Heather
Heather Edwards, MSOTR/L, Director of Therapeutic Services
Cajal Academy is founded on Heather’s core philosophy that children of all abilities should be empowered to optimize their own experiences through an understanding of the science behind their differences, how this fits into the broad spectrum of what it means to be human, and personalized strategies they can use to self-monitor, self-regulate and self-advocate.
Heather came to this philosophy through over a decade of experience with children across the full spectrum of physical, intellectual and social abilities. Heather has deep expertise in sensory integration disorders, including how carefully-sequenced sensory inputs can be used to re-balance neurochemical imbalances affecting learning and emotional regulation. She connects deeply and authentically with children from across the full spectrum of intellectual and physical abilities, finding and fostering the spark that motivates and empowers them each to live their best lives, while deftly identifying practical steps their teachers and caregivers can take to help take challenges out of the way while work proceeds to address them. She is often found commando-crawling through a kid-sized obstacle course of her client’s creation, hoisting a sensory-seeking child through flips in the pool or quietly lying on the floor playing a visually-challenging board game. In short, she meets each child where they are and is a consummate cheerleader for their abilities.
Heather received her Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences, and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England. She has extensive training in sensory integration, visual perceptual development, oral motor/feeding, fine motor/handwriting and motor development. Heather has provided occupational therapy in numerous settings including Birth to Three / Early Intervention, elementary and middle school, and out-patient pediatric services. Currently, she contracts with Angelfish Therapy (Aquatic Therapy) and has a private practice providing pediatric therapy in homes, at schools and other natural environments.
Together with physical therapist Elizabeth Upton Tynan, Heather is also the co-founder of Upwards Pediatric Therapy. Upwards Pediatric Therapy provides Physical and Occupational Therapy services to children of all ages, empowering them to achieve their maximum potential and making a positive difference in their lives, their families and the community at large. Based in Fairfield and Wilton, Connecticut, they provide services for children (infants to 18 years of age) who have physical, neurological and developmental challenges that affect core strength, coordination, learning, motor planning, movement and sensory planning.