Occupational therapy focuses on a child’s fine motor skills, self help skills, and sensory development. At Downtown Kids Therapy our therapists are trained to evaluate each child, and develop a treatment plan to help the child reach their goals.
Occupational therapy utilizes a child-centered approach in assessing and treating functional skills and everyday activities. A child’s most important “occupation” is play, therefore therapy incorporates meaningful tasks in order to promote a child’s development, independence and well-being.
Occupational therapists:
Assess and treat sensory processing difficulties
Increase independence with self-care skills such as dressing and self-feeding
Practice social interactions through peer play
Improve upper extremity muscle strength, endurance, and motor planning skills
Assist with skills needed for school readiness, including pre-writing and handwriting
Collaborate with other service providers including teachers, physical therapists, and speech therapists to promote carryover of skills in all domains
Provide families with home education programs and resources to help in home and school
Kayla received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University here in New York City. She has had the opportunity to work with children of all ages and diagnoses, with a particular focus on children with autism and sensory processing needs. She has experience in a myriad of settings, including schools, outpatient, inpatient rehab, and acute care. She is currently pursuing her DIR Floortime certification.
Kayla utilizes a child-centered, play-based approach to therapy. She values incorporating children’s’ interests into sessions in order to create a fun environment where they are motivated to learn new skills. In this supportive and engaging environment, Kayla tailors each session to the child’s specific needs, which helps them build confidence and independence.
Ariana received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She has begun her D.I.R. Floortime certification which she uses daily with her patients.
Ariana utilizes a fun, play-based, and individualized approach to therapy. She enjoys learning about children’s passions and interests and incorporating them into sessions to make therapy more meaningful. She has a passion for working with children of all ages and helping families flourish. She has worked in multiple settings including pediatric and adult outpatient clinics, acute and inpatient rehab, pediatric inpatient psychiatric hospital, and school settings. Ariana is passionate about providing a collaborative environment to promote education, confidence, and carryover at home and at school.
Patricia earned her Master of Occupational Therapy at The University of Scranton. She is passionate about helping children grow, gain confidence, and feel successful in their everyday routines. She has experience working with children from early intervention through the school-aged years and has supported families across public and private schools, sensory gyms, and community-based programs.
Patricia believes in creating a warm, encouraging environment where each child’s strengths are celebrated. She uses evidence-based strategies to support sensory regulation, motor development, handwriting, self-care skills, and overall school readiness—always tailoring her approach to the unique needs of each child and family. As a certified SMHP therapist, Patricia also brings specialized training in helping children develop functional, legible handwriting skills in ways that feel achievable and fun.
Lauren earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She brings experience working with clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including inpatient rehabilitation, sensory-based clinics, and school-based therapy programs.
Lauren has completed coursework in Sensory Integration and is passionate about thoughtfully incorporating sensory-informed strategies into her practice to support regulation, participation, and independence in daily activities. Lauren has worked with children with developmental delays, sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, fine and visual motor challenges, and difficulties with self-care and emotional regulation. She values the importance of a family-centered approach and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to create strong therapeutic relationships. Lauren strives to make therapy both purposeful and playful to help children build skills and confidence both inside and outside of the therapy room.
Jill earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Stanbridge University in Southern California. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated summa cum laude with honors including an award for Academic Excellence and an induction into Pi Theta Epsilon, the occupational therapy honor society.
Jill is passionate about providing compassionate, playful, and individualized Care to help children and their families thrive. She has experience working in outpatient, sensory gym, and school-based settings. She enjoys learning about each child’s sensory needs and abilities to lead them towards their full potential. Jill works creatively to include each child’s interests into their therapy, promoting a collaborative environment in which children can grow in skill and confidence.
Danni earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Kinesiology from Chapman University and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University, Brooklyn. She has experience working with individuals of all ages, with a focus on children with autism.
A former gymnast and experienced coach, Danni Jo integrates movement and play into her therapy sessions to support confidence and skill-building in fun, meaningful ways. She utilizes a child-centered, play-based approach, valuing each child’s interests and strengths to create a supportive environment where they feel safe to explore, grow, and take on new challenges. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that through trust and connection, every child can achieve their goals.
Jocelyn earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Boston University in Boston, MA. She is passionate about working closely with children and families to provide tailored therapy that meets their individual needs. With experience in school-based settings and sensory clinics, Jocelyn has developed a deep understanding of the diverse challenges children face in various environments.
Adopting a child-led approach, Jocelyn places a strong emphasis on building meaningful rapport and therapeutic relationships. She believes that fostering trust and connection is essential to motivating children and helping them engage fully in therapy. By focusing on the "just right challenge," she ensures that each child is appropriately supported, achieving goals while maintaining motivation and a sense of success. As a bilingual occupational therapist fluent in Spanish, Jocelyn is also committed to providing culturally responsive care to Spanish-speaking families, ensuring they feel understood and supported throughout the therapeutic process.
Rachel received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in North Carolina. She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings with children of all ages and countless diagnoses. She has devoted the majority of her career working with children in public and private schools, sensory clinics, home health, and in early intervention.
Rachel focuses on building therapeutic relationships with each child. She uses child centered and sensory forward treatments that address each individual child’s interests and needs to help them engage and learn to promote their growth and development.
Caroline received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University, where she is currently pursuing her doctorate degree. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, her capstone was focused on developing a manual for caregivers of individuals with cognitive deficits. Caroline understands how a child’s needs impact the whole family, and is passionate about contributing to a healthy family dynamic.
Having worked in a variety of settings, including acute care, sensory clinics, and school-based environments with children of all ages and diagnoses, Caroline brings a comprehensive, child-centered approach to her therapy. She creates individualized treatment plans that are guided by each child's unique needs, strengths, and interests. Caroline is committed to fostering strong therapeutic relationships, empowering children to build essential skills for daily life.
