About Us
OT-ETC | Excel Speech | PT in Motion
OT ETC
Val Plummer, MA, OTR/L, owner of O.T. Etc. Inc., established in 1994. Val's over 30 years of OT practice, includes over 25 years of direct pediatric experience, with 20 years at Children's Hospital in San Diego, and at least 5 years of home health service. Ten years experience was with the 24 hour care pediatric convalescent hospital at Children's. Val's professional experience has included teaching for 3 1/2 years with the OTA program at Grossmont Community College, El Cajon, CA, as well as being a former fieldwork coordinator for the program. She also completed a Master of Arts in Education degree with the University of Pheonix in 2007. Val has been involved in numerous continuing education experiences, most recently obtaining certification in Vital Links, Therapeutic Listening (2009), and Interactive Metronome (2008). She has also earned Advanced Practice Certification in the area of feeding and eating by the California Board of Occupational Therapy. She is also SIPT certified, with strong expertise in sensory based problems affecting feeding/oral motor coordination, organization of behavior, anxieties, developmental delays, and a variety of syndromes.
val@ot-etc.com
Jill Bordokoff, MSOT, OTR/L : joined OT Etc. in June 2004, a graduate with honors from Grossmont College's Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Jill worked as a COTA at OT Etc. for 5 years before earning her graduate degree from Belmont University in Tennessee. Jill is a certified Interactive Metronome (IM) Provider and IM-Home Provider, and has also been trained in interventions using Vital Links’ Therapeutic Listening program. Jill has additional expertise with the Handwriting Without Tears program and the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. She regularly attends professional seminars on Autism, feeding and other topics geared towards pediatric intervention programs. She is a member of AOTA and OTAC.
jill@ot-etc.com
Angela Fazio, MSOT, OTR/L: joined OT Etc. in June 2009 as a
n occupational therapy student, completing her 3-month fieldwork experience. She graduated in August 2009 from San Jose State University with honors, receiving a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, and was hired on as a full-time therapist at OT Etc in September. Angela has worked throughout San Diego County in a variety of settings, including as an outreach coordinator for underprivileged youth and as a behavioral therapist for children diagnosed with autism. She has been trained in the Handwriting Without Tears program and the Therapeutic Listening Program and is gaining additional training in Interactive Metronome as well as other pediatric intervention programs. Angelas professional experience includes working with children diagnosed with autism, PDD/NOS, ADD/ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and developmental delays. Angela is also a member of AOTA and OTAC.
angela@ot-etc.com
Meggan Lawson, MSOT, OTR/L: Meggan graduated from the University of New Hampshire receiving a MSOT in 2007. She has experience in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and inpatient children/adult psychiatric hospital. Meggan has worked in a variety of pediatric settings prior to finishing her degree in Occupational therapy including a Head Start program, Respite care home for children with special needs and a summer camp for children with Autism. She has training in use of physical agent modalities (PAMS) and is gaining additional expertise in the Therapeutic Listening Program as well as other pediatric intervention programs. Meggan is also a member of AOTA.
meggan@ot-etc.com
Angela Bender, OTR/L: joined OT Etc in July of 2011 as an occupational therapist. She graduated from in December of 1999 from Western Michigan University, receiving a Bachelors of Science with a Major in Occupational Therapy. Angela has worked throughout Illinois and Hawaii, with over 10 years experience working with the pediatric population. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including schools, inpatient/outpatient rehab, acute care, and with much focus on the birth to three-age range. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work in many culturally and economically diverse areas. Angela is certified in Vital Links’ Therapeutic Listening and has been trained in the Handwriting Without Tears program and the Alert Program. She is gaining additional training in Interactive Metronome. Angela’s professional experience also includes assistive technology, aquatic therapy, and Neurodevelopmental treatment. She has worked with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other neurological impairments, autism, PDD/NOS, ADD/ADHD, cortical visual impairment, developmental delay and a variety of syndromes.
ange@ot-etc.com
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EXCEL SPEECH
Katherine Louis, M.A. CCC-SLP: Katherine, owner of Excel Speech Therapy Center, completed her graduate studies at California State University Fresno and is an ASHA member and CA licensed speech-language pathologist. She has experience working in a variety of settings including early intervention, private practice, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and public schools. Katherine has clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of adults and children. Her experience in working with the pediatric population includes, feeding and swallowing disorders, language deficits, fluency, voice, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and apraxia. Her adult experience includes diagnosis and treatment of aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, and dysphagia. Katherine has completed the Introduction to PROMPT Technique workshop and believes in a multidisciplinary team approach.
katherine@excelspeech.com
Brigid Shamburg, M.A., CCC-SLP: Brigid has worked as a speech-language pathologist since August 2005 and began working at Excel Speech Therapy Center in August 2006. Brigid received a baccalaureate degree in Music Therapy from Immaculata University in PA and received a Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Memphis. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and a current member of ASHA. She has experience in working with children and adolescents with a variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, speech and language delays / impairments, voice disorders, cleft palate, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, stuttering/fluency, and apraxia. Her personal interest is providing children with multiple learning pathways and modalities including music and movement to enhance perception and increase gestalt learning. She is also dedicated to finding the most effective means of communication for the children and their families to facilitate the growth of their speech, language, and communication skills. Brigid is certified by The Hanen Program® to teach It Takes Two To Talk course and More Than Words course for parents. She has been trained in PECS (the Picture Exchange Communication System), PROMPT, and Beckman Oral Motor Technique.
brigid@excelspeech.com
LuAnn H. Lower, M.A., CCC-SLP: LuAnn graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a Master of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is an ASHA member and holds licenses in both California and New York State. She has over 19 years of diversified clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with a wide range of communication and related disorders. Her experience includes but is not limited to the following diagnoses: autism, Down’s syndrome, developmental delays, fluency, voice disorders, articulation/phonology disorders, apraxia, aphasia, dysarthria, and dysphagia. LuAnn has worked in a variety of settings including developmental centers, hospitals, skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers, public schools, community clinics, a non-profit preschool, and private practice. Her guiding principal in treatment has always been a focus on functional communication skills. She is committed to continuing education and most recently attended workshops focusing on Early Intervention as well as the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. LuAnn is certified by The Hanen Program® to teach It Takes Two To Talk course for parents.
luann@excelspeech.com
Ashley Farwick, M.A., CCC-SLP: Ashley is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist in the state of California and a current member of ASHA. She completed her undergraduate studies at Miami University, where she received a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology with a minor in special education. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati, where she received a Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of children and adults with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders. Her experience includes, but is not limited to the following diagnoses: developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, feeding and swallowing disorders, language delays/disorders, cleft lip and palate, apraxia of speech, articulation/phonological impairments, selective mutism, and hearing loss. She is committed to a multidisciplinary treatment approach and continuing education. Ashley is trained in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and is certified by The Hanen Program® to teach the It Takes Two To Talk course for parents.
ashley@excelspeech.com
Stephanie Burgener, M.A., CCC-SLP: Stephanie earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University and a baccalaureate in Socio-Cultural Linguistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has experience with clients across the age-span and has served in private practice, hospital, and public school settings. She has provided services to young children and adolescents, addressing a variety of speech and language disorders including but not limited to specific language impairment, apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, voice disorders, fluency, phonological/articulation disorders, developmental delays, and pragmatic language disorders. Her experience with adult populations has included diagnosis and treatment of aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, voice disorders, and acquired impairments in memory and cognition. Stephanie is trained in SCERTS® and is certified by The Hanen Program® to teach the It Takes Two To Talk and More Than Words courses for parents. Stephanie believes in a multi-disciplinary treatment model and evidence-based practice.
stephanie@excelspeech.com
Lindsey Stark, M.S. CCC-SLP: Lindsey completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Illinois State University. She is a member of ASHA and holds licenses in California and Illinois. She has experience working in a variety of settings, including early intervention, rehabilitation hospital, and public schools. Lindsey has worked with preschool and school-aged children with articulation, phonological, language, and central auditory processing disorders; oral motor and social deficits including children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Her experience with adults includes the evaluation and treatment of apraxia, aphasia, dysarthria, dysphagia, and traumatic brain injury. Lindsey is trained in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). Lindsey has been employed by Excel Speech Therapy Center since September of 2009 and treats children and adults at the Bonita location.
lindsey@excelspeech.com
Janet Davidow, M.S. CCC-SLP: Janet received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut and master’s degree at Southern Connecticut State University. She moved to San Diego in August 2008 where she became an ASHA member and earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence. Her professional experience includes work with children and adolescents with a variety of communication needs including deficits in language, pragmatics, articulation, phonology, fluency, and voice. She has worked with diverse populations and a range of diagnoses including apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and Angelman syndrome.
janet@excelspeech.com
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PT IN MOTION
Kristin Parsley, MPT, Co-Owner of PT in Motion, Inc.: Over 15 years of pediatric physical therapy experience. Career began at Children’s Hospital San Diego. Experience included treatment of all pediatric diagnoses, home care, and school based treatment however specialized in traumatic brain injury, as the lead physical therapist on the inpatient rehabilitation team. Kristin has been trained in treatment of the premature infant and worked for 5 years in the NICU at Children’s Hospital. While at Children’s, Kristin also consulted at Children’s Convalescent Hospital, worked in the JRA clinic and was a member of the NICU Developmental Team. Presently she continues to consult at San Diego Regional Center assisting in screening children 0-3. Acquired specialized skills in Cascade orthotics, treatment of torticollis, and the premature baby. Has a personal interest in developing a gymnastics class for children with low tone.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Roxanne Husson-Van Norman, MPT, Co-Owner of PT in Motion, Inc. : Over 15 years of therapy experience. Career began at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey, CA. Experience there consisted of treatment of adults and adolescents with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. Roxanne transitioned to California Children’s Services in Santa Barbara in 1995 where she worked with pediatrics for 3 ½ years treating neurological as well as orthopedic diagnoses. In 1998 she continued her career with Children’s Hospital in San Diego where she worked for 6 years. She began as an outpatient therapist treating children along with adult stroke patients. After 2 ½ years, she transitioned to her role as the Inpatient Rehabilitation Coordinator for physical therapy. Roxanne has experience treating a variety of diagnoses including brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopedic conditions, syndromes, developmental delay and torticollis among many others. She has specialized skills in the area of seating and equipment assessment, spasticity management, orthotics and bracing. Roxanne was a member of the “Spasticity Team” at Children’s, and has lectured for Allergen, the producers of Botox. She was an instructor for the “Advanced Neurology” Master’s course at Mount Saint Mary’s College; has lectured at Grossmont College; and organized and was a primary presenter for “Spinal Cord Injury in the Pediatric Client” at Children’s Hospital.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Cathy Cortney, MPT: Extensive experience of pediatric and adolescent physical therapy experience. Cathy has a BS degree from UCSD and Master's of Physical Therapy from Mt. St. Mary's College. Her career began at California Children's Services San Diego County in Chula Vista. Experience at CCS consisted of evaluation and treatment of children birth to 21 with diagnoses including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscle diseases, JRA, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and various congenital muscular-skeletal disorders. Cathy worked as a Senior therapist for the past 6 years and developed extensive skill in DME prescription and seating systems, school and caregiver education for severely disabled individuals, observational gait analysis and therapeutic play exercises. Cathy has worked with many pediatric specialists in the Children's, Kaiser and Triwest systems through regular medical clinics and has strong working relationships with local orthotists and DME vendors. Cathy has been employed by PT in Motion, Inc. since October 2006 and services clients in both the Bonita and Kearny Mesa locations. She is a Senior therapist with this clinic and is skilled in treating children, adolescents and adults. Adolescent diagnoses include fractures, surgical corrections, muscles strains and tears, sprains, sports injuries among many others. Cathy has become part of our specialized team involved with "custom seating and wheelchair assessments" for people with very complex diagnoses including but not limited to, ALS, MS, muscle disease, cerebral palsy, arthritis, cardiac conditions etc.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Mary Powell, RPT: Mary Powell has practiced physical therapy for more than 20 years in the San Diego area. She spent most of her career at Children's Hospital in San Diego, where she started as a staff physical therapist and later progressed to Team Leader of the physical therapy department, where she supervised 35-40 staff members over the course of 13 years. She is eurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) certified and is trained in a variety of manual therapy techniques including Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST). Mary is skilled in treating all pediatric diagnoses, and provides evaluations and treatment for adolescents and adults with acute orthopedic and sports injuries. She has expertise in the areas of chronic pain diagnoses and arthritic conditions as well as problems with the foot and ankle. Mary lectures nationally on a variety of diagnosis in particular topics related to problems with the foot and ankle, and specializes in custom orthotic evaluation and fabrication.
For more information on craniosacral therapy, please visit:
www.craniosacraltherapy.org
www.upledger.com
Contact PT in Motion, Inc. management for an appointment.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Cris Rash, PTA: Graduated from Mesa College in 2004. Cris began her career at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego and has been employed with PT in Motion, Inc for over two years. Cris has experience and expertise in treating a variety of pediatric diagnoses including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, various syndromes, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury and torticollis. Cris has additional experience in treating a variety of adolescent orthopedic conditions along with adult diagnoses including post surgical conditions, back pain, fractures, and various joint problems.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Beth Ashcraft, MPT: Beth graduated from Mt. St. Mary's College in 2000, and has extensive experience in the field of physical therapy. She worked for California Children's Services for 8 years treating a variety of diagnoses, both orthopedic and neurologic. Beth has experience with equipment recommendations to include orthotics, gait assistive devices and custom wheelchairs. Beth has expanded her treatment skills in the area of adult orthopedic conditions, and is proficient at treating diagnoses including back injuries, neck pain, joint injuries, post-surgical conditions etc.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Kirsten Paratore, MPT: Kirsten graduated with a BSW and MPT from The University of Vermont. She is a certified Early Intervention Specialist and began her physical therapy career in 2005 at Step One Early Intervention in MA. She treated children from birth to 3 years with a variety of diagnoses including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, torticollis, muscle diseases, congenital muscular-skeletal disorders, and pre maturity with developmental delays. She has provided therapy services to infants, toddlers and their families using home and center based interventions. Kirsten has been employed by PT in Motion, Inc. since September of 2009 and treats children and adults in both Bonita and Kearny Mesa locations.
info@ptinmotioninc.com
Nicole DePalma, DPT: Nicole recently moved to San Diego from Boston, MA where she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Northeastern University. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (2009) and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (2010) and is a licensed Physical Therapist in the State of California. She took additional course work at Northeastern to become a Certified Early Intervention Specialist in the state of Massachusetts. Nicole has experience as a rehabilitation aide and physical therapy clinical student in outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation, inpatient acute care and subacute rehabilitation, and providing early intervention services to children birth-3 years and support to their families. Nicole also helped to develop a Gross Motor Play-group for children ages 3-5 at an Early Headstart Program in Dorchester, MA as part of her Advanced PT Project at Northeastern. Nicole is passionate about learning and is looking forward to taking Continuing Education Courses to become a Certified Pediatric Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association. Nicole joined PT in Motion, INC in July 2010 and has enjoyed rehabilitating both her pediatric clients as well as adolescent and adult orthopedic clients!
Lauren Fiedler, DPT: Lauren graduated from the University at Buffalo with a DPT degree. She first joined PT in Motion as a physical therapy student on her final 3 month internship. She has clinical experience working with both children and adults with neurologic and orthopedic injuries. She has treated children in the school setting with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, down syndrome, developmental delay, spina bifida, and other neuromuscular disorders. She also has clinical experience working at several orthopedic clinics; in particular sports related injuries, overuse injuries and total joint replacements. She is currently a member of the APTA, and most recently attended the Physical Therapy CSM conference in San Diego to further expand her knowledge in orthopedic & neurologic treatment of both children and adults.
Wendy Tylka, PTA: Wendy graduated from Cerritos College with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree.
Wendy has worked for PT in Motion for over two years. She has extensive experience in treating both children with disabilities, as well as adolescents and adults with orthopedic diagnoses. Wendy has a specialization in dance and yoga, which gives her a unique perspective in treating patients. She has a very in depth understanding of the human body and how posture and control impact a person's daily life and performance.
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