Carolyn Andrews, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Carolyn is the owner of Children's Choice For Therapy. She has a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from the University of South Florida . Carolyn taught learning disabled students here in the Hillsborough County School System for four years. She then went on to pursue a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University .

Carolyn specializes in the area of sensory integration and is Sensory Integration and Praxis Test Certified . Her knowledge in this area is extensive and she enjoys attending conferences in order to keep current on the subject. Carolyn has attended numerous conferences some of which include: “How Does Your Engine Run”, “Sensory Integration for those with Developmental, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Dyspraxia”, “Sensory Defensiveness and Related Social/Emotional and Neurological Problems by the Wilbargers:, "Practical Sense in Sensory Integration”, "Advanced Practical Sense in Sensory Integration”, "Sensory Integration Intervention in Autism”, “Handwriting Without Tears”, "Hints for Horrible Handwriting”, “From Eyesight to Insight: Visual/Vestibular Assessment & Treatment”, “Clinical Assessment and Practical Interventions for Praxis”. Because of her strong background in sensory integration, Carolyn especially enjoys working with children on the autistic spectrum.

Carolyn is also certified in Therapeutic Listening . She has attended “Listening With The Whole Body” which provides her access to Modulation and Somonas CD's as well as “Advanced Listening With The Whole Body” which are the Fine Tuning CD's. Carolyn is also a certified Interactive Metronome provider.

Carolyn evaluates and treats children in the office on a daily basis. Carolyn is a certified RDI Consultant. RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) is a developmental program that focuses on the remediation of autism.

Andrea Kelley Walter, MS, CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Andrea received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from the University of Florida. She received her Master's degree from the University of South Florida in Speech Language Pathology. Her professional interests include Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Language Delay, Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome.

Prior to joining Children's Choice for Therapy, Andrea worked in the school setting for years and did one of her externships at Morton Plant Mease Hospital. She has experience with both adult and pediatric clients with various diagnoses. Andrea is a certified Interactive Metronome provider.

Rebecca Raydon, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Rebecca is an occupational therapist at Children's Choice for Therapy. Her background includes a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Clarke College in Dubuque , Iowa and then she attended the University of Indianapolis where she earned her Masters in Occupational Therapy. Rebecca completed her clinical internships in occupational therapy at the Mayo Clinic St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester , Minnesota and The Shriner's hospital for Children in Greenville , South Carolina .

Rebecca is a certified Interactive Metronome provider. She takes pleasure in working with children who have sensory integration dysfunction especially those on the autistic spectrum. Rebecca shares her time between the clinic and school settings where she consults with teachers on ways to incorporate sensory strategies into the classroom in order to improve a child's ability to learn. Rebecca enjoys the outdoors, dancing and quilting as outlets for creativity and self-expression.

Leslie C. Hiltz, MHS, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Leslie is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of Florida in 1998. Since that time, she has enjoyed working with children with sensory integrative disorders, such as Autism. Leslie enjoys physical challenges and anything outdoors.

Leslie has had extensive training in neurological injuries such as brain and spinal cord injury, in addition to her training in pediatrics. "Working with these populations has allowed me the opportunity to see how learning impacts and develops the brain. I feel grateful for the opportunity to share in my patients' recoveries."

Leslie has shown a specific interest on how vision affects learning and motor skills. She tries to incorporate this into all aspects of patient care, whenever appropriate. Leslie is a certified Interactive Metronome provider.

Carolyn Bentley, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Carolyn is an occupational therapist who graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. Her professional interests include working with children who have sensory integration dysfunction especially those on the autistic spectrum. She has provided services to both adult and pediatric clients with various diagnoses. Carolyn joined the Children's Choice for Therapy team in January 2009.

Personally, Carolyn is a native Floridian who is interested in organic gardening, however, she expressed that between Florida's extreme heat and bugs it was indeed a challenge!!

Kara Mihelich , M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Kara is originally from the Metro Detroit area. She moved to Kalamazoo, MI to earn her B.S. and M.S. in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University. There she also studied holistic health and yoga. Moving to the Tampa Bay area had always been a thought, so she decided to leave the blistery winters and give tropical weather a try. She enjoys exploring Tampa, cooking, and talking with her family in MI via web cam.

Kara's clinical experiences have ranged from outpatient hand therapy to providing services for early intervention in the school system. She enjoys learning about new and exciting research regarding pediatric occupational therapy. She has always found joy and laughter when spending time with children. She is inspired by the creativity and happiness they bring to any situation. "I am honored to be a part of helping these children develop the skills they need to live a fulfilling and happy life."

Rachel Fisher, M.A., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Therapist

Rachel received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Florida. She continued her education as a Gator, earning her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from UF as well. Before coming on board at Children’s Choice, Rachel completed her clinical externship at Shands Hospital, specifically at the Speech and Hearing Clinic and at Magnolia Parke, an outpatient rehabilitation center for children. Her other clinical experiences have ranged from private practice to a residential community for developmentally disabled adults. Rachel has experience working with children with apraxia, hearing impairment/cochlear implants, Autism Spectrum Disorders, cleft lip/palate, and language delay.

In June of 2009, Rachel moved to the Tampa Bay area. She spends her time hanging out with her family and friends, keeping up with Gator football, reading, and enjoying as much of the beautiful Florida sunshine as possible!

Jane Smart M.S., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Jane received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. This is a second career for Jane, who previously worked in Human Resources for many years while raising her two sons. She enjoys working with children of all ages, particularly in the areas of literacy and language. Jane is a certified beginning Cued Speech instructor and has a professional interest in Cued Speech research and in providing speech and language therapy for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Jane is a Tampa Bay area native, but spent a few years in Alabama, Wisconsin and South and Central Florida before returning to her “home.” She is an active volunteer with the music program at her youngest son’s high school. When she has the time, Jane enjoys traveling, reading and gardening.

Felix Matias, M.S., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Felix graduate with a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Puerto Rico in 1993. He holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Felix has worked in a variety of settings, including, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, home health, schools, and private practice. He is certified as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) by Early Steps. Currently he works as a Clinical Instructor at the University of South Florida, and provides consultations at Children’s Choice for Therapy. His areas of interest include early intervention and bilingual development. Felix is bilingual (Spanish/English) and provides services in both languages.

Anastasia Pavlinic, MS, CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist

Anastasia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish and Communicative Disorders from SUNY Geneseo College at New York. She earned her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology Audiology from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to joining Children’s Choice for Therapy, she worked for six years as a Teacher of Speech/Language Impaired in Broward County Public Schools. She has eight years of experience serving children with speech/language impairments in school and outpatient settings throughout Florida. Anastasia enjoys implementing evidenced based practice during therapy to ensure client success. Her professional interests include language and literacy in the school aged population and providing academically relevant therapy to children of all ages.

She enjoys health and fitness, reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and newborn daughter.

 

Rachyl Gatzlaff, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Rachyl is a born and raised Floridian. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Master of Occupational Therapy. Throughout her clinical experiences, Rachyl has had the opportunity to work with children in both the clinical and school setting as well as adults in an inpatient hospital setting. After spending a few months in Tampa, Rachyl decided to make the move permanent and has been living in the area since January, 2011. Rachyl has a passion for working with children, and utilizes various approaches, including sensory and visual motor integration, into her sessions, and believes that you never stop learning. She is a certified Interactive Metronome provider.

Rachyl is enjoying Tampa and is glad to be only a few hours drive away from her family, whom she loves to visit. In her spare time, Rachyl enjoys activities such as water sports, running and is always interested in trying something new.

Christine Hegarty, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Christine has been practicing as a pediatric occupational therapist in the Tampa area since 2006. She received her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University in 2006 and has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Florida State University.

Christine specializes in Autism, sensory processing disorders, feeding aversion, and handwriting. She is a certified Therapeutic Listening provider and has attended “Therapeutic Listening; Listening with the Whole Body.” She is currently working towards a Level I Certification in Handwriting without Tears and has attended the 2-day Handwriting without Tears workshop (Pre-K and K-5) as well as the Print Tool Workshop (handwriting assessment tool).

Christine has spent most of her career in a pediatric hospital outpatient setting. Therefore, she has experience with a variety of diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, stroke, hemiplegia, traumatic brain injury, and developmental delay. She holds specialty certifications in those areas as well including the Therasuit Method Intensive Therapy, Kinesiotaping, pediatric neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), pelvic floor rehabilitation, pediatric serial casting and pediatric splinting.

Christine enjoys reading, visiting her family in Orlando, practicing yoga, cooking, and dancing/performing salsa with a local performance team.

Kristi Bell, B.S.
Pediatric Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Kristi received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma where she was an active member in the National Student Speech/Language Hearing Association. Kristi gained clinical experience at the university and has attended seminars on topics such as Auditory Verbal Therapy. She also has a degree in American Sign Language from Oklahoma State University.

Prior to joining Children's Choice for Therapy, Kristi taught high school American Sign Language in Plano, Texas. She now enjoys coaching gymnastics and working for Children's Choice for Therapy.

 

Courtney Whitaker, BS, SLP-A
Pediatric Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Courtney is a graduate of the University of South Florida. She graduated in 2001 with honors from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Courtney has been a Pediatric Speech Language Pathology Assistant for the past ten years. She has treated patients with various disorders and diagnoses. Courtney also works with children from birth to three years of age as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist with the Early Steps Program. She travels to the patient’s home to coach and model for the parent’s using appropriate techniques given the specific diagnoses. Courtney is certified to practice in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist and is licensed as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant in the state of Florida.

Maria Sarantis, MS, CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist

Maria received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida, in 1997. She received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in the Spring of 1999. Her professional interests include language delay, fluency, articulation disorders, Down Syndrome and dementia.

Prior to joining Children's Choice for Therapy Maria has worked in the school setting as a K-12 therapist and Pre-K diagnostician, in a geriatric setting at a Skilled Nursing Facility, privately in the home and preschool setting and provided PRN services for one of All Children's Hospitals outpatient facilities.

Joyce Maldonado, BS, SLP-A
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathology Assistant

Joyce began her education at Miami Dade College where she obtained an Associate's in Arts degree. Joyce continued her education at Florida International University where she earned her Bachelor in Health Science, Minor in Health Administration and a Certificate of Linguistics. She is proficient in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

Currently, Joyce is attending Nova Southeastern University where she is pursuing her Masters in Speech Language Pathology.