Heidi L. Clopton, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Therapy Director and Owner of Centers of Development, Pllc
Co Owner and Founder of Center of Vision
Co Founder of Rising Above Ministries
Contributor & Editor “Sensory Processing Anthology “
Center of Development Clinic Two Locations
1445 East 10th St. Main Therapy clinic
Autism Clinic 400 Dubois Rd.
Cookeville, TN 38501
931.372.2567 Main Office
TherapyDirector@developmentaldelay.net
www.developmentaldelay.net www.drclopton.com
University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center Award for Outstanding Occupational Therapy Alumni in the past 35 years.
Educational & Work History
December 1998~ Graduated with Highest Honors from UT Memphis Occupational Therapy Program.
December 1998-August 1999~ Lead Occupational Therapist on the Physical and Nutritional Management Team Orange Grove Center, Chattanooga, TN
August 1999-July 2008~ Independent Contractor and LEAD OT for Warren, Van Buren, Macon & White County Schools, TN Early Intervention System, and private clients supplying occupational therapy evaluations, consultations, and treatments in school and home environments.
July 2002 to present~ Owner and Therapy Director of Centers of Development, Pllc in Cookeville TN. Centers of Development, PLLC is a private therapy clinic supplying OT, PT, Vision, AAC, Feeding, Speech & Language therapies in clinic.
2015- Editor & co-author for “Sensory Processing Anthology” – A Comprehensive Guide for Parents & Caregivers of Sensational Kids
2020- Opened a dedicated Autism Clinic, second location providing the only comprehensive ABA- OT- Speech- AAC- Feeding- PT treatment team in the Upper Cumberland.
I am owner, Therapy Director & Lead OT for the largest and most comprehensive therapy team in the Upper Cumberland region. We have over 25 therapists providing medical based therapies in clinic, home and school locations.
We supply amazing therapies for awesome kids!
Center of Development is on facebook, Instagram and You Tube
Fieldwork Coordinator & Adjunct Professor Roles
I serve as an adjunct professor for: London University, UT Memphis, ETSU, Nashville State, Roane State, TN Weslyn, TN STATE University, Belmont, Medical University of SC, University of Alabama
Adjunct Professor in SPED Dept for TTU
Lectures & Presentations related to Occupational Therapy
December 2022- Presentation to UC DCS on Strengths Based OT Recommendations to Support Neurodivergent Learners 2 hours
December 2022- Presentation at Autism Support Group on How OT can benefit Autistics & Neurodivergent learners. 2 hours
April 2022- Presented a Radio Talk Show on Therapeutic Benefits of Pets
September 2015 ~ Presentation to YMCA Breast Cancer Survivors “Thriving after Cancer- Nutritional & Exercise Therapy to beat Cancer”
July 2015- Keynote Speaker with the Australian College of Behavioral Optometry ACBO 12 hours of lecture regarding Feeding the Brain, Brain Ready State for Learning, Therapy Tips and Tricks to Help Learners
March 2014 ~ 1 hour presentation to TEIS Service Coordinators “When to Refer for Pediatric Therapies”.
September 2013 ~ Presenter at Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association yearly conference “Feeding the Brain for Neuro-Therapy” 3 hour lecture.
September 2012- Article in STRAD magazine “How to Teach Autistic Kids”
May 2012~ Presenter along with Conductor Dan Alcott for the Georgia State Conference regarding sensory processing and brain ready approaches to teaching musical instruments & techniques for teaching children with special needs.
April 2012 ~ Presenter at Neuro-Optometric Rehab annual conference 2 hour lecture “Feeding the Brain for Optimal Neuro-Therapy Results”.
March 2012~ Key note speaker for Upper Cumberland health and wellness support group.
August 2011- Founder, creator and Presenter for Rising Above Ministries on including special needs children, accommodations and supports needed called “For Jonathan’s Sake” workshop.
September 2010 ~ Presenter at the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference 2 hour lecture “Food and Feeding the Brain”.
April 2010 ~ Presenter for local YMCA “Sensory Motor and Sensory Processing Skills”.
May 2010 ~ Presenter locally for “Using Engagement and Floortime Techniques for clients with ASD”.
January 2010 ~ Presenter for Upper Cumberland Women’s Conference on “Feeding the Brain”.
November 2009 ~ Presenter to local honors classes at High School on “What is Occupational Therapy”.
September 2009 ~ Presentation on Sensory Processing for Adults and Children for local therapists and parents.
April 2009 ~ Presenter for Upper Cumberland Mom’s Group on Visual Processing, Sensory Processing, and Nutrition.
March 2009 ~ Presenter for Tennessee Early Intervention System on the role of Occupational Therapy in the home and day care environment.
May 2008 ~ Co-presenter with Dr. Jason Clopton to local therapist on “Sensory Integration for Optometry”.
May 2008 ~ “Vestibular Rehab” course given to local therapists in community.
April 2008 ~ “Is it Sensory or Behavior” course given to teachers locally.
March 2008 ~ Presenter to Upper Cumberland therapists and parents with local Nutritionist on “Sensory Feeding Disorders that Cause Picky Eating Habits”
March 2008 ~ Presenter at the annual Special Needs Resource Fair on “Sensory Processing Disorders and Nutritional Needs for a Child with Special Needs”
February 2008 ~ Presenter to local Moms Groups regarding “Fine Motor and Sensory Motor Development and Occupational Therapy for Children”.
January 2008~ Presenter for Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association Upper Cumberland Region on “Sensory Processing Across the Populations” to members of the TOTA.
October 2007 ~University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center Award for Outstanding Occupational Therapy Alumni in the past 35 years.
October 2007~ Guest Professor for TTU Special Education class lecturing on “Sensory and Fine Motor Development and Treatment”
February 2007 ~ Presented “Sensory Integration and Fine Motor Development for Teachers and Parents” for community.
June 2006 ~ Presenter at the Annual Autism Conference at Lee University on “Sensory Processing Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders”
Additional Certificates and Trainings
~Autism & ADHD Certification with PESI 2023
~Advanced course certification with SOS Approach & Feeding Therapy PESI
~Completed Pediatric Myofascial Release course work with MFR/John Barnes
~Calming an Overactive Brain certificate of completion 2023
~Certified in Reflex Foundations in Vision Therapy & Advanced Primitive Reflex Integration Training Course PESI
~Certified in Floortime and Engagement Therapy Techniques for the child with communication disorders and issues with social bonding and ASD 5 day course.
~Certified in Therapeutic Listening for Auditory and Vestibular Integration Treatment 2 day course.
~Certified in READY Approach for treatment of Sensory Processing Disorders 1999 and 2010 re-certified.
~Certified in Wilbarger Protocol for Tactile Defensiveness
~Certified in Level One for NORA (Neuro-Optometric rehab association)
~Certified in Positioning and Seating Evaluations
~Certified in Beckman Oral Motor Evaluation and Treatments
~Certified in Handwriting Without Tears & Sail Away Programs
Community Service:
~Volunteer & assistant for Adaptive Tennis in UC
~Sensory Calming room director for all Night to Shine events yearly in UC
~Inaugural “Hall of Hero’s” Volunteer award March 2011 with Rising Above Ministries.
~President of the Advisory Board for Rising Above Ministries 2011
~Founder, Creator & Presenter for Jonathan’s Sake Workshops training churches on inclusion for special needs.
~Children’s Leader for Rising Above Ministries serving children with special needs in the Upper Cumberland.
~Host and presenter for monthly “Hope’s Rising” Support Group
~Co-Founder of Rising Above Ministries www.risingaboveministries.com
~Co-founder and co-leader for LISTEN Support Group for Caregivers of Special Needs Children.
~Volunteer and co-founder of Cookeville Children’s Museum and on “Mommy and Me Spa Night” Board of Directors.
~Founder and director of annual Hero’s Ball- a formal dinner event in which families with special needs children are honored with a dinner, professional pictures and dance.
~Active volunteer for “By the Brook” Mom’s retreat for female caregivers of special needs yearly.
~Children’s Director yearly for a special needs Vacation Bible School.