What is unique about Carolina Kinder Development…

We don’t just treat “the neck” or “the head” or “the development,” and never have!

We began as a small practice in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2006 devoted to baby head shape and neck issues (torticollis, plagiocephaly, and brachycephaly). We are highly experienced with cranial band treatment and also seek to understand the underlying reasons of head shape, not all infants need a cranial band. In addition to physical, occupational, and speech Therapy, baby classes and cranial bands, we offer a helpful infant development video series. This multi-part series is specifically designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the challenges of head shape and neck issues and educate about the variety of other topics such as tummy time, side lying & baby equipment (swings, carseats, etc).

 

Our team includes highly specialized physical, occupational, and speech therapists:

Susan Klemm Carolina Kinder Development

Susan Klemm, MS, OTR/L, Founder

Susan founded Carolina Kinder Development in 2006 to offer a holistic approach to the head shape and developmental needs of infants through the early years. She has been a licensed occupational therapist since 1996. Susan has advanced training in Myofascial Release (MFR); Craniosacral Therapy (CST); torticollis; cranial band theory and use, and trauma-informed care of the premature infant.  She has extensive training in Anat-Baniel, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), and kinesiotaping and Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT). She has presented at state and national conferences and is the fourth author on a research article in the Journal of Maternal and Child Health titled “Infant Positioning, Baby Gear Use, and Cranial Asymmetry.” 

Education: B.S. Civil Engineering, Purdue University.
M.S. in Occupational Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Courtney Graham, PT, DPT, Clinical director

Courtney has been a licensed physical therapist since 2011 and is the clinical director at Carolina Kinder Development. She has received continuing education in Myofascial Release (MFR), torticollis, cranial band theory and use, Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), infant massage and state regulation, Anat-Baniel and postural mechanics and associated motor patterns in pediatric populations (Massery Approach) and Wolf and Glass Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Infancy. Trained in Craniosacral Therapy (CST).

Education: B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science, University of Mississippi
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Maria Stephens, OTR/L, Senior Therapist

Maria has been a licensed occupational therapist since 1994 and has worked in home health, acute and outpatient rehab and orthopedics. She has a focus in pediatrics and extensive training in torticollis, Myofascial Release (MFR), Tummy Time Method (TTM), cranial band theory and use, autism, the AEIOU approach to feeding, sensory processing disorders, Handwriting Without Tears (HWT), Total Motion Release (TMR) and Wolf and Glass Feeding; and Swallowing Disorders in Infancy and Functional Assessment and Remediation of Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs). Trained in Craniosacral Therapy (CST).

Education: B.S. in Occupational Therapy, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee

Stacy Conder, PT, Senior Therapist

Stacy has been a licensed physical therapist since 2000. She has extensive continuing education and training in areas including torticollis, Myofascial Release (MFR), cranial band theory and use, kinesiotaping, manual therapy, and sensory processing. Trained in Craniosacral Therapy (CST).

Education: B.S. in Physical Therapy, University of Toledo in consortium with the Medical College of Ohio

Brianna Wyatt, PT, DPT

Brianna has been a licensed physical therapist since 2017. She has specialized in pediatrics and has training in early intervention; torticollis; delayed acquisition of gross motor skills; and cranial band theory and use. She also has experience with post-operative orthopedic and neurological physical therapy.  She has extensive experience in working with children in the home environment. Trained in Craniosacral Therapy (CST).

Education: B.S. in Exercise Science, minor in Psychology, University of South Carolina. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Wingate University 

Marie Brainard, MS, OTR/L
Marie has been a licensed occupational therapist since 2017. She has extensive continuing education and experience in sensory related conditions, development delays, social skills, and sensory processing.  She has a strong foundation with working with infants and their families and is receiving training on torticollis, cranial band theory and use, developmental sequences and positioning, infant massage and state regulation.  She has training in Integrated Listening System, AEIOU Approach to pediatric feeding, Handwriting without Tears and Jeanetta Burpee’s Sensory Integration Intensive.

 

Education: B.A. in Psychology, minor in Human Service and Dance, Elon University. Master of Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. 

Millicent Dalzell, PT, DPT

Millicent has been a licensed physical therapist since 2017. She has advanced training in early intervention, delayed acquisition of gross motor skills, developmental delays, torticollis, cranial band theory and use, Myofascial Release (MFR), and the use of integrative yoga in therapy sessions. She has extensive experience working in the home and clinic environment.

Education: B.S. in Neuroscience, Centenary College. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Andrews University.

Sarah Virginia “Ginny” Shipman, MA, CCC-SLP

Ginny has been a speech language pathologist since 2018. She has experience working in pediatric home health, pediatric private practice and schools. Her clinical experience focuses on early childhood language, articulation disorders, pragmatics, AAC, aphasia, voice and pediatric feeding. She has training in PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), MBSImP (Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile), autism, IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative), C.A.P.E. (Connecting, Augmentative/Alternative communication, Partner training, Education) and is completing training in TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues).

 

Education: B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Central Florida, Minor in Psychology from University of Central Florida, M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Central Florida.

 

Sarah Flowers, PT DPT

Sarah has been a licensed physical therapist since 2019. Her main area of expertise is in early intervention, working with conditions such as delayed acquisition of gross motor skills, developmental delays and torticollis. She has training in cranial band theory and use and Myofascial Release(MFR). She has extensive experience working in the home environment.

Education: B.S. in Exercise Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Doctor of Physical Therapy, East Carolina University

Please click here to read more about our close partnership with Ballert Orthopedics for cranial bands and orthotics.

© 2023 Carolina Kinder Development

It's a lifestyle video

Devoted to infant development and prevention and treatment of torticollis, plagiocephaly and brachycephaly.