TEAM

Katie Shaffer, OTR/L - Clinical Director/Owner
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 14 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 has specialty certification and training in the following areas:

• Advanced Training in the assessment and treatment of Sensory Integration Disorders, Behavior Disorders, self-regulation, attention, praxis, and other child-centered, relationship-based therapeutic interventions. SIPT Certification #1216
• Clinical Instructor for Level 1 and 2 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Students affiliated with UTMB-Galveston, UT Health Science Center-San Antonio, Texas Women's University-Denton
• Certified Interactive Metronome (IM) provider
• Advanced Training in Oral Motor and Oral Sensory Feeding Disorders
• Completion of Austin Eye Gym Level 1 and 2 certification course for Managing DevelopmentalVisual Deficits in Children
• Trained and Certified to administer the Therapeutic Listening Program, Vital Links provider # M4785
  
  Katie’s special interest areas include: Auditory Integration Therapy, Pediatric Yoga, Music Therapy, and Relationship Development Intervention for children on the Autistic Spectrum.

 

Cindy Martin, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Cindy Martin, OTR graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1989. She has been practicing in Texas ever since, working extensively in both adult and pediatric settings. She has a passion for children and improving their and their families' lives and has been practicing with children exclusively since 2001. Cindy has expertise in acute care, trauma care, rehabilitation, psychiatric, outpatient and home health settings. She has extensive experience working with brain injury, feeding and developmental care in the Neonatal Intensive Care, splinting, infants and children with developmental delay and sensory processing difficulties. She was the Student Fieldwork Coordinator and a Clinical Instructor for several years at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas. She loves supervising Occupational Therapy Student during their clinical rotations and helping new therapists enter the field fully ready to serve their clients. Cindy has a wonderful 18 year old son who wants to be a high school teacher. She loves to read, watch classic and contemporary movies, play out of doors and thoroughly enjoys living in Central Texas.

Jenny Kim, MOTR/L - Occupational Therapist
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.

April Geary, MOTR/L - Occupational Therapist
April recieved her Bachelor in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. She spent a year working in Applied Behavioral Analysis before recieving her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. She has experience working with children with Autism, ADHD, Sesory Processing Disorders, and Down Syndrome. She has worked in outpatient clinics, schools, as well as a special needs preschool.
In her spare time April enjoys spending time with her family and friends taking advantage of all the live music Austin has to offer!

Laura Worden, MOTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Laura graduated with a Master in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University; CA. Prior to her decision to become an occupational therapist, Laura was a dental hygienist and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California. She has worked in private practice and community clinics in the United States, as well as international settings. Over the years she has enjoyed working with clients of all ages that have a wide range of physical and psychological challenges. As a practicing OT her interests are children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum disorders, ADD, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental Delays, Learning Disorders, occulomotor dysfunction, feeding disorders and managing challenging behaviors. Further, she has experience with youth/group leadership; leading prevocational workshops; community re-entry and independent living skills program development for youth. Laura's personal goal is to advocate, work with family and team members to find solution's that promotes your child's sense of empowerment, emotional and

 

Sarah Cotton, MOTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Sarah graduated with a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental Delays, and ADHD. She has received education and training in Handwriting without Tears, ABA, DIR/Floortime, and Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, and Sensory Processing. Sarah enjoys art, running, and exploring Austin for good food and music.

 

Yelin Kim, MOTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Yelin graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Philosophy before she received a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX . She has experience working with children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Fine Motor Delays, Sensory Processing Disorders, Learning Disorders, and more. She has attended courses in the areas of sensory processing, Eye Gym for vision-related difficulties in children, and Handwriting Without Tears. She is certified in Interactive Metronome (IM) and has attended an advanced pediatric IM course. Yelin loves being around children and using play to help them learn and grow! She enjoys hanging out with her fiancé, Chris, and their two pups: Bella and Arthus.

 

Stacey Rosensteel, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Stacey received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from San Diego State University. She received her Master's in Clinical Speech Pathology from Northern Arizona University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Stacey has practiced in private pediatric clinics, children's hospitals and public schools with children of all ages, ranging from infancy through middle school. She has clinical expertise working with a variety of diagnoses to include oral-motor dysfunction/feeding therapy, articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency, voice, Down Syndrome and Autism. Stacey is Level 1 PROMPT trained and has attended seminars that examine the evaluation and management of patients with Tracheostomys and Artificial Airways , picky eaters and Dysphagia management. Her special interest areas include Autism spectrum disorders, articulation disorders, language impairments, voice, feeding/oral-motor dysfunction and Down Syndrome. Stacey loves the field of Speech Therapy and is happy to be a part of such a wonderful team.

 

Katie Michner, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
A native of the Midwest, Katie graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Spanish. She went on to receive her Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin. Katie holds a Texas license in speech-language pathology and has ASHA certification. Her experience includes working with pediatric patients in both the public school and clinical settings. In addition to working with children who have articulation and expressive/receptive language delays, Katie has experience working with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders, fluency disorders, developmental delays, and feeding disorders. Katie and her husband Evan live in North Austin. In their spare time they enjoy cheering on the Longhorns, running, spending time with friends and family, and discovering new Mexican restaurants.

 

Megan Briggs, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Megan received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University and received her Master's of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She holds a Texas license and the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. Megan began the first three years of her career in the San Diego public schools where she provided direct clinical services to children ages three to twelve with disorders related to speech, language, articulation, voice, fluency, and hearing. She also has experience assessing and treating children who have a variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. Megan has had training in The Picture Exchange Communication System, Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment and Intervention, Supporting Language and Communication for Individuals with Autism, and Auditory Habilitation. Megan and her husband live in North Austin. During their free time they enjoy traveling, exercising, discovering new local eateries and taking their dog to the park.

 

Angie Wideman, CFY-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Angie moved to Austin in January 2011. She attended Missouri State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During college, she worked at an after school program for low income families in Springfield, Missouri. While in graduate school, Angie worked with both children and adult patients with a variety of diagnoses, including hearing impairment, stuttering, articulation disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury and cognitive disorders. In her free time, Angie likes to read, exercise, spend time with her friends and family, and explore life as a new Austin resident. Angie is excited to grow and learn as a professional at OT Connection.

 

Gayle Covington, PT - Physical Therapist
Gayle is a 1979 graduate of Texas Woman's University with a degree in Physical Therapy. She is a native Austinite, attending AISD schools and the University of Texas at Austin before entering the Physical Therapy program at TWU. She has practiced physical therapy in various settings in her 25 + years of experience including: acute care, neonatal intensive care, home health - both adult and pediatric, outpatient rehabilitation, and in the public school setting. Her interest in pediatrics began in the NICU unit at Seton and she has spent the majority of her career in pediatrics. Gayle was an adjunct instructor at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) for several years and has expertise in the areas of neonatal intensive care, neuro-developmental treatment, sensory integration dysfunction, visual/auditory/vestibular integration, and therapeutic exercise. Infants and pre-schoolers are her passion and she is privileged to have the opportunity to impact children and their families through physical therapy.

 

Janet Magajna, PT - Physical Therapist
Janet is a graduate of the physical therapy program at State University of New York - Stony Brook. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy in 1998. Janet has since worked exclusively with the pediatric population in the outpatient, school and home based settings. She moved to Austin in 2005, and is a licensed P.T. in both Texas and New York. She has evaluated and treated children, from birth to teenage years, with a variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, torticollis, developmental delay, hypotonia, cerebral palsy, idiopathic toe walking, William's Syndrome, Down Syndrome and Cri du Chat Syndrome. Janet greatly enjoys working with children and their families and making a positive impact in their lives. She also enjoys the arts, traveling, hiking, endurance bike riding and entertaining her cat, Flaco.

 

Lauren Dalby, PT - Physical Therapist
Lauren Dalby earned her Bachelor's of Exercise Sports Science as well as her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy at Texas State University. She has completed internships at some of the leading pediatric hospitals in Texas; Children's Medical Center Dallas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, and Texas Children's in Houston. During her clinical rotations, Lauren worked with transplant patients, cancer patients, amputees, spinal cord injury patients, and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Over the last 2 years as a pediatric physical therapist Lauren has worked in both home heath and clinical settings treating a variety of pediatric conditions, including developmental delay, Torticollis, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Idiopathic Toe Walking, Autism, dyspraxia, and children with orthopedic conditions. Lauren has also served as a clinical instructor, mentoring physical therapy students.

Lauren has completed many continuing education courses on Torticollis, Autism, vision therapy, seizures, hypotonia, mitochondrial diseases, and kinesiotaping.

Lauren believes that the key to a child's physical therapy success is engaging the child in activities they enjoy while insuring that the exercises are beneficial.

 

Amy Hart - Billing Manager
Amy has over 10 years experience in medical billing, and healthcare management. She enjoys working in the pediatric setting, and is more than happy to help answer your account questions. Amy is currently receiving her Bachelors in Psychology from University Of Phoenix. Amy, and her son reside in Pflugerville. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and gardening.

 

Neaomi Quartucci - Front Desk Administrative Assistant
Neaomi relocated here with her husband and two children from Maui, Hawaii 6 years ago. Shortly after moving here she found herself drawn to the medical field with her main interest in customer care. With a strong background in medical, customer service, and child care she is a perfect fit for OT Connection. You can count on Neaomi to greet you with a friendly smile, and assist you with your scheduling needs. Outside of work Neaomi enjoys spending time with her family, participating in physical fitness, attending sporting events, traveling, reading, and culinary delights.

 

Chelsea Rumbo - Therapy Tech
Chelsea Rumbo began working at OT Connection in August of 2009. She has gladly returned to the clinic after a short stent in Atlanta, Georgia where she conducted sleep apnea studies as a technician. She graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown in May 2010 with a major in Communication Studies and minor in Psychology. She has been applying to various graduate schools in Texas to obtain her master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a focus in Speech Language Pathology. From therapy technician to assisting in the front office, she has experienced and continues to enjoy the many facets of a pediatric therapeutic practice. Additionally, Chelsea enjoys canoeing/kayaking racing, bowling, going to the beach, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Julia Johnson - Therapy Tech
Originally born and raised in New York, she relocated to Texas in June of 2010. She received her Bachelors Degree in psychology-developmental/sociology-criminology/Italian studies and a Masters Degree in Italian language and literature. Currently she is completing pre-requisites toward entrance into Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. She has approximately 10 years experience working with children in a variety of settings: Head Start's early intervention social and academic programs, YMCA early child care, cultural arts and fitness programs, and as a domestic violence/sexual assault crisis counselor, court and resource advocate. Her experience in physical fitness/rehabilitation includes: fitness training 14 + years, 13 years in martial arts and 13 years in yoga. She has interned at orthopedic physical therapy facilities in New York and she has first hand knowledge as a physical therapy patient. Her more recent injury is what prompted her career change to a long time passion, physical therapy. She has been here at OT connection since August 2010 where she hopes to gain experience in the developmental aspects of pediatric physical therapy. Her professional goals are to specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation and pediatric physical therapy.