Avatar

All Posts by

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).

Sleep Difficulties with Tourette Syndrome

Getting to bed and falling asleep can be difficult for a child with Tourette Syndrome (TS). It has been estimated that as many as 80% of patients with TS have sleeping difficulties. This can be for a variety of reasons including: Increased time it takes to fall asleep secondary to…

Strategies for Homework Success with Tourette Syndrome

Completing homework after school can be difficult with those children who suffer from Tourette Syndrome. Tics, themselves, can create difficulties with school work, but the comorbid conditions of attention difficulties, learning difficulties and/or compulsions, homework can be even more difficult. A lot of children tend to be “wired” after school…

How to get involved with Tourette Association of America (TAA)

The Tourette Asssociation of America (TAA)  is a great resource for families, children, adults, educators and physicians for education on Tourette Syndrome diagnosis and treatment.  The TSA is actively involed in adovating for those who struggle with TS.  Our goal, as a clinic, is to serve closely…

School Organization Strategies for Student’s with Tourette Syndrome

Children with Tourette Syndrome can demonstrate a number of limitations in school secondary to executive functioning deficits, attention deficits or the tics themselves. As a result of these challenges, children can demonstrate aggravation, poor school grades and increased stress/anxiety. One of the most common school limitations related to Tourette Syndrome…

Parkinson’s Disease and Muscle Rigidity

Muscle rigidity (also known as muscle stiffness) is one of the four cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is often one of the chief complaints of patients with PD. Muscle rigidity can have an effect on a patient’s ability to complete daily activities including getting dress, brushing their teeth, or…

Tourette Syndrome and Work Modification

People who struggle with tics and Tourette Syndrome, are not only children. Adults can have tics as well. Tics can present throughout adulthood in a small population of those with chronic tic disorders, such as Tourette Syndrome. As an adult with Tourette Syndrome, problems can arise in situations such as…

Bullying Prevention with Tourette Syndrome

As with any diagnosis that would set a child apart from their classmate, having Tourette Syndrome can unfortunately make your child a target for bullying. Some possible signs and symptoms of bullying can include (but are not limited to): –          Increase in frustration –          Not wanting to go to school…

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month Walk

Please join the Gainesville/Lake City Support Group in supporting the national Tourette Syndrome Association Annual Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month What: Short walk to support national walk Where: Meet at first floor café at OSMI When: Thursday, June 12th at 5pm Who: You and your loved ones What to expect: –        …

Dysgraphia and Handwriting Difficulties related to Tourette Syndrome

Dysgraphia is defined as difficulty with handwriting (as seen above), regardless of the student’s ability to read.  Dysgraphia is not always related to an intellectual disability.  Handwriting can appear distorted or very difficult to read.  Dysgraphia typically is present around initial stages of learning to write.  In…

Gainesville/Lake City Support Group for Tics/Tourette’s

It is here… With the help of community members and staff, we are pleased to share that a Tic/Tourette Support Group has been formed in the Gainesville and Lake City areas.  The meeting times and places will vary, so please contact Heather Simpson or…