Makenzie is a compassionate occupational therapist dedicated to serving the pediatric population. She has worked with children facing conditions such as developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy. She excels in creating individualized, play-based interventions and collaborating closely with caregivers. Her skills also include fostering client-driven goals, promoting community integration, and ensuring safety through de-escalation techniques. Makenzie is passionate about empowering families and helping children achieve meaningful milestones.
Originally an Idaho native, Makenzie’s passion for occupational therapy began during her six years caring for a young boy with Down syndrome and autism. This unique role gave her valuable insight into the caregiver and family dynamics within therapeutic relationships. Makenzie has a unique background with experience in multiple roles. She worked as a direct support professional, where she served individuals with disabilities by fostering client-driven goals, encouraging meaningful participation in activities, and promoting integration into their local communities. This role strengthened her skills in client advocacy, activity planning, and holistic care. She also has experience working as a respite caregiver for a young girl with Down syndrome. She helped the child develop independence by facilitating functional, meaningful goals and encouraged communication through basic sign language.
Makenzie has managed pediatric caseloads in outpatient and inpatient settings, while
designing and implementing interventions for children with developmental, physical, and
mental health conditions. She has worked with many diagnoses, such as developmental delay, SPD, Down syndrome, ASD, ADHD, CP, and non-verbal learning disorders. During her time in an inpatient setting in a psychiatric hospital, she saw patients with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ODD, anorexia, and schizophrenia. Furthermore, she collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, developed caregiver education programs, and created play-based treatments tailored to each child’s individual needs.
In her most recent role, Makenzie provided therapy to children from birth to 17 in their natural environments- including homes, schools, daycare settings, and ABA centers. She conducted evidence-based evaluations and developed patient- and family- centered treatment plans grounded in meaningful occupations and play. Her work included creating individualized sensory diets and home programs, educating caregivers on regulation strategies, and supporting fine and gross motor development across varied diagnoses such as ASD, SPD, ADHD, IDD, hereditary spastic paraplegia, specific learning disorders, and Patau syndrome.
Makenzie was fortunate to have spent 18 months on an ecclesiastical mission in the Philippines, where she served local communities and developed strong interpersonal and cultural competence. Now residing in Durham, NC, with her husband and their two dogs, Makenzie is eager to build meaningful relationships with children and their families, striving to make a positive and lasting impact through her work.