About OT Connection

Katie has a passion for helping children overcome life’s challenges! Katie received her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has over 12 years experience in the field of Pediatric Occupational Therapy with expertise in Early Childhood Intervention, oral sensory/motor feeding difficulties, Autism, and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Katie has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings including inpatient/NICU, outpatient, home & school-based environments. She has been involved with Handwriting, Feeding Aversion, and Sensory Diet program development while practicing in Southern California for over 6 years. She has received post-graduate certification for the administration & interpretation of the Sensory Integration & Praxis Test, including therapeutic intervention programs using Sensory Integration Techniques. Katie’s special interest areas include: Therapeutic listening programs for children, pediatric yoga, Music Therapy, and Relationship Development Intervention for children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Jenny received her Bachelor in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine. She studied abroad in Melbourne, Australia for one year, where she discovered her love for OT. Jenny received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. She is trained in Handwriting without Tears and Applied Behavior Analysis through Working with Autism in California. She also worked at Lindamood Bell Learning Processes, where she was trained in their LIPS program, Seeing Stars, Visualizing and Verbalizing programs. She has worked with children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, in a variety of settings that include schools, in-home, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient clinic settings.

Tonya received her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Texas Women’s University in Denton. She has 10 years experience in the field of Pediatric Occupational Therapy. Tonya has worked in Early Childhood Intervention, home health care, school-based services, and pediatric private practice. She has been involved with handwriting skills training, sensory processing disorders, feeding difficulties, Autism, developmental delays, learning disabilities, ocular motor difficulties, activities of daily living, and much more.

Cindy graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1989 and has worked with both children and adults for 17 years. Cindy has worked in acute care/trauma care, rehabilitation, psychiatric, outpatient and home health settings. She has expertise in trauma, brain injury, NICU, splinting, feeding infants and children, developmental delay and sensory processing difficulties.



Marti graduated from Indiana University in 1996 with a Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy. She has over ten years experience in public school systems with various other side interests including Home Health, Adult Rehab, Birth to Three in home, and Assisted Living Facilities. Her emphasis is on creative treatment planning and family centered solutions. She is the president of Marti Smith Seminars, Inc. and tours the country on a bi-monthly basis to train other Occupational and Physical Therapists in the areas of Creative Treatment, Autism, and Handwriting. She has authored several rehab textbooks including "Hints for Horrible Handwriting", "Handwriting Helpers: A workbook for Teachers and Therapists", "Calming Strategies for Autism", "PT and OT on a Shoestring Budget", "Switching to Accessibility", and "PVC for Rehab Professionals". Marti lives in NW Austin with her husband and two year old daughter.

Amanda received her Bachelor in Communication Disorders from Louisiana State University before pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. She received her Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy from LSU Health Sciences Center in 2001. Amanda has been practicing for the last 7 years in pediatric outpatient hospital based settings and private practice. Her clinical experience includes treating children ages 0-18 years with an emphasis on handwriting/fine motor skills development, sensory processing and sensory integration disorders, motor coordination, and visual motor development. She has specialty training in the Handwriting Without Tears methodology and The Print Tool assessment.

Bio: Coming Soon

Megan received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She received her Master’s in Communication Disorders from Texas State University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Megan has practiced in private pediatric clinics and public schools with children of all ages, ranging from infancy through high school. She has clinical expertise working with the following: oral-motor dysfunction/feeding, articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency, Down Syndrome, Autism, cleft lip and palate, and Cerebral Palsy. Her special interest areas include; apraxia of speech, phonological disorders, auditory processing disorders, augmentative communication, and Autism spectrum disorders (e.g. Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger’s).

Kelli received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Texas State University in 2000. After working with pregnant women and infants for several years, Kelli went back to school and earned her Masters Degree from Baylor University in Speech and Language Pathology. She has experience working with children from birth to school age, as well as, adult neuro-rehab patients. Given her own personal experience with Speech Therapy as a child, Kelli has a passion for children and knows first hand the value of speech and communication. Kelli is excited to be a member of the OT Connection team which will allow her to continue her therapeutic work with helping children achieve their greatest potential!

Bio: Coming Soon

Christy loves children, and loves being the face and voice of OT Connection. She’s the first one you’ll talk to on the phone, and the first face you’ll see when you visit OT Connection. Christy has been in the pediatric therapy setting for 5 years. She can’t wait to welcome you and your child to OT Connection!





Ellen began her work at OT Connection as a volunteer in February of 2007 and transitioned to working as a therapy tech as of May 2008. In December of 2008, Ellen will be graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology. Ellen hopes to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy and enjoys learning from the staff of OT Connection.

Nicole Brodhead began working at OT Connection in May of 2008. She is a Senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. Nicole plans to pursue her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy beginning in 2009. Nicole enjoys working with children and in her spare time enjoys being outdoors, playing the piano and running.