Southwest Texas State University

LTTS Owner

Donna knew that she would enter a profession that supported the community and provided assistance in some capacity to people, families, and communities in need.

From a young age, physical therapy was her calling, and early in her career she knew her destiny included owning a practice. She never could have imagined the amazing family that is Little Tesoros Therapy Services.

On a daily basis, Donna stands in awe of what He has created, provided and continues to grow for the treasures in our care at LTTS.

Donna has a special interest in Neonatal Developmental Care, and created and implemented the Developmental Programs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. David’s Medical Center. She also developed and implemented the Wound Care Center at St. David’s Medical Center.

She is trained and certified in providing pediatric physical therapy under the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Approach (NDT) and has been practicing for over 25 years.

The University of Texas at Austin and Texas Woman’s University at Houston

When Amanda was in middle school, one of her cousins had triplets. One of the girls was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Amanda had the opportunity to attend several of her physical therapy sessions. She quickly realized that this was the passion she wanted to pursue.

Amanda is certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and has a special interest in patients with neurologic diagnoses.

Austin Community College

Audrey came home from work as a secretary one day and was greeted by her best friend, who was in school to be a Physical Therapist Assistant. Her friend said “I’ve found the perfect job for you! Get your degree to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant and you can play all day!”

That was over 25 years ago, and Audrey has been happily working (and playing) as an OTA ever since.

Rockhurst University

Bethany discovered the field of Occupational Therapy after an off-handed comment by a college advisor who suggested it might suit her personality. Further exploration revealed OT to be the perfect mix of helping people engage with life and working within the medical field.

Since beginning her practice in 2013, Bethany has developed a strong passion for working with children, especially those with neuromotor, developmental, and sensory processing challenges. She loves partnering with kids and their families, supporting them as they grow, learn, and gain independence.

Bethany specializes in pediatric Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and has also trained in Kinesio Taping, visual skills deficits, Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) Intensive Handling Techniques, and primitive reflex integration.

University of Southern California

Carole has worked in the field of pediatric physical therapy for over 50 years. She has a master’s degree from USC with a specialization in developmental disorders. Carole is NDT certified, with advanced baby treatment certification as well as other advanced courses. She has taken numerous courses in the treatment of torticollis.

Carole has a background in myofascial release techniques, and cranial sacral approaches in pediatrics. She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings in different capacities: lead therapist, co-owner, mentor including hospital-based, clinic-based and home-based arenas.

In addition, Carole says “I have had the privilege of working for LTTS for the past 20 years.”

The University of Texas at Austin

Irma “DeeDee” Barrera has been a practicing speech language pathologist for over 25 years and has worked in many settings. She worked for the San Antonio, Laredo, Eanes, and Leander school districts, for the CEDEN Early Childhood Intervention program, for the Brackenridge Hospital out-patient clinic, and as a bilingual clinical supervisor for students in the graduate bilingual speech pathology program at the University of Texas Speech and Hearing Center here in Austin.

Pediatrics has always been her love and in the last 10 years here at LTTS, she has found her passion working with children on the spectrum, apraxia, and bilingual clients.

She embraces a Hanen-based therapy approach as nothing brings her greater joy than connecting children with their parents.

DeeDee believes that treating the whole child is important and thus incorporates sensory integration, and social communication work into her therapy as well.

Austin Community College

In 1984 Joann’s son was born with Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus and cortical blindness. He attended ECI programs for Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy. It was there that Joann met a wonderful Occupational Therapist that she learned so much from and was mentored by.

Joann has had the joy of working for Little Tesoros since 2002.

Joann’s first passion is to work with the neurological impaired children and their families. She also specializes in developmental delays and feeding disorders.

Texas A&M University and University of Texas Health Science Center

Karen developed a love of children with special needs at a young age by being around her cousin. She has always loved being active, learning about science and helping others so it was a natural fit. Once she was able to help with an adapted PE class in college, she was hooked!

Karen has been a pediatric PT for over 17 years in multiple settings. As a mom of a child with special needs, she also understands the family aspect that is required to help these precious children thrive.

Karen has been certified in pediatric NDT, certified in serial casting, John Barnes MFR and loves to continue to learn.

Texas Woman’s University and Texas A&M University

Keeli became interested in physical therapy after watching talented therapists rehabilitate a friend with a leg amputation. She has many years of experience teaching dance to young children.

After training with the therapists at LTTS, she knew she wanted to be a pediatric physical therapist. Keeli has experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses including torticollis, genetic disorders, neurological disorders, and developmental delays.

The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University

Physical therapy allows Kelli to help people get back to what they love to do without pain or restriction. Pediatrics is especially fulfilling because it allows her to help teach new skills in a fun environment with an exciting population.

Kelli has worked at Little Tesoros since 2008 and has certifications in Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and Therasuit Method Intensive Program (TMIP). She also specializes in treatment of neurological disorders, with a passion for cerebral palsy, and has experience with serial/inhibitory casting, infant handling, and myofascial release.

She coordinates a monthly tone management clinic with Dr. Jimmy Ong from Child Neurology Consultants of Austin, a specialized service offered for LTTS patients with neurological diagnoses.

Texas Woman’s University – Houston

Kristin has been a Physical Therapist for 16 years. She always knew she wanted to work with children, and following rehab for a sports injury in high school knew that being a Pediatric PT was just the right fit.

Kristin loves her job because she can help children learn new skills and navigate their world while working closely with their family to meet individual needs. She has experience working in outpatient settings, schools, early intervention, and home health in Texas, New York, and Virginia.

Kristin has received specific trainings in Total Muscle Release Tots and Teens (level 1), Kinesio Taping (levels 1-3), Aquatic Therapy, Reflex Integration, and is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor (level 1 through APTA).

She has additional interests in sensory techniques, adaptive equipment, and orthotics. Kristin has experience working with a wide variety of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and chromosomal disorders including Angelman Syndrome, Bainbridge Roper Syndrome, Noonan Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Torticollis, other rare chromosomal disorders, multi-complex medical diagnoses, gross motor delay, and developmental delay.

The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University

When Lauren was in high school and trying to decide a career path, she observed both physical and speech therapists here at LTTS. She was so impressed by the love and support they gave the patient and his family, while providing the highest quality of care.

During college, she joined the LTTS family as a clinical therapy tech and worked her way through school in order to rejoin this community and serve as a speech-language pathologist.

Lauren’s interests include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), early language, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

She is a Hanen trained therapist and utilizes this method in child-led play-based interventions.

Southwest Texas State University

Laurie was introduced to the field of physical therapy in seventh grade when her sister was recovering from knee surgery. While in PT school, she had an opportunity to treat a child, and immediately found her love for pediatric physical therapy.

Laurie is NDT certified and is also certified to teach infant massage. She has particular interest in torticollis, myofascial release, medically complex infants and Kinesiotaping.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Mary Kay knew she wanted to be an Occupational Therapist when she was a teenager volunteering at a hospital and saw an Occupational Therapist working with a person to regain function after having a stroke.

She has always enjoyed working with children with neurological issues, orthopedic issues, developmental delay and feeding issues.

She is certified in Vital Stim therapy program, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Sensory Integration and Praxis Test.

University of Puget Sound

Melissa has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 15 years and still loves the remarkable children she serves and their families. Her objective is to ensure patients are having such a good time that they don't realize they are actually working toward achieving functional goals that will increase their participation in activities across a variety of environments including their home, school, and in their community.

She feels caregiver involvement is of particular importance for a child's advancement in motor, sensory, and self-care skills.

Caregiver education is also an integral part of treatment that empowers families and directly benefits the patient.

Special areas of interest and training include sensory processing disorder, feeding therapy, and swallowing therapy with an emphasis on NMES administration when necessary. She is certified in Vital Stim therapy program. Melissa feels she is truly blessed to have such an amazing job.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Mindy first started at Little Tesoros as a rehab tech and then came back to us after she had finished her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and we are thrilled to have her return. She has a passion for children and wanted to work in the medical field where she could interact with families on a personal level.

She loves her job because she is able to work closely with families in order to provide client-centered intervention that will allow the child to become as independent as possible.

Mindy enjoys working with both neuromotor and sensory populations.

Mindy is trained in Handwriting without Tears, Social Thinking, Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, NDT Intensive Handling Techniques in pediatrics and is certified in Integrative Learning Systems (ILS).

State University of New York Albany and San Francisco State University

After spending nearly seven years in the business sector, Nadine decided to change her career and became a speech language pathologist.

She has had the opportunity to work with a variety of children in school and private practice settings. Although she enjoys working with all children, she holds a special place in heart for children who are 2-5 years old.

Nadine continues to develop her skills as a therapist and has taken continuing education courses such as PROMPT and Hanen’s: IT Takes Two to Talk.

Texas Christian University and Virginia Commonwealth University

Sarah became an OT because she is passionate about wanting children with challenges to feel loved and known as they work to develop their skills. She desires to care for families as they support their children. She has a special interest in working with children with ASD, sensory processing challenges and general developmental delays.

She has completed training in the SOS feeding approach, Floortime and iLs listening program.