As a healthcare professional, I recognized early on that my son needed help. I advocated for him to receive therapy services from the time he was six months old. When he turned three and we saw little to no improvements I knew there was something missing. I had a light-bulb moment after seeing great improvements from our daily park outings where I helped him learn how to navigate the equipment. Having a background in Kinesiology & Occupational Therapy spurred my late-night research into how movement changes the brain and affects neurological conditions. I studied with the best educators & researchers in evidence-based neurological treatments, brain balance, movement, and primitive reflex integration. Once I implemented a treatment style combining all of the above with my son, we saw significant, objective changes in a short span of time.
My 7 year old child was not pointing at objects yet; couldn't jump with two feet; had zero attention and couldn't watch TV; and didn't even understand what the toy aisle was at the store. In a matter for months, his gross motor skills soared, language improved, and his understanding of the outside world began to grow. He was now jumping, hopping, skipping and climbing; talking in two+ word utterances and pointing to tell me what he saw; he watched an entire movie and laughed at the funny parts, and even picked out toys for his birthday.
Movement changes the brain. It grows connections that develop areas in order for higher level learning and executive function skills to emerge. Once a child's gross & fine motor skills improve, their ability to navigate the world improves, opening up the possibility for learning, language, emotional regulation, and more.
We know that neurological change occurs through repetition. Traditional therapy models only see clients 1x/week. For best outcomes, we know children need more. Our online program has children completing specific, easy-to-follow, neurologically-based movements 5x/week. This is why we started Brain Connex Therapy and continue to help families worldwide see changes in their children.
The mission of Brain Connex Therapy is to improve as many lives as possible through empowering clients, parents/caregivers, and professionals with knowledge in brain development and organization using a neurological, movement-based approach, while passionately learning from continued research in functional neurology to continuously improve treatment methods for optimal function for our clients.
Kara Rice, MOT, OTR/L, creator of Brain Connex Therapy, is a life long learner with over 17 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist; over 32 years as an athlete and movement-lover; and 10 years as a special needs mom. She has trained extensively in the areas of sensory integration, bi-lateral integration, childhood reflexes, movement-based learning, nutrition, brain hemisphere integration, and several MNRI courses.
Reflex Integration Specialist
Trained in Melillo Method™
Certified in Safe & Sound Protocol and FOCUS systems
Certified in Interactive Metronome™
Movement Specialist:
BS in Kinesiology
Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Barre3 Instructor
Studied Egoscue Method
Additional training & study with Dr. Harold Blomberg, creator of Blomberg Rhythmic Training; MNRI reflex integration; BioIndividual Nutrition with Julie Matthews and the works of Sally Goddadard Blythe, Bonnie Brandes, M.Ed, & Brain Gym.
She graduated with a degree in Kinesiology from University of Illinois and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University. Kara spent the beginning of her career treating adults with neurological conditions before transitioning to children. Once her son demonstrated significant developmental delay and subsequently diagnosed with autism, Kara switched gears in her career and solely focused on pediatric neurological treatment. She specializes in a root-cause treatment approach to neurological developmental delays and symptoms.