About Us
About Sensory Solutions
Encouraging Development
& Growth.
At Sensory Solutions, we identify a child’s current development, investigate underlying causes for development and behavioral challenges and provide ongoing support facilitating independence and positive changes.
We strive to provide programs that will meet the family and child’s needs.
Therapists
Meet Our Team
We pride ourselves in having only the most trained and experienced therapists on our team.
With 14 therapists on staff, we have over 200 years of experience combined!
Amie Crunelle
OTR/L, CKTP (Occupational Therapist) – Amie received her Bachelor’s degree, graduating from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She specializes in pediatric interventions and has worked in a wide variety of settings including schools, early intervention and outpatient therapy. She has extensive training in a variety of techniques to address sensory processing disorders and child development. Her interests include sensory strategies, feeding, torticollis/head preference, neurofeedback and motor development. She is trained in Therapeutic Listening, pediatric NDT handling, Craniosacral, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Multisensory Handwriting and certified in Kinesio Taping ®.
“I love being a pediatric occupational therapist because it is such a great feeling to help educate families and help children gain their independence.”
amie@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Audra Van Winkle
MS/OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Audra is a passionate and enthusiastic occupational therapist and strives to make every session fun and enjoyable for the child. Audra graduated with her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University. She has worked with children in a variety of settings including early intervention, school and home based. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening and Handwriting Without Tears, among a large range of courses specializing in sensory integration and child development. Her interests include neurofeedback, motor development, working with children who have delays or deficits in play, developing social skills, handwriting, and sensory strategies. She has worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Hearing impaired, Developmental Delay, Attention Deficit Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder. Outside of work Audra enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and their three daughters, Layla, Mila and Petra. She is often helping her girls learn and explore through play!
“I believe it is important for all children to meet their full potential. I love seeing a child do something for the first time. Sharing moments like this with families makes what I do that more meaningful!”
audra@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Elizabeth Mora
SLP (Speech Therapist) – Elizabeth received her Master’s degree from Kent State in 1995. She has worked in many different settings including two sensory integration clinics, three school districts where she served on special needs preschool evaluation teams, early intervention homevisits and private daycares.Elizabeth uses a play based approach that combines principles of Floortime, Hanen and James MacDonald’s works that build trust and motivation within the child to heighten the child’s sense of empowerment and feeling connected to their communication partner. Elizabeth is also knowledgeable in using sensory techniques and engaging the child’s whole body during therapy. Elizabeth has received training in Floortime/Greenspan, Beckman oral motor interventions, Kaufman Apraxia interventions, and the Wilbarger Brushing protocol .
”I adore working with young children and their families in the sensory setting. A child’s “work” is actually play; having fun at the child’s level opens endless possibilities for communication. I feel truly privileged to be able to help a child reach his or her full communication potential.”
elizabeth@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Sarah Smalley
I am the mother of two amazing boys – Brady & Ty – both who are on the autism spectrum. Brady was born in 2005 and was diagnosed at 21 months of age. Ty was born in 2008 and was diagnosed by me at his first birthday, and by the professionals a few months later. Both of my boys have been in multiple therapies since they were 15 months old. I am also the creator of www.facebook.com/autismomx2 and I have presented at multiple parent support groups in the area on topics such as detoxifying your home, hiring and running a successful home therapy team, and making the right therapy and education choices for your child and family. I have worked as an ABA therapist on a home team and in the community, and as a private preschool aide with children ages 1-15. This is not a journey I ever expected to be on and this is not what I went to college to do…but my sons have steered this to be my life’s work. My boys are my everything, they are my joy, their autism is sometimes my stress, and they are why I have learned everything I know now, and would love to share with you. I have been trained in ABA, the More Than Words approach to communication, LAMP application with AAC devices, play therapy, as well as other OT and ST practices. I have attended multiple conferences including Autism One in Chicago and the NAA Conference in Florida. I am also very passionate about our children’s health and the options available that can help our kids feel better, their bodies to heal, and in turn allow them to learn and grow into their full potential. I do not pretend to be an expert, but I do have a wealth of knowledge by experience and trial and error. If I don’t know about it, I am sure I have a friend who does and can get you started down a road that is likely to be a long path, but one very worth taking.
Julie Koontz
M.S., OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – I am thrilled to join Sensory Solutions! I have many years of experience in pediatrics working in a variety of settings from early intervention to school-based OT to clinic. I am trained in Brain Gym, Rhythmic Movement, Neurofeedback, and Therapeutic Listening. I have experience with feeding, visual perceptual strategies and treatment as well as Handwriting Without Tears and Cub Works.
“My passion for working with families to help their child participate in life to the fullest is what motivates me every day to love what I do, make a difference in the lives of children!”
julie@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Vicki Lleonart
LMT, CIMI, CIIT (Pediatric Massage Therapist) – Vicki is very excited to join the Sensory Solutions Team. Vicki received her license as a Limited Branch Practitioner from The State of Ohio Medical Board as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She has worked with various populations in the healthcare environment for the past 16+ years.
Vicki started her career at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a pediatric massage therapist.
She trained with highly skilled RNs, PTs, OTs, and other medical professionals. Vicki worked with healthy infants and children, as well as medically fragile newborns in the NICU and CTICU. She taught and educated families and medical staff on the benefits of massage therapy.
Vicki is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI), & Certified Infant Instructor Trainer (CIIT).
She has spent many years teaching families and caregivers to connect with their children
in a nurturing, loving and therapeutic way. Her specialized skills and continued education includes; Infant Massage/Instructor, Neonatal Infant, Critically Challenged Newborn, CranioSacral Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Swedish massage, and Neuromuscular Therapy
vickilleonart@gmail.com
Katie Weakland
MA, CCC/SLP (Speech Therapist) – Katie received her Master’s degree from The University of Akron. She has experience in both the school and clinic settings, providing assessment and treatment for individuals ages 1-18 years. She is also a Registered Art Therapist and has worked on teams for families with children diagnosed with Autism as both a respite provider and ABA therapy aide. Katie’s professional interests include early intervention, speech sound disorders, AAC, and social skills. Katie has completed various trainings in the area of Childhood Apraxia of Speech and is a PROMPT Trained clinician.
kweakland@gmail.com
Megan Pollock
MA, CCC/SLP (Speech Therapist) – Megan received her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Science at Ohio University and her Master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2009. She has worked in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities, two different school districts and the clinic setting. She has experience in augmentative and alternative communication, speech and articulation, language, apraxia, social pragmatics, dysphagia and stuttering. Through collaboration with the Occupational Therapists at Sensory Solutions, she uses sensory techniques to help engage her students in her sessions. She enjoys training caregivers and collaborating with other professionals on the child’s team so goals and objectives can be obtained outside of the therapy room and across all settings. She has a passion for helping her clients communicate and advocating for their needs!
meganpollockslp@gmail.com
Jean Hruschak
SLP (Speech Therapist) – I have lived in Columbus Ohio for over 30 years after receiving my Masters’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Akron. Medical clinics and outpatient care have been my primary focus for treating children and some adults with speech needs. After 21 years with Nationwide Children’s, I am bringing my skills to Early Intervention and Home-based services. Professional presentations have focused on feeding disorders and treatment, speech and language related to autism, developmental delays, medically complex issues, and the use of speech devices for those who need it. I have training in assessment and therapy for reading disorders (Orton Gillingham; Barton Reading and Spelling) and love to see all children grow in their reading skills. My goal is for parents to be able to easily use our goals during daily activities that will help their child improve in function. I have two dogs and I hope to have the smaller allergy-proof dog trained to sit and wait as patients read to her. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s care.
Jean@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Veronica Kennedy
MOT, OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Veronica received her undergraduate degree in Pre-Medicine and Psychology from Walsh University and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University. She holds a Specialization in Rehabilitation Engineering and an Interdisciplinary Specialization in Global Healthcare. Currently Veronica practices in outpatient pediatrics and inpatient neurorehabilitation. She has experience working both nationally and internationally with sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, autism, traumatic brain injury, vision disorders, cerebral palsy, and a variety of speech disorders. Most recently, she received her Level I certification in teaching yoga to children with special needs. Veronica enjoys collaborating with families and Speech Therapists at Sensory Solutions to support her clients’ development across clinical, school, and home settings. She has a passion for helping her clients improve their overall quality of life and achieve their full potential through therapeutic play!
Veronica@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Taira Fischer
OTD, OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Taira received her Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy from Huntington University and has a Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University majoring in psychology. Taira specializes in pediatrics with an interest in sensory processing disorder (SPD). Her passion is helping children and their families achieve full participation in daily activities and increased quality of life. Taira’s experience includes completion of a 4-month residency at the STAR Institute Treatment and Research Center for SPD in Greenwood Village, CO. Taira attended a week-long intensive mentorship during her training at STAR and is certified as a Level I: Advanced Mentored Clinician in SPD. She is also certified in Therapeutic Listening and has attended the basic SOS Approach to Feeding course. Within Taira’s professional career she has been recognized as a presenter by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy at the First Occupational Therapy Conference in Ukraine to therapists, medical doctors, psychologists, and other health care providers on the role and use of play in occupational therapy. Taira is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and is an international member of the Ukrainian Society of Occupational Therapy. She is dedicated to the global expansion of the occupational therapy profession to be recognized worldwide. She plans to continue to be apart of the advocacy, research, and education of SPD to be acknowledged by all medical professionals. “Therapy should be fun! My goal for every session is to see a child smiling and laughing while simultaneously reaching therapeutic goals.”
Taira@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Betsy Corwin
MS/OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Betsy is passionate about working with children and families. She received her Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 2002. She has worked in a wide variety of settings including schools and outpatient therapy. She has extensive training in a variety of techniques to address sensory processing disorders, play, and child development. She recently earned a certificate in Sensory Integration from the University of Southern California by completing over 100 hours of course work studying theory, assessment and intervention. She is also trained in Therapeutic Listening, the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, The SOS Approach to Feeding, Handwriting Without Tears, and Rhythmic Movement. Outside of work Betsy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to the beach and National Parks, and taking fitness classes such as yoga and spinning.
corwin_37@yahoo.com
Mackenzie Utz
M.A., CCC-SLP (Speech Therapist) – Mackenzie received her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Science and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University. She has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, private practices, and skilled nursing facilities, and has experience with children ages 3 and up. She has experience in augmentative and alternative communication, speech and articulation, language, social pragmatics, dysphagia and stuttering. Mackenzie loves collaborating with parents and other professionals to best meet her client’s needs. Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, she worked as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapist with children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
mackenzieutz@outlook.com
Stephanie Mason
OTD, OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Stephanie received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University along with her Bachelor’s degree, majoring in health sciences and minoring in disability studies. She completed her doctoral experience at United Methodist Children’s Home where she delivered sensory-based intervention to children in school and outpatient settings whom had experienced trauma and/or an adverse childhood event. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a classroom aide at OSU’s Nisonger Early Intervention Program. Her most recent experiences include working as an OT in early intervention and at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Pavilion where she promotes her patient’s regulation through emotional, behavioral, and sensory support strategies. Her professional interests include early intervention, sensory processing, pediatric behavioral/mental health, and neuro rehabilitation. In her personal life she enjoys spending time outside with her family, gardening, and doing projects around her house. She is passionate about supporting her clients and families with meaningful intervention and education to best promote their independence and pleasant engagement in everyday activities!
stephanie@sensorysolutionsohio.com
Jocelyn McKinley
OTD, OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Jocelyn is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but moved to Columbus where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology at The Ohio State University. She stayed at OSU (go Bucks!) to earn her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, with a specialization in pediatrics in 2019. Jocelyn has worked in the outpatient pediatric setting ever since, as she has a passion for childhood development and motor learning. During her time at Ohio State, Jocelyn wrote a capstone on social skills intervention for children with autism, and she has had the opportunity to implement her findings by leading social skills groups during her doctoral experience at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. For the last 3 years, she has worked at Memorial Pediatric Therapy, working with kids ages newborn to 18 years old with various diagnoses such as developmental delays, genetic conditions, cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and more. Jocelyn has a passion for helping kids improve their sensory processing skills and play skills through fun and creative interventions! Other areas of Jocelyn’s expertise include feeding therapy, constraint induced movement therapy, visual processing intervention, and handwriting and fine motor interventions. In her free time, she likes to go hiking and spend time outdoors with her husband and their new baby boy!
Lindsey Stamper
MS/OTR/L (Occupational Therapist) – Lindsey loves helping children reach their potential with compassionate care and family collaboration. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her master’s degree from San Jose State University. Lindsey has over 18 years of experience as an OT in schools, pediatric clinics, and early intervention. She has training in Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol, reflex integration, yoga and mindfulness for children, assistive technology, and various sensory techniques. She is a certified yoga instructor and provider of TimberNook nature play experiences. Lindsey is a mom of two boys and has seen the benefits of sensory-rich play for her own children and those she works with. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature and traveling with her family.
Tonia Messmer
COTA/L (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) – Tonia works as an Occupational Therapy Assistant after graduating from Marion Technical College and is a Mom of 4! Her oldest son is 17 and on the autism spectrum and she loves helping families navigate the often-rough waters of diagnosis, development, and therapies. Because of her personal journey with her son, Tonia understands how exciting reaching milestones, big and small, can be! She currently works in the clinic and in pediatric home health and loves both settings. Her professional interests include sensory strategies, parent education, social skills development, and motor development. Outside of work she and her husband spend a lot of time watching their kids participate in sports all over the country.
