OWNERS / DIRECTORS

Betsy is Co-Director of K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates, Inc., and has been working with children and families for over 25 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Ohio State University and her Master’s from the University of Southern California. Betsy trained and worked for Dr A. Jean Ayres, known researcher and developer of sensory integration theory and treatment and is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. She is on faculty for a joint sensory integration education program offered by Western Psychological Services and the University of Southern California. She has also received certification in Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) in pediatrics and infant treatment. Through state licensure, Betsy has a specialty certification in feeding and swallowing (SWC). She also has taken specialized courses in Autism, Floor Time, handwriting programs, Brain Gym, and the Alert Program. Betsy has published articles and taught courses nationally and internationally in the areas of early intervention, sensory integration, autism and feeding.

Jan is Co-Director of K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates Inc., and has been working with children and families for over 25 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1977, and received her SCSIT Certification in 1980. Jan has extensive experience treating children with Autism and sensory integrative disorders in the clinic and school setting. Jan has worked in numerous private and public schools developing programs for effective implementation of occupational therapy services to more effectively meet the specific needs of students on the Autism Spectrum. Jan has taken numerous courses in TEACCH Theory, Brain Gym, Alert Strategies and specialized handwriting programs.

Jan and Betsy both have extensive experience in mentoring staff.

THERAPY COORDINATORS

Janet is the Physical Therapy Coordinator at K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates, Inc., and has over 25 years experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. Janet received her Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences from University of California, Santa Barbara, and did her graduate studies at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, receiving her Certificate in Physical Therapy. She is also certified in Kinesiological Electromyography, Gross Motor Function Measures (GMFM), and Interactive Metronome. Janet has lectured extensively, locally, nationally, and internationally, on cerebral palsy, gait analysis in children, foot pressure analysis, torticollis, and electromyography. She has coordinated and worked with research projects covering topics such as torticollis, use of BOTOX© in treatment of cerebral palsy, shoulder biomechanics in baseball pitching, and overuse injuries. Her clinical experience includes both orthopedic treatment of teen athletes and pediatric treatment of childhood disorders.

Teri is the Occupational Therapy and Fieldwork Coordinator for KIDS Therapy Associates. She has been working with children and families for 10 years. She has a BA in psychology from the University of California, San Diego (1993) and an MA in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California (1997). She received her SIPT (Sensory Integration & Praxis Test) certification in 2002. Teri also has a specialty certification in feeding and swallowing (SWC) that is offered through the state licensure board of California. Teri has experience treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, and feeding disorders in both the clinic and school settings. She has taken numerous courses in sensory integration, handwriting, Brain Gym, and Autism. She is also an authorized provider of The Listening Program.

Nicole has been working with children and families for the past 12 years as a pediatric speech and language pathologist. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and her Master's degree from San Diego State University. She has provided treatment in a variety of settings including the public school system, Children's Hospital San Diego, and in private practice. Her clinical specialties are oral/motor and feeding disorders, verbal apraxia and autism. Nicole specializes in family-focused treatment approaches that empower families to help their children achieve their communication goals. She is Hanen certified, early intervention programs for parents of young children with language delays. Nicole teaches feeding and communication development classes to parents. She served as a member of Children's Hospital feeding team and has extensive training in feeding and oral-motor programs. Nicole has attended numerous courses on verbal apraxia and is also trained in the Kaufman Approach for Childhood Apraxia. Nicole has extensive experience treating children with autism, as well as, specialized training in autism. It is Nicole's mission for your child to have fun while they learn and develop new skills.

STAFF

K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates currently has a staff of 22 Occupational Therapists, 4 Physical Therapists and 3 Speech-Language Pathologists, full and part-time. We have a very skilled and compassionate staff, and, when appropriate, our OTs, PTs, and Speech Therapists integrate their treatment and work together. Our staff varies in experience from new graduates to highly experienced professionals who are experts in their field. We have staff members who are focused on sensory integration, pediatric development, orthopedics, rehabilitation, feeding and swallowing, socialization, language development, neonates, sports injuries, Interactive Metronome, and adaptive equipment. Mentoring and ongoing training is always available for our staff members.