Our Team
Elizabeth Schroeder
Occupational Therapist | Co-Founder
An occupational therapist and a foster mother, Elizabeth believes in the power of reckless optimism. She is dedicated to helping children and has a passion for nurturing their growth in a safe and stable environment, particularly kids who have faced trauma.
Over the years, Elizabeth has focused on sensory integration, parent-child bonding, and addressing feeding difficulties while working in various settings: hospitals, orphanages, and foster homes. She has witnessed firsthand how adverse childhood experiences can impact growth and emotional well-being.
As a foster parent, Elizabeth understands the challenges of navigating the system and strives to create a nurturing, trauma-informed home for children. She aims to support both foster parents and children by improving sleep quality, encouraging bonding, fostering a sense of safety, increasing sensory regulation, and promoting a diverse, nutritious diet for optimal growth and development. Together, we can build a brighter future for these children!
Brooke Williams
Occupational Therapist | Co-Founder
Brooke is an occupational therapist, a wife, and a mother of two. She is passionate about helping children with sensory processing issues, developmental differences, and those who need support in their day-to-day activities and routines.
Her interest in occupational therapy began with her younger brother, who has Down syndrome. She observed and participated in his in-home therapy sessions – which sparked her desire to become a therapist.
She employs a holistic approach within a child's daily environment, providing caregivers with opportunities to use skills and strategies on their own. She is particularly interested in working with children in daycare centers, preschools, non-traditional school settings, and home environments to enhance their skills in play, self-care, social participation, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and learning strategies.
Kaci Calhoun
Physical Therapist
Kaci is a physical therapist, wife, mom, and foster mom. She is passionate about helping children move so they can explore and play.
She began working with children with special needs in high school classrooms, which led to her decision to become a physical therapist.
Kaci has worked in both hospital and outpatient settings with a focus in development and post-surgical recovery. She has experience with a variety of diagnoses and mobility needs including Torticollis, Down Syndrome, muscular disorders, as well as adaptive mobility like gait trainers and wheelchairs. Therapy is teamwork. Child first, then everyone who is a part of the child's life: parents, siblings, teachers, therapists, and medical professionals. Therapy should be fun because a child's work is to play!
Emily Catlin
Speech-Language Pathologist
Emily works with children who have various speech and language needs in early childhood programs, schools, teletherapy, and outpatient clinics.
She is passionate about language development, coaching parents, and building strong relationships with students from underserved communities. She aims to create a safe space where students feel valued and ready for the day. From neurodiversity-affirming care to speech sound disorders, she enjoys supporting students on their journey through early childhood and beyond.
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her dogs, traveling, and tackling home projects.
Amy Fuller
Occupational Therapist
Amy is an Occupational Therapist, a wife, and a mom of three boys. She is passionate about helping children and families facing challenges from injuries or health issues.
Her interest in working with children in their everyday environments has grown since becoming a mom. She believes all children should have the chance to learn and play with their peers. She focuses on a child’s strengths and interests to help them grow and engage in activities they enjoy. She considers all aspects of a child's life, including emotional regulation, sensory processing, self-care skills, and social participation.
Amy values collaboration with families and teachers, as they have a significant impact on children’s lives.
Des Graybill
Occupational Therapist
Des is a passionate pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to helping children thrive through play, connection, and confidence-building. She has experience working in outpatient pediatrics with children of all ages and a wide range of diagnoses. She is especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent children as they engage in meaningful, everyday activities that nurture their growth and independence.
She believes therapy works best when it’s a team effort and takes a holistic, family-centered approach that involves caregivers, teachers, and other members of the child’s interdisciplinary team to ensure their unique needs are met across all environments. Collaborating closely with families and professionals allows her to create meaningful strategies that support each child’s success at home, school, and in the community.
Des loves helping kids grow within their daily routines, gain confidence in their abilities, and most importantly, have fun while reaching their goals!
Madison McIntyre
Madison is a new a new Occupational Therapist who loves helping kids grow through play! She has experience in multiple settings, including schools, clinics, and telehealth.
When not at school, you’ll find her exploring Springfield with her husband and new pup, cooking, or sipping coffee.
Madison works with schools in Springfield, MO.
Occupational Therapist
Katy Ruel
Occupational Therapist
Katy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She specializes in pediatric care, supporting children and families across a variety of settings including schools, preschools, virtual learning environments, private outpatient clinics, and telehealth.
Katy is trained in the Get Permission Approach, which promotes positive mealtime experiences, and in DIR Floortime 101, which emphasizes relationships and human connection to support therapy goals — particularly those related to self-regulation and engagement. She has experience working with children of all ages and with a wide range of diagnoses. She is especially passionate about empowering parents through education and strategies that promote carryover at home and school for the best therapy outcomes.
Melissa Wirtz
Speech-Language Pathologist
Melissa is a Speech-Language Pathologist, wife, and mom of two.
She has over 13 years of experience, primarily working with young children who have communication needs in schools. She cares deeply about including everyone and making sure that all voices are heard. Inclusion became personal for Melissa when her son was diagnosed with a developmental delay and a severe speech disorder. She recognized the importance of collaborating with teachers and families to support children's success and how working in a child’s natural setting – alongside teachers, peers, and family – leads to better learning and skill development.
She assists children with speech sound articulation, language comprehension and production, social language skills, fluency, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods.
Join Our Team
We’re hiring!
Seedling Pediatric Therapies of Kansas City is looking for a passionate Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Speech Language Pathologist to join our team. These roles are part-time, with the potential to increase to full-time. This is a unique role that blends the best of all worlds: you’ll provide on-site support in local preschools, charter schools, and private schools while also utilizing our dedicated clinic space for sessions on an as needed basis. You won't just be treating; you'll be collaborating with teachers and parents to create lasting change.
We believe all children and families deserve access to quality therapy services. We aim to increase accessibility by partnering with local preschools, charter schools, and private schools to accelerate skill development by working with the child in their daily environment. We not only treat the child but also communicate weekly with teachers and parents to have a holistic, team-based approach toward their child’s progress.
Contact us below to inquiry!