Occupational Therapy

Dana graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in December 2004 with a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in all settings including long term care, acute care, home health, schools and pediatrics while living in St. Louis for one and a half years. She joined the staff at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in June 2006. She has experience with sensory processing disorder (SPD), oral motor stimulation, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation, Austism and ASD, as well as working in the schools. She is also trained in therapeutic listening, vision therapy, and is certified in kinesiotaping. In 2007, she began developing the Vision Treatment Program along with Aliza Soler, MOTR/L. She enjoys providing occupational therapy services for children and their families to promote the child's independence.

Aliza graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in August of 2005 with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. She joined the staff at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in October of 2005. She has experience working with children with Austism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Visual Skills Delay. She has attended continuing education courses on Handwriting without Tears, Therapeutic Listening and Visual/Vestibular assessment and treatment. She became certified in NDT in 2009. Along with Dana Schonhoff, MOTR/L, she began developing the vision treatment program in 2007. She enjoys working with children and their families and teachers to increase independence and participation in all the wonderful things life has to offer.

Molly received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. She has been at the Kenny Rogers Childrens Center for twelve years having moved to Sikeston from Kansas in July of 1996. Molly is trained in the areas of Sensory Integration, Therapeutic Listening, Wilbarger Protocal, Handwriting Without Tears, Motor Learning, and Kinesio Taping. Molly is also NDT certified in pediatrics. She finds her job at the center to be rewarding and fulfilling and is proud to be a part of the children’s development and lives.

Ashley graduated in July 2008 from Maryville University with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She has experience working in pediatrics including fieldwork in early childhood and school-based settings, as well as working as a mentor in a summer camp for developmentally disabled adolescents. She has experience working with children with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and sensory integration deficits. She is interested in attending continuing education classes addressing therapeutic listening, sensory integration, vision, and handwriting without tears. She enjoys working with children and their families to increase their independence.

Jenna graduated in May 2007 from the University of Southern Indiana with a master's degree in occupational therapy. She has various pediatric experiences including her fieldwork in home health, outpatient and school based settings. She has also volunteered as a summer camp counselor and engaged in fund raising opportunities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). She has experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration deficits, Soto's syndrome, developemental delay, muscular dystrophy, and Down Syndrome. She is interested in attending continuing education courses regarding vision, sensory integration, handwriting, and therapeutic listening. She has a strong interest in working with the pediatric population and advancing her skills.

Bethany graduated from Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield Missouri with an Associate of Applied Science Degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Bethany hopes to one day enter a bridge program to complete her master’s degree as an Occupational Therapist. She has experience providing occupational therapy services with all ages in many environments including adult acute care, inpatient rehab, home health, geriatrics, third world medical clinics, eastern European orphanages and pediatrics. She joined the staff at the Kenny Rogers Childrens Center in September of 2006, gaining experience with sensory processing disorder, autism, mental retardation, downs syndrome, developmental delay, and handwriting. She enjoys supporting families in the process of raising children to become physically and emotionally healthy adult members of their community.

Michelle Masters graduated in May 2008 as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has clinical experience in both long-term care and inpatient rehabilitation. Michelle joined the Kenny Rogers Children's Center staff in August 2008. She is interested in continuing education in the Handwriting without Tears Program, Sensory Integration techniques and Austism spectrum disorders. She enjoys pediatrics because she enjoys helping children to reach thier fullest potential and live the most fulfilling life that they can.

Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in May 2009 with a Master's in occupational therapy. She has pediatric experience evaluating children with Autism at the Thompson Center and volunteering as a conselor at MDA camp. She also has experience practicing OT in adult inpatient rehab and acute care. She is currently gaining experience in treating children with a variety of developmental and neurolocial deficits. She is interested in continuing her education by taking courses in sensory integration and handwriting. She enjoys working with children and increasing her skills as a pediatric therapist.