Meet the Skidamarink Team
As a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, my career has been devoted to helping children with special needs and their families. It has been an incredible privilege to partner with so many families on their journeys, and I truly can’t imagine doing anything else.
My most cherished role: however, is being a wife and mom to two wonderful daughters. Becoming a mom was something I dreamed about since I was little. When our first daughter was born, I was overjoyed—but it soon became clear that she faced unique challenges. Despite talking early, she struggled with other developmental skills and exhibited frequent meltdowns that could last for over an hour. These moments were incredibly difficult—not just for her, but for our entire family.
I tried everything I could to help her. I read countless books, watched parenting shows, and tried popular strategies like “time outs.” While well-meaning, these approaches often backfired, especially when she was in a state of fight or flight. We experimented with different diets and therapies—some helped, but she continued to struggle. After years of searching for answers, we discovered that both our daughters have a genetic disorder affecting their emotional, sensory, and social development, as well as medically.
Her behavior challenges didn’t just impact her—they took a toll on all of us. Simple routines like getting dressed or heading to school became daily battles. I often felt like all I did was fuss at my kids, and my dream of being a great mom was replaced with overwhelming guilt. I even doubted whether I was the right person to guide other parents in managing behavior challenges.
Through this experience, I discovered a new perspective. I began researching and learning from a functional neurologists, shifting my focus to helping children develop the foundational skills their brains need for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Instead of treating delays or behavior challenges as isolated issues, I began looking at their root causes and how to build a more balanced neurological system.
This journey taught me the importance of early intervention and foundational activities, like outdoor play, reflex integration and teaching self-regulation skills, which are essential for brain development. I’ve since helped many children with special needs make gains related to improving their motor, language and social skills, as well as improving their ability to regulate their behavior. Looking back, I feel strongly that these strategies could have made a greater difference for my daughters if implemented during their early years.
I have felt led to share my testimony and what I’ve learned. This website is filled with the tools and resources I wish I had when my girls were little. My hope is to help families navigate these challenges, build strong connections, and support their children’s development from the very start.
Together, we can empower children to thrive—and create more moments of joy for families along the way.
Kendra Worley, OT & Founder of Skidamarink Kids
Ali’s expertise extends to a wide spectrum of speech, language, and feeding disorders, with a special focus on Autism, feeding difficulties, dysphagia, articulation disorders, fluency/stuttering, and language delays. Her certifications in Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS I) underscore her dedication to staying at the forefront of her field. Beyond her professional qualifications,
Ali’s fluency in Spanish enables her to effectively connect with Hispanic children and families, fostering inclusivity and understanding.
She thrives on collaborating with parents, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to support their child’s communication journey at home.
Ali’s infectious enthusiasm reflects her unwavering dedication to championing the potential of every child she encounters. In her hands, each session becomes an opportunity to ignite hope, foster growth, and pave the way for brighter futures, one child at a time.
