Lizzie Pluskalowski
MS, OTR/L, SWC, IBCLC
Occupational Therapist | Lactation SpecialistBackground
Lizzie has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2010 and has specialized exclusively in pediatrics since 2011. She holds an Advanced Practice certification in Swallowing Assessment, Evaluation, and Intervention (SWC) through the California Board of Occupational Therapy.
While supporting NICU graduates in the children’s hospital, Lizzie saw a growing need for feeding and swallowing providers skilled in breastfeeding support. Motivated to fill this gap, she pursued advanced lactation education, mentorship, and clinical training—ultimately earning her credentials as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Lizzie’s clinical experience spans a wide variety of settings, including: three major children’s hospitals (both inpatient and outpatient), early intervention programs, and private practice. She has completed extensive advanced training in various topics, including: pediatric feeding and swallowing, tethered oral tissues (TOTS), neurodevelopmental treatment, manual therapy techniques, sensory processing, torticollis, and lactation.
In 2023, Lizzie founded Thriving Beginnings, where she supports infants (0–12 months) with feeding, motor development, and lactation. Her passion is walking alongside families through the critical first year, helping little ones grow, develop, and thrive.
Specialties
Genetic & birth conditions (e.g. Down syndrome - cerebral palsy)
Torticollis (head turning preference - head tilt)
GI Issues (Colic - Spitting up - Reflux - GER - GERD - gas - constipation)
Visual tracking issues
Body awareness/spatial orientation challenges
Body tension (infant - parent/caregiver)
Plagiocephaly (flat head)
Neurodivergence (e.g. ASD - ADHD)
Medically complex
Motor planning difficulties (dyspraxia)
Allergies and food sensitivities
Breastfeeding/bottle feeding difficulties (latching - dribbling - leakage - gagging - choking - coughing - clicking - weaning - aversion)
Oral Ties (tongue-tie - lip-tie - buccal-ties)
Feeding tube support and weaning
Solid feeding and swallowing (gagging - poor chewing - choking - straw drinking - cup drinking - leakage - picky eating - refusal)
Oral-motor hypotonia (e.g. - weak jaw - open mouth posture)
Trauma-informed care needs
Fine motor milestones (e.g. - reaching - grasping - manipulating objects)
Sensory Issues (hypersensitivity - hyposensitivity)
Muscle tone (Core weakness - low muscle tone/ hypotonia - high muscle tone/hypertonia)
Prematurity
Sensory or motor dysregulation
Other
Gross motor milestones (e.g. - rolling - sitting - crawling - walking)
Education & Training
MS, OTR/L, SWC, IBCLC
Insurance
Superbill for reimbursement
Other
Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare
Out-of-network
Languages
English
Affirming Care
Neurodiversity Affirming
Trauma Informed
LGBTQIA+
Contact
Service Areas
25255 Cabot Rd, Suite 101
Laguna Hills, CA
Popular Courses
Lead in copy goes here in two or three lines to leave a little negative space below this introduction
