Kathleen A Hinderer, PhD, MS, MPT, PT
Executive Director, Michigan Abilities Center
Dr. Kathy Hinderer is a physical therapist who has devoted her life to serving those with special needs of all ages and abilities for over 35 years via clinical care, teaching, research, and co-authoring several chapters in leading rehabilitation textbooks. Kathy has considerable clinical experience treating a broad spectrum of disabilities across the lifespan, using a holistic approach. She completed a fellowship in developmental pediatrics and has been providing Hippotherapy services for over 10 years. Kathy incorporates a variety of effective therapeutic strategies along with Hippotherapy to achieve meaningful functional outcomes. She serves as Executive Director of the Michigan Abilities Center and Heritage Hill Haven in a voluntary capacity.
Dr. Kathy Hinderer’s professional training and accomplishments include:
- Obtained her BS in physical therapy from University of Michigan, Masters of physical therapy (MPT) & MS degrees from University of Washington, and a PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan Center for Human Motor Research.
- Completed a fellowship at the University of Washington in developmental disabilities and is certified in neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), sensory integration (SI), and hippotherapy (AHA). She has also completed additional post-graduate training in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), Rood, motor control theory, manual therapy, muscle extensibility, strengthening, and endurance.
- Completed extensive graduate studies & continuing education courses in numerous fields that impact rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, rehabilitation medicine, psychology, kinesiology, biomechanics, motor control, motor learning, human performance, ergonomics, research design, precision teaching, and applied behavioral analysis.
- Co-authored several professional publications including 4 chapters in leading rehabilitation textbooks (objective and standardized evaluations, strength assessment, research design, myelodysplasia), a SCI treatment manual, and a seminal publication on the effectiveness of tone-reducing casts; which was the basis for developing tone-reducing orthotics.
- Objective documentation of the efficacy of interventions using Precision Teaching and applied behavioral analysis. Grant recipient & principal investigator for several research studies in the areas of strength assessment, biomechanics and motor control, and long term follow-up of the impact of developmental disabilities.
- Served in a leadership capacity for several local, state, & national professional and non-profit organizations.
- Recipient of several scholastic, community service and professional honors, including: West Bloomfield High School Valedictorian; Michigan Governor’s Minuteman & DAR awards for community service; APTA Mary McMillan, Foundation for PT, & U. of Michigan & Washington Scholarships; and MPTA Richard E. Darnell Research Award.
- Combined farm life with therapy and life skill learning opportunities for her son with special needs. As a result, Ben has successfully overcome significant impairments. Read Ben’s inspirational story.