Billings Clinic Pediatric Therapy is a comprehensive outpatient program that provides diagnosis, treatment and referral services for children birth to age 18.
We are here to help children become as independent as they can in order to be successful out in the community, at school, at home, in play and in social interactions.
Billings Clinic Pediatric Therapy evaluates and treats diagnoses including, but not limited to:
For children in need of therapy services, a team approach is often the most effective way to address their needs. Our team of trained, professional therapists include:
These therapists have special training in pediatrics.
Krista Bakkedahl, PT, DPT
Krista Bakkedahl, PT, DPT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Krista received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND in 2008. She began her career in Seattle, WA at an outpatient private practice working with both children and adults. She joined Billings Clinic to provide Pediatric Physical Therapy in 2010 at the West End location.
Krista works with children with all diagnoses including genetic disorders, orthopedic conditions, neuromuscular disorders, developmental delays, congenital abnormalities, and cancer-related issues. Some of the pediatric services provided include developmental testing, developmental motor skills acquisition, Torticollis/Plagiocephaly treatment, serial casting for club feet/muscle elongation, Myofascial Release, and Kinesiotaping.
Krista is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Montana Physical Therapy Association, and the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Additionally, she is a member of the Pediatric Muscular Dystrophy Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Billings Clinic. Krista obtained Pediatric Kinesiology Taping certification in 2018.
Catherine Heggem, MS, CCC, SLP
Catherine Heggem, MS, CCC, SLP
Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist
Cathy is a licensed speech language pathologist since graduating from the University of Montana in 2011. She has been providing young adult and adult speech therapy services with Billings Clinic since 2012. She is able to provide assessment and intervention for feeding and swallowing issues, aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, as well as augmentative and alternative communication.
Cathy enjoys working with young adults and adults to improve their cognitive and communicative skills and swallowing abilities. Please feel free to contact Billings Clinic Rehabilitation at 238-5676 if you have any questions about the services she provides or about our adult rehab program. Cathy works on a team including other speech language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists to meet the needs of each client.
Carol Morse, SLP
Carol Morse, SLP
Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Specializes in pediatric feeding and swallow disorders
Carol is a speech/language pathologist employed at Billings Clinic since 2001. Carol's caseload includes pediatric feeding and swallow evaluations (including modified barium swallow evaluations) and treatment. She treats adults as well in feeding and swallowing challenges.
Carol also treats patients with neurological, voice, cognitive, head and neck cancer, expressive,= and receptive language and facial paralysis deficits. She sees patients two mornings a week in the Heights location and three days a week at the west end location.
Carol is a patient advocate in evidenced based treatment, reimbursement and strives to keep abreast on new techniques and strategies to improve patient outcomes. She is also a member of the Montana Speech and Language and Hearing Association where she chairs three committees. Carol is a lifetime member of the American Speech and Hearing Association serving on four national committees.
Kristine Roberts, PT, DPT
Kristine Roberts, PT, DPT
Pediatric Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Krissy received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND in 2006. She began working for Billings Clinic in 2006 working in acute and skilled nursing until transitioning to outpatient in 2010.
In 2008, she began additional training for pelvic floor physical therapy and working closely with urology to help to start the pelvic/women’s health physical therapy program with a focus on adults. She attended further training for physical therapy treatment for pediatric pelvic floor patients through the American Physical Therapy Association in 2015.
Krissy’s focus of pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy includes pelvic muscle imbalances, frequent UTIs, incomplete bladder emptying/retention, incontinence, bed wetting, constipation, and pelvic pain. Treatments include education and strategies on correct bowel and bladder function, proper voiding mechanics and behaviors, muscle control and relaxation, and core and hip strengthening. She has training in use of biofeedback to help improve patient’s awareness of pelvic floor muscle activity. These treatments help children of all ages and all abilities. She has treated infants/toddlers with constipation, potty training toddlers, young children and adolescences. Krissy works closely with other pediatric therapists and pediatric urology to provide a team approach to treating the patient.
Katie Sam, MS, CCC, SLP
Katie Sam, MS, CCC, SLP
Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Katie is a licensed speech language pathologist since graduating from the University of Montana in 2011. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and Montana Speech and Hearing Association and has been providing outpatient pediatric services at Billings Clinic since 2016. She is able to provide assessment and intervention for feeding and swallowing issues, delayed language, apraxia, autism and social language as well as articulation difficulties.
Katie has additional training in the Hanen program autism as well as feeding and swallowing intervention and assessment. Katie is also able to complete objective assessments under videofluoroscopy to assess for aspiration.
Katie enjoys working with children of all ages to improve their overall language skills and swallowing abilities. Katie believes working with a team is of greatest benefit to the child including other speech and language pathologists, occupational, physical therapists, dietitians and physicians.
Tanya Sciuchetti, OTR/L
Tanya Sciuchetti, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist certified in Sensory Integration (USC/WPS SIPT, Certification #3912).
Tanya received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1999. She went on to receive her degree in occupational therapy from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND in 2001. She joined Billings Clinic in 2003 initially providing inpatient occupational therapy to adults in the hospital, but since 2006 has been working with outpatient pediatric patients at Billings Clinic Pediatric Therapy. She has practiced in pediatrics for 14 years with extensive experience in outpatient and early intervention settings.
Tanya has additional training in the Wibarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique, Therapeutic Listening, Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, Handwriting Without Tears, Reflex Integration, Astronaut Training, Kinesiology Taping, Alert Program and Sensory Integration. She obtained her Sensory Integration Certification from the University of Southern California and Western Psychological Services in 2012. In addition, she obtained her Pediatric Kinesiology Taping Certification in 2018.
Tanya enjoys working with all children and diagnoses especially children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, motor coordination problems, and developmental delays. She also works with children who are picky eaters or problem feeders.
If it is purely a sensory based issue of inefficient oral and tactile sensory processing. She is part of the feeding team at Billings Clinic Pediatric Therapy and works with speech language pathologists and physical therapists to best meet the needs of the child. She also provides visual and vestibular assessment and treatment and is able to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests.
Tanya is a member of the Montana Occupational Therapy Association. Additionally, she is part of trauma informed care and Project ECHO (Extension of Community Health Outcomes) at Billings Clinic for children who have experienced developmental trauma.
