Becky Mahalec 

About the Owner…

Becky Mahalec graduated with honors from Texas Woman’s University in 1999 with her Bachelor’s degree. Her amazing journey has led her through a variety of settings, ranging from private clinics, schools and 10 years at Texas Children’s Hospital where she was awarded the Superstar Award in November 2011. Becky was Sensory Integration and Praxis (SIPT) certified back in her earlier career and since then has received her certifications both in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) and Integrated Listening Systems (iLs). 
After returning back into the private world in 2011, Becky has now become the owner of Center of Developmental Pediatrics (Est. 2015) and educator of pediatric occupational therapy in various settings that include schools, physicians, and psychologists along with her amazing staff. She is incredibly proud to have a close knit group of OTs that she calls her friends and colleagues! Becky is currently a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and continues to seek out new and exciting research that supports their efforts. Becky’s ultimate passion lies in helping children and their families achieve growth and success with compassion, knowledge and over 20 years of pediatric experience! She believes in a strong team that encourages children to seek independence, self-confidence, happiness, and ultimately making their mark! 

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kyra brown

Kyra graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M in 2017 with her Bachelor's Degree in Allied Health. She later received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University in 2019. Kyra is a second generation OT. Her mom is an occupational therapist, so she grew up around dinner conversations regarding the love and experiences everything OT. Kyra has volunteered in pediatrics OT settings since high school. She has experience in various settings including acute, inpatient, and outpatient rehab as well as in private pediatric clinics. She successfully completed occupational therapy internships at Mizzou Outpatient Neuro Clinic in Columbia, Missouri and Cole Pediatric Therapy in Houston, Texas. Her areas of interest includes gross and fine motor delays, sensory processing, visual motor integration, and handwriting. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Texas Occupational Therapy Association, where she served as Student Representative on the TOTA board. She has a passion for helping children reach their full potential so that they can conquer their world with confidence! 

Kathleen Billette-Saul is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with seventeen years of experience in education.  She holds a BA in French and Spanish, an MA in International Affairs, and a Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Kathleen holds Texas State Board Education Certification in ten different areas, and is a CPI (Nonviolent Crisis Prevention) advanced skills certified instructor. Kathleen currently works as a Behavior Specialist, coaching and training staff, and serving students with disabilities ages 3 to 21, in public schools.  She has also worked as a general education teacher and special education teacher, and has facilitated several Social Thinking® groups for teens and young adults.  Kathleen has also been providing in-home parent training for over ten years. 
Kathleen is especially passionate about improving the social cognitive functioning of her clients.  She observed that simply teaching discrete social “skills” only had an incremental effect on social functioning in natural settings, whereas real social growth occurs when we change students’ thinking and open their minds to a new way of learning about social behavior.  After discovering Social Thinking® about ten years ago, Kathleen attended a clinical training program, where she participated in group and individual observations, classroom instruction, and practical training in Social Thinking®.  Kathleen loves facilitating communication and interaction among children to achieve true social growth and build meaningful relationships, as well as working with parents to improve their knowledge, skills, and confidence in parenting to enrich their family’s quality of life. 
When not working with clients, Kathleen spends time with her husband and two children, and travels as often as possible. 

 

Rachelle Shaffer

Jessica Cohen is thrilled to be joining the CDP team. Jessica is a recent MSc graduate from Brunel University of West London, where she graduated with honors in 2021. Jessica also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Texas Christian University circa 2014. Jessica completed clinical field work rotations in Inpatient Older Persons Rehab, Inpatient Stroke Rehab, Inpatient Mental Health Rehab, and Outpatient Pediatrics in a Sensory Integration clinic. Jessica has enjoyed exploring Occupational Therapy on a global scale gaining work experience in both the UK and USA systems.  Her particular area of interest within Occupational Therapy includes, sensory processing, nature integration, fine motor development, emotional regulation, and recreational therapies. Prior to her career in Occupational Therapy, Jessica accrued over 13 years of pediatric experience in educational, recreational, clinical, and entertainment-based settings. Jessica is dyslexic and has ADHD. She attended Occupational Therapy as a child, and for her it made all the difference. Jessica’s goal is to empower kids to do and be anything they want be in this big beautiful world. In spare time Jessica can be found enjoying the outdoors and exploring new places with her tiny dog Moose. 

Lacey Kafer graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science in 2011.  She taught 7th grade science for a year at YES Prep Public Schools before returning to school at Texas Woman's University- Dallas to complete her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2015.  She completed her fieldwork at Sensory Solutions 4 Kids in Sugar Land and Methodist Hospital: Neuroscience and Spine Center in Sugar Land. She has worked in pediatrics since completing her fieldwork in 2015 in both the clinic and school setting. She has spent many years utilizing sensory integration techniques and has completed the Level One Hybrid Mentorship Program through the Star Institute of Sensory Processing.  She has additional training and experience in DIR/Floortime, Handwriting Without Tears, feeding, and Animal Assisted Therapy. She is passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals and participate in meaningful daily activities. Outside of work, Lacey enjoys spending time with her family, doing anything outdoors, and competing in dog sport events such as agility and herding with her Australian Shepherds!

Somty graduated with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2018 from Abilene Christian University and her Bachelors in Public Health in 2016 from Sam Houston State University. She completed her Occupational Therapy fieldwork rotations in Outpatient neuro and Early Childhood Intervention settings. Since then, Somty has worked in multiple different pediatric settings including schools, home health, and outpatient clinics. Along with her volunteer work, and fieldwork experience, Somty grew a strong interest and specialty in sensory integration. Somty also has strong familiarity working with patients with Autism, ADHD, developmental delay and Down syndrome diagnoses. Somty has experience using the DIR floortime method, ILS listening program, individualized sensory programs, and feeding programs. Somty strives working with a team of therapists and families in order for patients to increase their functional abilities and reach their full potentials. Somty graduated with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2018 from Abilene Christian University and her Bachelors in Public Health in 2016 from Sam Houston State University. She completed her Occupational Therapy fieldwork rotations in Outpatient neuro and Early Childhood Intervention settings. Since then, Somty has worked in multiple different pediatric settings including schools, home health, and outpatient clinics. Along with her volunteer work, and fieldwork experience, Somty grew a strong interest and specialty in sensory integration. Somty also has strong familiarity working with patients with Autism, ADHD, developmental delay and Down syndrome diagnoses. Somty has experience using the DIR floortime method, ILS listening program, individualized sensory programs, and feeding programs. Somty strives working with a team of therapists and families in order for patients to increase their functional abilities and reach their full potentials. 

Andrea christopher

lacey kafer

Andrea graduated from Grambling State University in 2000 with a Bachelor Degree in Leisure Studies with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. In 2004, she went to Tomball College to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. She graduated from Tomball College in 2006 with an Associate Degree and become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistance, COTA. She completed her fieldwork rotations at Methodist Hospital in the Houston Medical Center as well as the Occupational Therapy Center (a pediatric, out patient clinic) here in Houston, Texas. Following her fieldwork, she was hired on at OTC and spent 13 years. There she was groomed and mentored in Sensory Integration by the late and highly recognized occupational therapist Lynne Tupper, MOT, OTR, MPH. Following the closure of OTC, she continued her pediatric career in home health care for approximately 2 years working with various types of physical disabilities. She has now found a new home here at the Center of Developmental Pediatrics clinic continuing to do what she loves. She has extensive training in Handwriting Without Tears, and has taught fine motor skills during summer camps as well. Andrea has an effortless passion for children. Part of her motivation is seeing results of consistent therapy. Her mission is to provide children the tools needed in order to thrive and be successful within a home, school and social setting. Extracurricular activities involve spending time with her family and friends. 

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 working on obtaining a Certification in Ayres Sensory Integration to further develop her sensory integration background and to assess clients using the Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration measure. Erin is passionate about working with children to help them reach their full potential at home, school, and within the community.

Amy Newberry

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 hold a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Psychology and in Dance.
Eve worked for the Harris County Department of Education from 2012 to August 2021. She was a contract Occupational Therapist in Katy ISD from 2013 to August 2021. She has worked with children from pre-school age through high school. Eve has worked with a wide variety of students during her career 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 enjoys working with children of all ages and strives to concentrate on helping her patients become successful in their every day 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.

Elizabeth Bontrager

Elizabeth graduated cum laude from Baylor University with a degree in Child and Family Studies in 2016, with a focus in Child Development. She then got her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Texas Medical Branch in 2019 where she graduated summa cum laude. She did her OT fieldwork at Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, TX and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Katy, TX. After working at CDP for one year, she and her husband moved to Switzerland for 3 years where she ran her own Sensory OT Clinic in Zurich where she served both local and expat children. Upon returning to Houston, Elizabeth was excited to rejoin the wonderful CDP team! She has a passion for sensory integration and visual perceptual processing, and helping children to meet their greatest potential. 

erin caramanian

Erin graduated cum laude from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Disability Services in 2014. She received her Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Houston in 2019. She completed clinical fieldwork rotations in the inpatient rehabilitation setting at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston, Texas and in the outpatient pediatric clinic setting at Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center in Bryan, Texas. Erin has long enjoyed working with children, working for a large children’s summer camp as a camp counselor for several summers and later in full-time operations and programming roles before beginning her graduate education. Her particular interests within occupational therapy include sensory processing, feeding, and fine motor skills. Erin is passionate about pediatric OT and enjoys connecting with kids to foster development of functional skills through play and fun activities, increase self-esteem, and promote independence in all of a child’s roles.

jessica Cohen

Elizabeth Hobaugh 

Elizabeth Hobaugh received her Master of Occupational Therapy in 2014 from Texas Woman's University in Houston and her Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University in College Station 2011, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Italian. She completed occupational therapy rotations with St. Luke’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Texas Children’s Hospital in Sugar Land Texas. 
Elizabeth has experience with a variety of settings including acute, inpatient, and outpatient rehabilitation along with public and private schools and private clinic practice. She has had the opportunity to work collaboratively with physical therapists, speech language pathologists, teachers, behavioral therapists, and multiple physicians. Elizabeth has experience evaluating and treating several different pediatric populations including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disabilities, CHARGE Syndrome, Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Arthrogryposis, Oculomotor Dysfunction, orthopedic injures, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Sensory Feeding Aversion, and ADHD. 
She holds certification with Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) therapeutic listening program since 2015. Additional training has been received in Sensory Integration. She is an active member of both the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Texas Occupational Therapy Association. 
Elizabeth loves working with children and their families collaboratively to improve the child’s independence and function for future success. Her dedication and enthusiasm is undeniable with each and every child! 

Rachelle Shaffer received her Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Houston and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas in Denton majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2015. She completed her occupational therapy fieldwork rotations at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital in Webster, TX and Winter Pediatric Therapy in Houston, TX. Rachelle has volunteered for years working with children in various settings including respite care, therapeutic horsemanship and 8 years at summer camp. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old and greatly empathizes with the stigmas and life challenges a chronic diagnosis brings to everyday life. Therefore, she is passionate about breaking these stigmas and never underestimating the potential of any child. She strives to facilitate development through sensory integration and promote functional independence for every child while collaborating closely and providing support to family and teachers. She is married, resides in Katy, TX and is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. In her spare time, she enjoys cuddling with her dog, drinking coffee, eating popcorn, camping and spending time with her family.

 

Erin Aust

Betsy Amis

Kathleen billette-saul

hailey spreeman

erikka sy

Our Team

“We Are Occupational Therapists”

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​"OUR CDP Kids​ ARE

      FLYING HIGH"

somty okoye

eve anderson

Howdy! My name is Hailey and I am a board certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA/L). I am passionate about sensory integration with the pediatric population and have been utilizing a sensory based feeding approach for years with my patients. I have a passion for working with children and helping them become the best that they can be. Assisting them to functionally utilize all of their skills that they were blessed with is very important to me as well as rewarding! I love seeing the outcomes of their hard work come to fruition, that’s what makes OT special for me. In my free time I like to play with my dogs, add photos to my photography collection, as well as wakeboard and snowboard, depending on the season!”

addie meinke

Amy is now our wonderful Clinical Director of the Katy location in the Cinco Ranch area. She graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Exercise Physiology from Baylor University in 2011 and a Masters of Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch in 2015. She completed her fieldwork rotations at Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Katy, TX and Active Development Therapies in Porter, TX. It was her undergraduate internship at a private pediatric clinic specializing in Sensory Integration that began developing her passion for Sensory Integration and brought her back to work there as an Occupational Therapist. She is continuing her journey now at CDP. She has a desire to understand children and help them learn, develop and reach their full potential while fostering their self-esteem and confidence. It is also important to her to provide support to their families and schools. She is certified in Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) and has received training in Sensory Integration and handwriting (First Strokes and Handwriting Without Tears). 
Outside of work, Amy loves spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors and enjoying the simple things in life.