All of the therapists at Blazing Prairie Stars are AHA level 1 and/or level 2 certified in Hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. At Blazing Prairie Stars, we integrate many other treatment tools into our practice to create the most effective treatment plan for your child.

Therapy plans are designed by the therapist based on your child's individual needs. We specialize in pediatrics, including those with autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, sensory intergration dysfunctions, those with learning challenges, etc.

Using a combination of tools has shown to be the most effective in meeting goals. Some of the many other areas our therapists specialize in include:

• Family Based Intervention / coaching
• Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
• Positioning and postural supports and orthotics, including Theratogs®
• Feeding and Swallowing strategies
• Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) method
• Sensory Integration & Processing
• Therpeutic Listening®
• Language differences, including pragmatics, expressive/receptive language, articulation, etc.
• Vital Stim®
• Handwriting Without Tears®

Physical Therapists

Using a combination of tools has shown to be the most effective in meeting goals. Some of the many other areas our physical therapists specialize in include:

• Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
• Positioning and postural supports and orthotics, including Theratogs®
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
• Facilitation of strength and endurance
• Sensory Integration & Processing

Occupational Therapists

Many of our occupational therapists also provide treatment in the following areas:

• Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
• Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) method
• Sensory Integration & Processing
• Therpeutic Listening®
• Handwriting Without Tears® and fine motor development, including adaptations (i.e. splinting)
• Sensorimotor strategies for regulation (i.e. ALERT©)

Speech Therapists

Many of our speech therapists also provide treatment in the following areas:

• Language differences, including pragmatics, expressive/receptive language, articulation, etc.
• Vital Stim®
• Feeding and Swallowing strategies
• Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) method
• Alternative Communication Methods, including Picture Exchange (PECS), sign language and cued speech.

Mental Health Therapists

Allen Weimer, M.S., LMFT, LCPC is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. He earned a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. He provides individual, family, and group therapy at Blazing Prairie Stars and facilitates Super Sibs, a therapy group for children who have a sibling with a disability. He specializes in children and adolescent therapy and has a special interest in working with families. He also has a background in working with teens to help build coping and interaction skills to address common challenges in peer and family relationships. He is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Sandra Kakacek, LCPC is a counselor at Kane County Regional Office of Education for the truancy/dropout prevention program and a professor at Roosevelt University. She also maintains a private practice in LaFox and is an individual, group, and marital therapist and her specialties include depression, abuse, PTSD, and Aspergers. Her background includes teaching and supervising of special education programs. Dr. Kakacek is a member of the American Counseling Association.