Meet Mary Shouse of Optimal Kids in West Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Shouse.

Mary, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my journey working with children and families as a special education teacher in the west valley. I’ve always had an interest in helping others and found that working with individuals with disabilities was my true calling. During my time as a teacher, I worked side-by-side with some amazing occupational therapists and knew that someday I’d want to pursue additional education to be able to not only help my students at school but to help them achieve their potentials in all aspects of daily life. After I graduated with a master’s in occupational therapy, I worked in several settings, including school-based, home-based and clinical therapy with children. I loved the ability to consider and honor the family dynamic in therapy and doing work that challenged me to be innovative when addressing unique needs. The skills I had developed as a teacher complimented my work as an occupational therapist. When working in a clinic setting, it became apparent that many of my clients were struggling with sensory processing challenges about eating. These families often asked how they could find help with increasing their child’s willingness to try new foods, to be less fearful of eating, and to help their child become more flexible with accepting familiar foods that were different. I became trained in a program called Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding and saw the clients I worked with developing new skills around eating. I love it! Along the way, I began therapy sessions with a few clients with Tourette Syndrome. These families inspired me to increase my professional learning and I became a provider of a behavioral therapy called Comprehensive Behavioral Interventions for Tics, or CBIT. I now use my skills as an occupational therapist to help children and adults with Tourette Syndrome better manage their tics and learn self-advocacy skills. I also volunteer as the Youth Ambassador Coordinator for the Arizona chapter of the Tourette Association of America and encourage teens to share their personal stories with Tourette Syndrome, while helping to bring hope to others. I truly love the work that I do every day!

Has it been a smooth road?
Deciding to start my own business and branch out on my own has had its challenges. I am the founder and only therapist in my company, which means that not only do I get to do the parts I love, planning and implementing creative therapy interventions with clients and families but that I must also do the day-to-day managerial aspects of my business. Each day is a learning adventure, and I am finding more and more that the very best way to master anything is by doing, which is the same philosophy that I use with my clients. A growth mindset has been my friend through this entrepreneurial journey, and I infuse this mental outlook in all that I do.

We’d love to hear more about your compnay.
My company, Optimal Kids, is an in-home and teletherapy therapy business that provides occupational therapy, feeding therapy, and CBIT therapy to kids, and adults. Because my work is done in the family’s home, I have a chance to see what life looks like on a day-to-day basis and make sure that the goals of therapy matter to everyone involved. When a client signs on with me, they have the opportunity to fully participate in therapy with their child while learning new ways to encourage, support and understand their child on the way to making progress. I specialize in combining behavioral therapy for Tourette Syndrome with techniques to address co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and dysgraphia. I am the only CBIT provider in the state that provides in-home therapy. My company uses innovative techniques, such as the use of biofeedback to help clients and families learn about and manage their brains and bodies during therapy. I am proud of the holistic approach I use as well as the results my clients have achieved by combining therapy with fun that capitalizes on their interests and needs!

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Phoenix and especially the west valley suburbs such as Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye and others are a great place for therapy businesses. The latest Centers for Disease Control statistics report that about 1 in 59 children have been identified as having autism spectrum disorder, and there is a lack of qualified occupational therapists in the state, particularly in Phoenix. Many families are on waiting lists to receive the therapy they need. If someone was starting, I would highly recommend them forming a practice to serve the families in this area.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.optimalkidsaz.com
• Phone: 623-628-7806
• Email: mary@optimalkidsaz.com

Image Credit:
Jodi Lynn Photography

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