CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTICS - Key Persons
Alison C. Gillies, MS, CCC/SLP - Received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Texas at Dallas, and has worked with both pediatric and adult populations since her entry into the field. Alison has previously worked in the Texas public school system as well as the hospital setting, evaluating and treating children from ages pre-school to high school. In 2015, Alison joined the Children's Therapeutics of Austin team where she treats children demonstrating challenges in feeding, articulation, fluency, receptive and expressive language disorders, as well as using social language. Alison works with a variety of disorders including: developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum. Alison has specific interests in oral motor/sensory challenges, ‘picky eating', fluency skills, and using social language. She has attended continuing education courses for Beckman Oral Motor Therapy addressing oral motor deficits essential for feeding skills as well as Social Thinking principles to help a variety of children on the Autism Spectrum.
Amy Sowa, MS, CCC/SLP - Amy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Disorders from The University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas. She joined the Children's Therapeutics of Austin team in 2015 and has experience in working with children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cleft Lip/Palate and Down syndrome, Feeding disorders, Stuttering, Speech and Language delay, Social Communication disorder, and other genetic syndromes. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed through the State of Texas Speech Pathology and Audiology Boards. Additionally, she has received training in The Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding program, Kaufman Speech Praxis Program, Social Thinking, and is Hanen certified in "It Takes Two to Talk."
Beth Crum, OTR - Received her Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003. She later received her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2005 from Texas Woman's University in Dallas. Beth has worked with the pediatric population in a variety of settings including hospital-based outpatient clinic, residential treatment center serving children who have experienced severe physical, sexual and emotional trauma, home health, private practice, and rehabilitation hospital. In addition, as a subject matter expert in sensory processing disorders, Beth has spoken and educated attendees at multiple medical conferences. She has experience working with children of all ages and diagnosis consisting of cerebral palsy, congenital disorders, autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, feeding disorders, dyspraxia, gross/fine motor dysfunction, and developmental delays.
Christene Schwarzbach, MS, PT - Received her Master of Science degree from Washington University, School of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy in 1992 after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, Austin in 1990. She joined the Children's Therapeutics of Austin team in 2013. Christene has worked with the pediatric population in a variety of settings including large acute care hospital, hospital based outpatient clinic, pre-school for children with and without special needs, home health, private practice, and rehabilitation hospital allowing her to work with children from newborn to 21 years of age with a wide variety of diagnoses. Christene is certified in the DIR/Floortime model, a developmental, individual differences, relationship-based model intended to build healthy foundations and capacities for children of all ages and diagnoses but especially for children with autism spectrum disorder. She has extensive training in sensory processing and is SIPT certified. Christene is also trained in Integrated Listening Systems, iLs, a multi-sensory program incorporating components of air conduction, bone conduction, and movement.
Emily Rowe, PT - Received her Master's in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in May of 2008. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas in Austin. Emily has worked with children from birth to 19 years of age with diagnoses including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, motor coordination dysfunction, developmental delay, torticollis, congenital disorders, sports injuries, and gross/fine motor dysfunction.
Gabriele Rose, PT - Graduated from The University of Texas - Southwestern Medical School in 1977 with a degree in Allied Health Sciences and certification in Physical Therapy. She has had a varied experience with emphasis in pediatrics throughout her career. Gabriele has been providing pediatric physical therapy in the Austin area since 1986 and is well known in the community. She is trained in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)- pediatrics, and is certified in Therapeutic Listening. Gabriele is also trained in both Craniosacral Therapy and Myofacial Release and holds a certification in Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation. She has significant experience and interest in work with neuromuscular disorders, oral motor dysfunction, sensory processing disorders, and Autism.