Kristan Weisdack, Ed.D, LBS, CIMI, CMHIMP
Holistic Behavior Intervention Expert
Kristan is the Founder and CEO of BehaviorWorx of Southwestern Pa. Over the last 18 years, she has worked in the mental health field, specializing in autism and behavior intervention. Kristan’s professional experience has helped her understand the causes of behavior are often rooted in nutrition, allergies, undetected vision issues, and problems that occur early on in life. We have worked with parents, service coordinators, OTs, PTs, SLP’s, nutritionists, behaviorists, teachers and many other mental and behavioral health professionals to shift their practice to a holistic approach. Hear what they have to say! Credentials: Licensed Behavior Specialist, Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider, Licensed Brain Gym Movement Facilitator
Mandy Keckler, OTR/L
Mandy has been an OT since 1998, when she graduated from The Ohio State University. For more than two decades, she has specialized in pediatrics and has extensive experience in treating children with ASD, sensory processing disorder, feeding challenges, developmental disabilities, and more.
Mandy is currently a Core in Training with MNRI® and is passionate about the foundational and holistic approach to therapy. Good Roots OT uses a combination of reflex maturation and sensory integration techniques to get to the root cause of dysfunction.
About MNRI®
MNRI® or the Masgutova Method, created by Dr. Svetlana Masgutova, is a comprehensive and unique set of programs that address neurosensorimotor integration. This involves working at the brainstem level with primary reflex patterns, which are foundational for development, protection, and survival. These reflex patterns are seen in utero, then mature and integrate through birth and typical development. However, when the brain and nervous system experience trauma, illness, injury, or intense or prolonged stress, dysfunction may occur. This may present as learning challenges, developmental delays, unhealthy responses to stressors, and more. MNRI® brings maturation at the brainstem level for protection and survival by integrating primary reflex patterns and associated functions of sensory processing, motor output, emotional responses, memory, and learning.
How is MNRI®different?
Currently, most therapeutic methods use a cortical (top-down) approach, requiring the client to respond and engage on a conscious level. However, if the client is stuck in stress and protection at the brainstem level due to physical or environmental stressors, these approaches may have limited outcomes. MNRI® uses a subcortical approach of reflex integration, which addresses the problem at its roots and builds on the neuroplasticity of the brain. This facilitates natural recovery, strengthens the nervous system, provides stress resilience, and positive protection responses.
Child looks down while woman smiles.
Every behavior is communication.
It can be tough to deal with behavior. Perhaps your child is biting, hitting, kicking, spinning, running into walls or climbing on everything.
Hands stacked on top of one another.
Understanding the whole child is important.
We pride ourselves on taking the time to sit with you and collect comprehensive background information to get to the heart of the problem.
Ariel view of city, river and bridge.
It takes a village.
When you become a part of our community, we offer you ongoing support through a variety of resources that are continually added.