Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Batman.
Hi Heather, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Thank you so much! I am thrilled to share my story. Let’s see. I have been an occupational therapist for over 20 years working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) specializing in feeding, swallowing, and neuropromotive care.
I am a certified neonatal therapist, obtained my advanced board certification in pediatrics, am certified in neonatal touch and massage, am a NIDCAP-trained professional, and hold numerous certifications and training in feeding and developmental therapy to improve long-term outcomes for infants and children born premature.
While working in the NICU, I also co-created and managed a high-risk follow-up clinic for a large children’s hospital system dedicated to following the outcomes of NICU graduates. During this time, I heard from parents how hard it was to find the care needed to support their baby’s feeding and developmental needs once they were discharged from the NICU. While the high-risk clinic was there helping this vulnerable population, there were still barriers to care: a long drive, high insurance deductibles and expensive copays making the needed care too expensive, and a lack of direct communication with providers beyond appointment times.
Then I had a baby with feeding and developmental challenges, and I came face to face with all those same barriers: long drive, long wait lists of up to 6 months, expensive care, and a significant lack of professionals who truly specialized in this area and understood our unique challenges.
Knowing there was a barrier to care in my community led me to create Beyond Preemie, PLLC. Beyond Preemie is Houston Heights’ premier tiny baby program offering neonatal and pediatric occupational therapy focusing on infants and children born prematurely. We understand the unique needs of this vulnerable population and strive to help every child reach their full potential through the critical first five years.
Beyond Preemie’s services include oral motor and feeding therapy, picky eating, developmental intervention and motor skills, a follow-along program for NICU graduates, and a professional development program for therapists interested in this focused area and who want to advance their practice.
At Beyond Preemie, we partner with parents. We believe in family-focused care and understand that parents know their little ones the best. We offer support, guidance, and resources to ensure the best possible outcomes. And yes, every parent has my cell phone and email, so they can call, text, or email me with any questions. I love what I created with Beyond Preemie, and I love supporting my community.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the obstacles and challenges make this journey even more special. There is so much behind-the-scenes work. I am a phenomenal neonatal and pediatric OT. Still, I am new at being a small business owner, web design, marketing, social media, and putting myself out front. As an introvert, putting myself out there on a larger scale is my most challenging area.
But at the end of nearly every day, I sit back and think, I have created this amazing company from the ground up. I know every part of this company I have created. I cannot wait to see what I am capable of doing tomorrow!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Beyond Preemie?
Beyond Preemie is Houston Heights’ premier tiny baby program focusing on infants and children born prematurely. Our neonatal and pediatric occupational therapists offer comprehensive expertise and advanced training and certifications in the assessment and treatment of oral motor, feeding, and developmental disorders in infants, toddlers, and children with complex medical conditions.
At Beyond Preemie, we understand the unique needs of this vulnerable population and strive to help children reach their full potential through the critical first five years and beyond.
Our services include:
Feeding Therapy:
Picky eating, oral ties, feeding and swallowing skills, teaching positive feeding engagement, advancing feeding skills from bottles to table foods, expanding food repertoire, failure to thrive, protective feeding behaviors, oral aversion, tube weaning, and self-feeding skills.
Developmental Intervention:
Developmental delay, plagiocephaly, torticollis, motor skills, manual therapy, rib cage, and shoulder girdle development, myofascial and trigger point release, and infant massage.
Neurodevelopmental follow-along program:
This program is specifically designed for infants and toddlers born prematurely. Our follow-along program is tailored to support and advance the overall long-term development of premature infants, encompassing cognitive, problem-solving, sensory, communication, motor, and social-emotional skills.
Professional Development Services:
Beyond Preemie also offers professional development services for therapists interested in this focused area or those wanting to advance their practice.
What sets us apart? I believe our focused advanced area of practice, level of expertise, direct access, flexibility, no waitlist, supportive environment, personal journey, and our caring, compassionate, family-focused model make Beyond Preemie unique.
I am most proud of being here to help my community, to help families who are on their personal feeding and developmental journeys, and to know they do not have to navigate this journey alone.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I have learned along my journey is having faith to see and follow the path before me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beyondpreemie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_preemie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondpreemie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-batman-beyond-preemie/
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@beyond_preemie
