Our Staff | Minnetonka Pediatric Therapy Center | Plymouth MN

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The MPTC Staff

My passion is making onboarding into the MPTC family easier. I strive to help them navigate through the registration process, initial evaluation and beginning therapy. I love to see the smiles and hear laughter when clients are coming into the clinic. The interactions with the providers is so special. It really does fill my heart with joy knowing that I am part of this process and wonderful community!

Conya Nelson

Administration and Onboarding Specialist

I hold a Master of Science in speech pathology from Eastern Illinois University with a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. I am a licensed speech pathologist in the state of Minnesota and have worked in medical speech pathology for over 40 years. I also have worked with clients with motor speech disorders; oral and laryngeal dysfunction following accidents, illness or surgery; voice disorders; orofacial myofunctional disorders; swallowing problems, and breathing dysfunction. In my years I have developed unique treatment strategies for clients to help them establish their best function. Fun fact about me I like to be known for my “dad jokes” and pottery work.

Bob Grider

Speech Language Pathologist

I have always been driven to help others and encourage functional communication among the pediatric population.
I value collaboration between therapists and parents to ensure that each child's needs are being met based on their individual abilities. I believe that supporting children and their families using a variety of therapeutic methods is a critical component to achieving their goals.

Experience:
I have experience working with children who have cleft palates and craniofacial differences, children who utilize multi-modality communication including AAC, articulation disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.

Education/Certification:
I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and from Midwestern University- Glendale with a Masters in Speech Language Pathology.
I hold the certificate of clinical competency through the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and am licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Jessica Clark

Speech Language Pathologist

To believe, to hope, to empower! These are the values that drive me as I provide therapy and guide my great colleagues at Minnetonka Pediatric Therapy Center.

Areas of Expertise: My expertise over the past 30 years has narrowed to running MPTC and working as an expert feeding specialist for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD), Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTS) / Tongue and Lip Tie, working with infants who have difficulties breast or bottle feeding (lactation) and / or transitioning to solids, or working with adults who have orofacial myofunctional disorders.

Education / Certification: I graduated from Illinois State University in 1994 with a Master’s Degree in Speech & Language Pathology. I hold my certificate of clinical competency through the American Speech Language Hearing Association and am licensed in the state of Minnesota.

I was Certified in Orofacial Myology in 2013, as a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) in 2019, and as a Talk Tools Level 4 trained therapist in 2004.

Membership and Professional Activities: I am a member of Minnesota Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA), AOMT, International Consortium of Ankyloglossia Professionals (ICAP), ASHA Special Interest Group 03 (Voice and Upper Airway Disorders), 05 (Craniofacial and Velopharyngeal Disorders) and 13 (Swallowing Disorders, Dysphagia). I have earned 13 ACE awards from ASHA for lifelong learning.

I speak regularly for professionals and parent groups in MN and had two publications in the Newsletter of the National Down Syndrome Congress.

Specialized Training: I have had extensive training and years of experience evaluating and working with infants and children who have muscle-based and sensory-based feeding disorders. I have taken many courses on infant development / lactation / feeding to support mothers and babies who are having difficulty nursing; have years of experience working with Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTS) ~ tongue and lip ties; restorative breathing; and Orofacial Myology Disorders. I have trained in Talk Tools programs since 1999 and hold their level 4 Talk Tools Certification.

Kaye Koelker Baumgardner

Founder, Executive Director, Speech Language Pathologist

I have a passion for working with children, seeing them grow and reaching their full potential. I enjoy getting to play throughout my day and make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Areas of Expertise: I have over 25years of extensive experience with speech and language disorders, sound production disorders and feeding/swallowing impairments.

Education/Certification: I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts degree in Speech, Language Hearing Science from Michigan State University. I hold my certificate of clinical competence through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Specialized Training: I have specialized training in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) and Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS) / tongue and lip tie (ankyloglossia). I have taken many courses on infant development / feeding to support mothers who are having difficulty nursing. I am PROMPT level 1 trained, and have training in Fast ForWord, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, and in Talk Tools oral motor therapy program. Lastly, I have trained in the use of Dynavox and Prentke Romich augmentative communication devices as well as in the Kaufman Speech Praxis program.

Traci Smallwood

Speech Language Pathologist

I am a neurodiversity-affirmative therapist that is passionate about helping kids function optimally and enjoy life to the fullest! I enjoy collaborating with families in maximizing their child’s strengths while using high quality, evidence-based approaches.

Areas of Expertise: I have experience working with children ages 2-22 with a variety of diagnosis/conditions including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, down syndrome, other genetic abnormalities, cerebral palsy, pediatric feeding disorder, trauma, sensory processing disorder, and fetal alcohol syndrome disorder. I have worked in both outpatient pediatric and school settings. I have experience with determining eligibility for individualized education plans (IEPs) and Section 504 plans.

Education: I received my Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University in May of 2019. I received my Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer Science with an emphasis in Dietetics in May of 2016.

Specialized Training: I am Board Certified in Pediatrics. I have additionally completed a variety of advanced training including (but not limited to): The Alert Program; Ayres Sensory Integration; Neurological Soft Signs; Get Permission Approach to Feeding; the SOS Approach to Feeding; SOS Advanced Workshop – Working with Children With Severe Developmental Impairments; and SOS Approach to Feeding the School Aged Child. I have additionally earned a foundation badge in Autism through the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Andrea Janike

Occupational Therapist

Areas of expertise: I have experience working with children of all ages and all abilities. I have experience in working with children with a variety of diagnosis/conditions including sensory processing concerns, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down syndrome, and pediatric feeding disorders.

Education: I received my Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota in May of 2018.

Specialized Training: I have taken the following courses to further my education: Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding (SOS), Sensory integration in practice, and Astronaut Training protocol. I have also taken courses on primitive reflexes and vision.

Brittany Winter

Occupational Therapist

My greatest joy is seeing children grow and improve their speech and language skills, which in turn enhances their overall quality of life. At Minnetonka Pediatric Therapy Center, I am part of a remarkable team that creates a nurturing environment focused on play-based therapy. I strongly believe in a holistic approach to care, and I work closely with caregivers and my interdisciplinary team to ensure each child's unique needs are met. This collaborative approach ensures that everyone involved is part of the journey, and I aim to provide compassionate, person-centered support that helps every child reach their full potential.

Experience:
I have experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, expressive and receptive language disorders, voice disorders, and articulation/phonology disorders.

Education/Certification:
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with both a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I am currently a Clinical Fellow in Speech-Language Pathology (CF-SLP) and hold a provisional license in the state of Minnesota.

Libby Macken

Speech Language Pathologist

I have been fortunate to deliver occupational therapy services for many years to children in a variety of settings to help them grow and learn. I enjoy all aspects of occupational therapy, but my passion is working with children with feeding difficulties to help them to improve nutrition and enjoy eating.

Areas of Expertise: I have worked in pediatrics for 30+years. I have broad experience in helping children with feeding, motor skills, and neurodevelopmental disorders. I have worked with children with a variety of diagnoses from infancy to preteen. I am a Certified Infant Massage Coach and run both individual or group massage classes.

Education/Certification: I received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota in 1991.

Specialized Training: I am trained in the following areas: Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding (SOS), Food Chaining, TOTS- Tethered Oral Tissue, and Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention. I have also completed training in neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT).

Kim Dieken

Occupational Therapist

Areas of expertise: I have experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and developmental delays. In the past I was a preschool and infant teacher and grew up around early childhood education.

Education: I have a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Clarkson University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Colorado State University.

Specialized Training: My additional coursework includes video modeling for children with autism spectrum disorder and enhancing and improving executive functioning.

Tyler Gansen

Occupational Therapist

I have always been passionate about working with children and helping them reach their fullest potential. I value collaborating with parents and caregivers to provide the most appropriate individualized speech-language therapy sessions for the children I work with. I use a play-based child led approach to ensure that therapy is fun, and to allow children to learn in the most natural way possible-through play!

I am a certified Basic DIRFloortime® Provider and have completed training to promote development within their first four functional emotional developmental capacities: regulation, engagement, purposeful reciprocal communication, sense of self, and problem solving. DIRFloortime® is a child led approach that is based on a child's inner will and motivation. This approach is tailored to a child's individual differences and emphasizes building strong relationships to help facilitate meaningful and long-lasting growth within all FEDCs.

Areas of Expertise: I have experience working with children and adults ranging from 1-25 with a variety of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation/phonology disorders, and fluency disorders.

Education/Certification: I received a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota. I hold my certificate of clinical competence through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Specialized Training: I am certified as a Basic DIRFloortime® Provider and I have specialized training in facial, auditory, as well as dynamic and postural reflex integration (MNRI). I have taken Talk Tools OPT Assessment and Program Plan Development, 3 Part Treatment for OPT, and Prompt level 1.

Annalyn Alt

Speech Language Pathologist

I have always had a passion for working with kids of all ages and in all different settings. Being able to see and assist children meet the smallest to largest of milestone everyday brings me great joy. I love being able to build connections with kids and their families. I have a passion for creating functional ways families can incorporate physical activity and exercise into their everyday lives to better improve their child’s functioning.

Expertise:
I have worked as a PT since 2019 in pediatric settings. I have experience working with infants up to 19 years old and with a variety of diagnoses. I have worked side by side with Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapist to develop a holistic approach to helping children meet their greatest potential. I have experience working with children diagnosed with torticollis, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, toe walking, hypotonia and hypertonia, developmental delays, club foot, and many more. I am a Certified Infant Massage Coach (CIMC).

Education:
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth Minnesota as well as my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

I am a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and their pediatric section member.

Emily Tuttle

Physical Therapist

Since 2017 I have had the privilege to work with children from infancy to adolescence. I utilize the latest evidenced based practice to provide quality care and family education. I also wholeheartedly believe therapy can be FUN for all!

Areas of Expertise: I have expertise and experience in the treatment of disorders in the following areas: torticollis, plagiocephaly, posture and orthopedic alignment, delayed walking, delayed gross motor skills, neck/back pain, toe-walking, muscle weakness, and coordination concerns.

Education/Certification: I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education at South Dakota State University. I received my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of South Dakota with a focus in pediatric inpatient and outpatient clinical rotations.

I am certified in CPR/AED. I have been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Pediatric Section for multiple years.

Specialized Training: I completed courses and training on Myofascial Release and Kinesiology Tape. I am a Certified Infant Massage Coach. I completed Mary Massery’s “Breathing and Postural Control” courses to assist with overall postural strength, alignment, and function. I also completed a specialized manual therapy clinical rotation during graduate school focusing primary on joint mobilizations and soft tissue work. I have since taken courses on pediatric orthopedic dysfunction, toe walking, and hyper-mobility disorders to further my manual therapy and therapeutic exercise skill set.

Sarah Moen

Physical Therapist

Working with children of all ages as a speech language pathologist and helping them succeed is something I have enjoyed since 2007.

Areas of Expertise: I have expertise and experience in the treatment of disorders in the following areas: orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD), breast and bottle feeding, oral motor, Apraxia, feeding/swallowing, articulation and phonology, fluency, and expressive and receptive language.

Education/Certification: I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and a Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology with a focus in pediatrics from the University of Northern Iowa.

I hold the certificate of clinical competency through the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and am a member of ASHA’s Special Interest Group Division 5 on Speech, Speech Science, and Orofacial Disorders. I also am a member of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA (DSMIG-USA) and the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM).

Specialized Training: I am PROMPT Level I trained. I am also trained in the sequential oral sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, food chaining, and Beckman oral motor assessment and intervention. I have training in the Talk Tools oral motor therapy program and am a Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®) through the International Association of Orofacial Myology. I have taken many courses on infant development / feeding to support mothers who are having difficulty nursing.

Lindsay Barrett

Clinic Director, Speech Language Pathologist

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