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Who We Are!

Way to Grow, LLC is a therapist owned and operated, Pediatric Therapy clinic serving children and their families in the Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe areas of Metro-Phoenix, AZ. Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy services are currently available from birth to age 16 yrs. Currently we provide out-patient, clinic-based services at 2715 S. Alma School Rd., Suite #3. 

Heather, B.S. OTR/L, Owner

Heather Baumgartner is the founder, owner, and supervising Occupational Therapist at 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) and 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 course work, participating in mentorship programs and independent study. Heather is certified in the “Handwriting Without Tears” program, the “Integrated Listening Program” (iLs) and recently became certified as a provider for the S.O.S feeding program (Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Program) through Dr. Kay Toomey. 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, June 2015. Heather also recently received formal training in the “Bal-A-Vis-X” program, Sept. 2016 and 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 dogs, and has a love for decorating, creating jewelry and shopping with her 4 daughters!

Kaylee, MOT, OTR/L

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, COTA/L

Lynsie recently joined the Way to Grow team in August 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 to 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.

Ali, OTD, OTR/L

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!

Liz, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Liz joined the Way to Grow team in August of 2023 as an Occupational Therapist. Liz is originally from Colorado and moved to Arizona after earning her doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) in 2017 from Creighton University. Liz has prior experience working at a pediatric clinic specializing in sensory integration and as special faculty for Creighton University teaching the Children and Youth course. Liz holds a certification in Sensory Integration from USC, Board Certification in Pediatrics through AOTA and is certified in the “Therapeutic Listening Program” (TLP). Liz's clinical expertise and passion is diverse; sensory processing, development milestones, feeding eating and swallowing and infant treatment. In her free time, Liz enjoys traveling, going to sporting events and spending time with her fiancé Bill and her two Boston Terriers, Blackjack and Ace.

Jenna, OTD, OTR/L

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, over the summer 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!

Erin, Team Lead, M.A. CCC-SLP

Erin joined the Way to Grow team in January 2021 as a Speech Language Pathologist. Erin earned her bachelor's degrees in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences (BS) and Creative Writing Poetry (BA) at Arizona State University in 2015. Erin earned her masters in Communication Disorders (MA) at New Mexico State University in 2017. Through her 3+ years experience in clinic based pediatric therapy, Erin has gained experience in evaluating and treating a wide range of disorders and diagnoses. Erin is passionate about early intervention and play based therapy, as well as feeding therapy and articulation therapy. Erin is hoping to further her career by looking into orofacial myology to further her experience with treating and evaluating tongue thrust.

Erin was born and raised in Arizona. In her free time, Erin enjoys reading, writing, cross stitch, gardening, and playing with her dogs. She is very proud that she has had the opportunity to travel to 13 different countries.

Kayleigh, M.S. CCC-SLP & Creative Coordinator

Kayleigh joined the Way to Grow team in June 2021 as a Speech Language Pathologist. Kayleigh earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders (BS) at University of Nebraska Kearney in 2015. She earned her masters in Speech Language Pathology (MS) at Midwestern University – Glendale. Through her 3 years experience in clinic based pediatric therapy, she gained experience in evaluating and treating pediatric speech and language disorder and diagnoses. Kayleigh is passionate about alternative and augmentative communication, social communication, sensory integration in speech and language intervention, play based therapy and feeding therapy.

In her free time, Kayleigh enjoys running and hiking with her fiancé and dog.

Brodi, SLPA

Brodi joined the Way to Grow team in May 2022 as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant. Originally from Southern California, Brodi moved to Arizona in early May of 2022 after graduating college.

Brodi earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Disorders (BS) and received a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certification from California Baptist University in 2022. Brodi has a passion for the autistic community as well as early play-based language intervention, social communication, and phonological disorders. She plans to expand her interests as she works within the Speech and Language Pathology field.

Brodi is excited to be a part of the Way to Grow team and is eager to build relationships with not only those receiving treatment but also with their families. Brodi wants to ensure that everyone's experience at Way to Grow is positive and rewarding.

Brodi was born and raised in Riverside, California. Although Brodi is new to Arizona, she is excited to explore the wonderful things the state has to offer. In her free time, Brodi enjoys playing soccer, drawing, road trips, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Bridget, SLPA

Bridget joined the Way to Grow team in June 2023 as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant. She graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree and received her Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certification in 2022. Bridget is passionate about working with children in a play-based setting. She is excited to be a part of the Way to Grow team and is looking forward to building connections with both the patients and their families. Bridget was born and raised in Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her friends.

Amy, MA, CCC-SLP

Amy joined the Way to Grow team in February of 2024 as a Speech Language Pathologist. Amy earned her bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Speech and Hearing Sciences in 1996 from Indiana University, and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology in 1998 from the University of Iowa. In her 25 years of experience, Amy has worked mainly in pediatric settings, including Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Banner Children’s Hospital. She has taught in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department at NAU, and is currently the Clinical Education Coordinator for the brand-new master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology at Grand Canyon University.

In her free time, Amy enjoys attending her three sons' band, football and volleyball events, as well as GCU sporting events. Someday she hopes to have enough free time to read books, run and make quilts like she did before kids.

Nikkie, Practice Manager

Nikkie joined the amazing Way to Grow team in July 2021 as the Practice Manager. She made the decision to start a career in the medical field in 2005 and has developed an extensive background in many aspects of patient care ever since. She started her journey as a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist and worked her way up to Management in 2007. She opened and managed multiple Urgent Care facilities in her hometown in California before moving to Arizona. Nikkie is excited to be a part of this exceptional group of individuals who love what they do, and she is eager to help ensure that everyone's experience at Way to Grow is a positive and rewarding one.

In her spare time, Nikkie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching her kids play sports and going to the gym.

Stephanie, Billing Specialist

Stephanie joined the way to grow team in November of 2018. Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, she moved to Chandler, Arizona in 1991, at the age of 7, and has made it her home ever since. In 2013, she started her medical billing career journey and 7 years later, she still enjoys behind the scenes work. When she is not at work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her six kids (four girls and two boys) and her three dogs.

Jamie, Receptionist

Jamie joined the Way to Grow team in October 2023! She is one of the receptionists here at the clinic and works eagerly to accommodate our families here at WTG. She is always ready to help patients and parents with any problems they have. She loves to connect with the patients and enjoys making mundane tasks fun! She is currently attending Grand Canyon University and is studying Business Marketing.

Jamie is the daughter of Heather Baumgartner, so she has grown up with this business and seen it grow, and now is honored to be working alongside the WTG team. In her free time, she loves to travel any and everywhere! Her whole family lives in Minnesota so that is her favorite spot to go! She also enjoys hiking and being outside with her sweet dog named Cowboy!

Taylor, Receptionist

Taylor joined the way to grow team in November 2023. Going on year 4 in Arizona, she moved out here from Colorado to finish school. After school deciding to stay a little longer. With a degree in Occupational Health Sciences, Taylor has always loved the medical field as well as helping people in any way possible. Always having a love for children, she is so excited to be a part of not only an amazing team of women but to be a part of the growth of our amazing patients.

In her spare time, Taylor enjoys being with her friends, teaching Barre and snuggling her dog.