Hello! I’m Rhonda Shockley, and I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Feeding Foundations Speech Therapy as a pediatric occupational therapist! I bring 15 years of experience to this role, having earned my Master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2010. I am a nationally certified and state-licensed occupational therapist, earning my national distinction and emphasis in pediatrics early in my career. Throughout my journey as an occupational therapist, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of populations including autism, developmental disabilities, and physical limitations. My passion for supporting infants and families, especially around feeding and early development, was significantly shaped by my own journey. Witnessing my own babies struggle with early development, and observing similar challenges among friends and family members, truly underscored the profound impact these early experiences have and my desire to deepen my expertise. These personal insights compelled me to seek certification in infant massage, directly identifying physical barriers and providing a gentle, yet powerful, way to address underlying tensions and restrictions in an infant’s body that directly impact their ability to latch, sustain feeding, and grow and develop appropriately. Therapeutic infant massage is invaluable in preparing the soft tissues before a revision, supporting post-procedure healing, and feeding re-education to families. I’m particularly passionate about family support-recognizing that a holistic approach involving the entire family unit is vital for both the infant’s development and the caregivers’ well-being. I’m excited to continue to serve families within the community and look forward to collaborating with you!
