Sarah Ziemba, MA, CCC-SLP/L

CEO

Speech-Language Pathologist & Developmental Therapist

Sarah founded Shine Therapy Services in 2011. She has been a provider of speech therapy services in the Early Intervention system since 1999. Sarah has provided services within the Early Intervention System since graduation, first with a multidisciplinary non-profit agency where she was trained alongside a variety of therapists to learn about treating the whole child. In 2005, Sarah began seeing clients independently through Early Intervention in their natural environments. Sarah was also employed in the Early Childhood (3-5-year-olds) Program at Peoria Public Schools for 2 years, which gives her a unique perspective into the transition process for Early Intervention. Sarah’s favorite part of her role as an SLP is working with families/caregivers as well as other professionals to enhance therapies and improve a child’s skills. As CEO, her mission is to provide a supportive work environment for therapists so they can continue doing the job they love outside of a corporate environment. She also loves creating new programs within Shine to better serve the community. Sarah is the mother of three wonderful teenagers who keep her busy outside of work. She enjoys reading, home improvement projects, and traveling with her family.

An 8-week program for children age 4-5 with sensory processing differences

Children with sensory processing differences have difficulty with regulation, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to interact with the world around them. Our Sensory Explorers group targets regulation in order to build engagement! This group is led by pediatric occupational therapist Mackenzie Baldock and developmental therapist/PLAY Project Consultant Brenna Thompson, both of whom specialize in using developmentally appropriate strategies to support children so they can learn new skills. Group meets once/week for 60 minutes.

Wondering if this class is appropriate for your child? Some characteristics of kids who benefit: easily frustrated with play, repetitive play, difficulty sitting/keeping still to engage in play, refuses to allow others to engage in play, unable to be messy, overly busy, quickly overwhelmed in a busy environment, picky eater, difficulty tolerating grooming/dressing/diapering routines, struggles with transitions/following a group plan/routine. 

Goals of the group include:

  • Child participating in a variety of sensory play activities
  • Engaging socially with others in the group
  • Providing a non threatening environment where children can experience new sensations with the support of a pediatric Occupational Therapist and PLAY Project consultant
  • Providing personalized resources to caregivers, so they better understand the sensory system and learn strategies to assist their child with regulation outside of group
  • Opportunity to meet with other local families
 
 

GROUP MEETS for 8 weeks:  Caregivers must stay on the premises to support their child and learn helpful strategies. Children will separate from caregivers for the session; caregivers can socialize at our coffee bar in the lobby (we will also provide a few toys for siblings to play). Caregiver education is a key component of this program. 

 

OPTIONAL Summary Report available at close of session. This 2 page report will summarize your child’s participation in the class and provide helpful sensory strategies to increase their participation in activities. This report could be given to teachers in classrooms & daycares or utilized to help educate other caregivers about ways to help your child participate. This option includes a 30 minute Zoom meeting with Brenna and MacKenzie to review the report and discuss your child’s progress in Sensory Explorers. COST: $100 due at sign up