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Heather Simpson, OTR/L

Heather Simpson graduated with a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Early Education from the University of Florida in 2007. Following her Bachelor’s degree, Heather received a Master’s in Occupational Therapy, in 2009, from the University of Florida. Since completion of graduate school, she has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient neurology, inpatient physical rehabilitation and pediatric rehab. Currently, Heather splits her time between Shands Rehab at UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration and Shands Rehab for Kids at Magnolia Parke.
Heather provides occupational therapy evaluations and treatment for patients seen in the Ataxia clinic and Muscular Dystrophy clinics. She also evaluates and treats a variety of other movement disorders diagnoses including Parkinson’s, Parkinsonisms, Dystonia, Essential Tremor and Tics/Tourette’s Syndrome.
Heather has received specialized training for LSVT BIG ® and Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).

North Central Florida Tourette Syndrome Support Group Awareness Month Activities

May 15-June 15 is designated at the national Tourette Association’s Tourette Awareness Month. During this time, parents, kids, teachers, physicians, EVERYONE is encouraged to support awareness and break the stigma of tic disorders and Tourette syndrome. The North Central Florida Tourette syndrome Support Group participated in several events…

Tourette Syndrome and Challenging Behaviors in School

Those affected by Tourette syndrome (TS) face a unique set of difficulties at school. In addition to facing the challenges with the motor or vocal tics themselves, the co-occurring conditions that are often associated can make the school environment very challenging.  Often times, students with TS and…

Ringing in 2017 with Tourette Syndrome

“New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery.” (1) Sarah Ban Breathnach Setting New Year’s Resolutions…

Backpack Organization Tips for School Success with Tourette Syndrome

Isn’t it fun having to shop for new school supplies with binders, paper, pens and pencils? Starting out with good intentions of keeping an organized locker, desk or backpack is something that we all strive for when we start out the school year.  However, when a student has Tourette syndrome,…

Tourette Syndrome-It’s not what you think it is

(Tourette Association Iceberg, 2016) On July 6th, the Tourette Association of America shared this new image of what exactly is Tourette Syndrome.  How powerful is this? What do you think?   So, what does this mean? Well, what you might see on the…

Tourette Awareness Month 2016

May 15- June 15, 2016 is Tourette Association of America’s National Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to promote unity, awareness and support for those with Tourette Syndrome and their families. This is recognized nationally and is promoted at each Center of Excellence within the Southeast. Please visit the Tourette…

Physical Activities and Tics

We already know the many benefits of exercise on our health, including: Improved physical health Decreased stress Improved mental cognition However, with tic disorders, exercise has been proven to be effective in two other aspects as well. First, in a study completed by Nixon, Glazebrook, Hollis &…

Structure and Tourette Syndrome

Strategies for Home Success with Tourette Syndrome Do you ever feel like you are struggling with your child’s transition from home after school, or after a friend’s house? Have you ever said the words, “ I can’t seem to calm my son down” or “my daughter is all over the…