Ann Marie Gottlieb graduated Magna Cum Laude from Concordia University of Wisconsin in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Ann Marie has provided Occupational Therapy services to the children of Las Vegas for the past 13 years. She has worked in two Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Las Vegas providing feeding therapy, sensory modulation and splinting for the tiniest of hands. She has worked as both an inpatient and outpatient hospital therapist improving the quality of life for children with life-threatening illnesses and conditions. Ann Marie has worked as an early intervention therapist helping young children and their families tackle a vast array of conditions. Ann Marie’s areas of expertise and special interest are sensory integration/dysfunction disorders, feeding therapy, behavior modification for social and emotional conditions, visual perceptual and visual motor delays, cognition, balance, motor planning and upper extremity splinting to increase functional use. Ann Marie opened My Left Foot Children’s Therapy in 2004 with the dream of making a real difference in the lives of as many children and families as possible by providing the highest quality of care found anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley.

Debra has been with My Left Foot Children's Therapy for over 5 years. She has been a pediatric Occupational Therapist for over 30 years. Wow! That’s a long time! She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University and her Master’s degree in Family studies/Early Intervention from the University of New Mexico. She became a Pediatric Specialist in Occupational Therapy, earning specialized certifications in both Pediatric Sensory Integration Treatment (for sensory processing disorders) and Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Treatment. During her 30 years of experience, Debra has helped hundreds of children with many different diagnoses become happier and more independent children.

Kerri graduated with honors in 1996 from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology. She then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA, in 2000, again graduating with honors and numerous awards. Kerri’s professional experience is extensive and includes working with children with Spinal Cord Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD/ADD, Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Disabilities, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental Delays, Musculoskeletal Diagnoses, Neurologic Disorders, and Congenital Disorders. Kerri has had the unique experience of obtaining specialized training and extensive professional experience in several specialized areas of Occupational Therapy. She has had the honor of working in a 45-bed NICU, providing highly specialized treatment to tiny Neonates. She has had the privilege of working in the field of Vision Therapy, improving visual perception and, visual processing for patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Acquired Brain Injuries. She has worked in Splinting, improving upper extremity functional outcomes for her patients. She has worked in handwriting, facilitating handwriting skills using the Handwriting Without Tears program. She has worked in the field of Occupational Therapy Driving Evaluations, assessing the visual perceptual functional abilities, safety awareness, and assistive technology needs of patients wanting to learn/relearn to drive. She has even had the very unique experience of working in the area of Service Dogs, determining the needs and eligibility of patients to be partnered with Service Dogs.

Janet received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, Missouri in 2001, after first receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Since her graduation in 2001, Janet has worked exclusively as a full-time Pediatric Occupational Therapist for children birth to 21 years of age. She comes to us directly from Tampa, Florida, where she was the Clinic Coordinator, as well as a treating therapist, for an outpatient pediatric clinic. Her areas of expertise include: Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Disorder, ADL skill acquisition, adaptive equipment training, Handwriting Without Tears, and behavioral management. She has spent the last 9 years treating children with diagnoses such as Autism, Aspergers, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, SPD, Learning Disabilities, Neurologic Disorders, and Orthopedic Conditions. In 2007, Janet’s article, “Shedding Light on Sensory Integration Disorder,” was published in a popular parenting magazine. In 2008, Janet’s clinical expertise in Sensory Integration was honored when she was asked to present her report, “Identifying and Treating Sensory Integration Disorders,” to the staff Physicians during Pediatric Grand Rounds. We are proud to add another extremely knowledgeable and experienced OT to our team!

Joyce graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2004 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She has spent the past 7 years rehabilitating victims of brain injuries/head injuries, spinal cord injuries, spinal surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, cerebral vascular injuries, and strokes, as well as currently providing therapeutic intervention to children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delays and Down Syndrome. Over the past seven years she has been integral in helping so many to gain or regain their independence and lead productive and happy lives. Joyce has a special place in her heart for the Autism and Down Syndrome populations. Seeing the faces of these little ones light-up when they accomplish a new goal for the first time is amazing! Joyce’s areas of special interest are fine motor skills, visual motor skills, and handwriting. Joyce is also experienced in NDT and splinting. Joyce speaks Spanish, which is a such a great gift when working with children from Spanish-speaking homes. Joyce feels that raising her three wonderful children was the best preparation a therapist could have for being a great Pediatric Occupational Therapist. She has a wonderful understanding of child behavior and development, as well as a wonderful understanding of the very demanding job that parents have today.

Angela graduated at the top of her class from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009, with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and two Bachelor’s Degrees; one in Child Development and the other in Psychology. As an Occupational Therapy student at UW Madison, Angela had the amazing experience of working under Julia Wilbarger, as a research assistant at the Wilbarger Lab, researching Sensory Processing Disorder and its effect on those people afflicted by the disorder. Angela is a true Pediatric Therapist – deciding, while she was she was still in high school, that she wanted to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. She pursued her dream and never faltered. Angela has spent the past two years working in Pediatrics, treating children with Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Extreme Prematurity, Cortical Visual Impairments, Down Syndrome, Brachial Plexus Injuries, Genetic Syndromes, Visual Perceptual Disorders, and Fine Motor Delays. Angela Utilizes specialized programs such as, “Handwriting Without Tears,” and, “How Does Your Engine Run?” to achieve optimal results for her patients. Angela is trained in NDT Treatment for Infants and is experienced in Feeding Therapy. Angela believes very strongly in the importance of taking a holistic approach to therapy, addressing all of a child’s needs in order to attain positive outcomes. She is passionate about children and it shows. We are thrilled that Angela, her husband, and their baby girl , are relocating to Las Vegas from Wisconsin, to join our team and help make Las Vegas a better place for children with disabilities to grow up in.

Autumn graduated Magna cum Laude with a Master’s of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2010. Her professional career stateside has consisted of working in the school setting providing Occupational Therapy to children with diagnoses such as Autism, Asperger’s, PDD, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. She is proud of her success in bringing Sensory Integration into the school setting in Douglas County, NV, and training staff and teachers on how to incorporate Sensory Integration into their classrooms. Her greatest personal achievement however, is the work that she has been doing in Haiti for the past 5 years. Autumn spends every summer in Haiti volunteering as the Therapy Coordinator for a 120-bed orphanage for children with disabilities, who have either been legitimately orphaned by both of their parents, or simply discarded by their parents because of their disabilities. Autumn is very passionate about her role in changing these children’s lives and spends all of her free time stateside developing new programs that she will implement upon her return to the Miriam Center in Haiti each summer. It is her true passion to use her skills as an OT to change the lives of children all over the world! She has also made 6 mission trips to San Luis, Mexico, to help out there as well!

Christina received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997, from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Christina is a highly skilled Pediatric Occupational Therapist, with over 14 years working solely in the field of Pediatrics.  She spent the past six years working with Autistic students who had fine motor, motor planning, sequencing, visual motor, visual perceptual, and coordination deficits, while also providing Early Intervention Services to the children birth to 3 years of age, in Kent and Sussex Counties in the State of Delaware.  Prior to that, Christina spent 8 years providing OT to children 3 months to 14 years of age with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, and Down Syndrome, in Coral Springs, Florida.

Cheryl graduated in 2003 with her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina. Cheryl spent the past 3 years providing therapy to children in Rochester, New York, who were unable to attend school in their school districts because of medical or behavioral reasons. She also worked as an early intervention OT during that three years, treating children birth to 3 years of age with many different diagnoses. Prior to that position, Cheryl spent 3 years providing therapy to children 2 to 15 years of age, in Victor, New York. Cheryl’s specialty areas include Autism Spectrum Disorders, Downs Syndrome, Neurologic Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, and Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions.

Deborah graduated in 1992, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, from Keuka College in New York. After spending 20 years providing Occupational Therapy to both children and adults in Las Vegas, Deborah decided that there had been many new advancements in the field of Occupational Therapy, and that she could better serve her patients by learning about all of the new research and treatment methods, so she decided to further her skills by pursuing an Advanced Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. While working part-time at My Left Foot, she also attends school and expects to earn her Advanced Master’s Degree with an emphasis on Pediatrics in 2013. Over the past 20 years, Deborah has worked in many different settings, including Pediatric Home Health, The Clark County School District, Inpatient Rehab, ICU, etc.: In 2008, Deborah had the honor of getting the NICU Occupational Therapy program at Centennial Hills Hospital off the ground and running. Deborah’s strengths include working with children and adults with Head Injuries, Intraventricular Hemorrhages, Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Brain Tumors, Severe Neurological Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delays, Birth Defects, Spinal Bifida, Downs Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, children born addicted to cocaine or heroin, and children with Low Vision. Deborah also has advanced skills in Aquatic Therapy, Splinting, and fitting children and adults for wheelchairs, walkers, car seats and high chairs.

Bio coming soon!

Robin obtained her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2002, after first receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 1999. Since receiving her Master’s Degree, Robin has traveled the world as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, providing therapy to children fulltime in many different settings, including the hospital setting, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, outpatient clinic, home health, and the school setting. During her decade of fulltime pediatric experience, Robin has worked extensively with children who have Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Developmental Delays, Sickle Cell Anemia, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, various genetic disorders, as well as many other diagnoses. Robin’s pediatric experience in a vast array of settings, and in different parts of the world (such as her 2 years at the US Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan), has made her an exceptional pediatric therapist with an advanced set of pediatric skills, compiled from her varied pediatric professional experiences around the world.

Sharri has been working in the field of Occupational Therapy for the last 15 years. In 1993 she graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Child Development and Behavior. She later obtained her AAS in Occupational Therapy Assisting here in Nevada. She has worked in many different settings with all age groups, but she especially loves pediatrics. Sharri has worked for the Clark County School District for the last ten years and has helped children with a variety of disabilities including feeding difficulties, orthopedic problems, sensory processing disorders, autism, and ADD/ADHD. She prides herself on her ethical approach and always providing the best possible services to all the children she treats.

Jennifer graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Services and an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy from Western New Mexico University in 2006. Since that time she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of pediatric settings treating children from birth to 18 years of age with a wide range of diagnoses. Among the diagnoses she specializes in are: Autism, Angelman’s Syndrome, Down’s Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, and Developmental Delays. She demonstrates her passion for helping children gain or regain their independence by the enthusiasm she exhibits during each and every one of her treatment sessions and the infectious smiles she shares with her patients.

Smitha graduated from New York University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing. She received her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida in 2004. She has been providing speech therapy for the past 7 years in a wide variety of settings including preschool and clinic. She has experience working with children with various disorders including Down Syndrome as well as articulation/phonological disorders and expressive and receptive language deficits. She continues to attend special education workshops to further develop different teaching methodologies. 

Melissa graduated with honors from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 2007. Melissa has worked solely in the field of pediatrics with ages ranging from birth to 18 years of age, and diagnoses ranging from mild to severe. She has had the unusual experience of being able to work across settings – outpatient, in-hospital, and in the school setting - at one time, giving her a much broader understanding of the progression, recovery and effects of the different diagnoses she treats over time and in different settings. Melissa has worked collaboratively with many different healthcare and educational professionals and feels strongly that a multidisciplinary approach to therapy is vital to obtaining the most beneficial outcomes for her patients. She has focused her career on treating children with Autism, Aspergers, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Strokes, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders, Articulation Disorders, Fluency Impairments, and Severe Multiple Impairments. Melissa has devoted her career to helping children of all ages and diagnoses, regardless of the severity, understand language and express themselves effectively to improve the quality of their lives. She’s a perfect fit for My Left Foot!

Melanie graduated in 2001 with a GPA of 3.9 in her Master’s Speech and Language Pathology Program at California University of Pennsylvania. Melanie has spent the past 10 years as a Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist focusing on helping children from preschool to middle-school age advance their speech and language skills. She specializes in articulation, language, fluency, and augmentative communication. She is highly experienced and successful at helping children with Down Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Autism, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome achieve significant results in improving their speech and language skills, as well as their self-confidence and independence.

Maria has spent her entire career, almost 20 years, providing Speech Therapy to children! She graduated Cum Laude from Queens College, CUNY, in Flushing, New York in 1992 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Science and Disorders, She then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. Maria has spent her entire career helping children learn to communicate with their parents, talk to their friends, understand the world around them, and eat whatever foods their little hearts’ desire. Over the course of her career, Maria has acquired an unparalleled arsenal of skills to combat every type of issue relating to feeding, speaking, communicating, understanding, and learning. She is a true expert in her field. Some of diagnoses that she has worked with extensively include: Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, Cleft Palate, Feeding Disorders, Apraxia, Stuttering, Tongue Thrust, Receptive and Expressive Language Delays, Articulation Impairments, Traumatic Brain Injuries, CVAs, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Seizure Disorders. Some of her areas of specialized training or special skills include: Feeding Tube Weaning, Oral-Motor and Sensory Feeding, P.R.O.M.P.T., Sign Language, ABA, Reading Comprehension, PECS, and Augmentative Communication. With her wealth of knowledge, her big heart, and her awesome personality, we feel very fortunate to have Maria on our team!

Laura graduated from Brigham Young University in 2009, with a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders. She has spent the past two years working in the school setting and inpatient setting. She came to My Left Foot Children’s Therapy because she was searching for a place where she would be able to spend enough time with her patients to give them the quantity and quality of therapy that they truly need in order to make the progress that they are capable of, and deserve the opportunity to experience. Laura’s professional experience has been in working with children with Autism, Asperger’s, PDD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Diagnoses, and Voice Disorders, in the clinical treatment areas of articulation, receptive language, expressive language, swallowing, and cognition. <

Bio coming soon!

Ana has been with My Left Foot Children's Therapy for over 3 years. She graduated from the Catholic University of Salvador, Brazil with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1997. Ana then graduated from New York University with an Advanced Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy with a focus on Developmental Disabilities in 2002. Ana has taken several NDT courses applicable to the birth to three population, and she has practiced Physical Therapy in Brazil and New York in various settings such as Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and School-based, Center-based and Home-based Early Intervention Services. Her pediatric expertise includes but is not limited to Congenital Muscular Torticollis, Cerebral Palsy, Disorders of Prematurity, Genetic Syndromes etc. Ana is bilingual in Portuguese and English and conversational in Spanish. She has had the opportunity to work in centers of excellence in Brazil and in the United States such as SARAH Rehabilitation Hospital in Brazil, United Cerebral Palsy of Manhattan and New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell in New York City. Ana is a mom of a 5 year old boy and 1 year old little girl who keep her busy and remind her everyday how children develop at their own pace.

Ephraim received his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Mary, in Bismarck, North Dakota. Ephraim pursued a Doctorate Degree in PT with the specific goal of helping children overcome their physical challenges. Being a father of a child with special needs himself, Ephraim has a unique perspective on Pediatric Physical Therapy. He has a special understanding of the impact that a child’s special challenges, as well as the right therapy, has on a child and his or her family. Ephraim has provided Physical Therapy to infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and young adults with conditions related to genetic, developmental, neurological, and orthopedic conditions. He is also experienced with fitting and training for orthotics and assistive devices, as well as utilizing ultrasound, iontophoresis, traction, and electrical stimulation.

Bio coming soon!

Breanna has been very active in the Autism/ Special Needs Community for over ten years. She has spent the past 7 years providing one-on-one behavioral therapy to children and young adults with Autism, Developmental Delays, Cognitive Delays, Social Awareness Issues, Behavioral Problems, and Anger Management Issues. Her experience has been focused on providing Discrete Trial Training, Behavioral Management, Social Skills Training, Community Awareness, and Academic Support. Breanna believes that every child is different and has different behavioral therapy needs. She feels that the best behavioral outcomes are achieved by incorporating the most appropriate techniques from the multiple styles of behavioral therapy models she has been trained in, to meet the individual needs of each individual child. Breanna prides herself on her professionalism, as well as her holistic approach to therapy.

Mrs. Karen Miller has been training in Tae Kwon Do for 9 years and is a 1st Degree Black Belt. She specializes in providing Tae Kwon Do instruction to children and children with disabilities. She offers patience and confidence in her program to help your child be the very BEST that they can be. Always having students try their BEST, never giving up. Karen and Patrick Miller own Family Karate, dedicated to helping families grow stronger together. For more information about Family Karate, please visit them on the web: www.familykaratelasvegas.com