Anya Soled, OTR/L, SWC
Owner, senior pediatric occupational therapist and senior pediatric feeding therapist, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol
As the founder of Growth Spurt Pediatric Therapy, Anya is passionate about serving families in innovative ways. Anya has worked in the field of pediatric occupational therapy since 2011 and has since spent her entire career in the field of pediatrics, seeing children in schools, clinics, and homes with in person and teletherapy visits. In 2021 Anya founded Growth Spurt Pediatric Therapy after seeing firsthand how working with families in the home environment can create real change in how a child approaches a problem and how a family can support their child’s learning. Using this family-centered approach, Anya has helped countless families see progress with their child’s confidence in approaching everyday activities. As a feeding therapist, she has seen mealtimes go from the most stressful part of a family’s day to one of ease and exploration. With occupational therapy, she has seen children learn to be more coordinated and regulated and families learn the skills needed to help support their child’s development. Throughout all her work with families Anya strives to create a fun learning environment where children and families can grow to their full potential.
Anya has advanced training in the following areas:
-California board certified in evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders.
-SOS provider: Sequential oral sensory approach to feeding, treating sensory aversions to foods.
-Beckman oral motor provider: oral motor skill evaluation and treatment in feeding. Evaluation and treatment of TOTs (tethered oral tissues including tongue tie and upper lip tie) and chewing skills.
-Oral motor exercises to improve breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
-Transitioning from breast or bottle feeding to eating table foods or purees.
-Picky eating and texture aversion.
-Certified pediatric massage therapist (CPMT).
-Parent coaching.
-Sensory integration.
-Developmental milestones.
Nicole Schmitt, OTR/L
Pediatric feeding therapist, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma
Nicole is a passionate occupational therapist with a background in a variety pediatric settings, including one-on-one therapy in a pediatric clinic, groups of students in a school-based setting, and out in the community at a center focused on building children’s socio-emotional health, as well as their regulation, academic, and life skills.
Nicole has worked closely with children across developmental stages, providing client-centered, play-based interventions to support fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and participation in daily routines. Nicole values creativity in therapy and enjoys tailoring interventions to each child’s unique strengths, interests, and goals.
In every session Nicole prioritizes a family-centered approach to support carryover beyond the therapy session. She is dedicated to creating a supportive, engaging environment where children feel encouraged to explore, learn, and build confidence and families feel equipped to support their child’s development at home.
Nicole has advanced training in the following areas:
–Parent Coaching
–Developmental milestones
-SOS approach to picky eating.
-Oral motor skills.
-CBOT swallow certification in progress.
Mikayla Hilario, OTR/L
Pediatric occupational therapist and feeding therapist, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma
Mikayla is a pediatric occupational therapist with experience supporting children from infancy through 18 years of age across a range of settings and intervention approaches. She brings a supportive, engaging and family-centered lens to feeding therapy and occupational therapy. Her occupational therapy sessions are grounded in her background and knowledge of sensory processing, self-regulation, and body awareness. Mikayla specializes in helping families with picky eating challenges and is working towards her advanced practice certification in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders. During mealtimes she partners closely with families to support safe, meaningful, and positive feeding and eating experiences. In her occupational therapy and feeding therapy sessions she works to support children in building confidence and independence in their daily routines.
Mikayla has advanced training in the following areas:
–Sensory Integration
–Parent Coaching
–Developmental milestones
-SOS approach to picky eating.
-Oral motor skills.
-CBOT swallow certification in progress.
Jeffrey Kou, OTR/L
Pediatric occupational therapist, Santa Rosa
Jeff has been in healthcare since 2011 and has worked as an occupational therapist in the hospital, school, community, and home health settings. He uses a family and client-centered approach backed by evidence-informed research to promote growth, development, and a sense of autonomy in children. Jeff’s pediatric experience includes promoting activities of daily living, play, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social communication, emotional regulation, environmental modifications, and sensory integration. His specialty is in neurology working with clients who are neurodivergent. Aside from his professional experience, Jeff is a father of his own little one where he gains his most valuable experience working with this population. He is currently pursuing advanced practice and training working in early intervention with children 0-3 years of age.
Jeff has advanced training in the following areas:
–Neurology
–Sensory Integration
–Parent Coaching
–Chronic Pain
–Developmental milestones
Jeanette Perez-Magana, Administrative assistant
Jeanette has worked in healthcare for decades. She started her career as a front office assistant. Through her exemplary leadership, passion for helping others, and strong knowledge of community health, she has grown into progressive leadership roles. She has experience in front-office support, clinician oversight, and billing management. Jeanette holds an Associate of Science in healthcare administration and is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in healthcare management. She is passionately committed to creating a compassionate care environment for individuals disproportionately impacted by social determinants of health and chronic diseases. She is also a firm believer that anyone can overcome health barriers if they receive the proper care and support. She enjoys spending time with her four beautiful children, her husband, and her extended family.