DEVELOPMENT IS CHILD'S PLAY - Key Persons
Biography:
Ariana (Ari) attended San Jose State University where she graduated with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Women's Studies. She went on to graduate from SJSU's OT Master's Program. Ari has experience in outpatient pediatrics, as well as outpatient mental health and acute care with adults. Before joining us as a therapist, Ari trained with DICP during her level I and level II internships, so we already know that she is a wonderful fit for our kids and our team. Ari's special interests include sensory processing and trauma-informed care. Ari and her husband love living in downtown San Jose, and vacationing in Oahu, Hawaii. Outside of OT she loves thrifting, reading, going to the beach with family, crafting with friends, and has a passion for design.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapist DICP Co - Owner
Sahana grew up and homeschooled in rural Maui, Hawaii. Sahana majored in Psychology at Scripps College in Claremont, California before receiving an MA in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. Before joining DICP, Sahana worked in the only hospital on Maui, helping patients in acute and rehabilitation care, hand splinting, and performing modified barium swallow studies. Sahana became a co-owner of Development is Child's Play in 2017. Sahana has advanced certifications in the Sensory Integration and SIPT, swallowing and feeding, Therapeutic Listening, pediatric pelvic floor rehabilitation, and the Masgutova Method.
Biography:
Evelyn graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training. She received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. She has received training in Zones of Regulation, The Alert Program, Handwriting Without Tears, and Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. She has special interests in gross and fine motor development, sports skills, and therapy groups. Evelyn was born and raised in Fremont. She enjoys crafting, baking, and being active outdoors.
Biography:
Hannah graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in exercise science and a minor in psychology. She received a Master's of Science degree in the Occupational Therapy program at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Hannah has special interests and certifications in sensory integration and feeding therapy. Hannah has advanced training in the Beckman feeding protocol, the Talk Tools sensory motor approach and the SOS feeding approach. Hannah also has therapeutic experience with working on the foundational skills for handwriting, coordination and motor planning, core strength and postural stability, and visual motor integration. Hannah moved to the Bay Area from South Carolina with her husband and golden retriever. When she's not at DICP, Hannah enjoys exploring the outdoors, traveling, painting, and spending the day on the beach with her family.
Biography:
Karen received her undergraduate degree from UC Davis with a BS in Human Development and a minor in Psychology. Karen has worked as a therapist at Development is Child's Play since graduating from San Jose State with a Master's in Occupational Therapy. Karen is trained in Therapeutic Listening, The Astronaut Training Protocol, Social Thinking, The S.O.S. feeding approach, Handwriting Without Tears, The Learn, Play, Thrive Approach, has completed two SIPT Courses, and has taken multiple courses in Sensory Integration through TheraPeeds. Karen enjoys working closely in collaboration with her DICP colleagues.
Biography:
Kerry was born and raised in San Jose, CA, where she still resides. Kerry attended the University of California, Davis where she completed her BS in Physiology. She then received an MA in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. Kerry is SIPT certified and is our Volunteer Coordinator.
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Biography:
Leah attended Biola University, where she graduated with a BS in Communicative Sciences and a minor in Psychology. She went on to graduate from the CSU East Bay's SLP Master's Program. Before joining DICP, Leah worked at CSU East Bay as a Clinical Supervisor/Educator, in private practice, at Kaiser, and in the schools as an SLP and Clinical Supervisor. Leah has certifications in ASHA Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC), Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), the Hanen It Takes Two To Talk and More Than Words programs, PECS Picture Exchange Communication System -Level II, ADOS-Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, PRT-Pivotal Response Treatment Certification, and the Lidcombe Treatment Program for Stuttering. Leah is a Bay Area native and married to her college sweetheart. They have a young son and love traveling and trying new foods.
Biography:
Mark graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. He received his Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Touro University Nevada. He has received training in sensory processing and behavior, self-regulation (Zones of Regulation, Alert Program), play-based approaches, feeding interventions, interventions for children with cognitive and motor impairments, handwriting interventions (Handwriting Without Tears, Size Matters, and Construct, Draw, Write), and visual-motor integration. Furthermore, he has special interests in sensory processing, reflex integration, play-based approaches, and feeding. Mark shares his life with his wife and two rescue kitties, Cappuccino and Jameson. Outside of work, Mark's hobbies include martial arts, archery, reading, cooking, videogames, and hiking.
Biography:
Regine grew up in and around San Diego, CA. She graduated from University of California, Irvine with a BA Psychology and a BS Public Health Sciences. She received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Dominican University of California, and has recently moved back to the Bay Area to work with us at DICP! Regine enjoys working with kids of all ages from young children to teens. Regine loves listening to music, exploring new sunset views, and spending quality time with cherished family & friends.
Biography:
Sam received her Bachelor's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and her Master's degree in occupational therapy from Stanbridge University. Sam has completed certifications for Astronaut Training, ILS Focus System, the Safe and Sound protocol, the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and the SOS approach to feeding.
Sarah Attended San Jose State University receiving her BS in Occupational Therapy and a MS in Occupational Therapy.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapist
- Owner
- Occupational Therapist DICP Co - Owner
Biography:
Sena received her BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BS in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound. Before joining the therapy staff at DICP, Sena worked in acute care rehab at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, at a skilled nursing facility and private school based setting in the Greater DC area, as well as a multi-disciplinary pediatric facility in Egypt. Sena became a co-owner of Development is Child's Play in 2017. Sena is certified in the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and is trained in reflex integration, feeding, animal-assisted therapy and several forms of therapeutic listening including iLS, The Listening Program, and Therapeutic Listening. She enjoys mentoring therapists and is inspired to create a practice that not only empowers children and their families but also empowers the amazing staff and team of therapists at Development is Child's Play to be their best and sparks their own growth and development.
Biography:
Shawn attended UC Berkeley where he graduated with a double major in English and Social Welfare. He went on to receive his Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from USC. Before joining DICP, Shawn worked with kids at Axiom Learning in Los Altos and Menlo Park. Shawn and his wife have a young son and daughter and Shawn loves Batman, video games, and exploring fun places in the Bay Area. We are thrilled to have Shawn working with us at DICP!
Biography:
Stephanie graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor's Degree in Evolutionary Anthropology. She received her Doctorate from Florida International University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She completed two of her graduate school clinical rotations in pediatrics, gaining experience in hospital and outpatient settings. Stephanie was born and raised in Saratoga and is happy to be back in the South Bay Area working. She loves traveling and learning about new cultures, as well as animals, baking, hiking, scuba diving, and anything Disney!