I began my occupational therapy career over 23 years ago working with infants, toddlers, and their families in early intervention. Over the years, I gained experience in preschools, public school districts, and an Approved Private School supporting students with emotional regulation challenges, as well as training teen assistants, educators, and directors in supplementary religious school settings.

After becoming a parent to two neurodivergent children, my work became deeply personal. I felt drawn back to roles where I could focus on improving quality of life—not just for a child, but for the entire family. In recent years, I’ve embraced coaching and consultation as my primary mode of support , partnering with parents to build understanding, confidence, and practical strategies that truly fit their family’s needs.

How would you describe your approach to working with families?

No two families are alike, just as no two children are alike, and it is crucial to meet each family with empathy and support exactly where they are at in that moment . Every individual is different in their readiness for coaching and their learning style, and it's so important that I honor those differences. Cultural competence and humility are also critical skills when working with families.

How did your work come to focus on conditions treated by Kinspire clinicians, like ADHD, Autism, and SPD?

My initial understanding of Autism and ADHD was shaped by listening to self proclaimed experts who lacked lived experience. When I did a deep dive into what Autistic adults had to share about their own unique preferences and experiences, everything started to change in my understanding of neurodiversity and individual differences and how I practice as an occupational therapist. I help parents understand how to keep themselves regulated, provide nervous system safety , and support sensory processing and executive functioning while helping their kids grow and thrive at their own pace. I also help parents understand what ‘executive function challenges’ look like even at an early age so they can understand what their child is experiencing and how to scaffold in ways that empower their child. I try to help parents understand about emotional capacity and bandwidth, for them as well as their child.