Tracy Murnan Stackhouse, MA, OTR is the co-founder and executive director of Developmental FX (DFX) in Denver, Colorado, a non-profit organization providing clinical and training services to engage and elevate pediatric therapeutic practice. She is a leading pediatric occupational therapist (OT) involved in clinical treatment, research, mentoring, and training regarding OT intervention for persons with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Fragile X Syndrome and autism. Tracy has a Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University and found her work with Eleanor Gilfoyle pivotal in her training. She has a master’s degree in developmental psychology/ developmental cognitive neuroscience from the University of Denver and was grateful to work with Dr. Sally Rogers during her research training. She is NDT trained, and SIPT Certified with advanced autism training including DIR/Floortime, TEACCH, and the Early Start Denver Model. Tracy also has training in craniosacral therapy and myofascial release, as well as Therapeutic Listening and Porges’ Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). Most recently Tracy has been focused on incorporating trauma-informed care, Theraplay, and interpersonal neurobiological/relationship-based approaches, as well as Germer and Neff’s self-compassion into her work.

Tracy was the clinical specialist in sensory integration at The Children’s Hospital in Denver as well as the OT for the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. Tracy continued her clinical and research work with Dr. Randi Hagerman at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute during its start-up year. Tracy has written several book chapters on sensory integration and neurodevelopmental disorders and teaches nationally and internationally on sensory integration, autism, Fragile X, and related topics. Tracy enjoys mentoring and spends many hours a month mentoring clinicians from around the world to improve their clinical reasoning skills. Tracy is the originator of the SpIRiT Model, an extension of the STEPSI that was the original fidelity model for sensory modulation written with colleagues Julia Wilbarger and Sharen Trunnell at Children’s Hospital Colorado. These models are utilized in OT practices around the globe and included in the model at Camp Jabiru in Australia. The tools are shared through the ‘Spirited Conversations’ Podcast as well as through DFX’s training platform, Learning Journeys. Tracy has ongoing courses offered through Medbridge and iLS/Untyte (remote training use of the Safe and Sound Protocol). Tracy is a member of the National Fragile X Foundation Clinical Research Consortium, the Scientific And Clinical Advisory Committee, and the NFXF Advisory Council, and an expert advisor to the CDC and RTI Fragile X Priorities Panel.

Susan joined the DFX staff in summer 2020 and is responsible for development, communications and grant management. She loves working with this team and being able to tell the story of how DFX is impacting the lives of so many children and families. Susan brings over 16 years of experience in assisting nonprofit organizations with development, communication strategies, and best practices. From 2020 through April 2023, she served on the board of Resilience1220, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health support to youth in the mountain areas west of Denver free of charge. Prior to joining DFX, she worked with the Rocky Mountain Brainspotting Institute (RMBI), a professional association of psychotherapists based in Boulder, and was executive director of Ovation West Performing Arts from 2011 – 2019, where she helped manage the growth of the organization and developed partnerships with nonprofits throughout the community. Susan and her husband recently moved to Wallingford, Vermont, and will be spending any spare time settling into their new home and exploring the area.

Christina Murphy recently joined DFX as the Finance Manager. Originally from New Jersey, she has over a decade of experience managing finance and operations for different New Jersey charter schools. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from The College of New Jersey and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. In her free time, she enjoys caring for her two large dogs and learning about holistic nutrition.

Lindsay grew up in Northeast Ohio and received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from The Ohio State University. Lindsay knew she wanted to be an OT from the time she was in high school when she began babysitting for a child with developmental delays who would later receive an Autism diagnosis. Since then, Lindsay has enjoyed working with a wide range of children and teens to help them reach their potential.

Prior to joining the DFX team, Lindsay has worked as a member of several multidisciplinary teams specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorder, emotional/behavioral disorders and feeding problems. She also worked in a private clinic under Dr. Kay Toomey and specialized in feeding difficulties in neurodiverse learners of all ages. Lindsay continues to travel and present The SOS Approach to Feeding course several times a year.

Lindsay has completed an Intensive Mentorship Program in Sensory Processing and Integration and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider. When not working, Lindsay enjoys practicing yoga and hiking with her son Sam.

Developmental FX’s “therapy that fits” model works hand in hand with Erin’s core belief that children are part of family units and it is important for the whole family to be seen and valued throughout the evaluation and treatment process. Erin received her degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University, is SIPT certified, and is trained in the iLs Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). She has worked at Children’s Hospital Colorado and privately in rural mountain communities, school, clinic and home environments. Erin coordinated a summer camp and ski program for children with sensory processing difficulties bringing together efforts of Children’s Hospital and the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. She also worked as a wilderness course director at the BOEC where empowering outdoor activities are provided and adapted for people of all abilities. She has extensive continuing education in the areas of sensory integration, sensory modulation and processing disorders as well as topics related to consultation, social emotional development, and giftedness. Erin has a dance background and continues to teach preschool and primary dance classes as well as Pilates reformer lessons for adults. The need for movement and joy is universal as well as the ability to pursue your areas of passion and work towards accessing your highest potential. Erin considers her own children to be her greatest teachers. As a family they enjoy the arts, exploring the outdoors and love to travel.

Kelsey graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BA in Psychology before receiving her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. Kelsey began her career in Chicago working with pediatric clients in the home and outpatient clinic settings. Upon moving to Denver, she worked in the early childhood program at Cherry Creek School District. During a continuing education course in which Tracy presented the SpIRiT, Kelsey knew she wanted to understand the material at a deeper level and needed to be part of the DFX team. Kelsey is passionate about learning and increasing her capacity to support her clients to the best of her ability. In addition to her knowledge of various treatment approaches, Kelsey has completed advanced training in Dr. Stuart Shanker’s Self-Reg curriculum, iLs/Unyte’s Safe and Sound Protocol, and DIR®/Floortime™ Kelsey and her husband recently moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family. She is grateful to continue to be part of the DFX team from afar in her new role as the DFX Learning Journeys Program Coordinator/ Lead. Kelsey also provides telehealth based services, consultations, parent coaching, and looks forward to seeing clients in the St. Louis area soon.

Rachel is originally from Fort Collins and attended Colorado State University before receiving her Master’s Degree from Dominican University of California in the Bay Area. She has always felt a special connection with kids and finds great joy in fully understanding and empowering her clients. Rachel is an adventure and nature enthusiast at heart and loves to be outside and exploring the mountains. She loves spending time rock climbing, snowboard and with traveling with her family and friends. Rachel is an early bird, and greets each morning with a yoga session and an oat milk cortado before taking on the world!

Rebecca grew up in the Chicagoland area where she found a love and joy for working with children through teaching, volunteer work, and at her summer camp in Wisconsin. Her love of play and helping people translated into a career in Occupational Therapy. Rebecca studied at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY where she got her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy. With a love of nature, Rebecca moved to Colorado to begin her career in Occupational Therapy. Rebecca has a passion for working with people and helping them live to their fullest potential. After participating in an intensive Sensory Integration fieldwork in Newton, MA, Rebecca developed a passion for learning and digging deeper into this specialty of pediatric Occupational Therapy. Over time in the field, Rebecca has gained additional training in areas including Learning Without Tears, SOS Approach to Feeding, the Alert Program, iLs/Unyte’s Safe and Sound Protocol and DIR/Floortime Level 1 Training. Rebecca loves being part of the DFX team and wholeheartedly believes in the “Therapy that Fits” approach when working with children and their families. She has a passion to continue to learn and grow everyday while working with the amazing team at DFX. For fun, Rebecca enjoys going on hikes, cooking, exploring new places, listening to live music, and hanging out at home with a cup of tea.

Meade is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides psychological and neurodevelopmental evaluations, counseling for children and their families, and consultation services to therapists and schools. Meade joined the DFX family in 2014 and has expanded her role within DFX to include lead psychologist, wrap-around coordinator, and clinic team leader. Meade appreciates the collaboration between disciplines within DFX and DFX’s commitment to truly understanding each individual client and the best ways to serve him/her.

Meade grew up in Centennial, Colorado and she completed her graduate training at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL. Meade was part of their innovative child and adolescent treatment program. She completed her clinical internship at the Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis, MN. Meade has worked in a variety of clinical settings including public and private schools, outpatient community mental health clinics, and in private practice. When Meade is not working, she and her husband are busy keeping up with their two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking the dog, cooking, practicing yoga, and exploring the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

Hannah Mellman is passionate about empowering children through communication development!

Hannah most recently served as a speech-language pathology instructor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she provided assessment and early intervention services for families in the community, and participated on an interdisciplinary autism diagnostic team at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Prior to joining faculty at Anschutz, Hannah was a fellow in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program at JFK Partners. Her research and educational interests include language development, autism, and naturalistic and community-based intervention.

Hannah is a certified Hanen More Than Words and It Takes Two to Talk instructor, and is trained in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT). She received her master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of Colorado, and her bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.

In her spare time, Hannah can be found playing ultimate frisbee, attending live music events, enjoying the mountains, or spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Natalie comes from a rowdy family of six and because of this lifestyle she knew she wanted to help others and work with children. Following in her siblings’ footsteps, she attended Michigan State University earning her bachelors degree in Kinesiology; it wasn’t coincidence that she came across the field of Occupational Therapy. After achieving her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, Natalie and her partner Alan moved to Colorado. You see, it was written in the stars for her to foster the development and livelihood of others in the field of Occupational Therapy as well as live in a state full of sunshine and adventure! The stars continue to align as Natalie blossoms in knowledge, experience and joy alongside the team at Developmental FX. Natalie loves utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques and craves finding what works best for each individual and their families; meeting the clients where they are and finding that ‘just right challenge’, the therapy that fits! She values that learning is a lifestyle, in addition to this she also fits in puppy snuggles, laughter, yoga and outside time with family and friends. Utilizing an evidenced-based practice, creativity and smiles can define Natalie’s treating style, she is excited to work with you – come say “Hi!”

Emily is a Midwesterner from Cleveland, Ohio who now enjoys living in the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado. She was previously an Intervention Specialist in Lakewood City Schools (Ohio). Inspired by her youngest brother, Jake, who has made great gains by attending occupational therapy services over the years, Emily returned to school and graduated from Cleveland State University in 2017 with a masters in occupational therapy.

Emily is passionate about working in pediatrics and considers herself a lifelong learner. She has been practicing for three years and has experience in early intervention, inpatient rehabilitation (geriatric), and outpatient settings. Emily enjoys working with people with a variety of disabilities. She is certified in the SOS Approach to Feeding and enjoys taking continuing education courses in order to promote her knowledge base and apply evidence-based interventions during treatment sessions. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, cooking, baking, family and friend time, and finding a local coffee shop to enjoy.

Adrianna is an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist coming to DFX with 4 years of experience in schools and determined to continue her journey of professional growth in a new setting. She is passionate about supporting children and adolescents to find ease, comfort, happiness, and fulfillment in their lives by helping them be more independent and engage in activities that are meaningful. Adrianna has experience working with children/adolescents with a variety of abilities and diagnoses ranging from autism, ADHD, to Prader Willi and TBI, verbal and nonverbal. She hopes to make a lasting impact on the lives of those she works with and make therapy a POSITIVE experience for children and families. She received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California, where she received in-depth courses on sensory integration using the Ayres Sensory Integration model. In her free time, Adrianna enjoys spending time outside walking to parks in her neighborhood, yoga, roller skating, swimming, and trying new restaurants!

Jennifer is a Colorado native and a graduate of CU Boulder where she received a B.S. in Business/Finance. She spent her early career at Baxter Healthcare in their Financial Development Program and later at Johns Manville as a Senior Financial Analyst. She joined Developmental FX at a pivotal moment in 2006, and quickly became an indispensable member of the leadership team. As Director of Finance & Administration and member of the executive committee, Jen oversaw the financial and daily business functions, always aligning the organization’s growth with our mission driven goals. In her free time, Jennifer stays active outdoors (regardless of the weather), gains daily inspiration from her husband, daughter, and son, loves cooking, and is always dreaming of the next new place to explore. Jen retired at the end of June 2022 but remains connected to DFX as founding, and grounding, member of the leadership team.

Sarah, fondly known as “Mouse,” co-founded Developmental FX with Tracy Stackhouse. She has a Master’s Degree from the University of Montana in Speech Pathology. She has worked in the fields of Fragile X Syndrome and neurodevelopmental disorders for more than 30 years. Mouse retired in December 2018, but her spirit and energy remain an important part of everyday life at DFX.

As a pediatric occupational therapist with more than 35 years of experience, Alice added significant expertise for our occupational therapy team. Her years as a feeding specialist and her understanding of feeding challenges had a significant impact on all our clinicians. After retiring in 2017, Alice now lives in Seattle.