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4.7 stars | 19 reviews
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4.7 stars | 19 reviews
Welcome to the Center of Developmental Pediatrics, where our team of pediatric occupational therapists is passionate about helping children thrive. With a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, our dedicated professionals are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to support each child's unique needs and developmental journey. Meet our team below, and contact us to schedule your initial evaluation at one of our convenient locations in Katy and Houston!
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Becky Mahalec is the heart and soul of the Center of Developmental Pediatrics. With over 25 years of experience, Becky's pediatric occupational therapy journey has been inspiring. Graduating with honors from Texas Woman’s University, Becky's career has taken her through various settings, including private clinics, schools, and a decade-long tenure at Texas Children’s Hospital. Her dedication to the field led her to become certified in Sensory Integration and Praxis (SIPT), Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), and Integrated Listening Systems (iLs). In 2011, Becky returned to the private sector and eventually became the proud owner of the Center of Developmental Pediatrics in 2015. Alongside her fantastic staff, Becky continues to educate and empower children and their families with compassion, knowledge, and expertise.
Lacey brings her passion to help all children reach their full potential while prioritizing caregiver education to support their child’s individual differences. Lacey graduated from Texas A&M University with her bachelor's degree and from Texas Woman's University- Dallas with her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2015 and has been working in pediatrics ever since. Lacey has completed the Level One Hybrid Mentorship Program at the Star Institute of Sensory Processing and has additional certification and experience in Ayers Sensory Integration through CLASI, DIR/Floortime, Handwriting Without Tears, feeding, and Animal Assisted Therapy. She has extensive experience working with children of all ages and with a wide variety of diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, anxiety, dysgraphia, and developmental delay. Outside of work, Lacey enjoys spending time with her family, anything outdoors, and competing in dog sports.
Amy Newberry brings her passion for pediatric occupational therapy to the Katy location of the Center of Developmental Pediatrics. Graduating with a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from Baylor University and a master's degree in occupational therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch, Amy's journey in OT has been driven by her desire to help children reach their full potential. With certifications in Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) and training in Sensory Integration and Handwriting, Amy is dedicated to understanding each child's unique needs and fostering their self-esteem and confidence.
Eve Anderson is a licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Texas. She completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University and holds two Bachelors degrees from the University of Michigan in Psychology and in Dance. Eve worked for the Harris County Department of Education from 2012 to 2021. She was a contract Occupational Therapist in Katy ISD from 2013 to 2021. She has worked with children from pre-school age through high school. During her career with HCDE Eve worked with a wide variety of students with a focus on students on the Autism Spectrum. Prior to working in the Katy ISD school system, Eve also worked in the Lamar Independent School district, the Cypress Fairbanks School District, at Occupational Therapy Center Inc. (a pediatric sensory integration clinic), and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in acute care. Eve also worked in human resources for 8 years prior to changing her career field. Eve has helped many families over the years navigate the Admissions Review and Dismissal (ARD) process by attending a multitude of ARD meetings and providing advice to parents on goals, accommodations, modifications, and sensory diets. Navigating the ARD process can be daunting, and she is ready to help with all aspects of getting the best Free and Public Education (FAPE) for each child she works with. Eve enjoys working with children of all ages and strives to concentrate on helping her patients become successful in their everyday environments by pulling from her sensory integration background. She also likes to celebrate the small and big successes her patients have in therapy and in their lives. Eve strives to develop close relationships with the families she works with to support not only the child, but the entire family.
Kyra’s dedication to pediatric occupational therapy is fueled by her upbringing in a family of occupational therapists. Graduating summa cum laude from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in allied health and later receiving her Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University, Kyra's journey in OT has been guided by her passion for helping children reach their full potential. With experience in various settings, including acute, inpatient, and outpatient rehab, Kyra's areas of interest include gross and fine motor delays, sensory processing, and handwriting. As a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Texas Occupational Therapy Association, Kyra is committed to empowering children to conquer their world with confidence.
Rachelle Shaffer's journey in pediatric occupational therapy is driven by her personal experience as a Type 1 diabetic and her passion for breaking stigmas and empowering children to reach their full potential. Graduating with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas, Rachelle's expertise in sensory integration and promoting functional independence has made her an invaluable member of the Center of Developmental Pediatrics team. With a focus on collaboration and support for families and teachers, Rachelle is committed to celebrating every child's successes and fostering their development through sensory integration and play.
Elizabeth Bontrager brings her passion for sensory integration and visual perceptual processing to her role as a pediatric occupational therapist at the Center of Developmental Pediatrics. Graduating cum laude from Baylor University with a degree in child and family studies and later receiving her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Elizabeth's journey in OT has been guided by her commitment to helping children meet their greatest potential. With experience running her own sensory OT clinic in Switzerland and focusing on empowering children through personalized care, Elizabeth is dedicated to fostering their growth and development in meaningful ways.
Jessica Cohen brings a unique perspective to pediatric occupational therapy, drawing from her personal experience as a dyslexic individual who attended occupational therapy as a child. Having graduated with honors from Brunel University of West London with a master's degree in occupational therapy and a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Texas Christian University, Jessica's journey in OT has been shaped by her passion for empowering children to do and be anything they want to be. With a focus on sensory processing, nature integration, and emotional regulation, Jessica is dedicated to helping children unlock their potential and thrive in a world that celebrates their unique abilities.
Erin graduated from Texas A&M University in December of 2019 with her Bachelor's in Nutrition. She later received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Baylor University in December of 2022. She completed her clinical fieldwork rotations in the ICU Burn Unit, NICU, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Medical City Plano (Plano, TX) and in outpatient pediatrics at Synaptic Pediatrics (Irving, TX). She completed her Doctoral Capstone at It's a Sensory World (Farmers Branch, TX), where she spearheaded a new program called the Sensory Bus. She developed various programs in which the Sensory Bus was used for advocacy, education, and inclusion for sensory integration services in underserved communities. Erin is currently an adjunct professor for Baylor University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. She is an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider and has recieved a Certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration (CASI) through the Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration® (CLASI) allowing her to assess children using the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI). Erin is passionate about working with children to help them reach their full potential at home, school, and within the community.
Adaline (Addie) Meinke graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in Allied Health with a minor in Psychology in 2019. She worked at Reach Unlimited for almost a year before returning to school at Texas Woman's University- Houston to complete her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree in 2023. She completed her fieldwork at Faith Pediatric Rehabilitation in Richmond, TX and at University Health Hospital in San Antonio, TX. She has worked in pediatrics since completing her degree. Addie has utilized the sensory integration approach since beginning her career and is currently undergoing certification in the Ayres Sensory Integration approach, among other continuing education, to further develop her skills. Her passion is to empower children to do what they both need and want to do in life as well as empower families to achieve a fulfilling and functional lifestyle. Outside of work, Addie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring new places, watching movies, reading, writing, singing, and trying new foods.
Hailey Spreeman's passion for sensory integration and pediatric occupational therapy shines through in her role as a board-certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA/L). With experience in sensory-based feeding approaches and a dedication to helping children become the best versions of themselves, Hailey's commitment to functional skill development and celebrating the outcomes of hard work makes her an invaluable member of the Center of Developmental Pediatrics team. In her free time, Hailey enjoys spending time with her dogs, pursuing photography, and engaging in outdoor activities like wakeboarding and snowboarding.
Ritu graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, but quickly realized a career in Occupational Therapy was a better fit. She graduated from Houston Community College as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in 1999 and has never looked back. Her fieldwork included rotations at Memorial Hermann Rehab Hospital in Houston, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Richmond, and ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) in Cypress. Through those fieldwork experiences, she discovered she wanted to pursue a career with the pediatric population. Ritu began her pediatric career at the Occupational Therapy Center where she started her journey learning about Sensory Integration. Ritu now has over 20 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, home health, and schools. She loves seeing children increase their confidence in their skills and being able to not just function, but enjoy all aspects of their lives. In her free time, Ritu enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, listening to audiobooks, playing board games, and trying new foods/restaurants.
Ogo graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2015 and received her master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2020 from the University of New Mexico. As a graduate student she completed additional specialized courses in Sensory Integration and Hands. Ogo completed her Occupational Therapy Clinical fieldwork in various settings including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Post-NICU Developmental Clinic, Early Interventions and outpatient Neurology at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Texas. During this time until now she continues to devote her time, skills and heart to help children overcome a combination of developmental challenges. She has experience working with children to address self-regulation, fine and gross motor coordination, visual motor skills, sensory modulation, and executive functioning skills. Ogo remains passionate in supporting the acquisition and development of functional skills while helping individuals cultivate a healthy sense of confidence as active participants in the routines, activities, and events that shape their lives. She remains excited and committed to guiding others along their journey as they strive to reach their full potential all while celebrating small and big victories along the way.
