Heather is focused on families building relationships with their children through shared engagement, creating connections, and developing trust for emotional and intellectual growth.
She has worked with diverse populations including children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing challenges, ADHD and executive functioning disorders, cerebral palsy and/or other types of acquired brain injuries, children impacted by abuse and/or neglect, and a variety of other neurological and/or genetic disorders in early intervention, daycare/preschools, and outpatient settings.
Evidence-based approaches are key to incorporation of best practices into sessions. Current research is used to support treatment approaches and interventions throughout therapy sessions.
Heather published a study in 2013 in the Journal of Occupational Therapy of "The effect of hippotherapy on motor control, adaptive behaviors, and participation in children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study." (source link 1) Though not currently active in research, she consults with other researchers and students as well as reviews grants for research studies.