Heather Baumgartner is the founder and owner of Way to Grow, LLC. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1995, with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Through the years and scope of practice, she has had a wide range of experience in pediatrics through home health, clinic based, hospital, and school settings. Heather specializes in the treatment of pediatric clients (birth to 18 yrs.) with emphasis on SPD (Sensory Processing Disorders), SI (Sensory Integration), NDT (Neurodevelopmental Theory) and Motor Learning theories. She also has an abundance of experience with childhood development as a SAHM for 10 years while her 4 girls were young and attending elementary school. Heather has also dedicated many hours of study and continuing education to keep up with the latest information on SPD research, autism and pediatric information by attending conferences, completing continuing education courses, participating in mentorship programs and independent study. Heather is certified in the “Handwriting Without Tears” program, the “Integrated Listening Program” (iLs), is certified as a provider for the S.O.S feeding program (Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Program) through Dr. Kay Toomey, and completed formal training in the “Bal-A-Vis-X” program in 2016. She also had the honor and privilege to become an Advanced Level 1 Mentored Clinician in SPD through the mentorship/training program at the STAR Center (Sensory Treatment and Research Center) in Denver, Colorado in 2015. Heather is currently a member of both state (ArizOTA) and national (AOTA) OT associations.

When she’s not working, Heather enjoys time with her husband (Jimmy), and their family either at the gym or going on vacations where there’s warm water and sandy beaches! She also has 2 boxers, and has a love for decorating, creating jewelry and shopping with her 4 daughters!

Ali joined the Way to Grow team in June of 2023 as an Occupational Therapist. After growing up in Chandler, Ali graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Child Development (BS) from Texas Christian University in 2017. She then returned home to earn her doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) in 2021 from Northern Arizona University. Ali has prior experience working at a pediatric clinic, specializing in sensory integration. She has additional training in feeding therapy, emotional regulation, and mental health, along with being a TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Practitioner, for working with children and families impacted by trauma. In her free time, Ali enjoys spending time with friends and family outdoors, trying a new restaurant, or on the couch with the latest show or book!

Kaylee joined the Way to Grow team in May 2022 as an occupational therapist. Originally from Southern California, Kaylee attended Colorado State University to pursue her master’s degree. After completing her coursework in 2016 she began practicing in variety of pediatric settings, working with kiddos ranging in age from birth to 21. Kaylee has additional training in sensory integration, NDT, feeding, and emotional regulation among other areas. She is passionate about working with all children and their families, helping them discover tools to thrive. When she is not working Kaylee enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, or finding a new coffee shop.

Lynsie joined the Way to Grow team in August 2022 as a Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Lynsie graduated with her degree from Pima Medical Institute in 2015 and began practicing at a Sensory Integration clinic shortly after. She has worked with children ages 2-21, with hands-on training and experience in sensory integration and feeding therapy. Lynsie has worked with a variety of different diagnoses and is passionate about helping children and families gain the tools they need to support all aspects of daily life. She has completed a variety of continuing education courses including “Implementing Sensory Integration into Practice”, “The Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters/Anxious Mealtimes” and “Assessment and Treatment of the Baby via NDT”.

In her free time, Lynsie enjoys being outdoors through hiking and paddle-boarding, as well as crafting and spending time with her friends and family.

Jenna joined the Way to Grow team in October of 2023 as an Occupational Therapist. Jenna is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, but moved to Arizona from Louisville, Kentucky in 2018. She graduated from the University of Louisville with her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Jenna earned her doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) from A.T. Still University in 2021. Jenna has prior experience specializing in sensory integration therapy at an outpatient pediatric clinic. She has additional experience in feeding therapy for children of all ages including supporting oral motor skill development in infants.

Jenna welcomed her first son, Cape, in the summer of 2023 with her husband, Nathan, and has been loving seeing the world through his eyes. She enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as traveling to new places!

Narae joined the Way of Grow team in April 2024 as a Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Narae is originally from Seoul, South Korea, but moved to Phoenix from Seattle, Washington in 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Washington in 2015. Narae has prior experience in specializing in sensory integration, emotional regulation, feeding, and trauma for children from age 2 to 18 years old at an outpatient pediatric clinic. She is dedicated to serving children and families to be successful in functional aspects of life to promote their independence in the most meaningful way. Narae recently began to pursue further study with NAU’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program to serve the pediatric population with evidence-based and quality therapy services.

In her free time, Narae values spending quality time with her family and friends, enjoys making and drinking coffee, going on a nature walk, traveling the world and different states, painting, and creating social media content on fine motor activities for children through an OT lens.

Breanna joined the Way to Grow therapy team in August of 2024 as an Occupational Therapist. Breanna received her Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019, and her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from the University of Washington in 2021. Breanna has spent the past five years living in Seattle Washington before moving to Arizona in July of 2024. Breanna has prior experience in outpatient pediatrics addressing challenges in sensory integration, emotional regulation, reflex integration, fine and gross motor skills development, self care, and social skills. In her free time, Breanna loves hiking and traveling, playing with her Mini Australian Shepard, and baking sourdough bread.