About Me

I am an Occupational Therapist working in a pediatric outpatient setting in Austin, Texas. I graduated with a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. My undergraduate degree is in Biochemistry from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

My favorite occupations are: eating, attending baseball games, reading, walking outdoors, and enjoying life with friends and family.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the content of this site, please e-mail me.


Last updated November 2, 2008

Professional Goals

To support and be an active participant in Evidence-Based Practice

To specialize in the area of Feeding

To further my knowledge and experience with Sensory Processing Disorder

To maintain good standing with the American Occupational Therapy Association

Skills Competencies

Assessment Skills
Range of Motion
Manual Muscle Testing
Vitals: Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Resps

Light Touch
Pain
Proprioception/Kinesthesia
Stereognosis
Visual Acuity
Warren Saccadic Eye Movement
Depth Perception
Mini Mental State Examination
Short Blessed
Trails A & B
Stroop Task

Preschool Activity Card Sort (English & Spanish)
Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (English & Spanish)
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley II & III)
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
Beck Depression Inventory
Oral Directions Test
Bruininks-Osteretsky Test of Motor Proficiency
Home Observation of Measurement for the Environment
Functional Independence Measure
Wee-FIM
Miller Assessment for Pre-schoolers
Peabody Development Motor Scales (PDMS-2)
SAFER
Activity Card Sort
Tennessee Self-Concept
Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale
Kitchen Task Assessment
Flanagan Aptitude Classification Test (FACT)
Family Inventory of Life Events and Change (FILE)
Hand Function Sort
Parenting Stress Index


Computer Skills
Utilized SSPS Statistical Software for my research and in Evidence Based Practice course
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher
Proficient in Research Trial Management Systems

Management Skills
Managed contracts, budgets, and monthly reports to sponsor for a large, Phase III-randomized clinical trial

Research Skills
I am skilled in literature searches in peer-reviewed journals and databases (OVID, PubMed)
Subject recruitment for involvement in Masters project

During my undergraduate experience at Baylor, I was exposed to a biochemistry laboratory setting. Upon graduation, I worked as a Research Assistant at PPD Development in Austin on Phase II-IV clinical trials.

Program Planning
Planned sessions for Buddy Club program at Pediatric Therapy Network in Torrance, CA. Buddy Club is a social skills club for kids with special needs. The club meets weekly at various locations in the South Bay area.
Developed Program Scenario & Needs Assessment for a school-based Asthma program targeting the Latino community
Programmed summer camp activities for girls ages 6-12 as an Assistant Unit Leader at Camp Lachenwald in Germany.

Role Competencies

Teaching Role
Most recently, I provided instruction to fellow classmates through the In-Service Teaching Experience (ISTE) on a standardized assessment.
Throughout college, I volunteered at an Adult Education Center, teaching ESL, arithmetic, and basic reading comprehension skills.

Group Role
Fall 2005:
-Problem-based Learning
-Neurology - multidisciplinary approach in conjunction with physical therapy students
Spring 2005:
-Architecture & Occupational Therapy
-Neuroscience Lab - Cognition Module
-Assistive Technology Project
Fall 2004:
-Children in Foster Care: Are their needs being met?
-The culture of Colombians living in the U.S.
-Occupational Profiles: Changes across the lifespan
-Frame of Reference: Social Ecological Development

Leadership Role
While a student at Baylor University, I co-chaired a campus-wide blood drive through the American Red Cross in Fall 2000. I also co-chaired an Advisor Appreciation Banquet recognizing the advisors of all the campus organizations in the Spring of 1999 and 2000.

Presentations

Spanish Translation and Validation of the Preschool Activity Card Sort
Poster Presentation, co-presenter Ashley Stoffel, OTD, OTR/L
AOTA National Conference
April 22, 2007
St. Louis, MO

Pediatric Therapy Network Inservice Presentations
-ALERT Program
-Informal & Formal Case Studies
- Bayley III

Please e-mail me if you would like an electronic copy of the following power point presentations.

Cross-cultural Preschooler Participation
MSOT Presentations
April 6, 2006
Eric P. Newman Center
Washington University School of Medicine

Assistive Technology Project: Developmental Delay
Presented on April 29, 2005 for Assistive Technology

Designing Spaces: A Blueprint for Universal Design created by Occupational Therapy & Architecture Students
Presented on April 25, 2005 for OT 5162 Environments that Influence Daily Activities.
Click here to view the Designing Spaces website.

Disabling Condition: Low Vision in the Elderly
Prepared for OT 5162 Environments that Influence Daily Activities.

Children in Foster Care: Are their needs being met?
An Occupational Therapy perspective at the child welfare system. Presented on December 6, 2004 for Theory & Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice.
Bruininks-Osteretsky Test of Motor Proficiency
Case study using a pediatric assessment developed by Dr. Bruininks. Presented on October 29, 2004 for OT 5682 Evaluation: Tools and Process for Measuring Occupational Performance.

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Level II

January 29 - April 19, 2007
Pediatric Therapy Network
Clinical Instructors: Joan Surfus, BCP, OTR/L and Valerie Rougeau, OTR/L
Torrance, CA
Area: pediatrics

June 26 - September 15, 2006
Brackenridge Hospital
Clinical Instructor: Erik Hammer, OTR/L
Austin, TX
Area: acute, inpt, outpt

Fieldwork Level I

March 6-10, 2005
St. Louis Children's Hospital
St. Louis, MO
Clinical Instructor: Renee Held, OTR/L
Area: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

October 24-28, 2005
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Instructor: Talitha
Area: Mental Health (Adolescent Psychiatry)

March 7—11, 2005
Easter Seals of Central Texas
Austin, TX
Clinical Instructor: Karen Misorek, OTR/L
Area: Pediatrics—Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (primary), Adults with stroke (secondadry)

November 1—5, 2004
Swedish Covenant Hospital
Chicago, IL
Clinical Instructor: Kazumi Hiroe, OTR/L
Area: Physical Rehabilitation (primary), Hand Therapy, Mental Health, Outpatient Lymphedema (secondary)

Continuing Education

2010
January 21, 2010 - Austin, TX
Nutrition and Feeding Interventions for Autism, Asperger's, and ADHD - .6 CEUs
presented by Elizabeth Strickland, RD/LD

2009
May 9,2009 - Austin, TX
Integrated Listening Systems Training
presented by Kate O'Brien Minson

September 24-26, 2009 - Houston, TX
Basic Oral Motor/Feeding Workshop: Toddlers, Preschool and School Aged Children (NDTA Seminar) - 1.8 CEUs
presented by Gay-Lloyd Pinder, PhD, CCC-SLP

2008
January 12 - Austin, TX
Interactive Metronome Certification Course - .8 CEUs
presented by

April 25 - Austin, TX
Managing Developmental Visual Deficits in Children - .7 CEUs
presented by Judy Hughes, O.D. of the Austin Eye Gym

August 14-16 - Tucson, AZ
When Children Won't Eat: The SOS Approach to Feeding - 1.8 CEUs
presented by Kay Toomey, Ph.D. & Associates

2007
December 7 - Austin, TX
Child-Directed Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders - .6 CEUs
presented by G. Robert Buckendorf, Ph.D., SLP

Community Service

Adams Elementary School Minority Education Project, 2006 (St. Louis, MO)
Taught science based lessons at a pre-dominantly African American elementary school to encourage the interest of minority students in the field of medicine. This program is run by the Washington University School of Medicine.

Acción Social Comunitaria (St. Louis, MO)
ASC is a Hispanic community center. I volunteer with their summer program for kids and the Tutoring program during the school year. For more information, visit the ASC website.

Rebuilding Day, 2005 (St. Louis, MO)
An annual one-day blitz where volunteers make home repairs to the homes of low-income elderly and disabled homeowners in Saint Louis City and County. Go to the Rebuilding Together website for more information.

Movement N Motion Dance Class, 2004 (St. Louis, MO)
Program encouraging the participation of children with Cerebral Palsy
Supported by the Carol and Paul Hatfield Cerebral Palsy Sports and Rehabilitation Center

Backpack Awareness Day, 2004 (St. Louis, MO)
Visited several classes at Sappington Elementary School, educating the students and teachers on proper backpack wearing skills

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, 2002-2004 (Austin, TX)
For the past two years, I have participated in the BBBS program as a Big Sister. Although we are no longer officially matched, I still maintain a close relationship with my Little Sister and her family.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, 2003 (Austin, TX)
Supported the Race Volunteer Committee

Crestview Nursing Home, 1999-2002 (Waco, TX)

Adult Education Center, 1999-2002 (Waco, TX)

LaRue’s Children Day Care, 1999-2002 (Waco, TX)

Steppin’ Out, 1998-2002 (Waco, TX)

Organizational Memberships

AOTA - American Occupational Therapy Association

WUSOTA—Washington University Student Occupational Therapy Association
Office(s) held: Culture Committee Co-Chair

Baylor University Alumni Association

Past Memberships:
Mortar Board
Alpha Epsilon Delta
Alpha Phi Omega

Certifications

Interactive Metronome Provider