Family Tree Therapies Podcast

We welcome Mary Bourke, a chiropractor and CEO of Myo Munchee!  The Myo Munchee is a tool that is shaped like a mouthguard, with a handle attached, the mouthpiece is soft, but durable, with lots of silicone prongs, which massage the teeth and gums. Chewing enhances the strength of jaw and mouth muscles to assist in optimal oral health and function. Just like any part of the body, the jaw and facia...

Meet Lora Wonderly! Join Stacy & Terri as they discuss all the frequently asked questions that parents usually bring to us when we suggest an evaluation of tethered oral tissue. Dr. Wonderly & her office are a welcoming, well-trained team that does a fantastic job educating parents and performing this procedure. You can find out more about Dr. Wonderly at: www.orourkeandwonderly.com &...

In this episode, join Stacy and Terri as they talk with the Director of Education at Buteyko Clinic International, Patrick McKeown. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Member of the Physiological Society (UK), a Member of Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Breathing and Health. He is an educator and author of several books, includi...

Today Stacy and Terri introduce Jessica Crafton, an OT at Family Tree Therapies and her sweet daughter, Nora. Jessica has decided to share Nora's journey through orthotropic dentistry and we are so so glad she did! We are going to follow Nora so that parents become aware of this VERY important issue - sleep disordered breathing and healthy orofacial growth! Thank you Jessica for sharing your...

Join Stacy & Terri as we introduce Dr. Mike Mew! Dr. Mew is an orthodontist that practices in London. He is the son of professor John Mew. They are well known for their work with "Orthotropics" which is a facial growth guidance system that results in straight teeth, wider palates and a more patent airway. Dr. Mew is extremely generous with his knowledge and shares a history of why he...

Meet Debra Beckman! Where to start with Debra and all of the amazing work she has done and contributions to the field of speech pathology. She joins Stacy & Terri today to discuss her work, how it began and how she continues it. She has worked across the lifespan from birth to 99 and has implemented her own protocol to aid babies through adults with improving their oral facial muscle function...

We are proud to introduce Diane Bahr, a speech and language pathologist, feeding therapist and Certified Infant Massage Instructor.  She has over 40 years experience in the field working with infants through adults with communication, feeding and speech challenges. She has written several books (linked below), has an amazing website with tons of parent friendly resources and is a speaker & edu...

Dramatic headline? We don't think so - meet Dr. Karen O'Rourke. She is a dentist that specializes in "orthotropics" which is a treatment that focuses on guiding the growth of the face. Why is this important in our little ones? Because the growth of the face, placement of the jaw and tongue and eruption of teeth all help to stabilize an open, patent airway. As we know, breathing...

Join Stacy & Terri as they discuss nasal breathing patterns and the importance of the tongue and all that it does for breathing, posture, speech and feeding! Check out this book which is one of our new favorites:  Breathe by James Nestor

Join Terri & Stacy as they discuss the role vision plays in developing motor and communication skills. Understand the role vision plays in note taking and memory here!  

Join Terri and Stacy as they provide support for the current "homeschooling" situation that we are currently finding ourselves in! Do you need guidance, support or just a shoulder to lean on while we navigate these new waters? Listen in, download the helpful handout to help you see your role as a "homeschooling parent" in new ways. Download our Parenting: Communicating with Con...

Welcome to Family Tree Therapies Online School! We are excited to be bringing the best of Family Tree online with video content. Our starter program is Parenting: Communicating with Confidence. Our parent educator and speech pathologist, Stacy Pulley, brings to you the best of her 22 years of clinical experience and 16 years of being a mom! We are excited to be able to reach those families that ca...

Join Stacy as she breaks down how "being curious" is an art to be mastered in any difficult conversation but especially in our relationship with our children. She describes specific steps to take in being curious and then discusses how to modify our language so that no matter the age of our child, this strategy will work! 

Stacy and Terri introduce a new program at Family Tree Therapies in both our Rockford and Grand Rapids locations. We will be offering Occupational and Speech therapy screenings for those children ages 2-6 with parental concerns with meeting developmental milestones. 

Join Terri and Stacy as they discuss the importance of understanding baby equipment - how to use it and how/when to avoid it. Our children have to experience their bodies in a variety of positions for proper development of movement patterns, bones and muscles. We develop our vestibular system and visual system through movement. Development of these systems lends itself to optimal states of regulat...

Join Stacy and Terri as we discuss what is a "big emotion" and how do we hold a successful space for these feelings while teaching kids that all feelings safe. We need to remain calm, loving, attentive and confidently in charge. We do not need to step into their tantrum with them. 

Join Terri and Stacy as they discuss the topic of screen time and how it affects development in children. This is a challenging subject for most as we move into a more digital world. How do we find balance and why do we need to? Listen in and get more information on the importance of limiting screens when are children are young and setting respectful boundaries as they age. Check out the link to t...

Join Stacy and Terri as they explore children with feeding and eating challenges. We will discuss important terminology and how picky eating presents emotionally and physically in children. We will also touch on things to avoid and things to remember during mealtime! Here is the link to our favorite feeding chair, The Upseat!

Join Terri and Stacy as they discuss anxiety in children. What does it present like? What will we see, hear and experience from our kids when they are demonstrating anxiety? What does it look like in their communication style and what would we see in their bodies? We discuss our methodology and how we would address it in therapy in addition to giving you therapeutic strategies proven to help! Hand...

Join Stacy and Terri as they discuss an important concept that every parent needs for themselves and their children...SLEEP! We introduce strategies to get to sleep and stay asleep as well as how to assess and modify the environment for deep sleeping. Stacy will discuss establishing a nasal breathing pattern at night (and during the day as well) can lead to improved sleep and overall regulation of...

Join Terri and Stacy as they discuss how chores are helpful and necessary in growing your capable, cooperative, intrinsically motivated little human. We discuss the "why" of chores along with breaking chores down into their steps, the skills needed to complete chores and the value of partnering with your child. We reference an important article on partnering with your child and what that...

Join Stacy and Terri as they explain all of the skills you can work on while doing a basic parenting activity...reading with your child! All kids love books, love being read to and basically making it part of their nighttime routine. Now you will learn all of the subtleties that go into reading WITH your child, not just to your child - and can watch vision, fine motor and language skills grow and...

Join Stacy and Terri as they will discuss the value of presuming competence in our children. We describe movement differences and why its crucial to understand the motor planning challenges that our kids experience. We will talk about why its important to see their behavior and development through this lens. We offer a look at how this mindset can grow connections and bring us closer in our relati...

Join Terri and Stacy as they discuss the neuroscience behind communicating with neutrality and trusting kids with emotional information. How do we say "no" kindly, firmly and understanding that there is great benefit to doing so? Teach your kids safety, boundaries, security and problem solving by being kind and firm and allowing them to create experiences around emotions that are thought...

Join Stacy and Terri as they break down the use of visual schedules for kids. When would we use them at home and in therapy and how are they helpful? We give the basis for using them and identify common challenges at home that they would assist - as well as how to fade your support and grow a more independent, successful child!