Professionals Database

Kelli Heinemeier, M. Ed.

Kelli@CleverCogs.org

ABOUT ME:

With 18 years of dedicated experience in education, I, Kelli Heinemeier, M. Ed., recognized a common thread: bright children encountering challenges, leaving parents in the dark about how to help. Through my roles as a teacher and licensed educational therapist, I witnessed the frustration and helplessness parents felt while advocating for their children.

Upon earning my Master of Education in Special Education and becoming a TEA-certified Educational Diagnostician, the narrative shifted. As I tested students for learning disabilities, I began providing parents with answers that made everything 'click.' Suddenly, parents understood the reasons behind their child's struggles, fostering hope and narrowing the gap between them.

Motivated by the belief that such answers should be readily available to all families, I founded Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services. Our mission is clear: to empower you to build a relationship with your child grounded in empathy and trust. By identifying their areas of struggle and strength, we illuminate a clear path forward. Your child is bright – let's help them shine.

My Testing Methodology:

At Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services, our testing methodology is thorough and nuanced, designed to uncover the complexities of learning disabilities such as dysgraphia. I understand that dysgraphia is not just about difficulty with writing; it encompasses challenges with orthographic processing, visual-motor integration, visual-spatial reasoning, and more. These factors can impact various subject areas beyond writing, including math and reading.

Orthographic Processing: This involves the ability to recognize written words and letters and is critical for spelling and word recognition. Difficulties here can affect a child's ability to learn new vocabulary and read fluently.

Visual-Motor Integration: This refers to the coordination between visual perception and motor control, essential for writing. Challenges in this area can make writing tasks laborious and frustrating, impacting overall academic performance.

Visual-Spatial Reasoning: This is the ability to understand and remember the spatial relations among objects. Difficulties with visual-spatial reasoning can affect not only writing but also subjects like math, where spatial understanding is crucial.

Broader Academic Impact: Dysgraphia can influence other areas of learning. For instance, a child struggling with visual-motor integration may also find math challenging due to difficulties with aligning numbers and performing calculations. Similarly, orthographic processing issues can affect reading fluency and comprehension.

By using a comprehensive battery of assessments, including the WJ-IV, WISC-V, CTOPP 2, and FAR, I can pinpoint specific areas of difficulty and strength. This detailed understanding allows me to develop targeted intervention plans that address the root causes of a child's learning challenges.

My Experience, Qualifications, and Approach:

As an educational therapist and certified educational diagnostician with over 18 years of experience, I have extensive training and expertise in addressing writing difficulties and dysgraphia. My approach is rooted in multi-sensory and cognitive-weakness-targeted intervention methods, specifically those developed by the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD). Having experience as both a classroom teacher and an educational diagnostician gives me a unique insight into gathering data and writing reports that are meaningful for intervention and help move a child forward with confidence.

Training and Certifications:

• NILD Level I Educational Therapist License: This certification equips me with the skills to provide structured and multi-sensory interventions that are effective for students with dysgraphia.
• Special Education Certification (EC-12): This allows me to diagnose and support a wide range of learning disabilities, including written expression disorders.
• Educational Diagnostician Certification (EC-12): This certification enables me to administer comprehensive assessments, such as the WJ-IV, WISC-V, CTOPP 2, BEERY VMI, and more to accurately diagnose dysgraphia and other learning disabilities.
• Neuhaus Methodology Training: I have implemented dyslexia interventionist training by focusing on Basic Language Skills.

Teaching and Professional Experience:

• Director of Center for Learning Development and Licensed Educational Therapist (July 2019 - July 2023): I provided interventions based on NILD principles and administered various assessments to diagnose learning disabilities. I also facilitated meetings with families to discuss testing results and create individualized intervention plans.
• 4th and 5th Grade Teacher, Technology Support (August 2017 - June 2020): I created and developed a STEM program and supported staff with dyslexia, special education, and behavioral strategies.
• Special Education Team Leader and Teacher (August 2008 - June 2014): I led the Special Education team and provided targeted support for students with dyslexia within resource classrooms.

Texas Education Agency Teaching Certificates:

• Educational Diagnostician (EC-12)
• Educational Therapist License (NILD Level I)
• Special Education (EC-12)
• English as a Second Language
• English Language Arts and Reading (8-12)
• Languages Other Than English: French (EC-12)
• Generalist (EC-4)
• Core Teacher (K-6)