldwide.
In addition, Mary teaches in the physical therapy curriculum at several universities, conducts clinical research, consults at numerous Chicago area hospitals, schools and clinics, and conducts year-long pulmonary mentorship programs.
In 2002, Dr. Massery received the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) highest clinical award: The Florence Kendall Practice Award, honoring one’s "outstanding and enduring contributions to the practice of physical therapy". In 2004, Mary was the invited international speaker on cystic fibrosis at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, England. In 2005, she was the keynote speaker for the annual Australian & New Zealand Spinal Cord Injury Conference in Brisbane, Australia. Mary presented the sole pre-conference program in 2006 at the 29th Annual European Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, and in 2007, she presented one of the keynote addresses at the annual meeting of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists in Galway, Ireland. Mary recently presented the Honorary Linda Crane Memorial Lecture at the APTA’s 2009 CSM meeting in Las Vegas.
She continues to maintain a private practice in Chicago specializing in ventilation and postural dysfunction.
Barbara Hypes, P.T
Barbara is a physical therapist trained in both pediatric Neuro-Developmental Treatment and baby treatment. She has been treating pediatrics since 1981 and teaching continuing education seminars since 1985. She currently teaches courses for therapists, teachers and parents throughout the United States and Canada. Topics for teaching currently focus on treatment with the ball, treating the child who has neurological impairments and treating hypotonia.
Barbara is a graduate of Indiana University and lives in Wisconsin. She has treated in a variety of settings including out patient rehabilitation centers, early intervention in community centers as well as in homes, hospitals and school settings. Professionally she is currently consulting with families and other therapists, treating a small private caseload, writing educational materials, producing videos on treatment as well as traveling and teaching.
Barbara has contributed an appendix to the book IMPROVING UPPER BODY CONTROL -AN APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF TONAL DYSFUNCTION, 2 sections to PARENT ARTICLES- FOR EARLY INTERVENTION, written a book on treatment using the ball called: FACILITATING DEVELOPMENT AND SENSORIMOTOR FUNCTION- TREATMENT WITH THE BALL and in 2008 completed work on a new book titled, HEADS UP ON HYPOTONIA. In addition she has produced, narrated and edited 18 educational DVD’s discussing treatment principles.
Barbara is passionate about treating the child based on his or her individual needs rather than relying on pre-conceived treatment approaches. She teaches in a manner that encourages the learners to question and understand basic concepts of neuro-typical motor control so they can then treat by teaching the child the principles of movement they have not yet learned or been able to integrate. Each individual benefits from different input so she encourages creativity as a primary emphasis when therapists are developing treatment strategies.
Teresa A. May-Benson, Sc.D., OTR/L
Clinical Director of Occupational Therapy Associates- Watertown, P.C. and Research Director of the Spiral Foundation at OTA-Watertown is a well-known lecturer and researcher on sensory integration theory and intervention. She has authored a number of book chapters and articles on praxis and sensory integration, and completed her doctoral dissertation on ideational praxis. Dr. May-Benson has a diverse background as a clinical practitioner having worked in private and public school settings as well as private practice.
She is active in conducting research related to sensory integration through the non-profit Spiral Foundation’s Sensory Processing Research Center. She has collaborated with well-known researchers such as Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Dr. Shelly Lane and Dr. Roseann Schaaf. In her role of educator, she serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Indianapolis. She has a special interest in, and extensive experience with autism, particularly older students and adults.
Dr. May-Benson received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and her master’s degree from Boston University with a concentration in sensory integration and school system therapy. She was a Maternal and Child Health Fellow in the Doctoral Program in Therapeutic Studies at Boston University. She has received the Virginia Scardinia Award of Excellence from AOTA for her work in ideational praxis.
Marsha Dunn Klein
Marsha Dunn Klein is a pediatric occupational therapist who specialized in feeding with infants and young children. Marsha has co-authored several books, including Feeding and Nutrition for the Child with Special Needs, with Tracy Delaney, and Homemade Blended Formula Hand-book, Prefeeding Skills, Prefeeding Skills, Second Edition, and Mealtime Participation Guide with Suzanne Evans Morris. Marsha is the founder of Mealtime Notions, LLC, which provides consultative support for families, professionals and feeding teams, as well as mealtime education videos, books and other products including the DuoSpoon.
Mary Kawar, MS, OT/L
Mary Kawar is a private practitioner in El Cerrito, CA. For over 50 years she has specialized in therapeutic programs for children and adults with sensory processing and motor control issues. As a well respected professional, Mary lectures throughout the US and internationally. Mary has a wealth of clinical experience and has been particularly successful at designing precise treatment strategies and therapeutic tools to improve vestibular, visual, and auditory integration for physical, social and cognitive engagement. She is co-author of two books/CD combinations entitled Core Concepts in Action and Astronaut Training: Sound Activated Vestibular visual Protocol for Moving, Looking, and Listening. She also recently wrote a chapter in the book Functional Visual Behavior in Children.
Susan Swindeman, OTR/L
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.