Maude Le Roux is an accomplished occupational therapist with great affinity for learning and understanding the human brain. She was born and raised in South Africa, and graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in Cape Town in 1984. Maude married Charl Le Roux in 1986 and moved to the USA in 1993. Together, they opened A Total Approach in September 2001. Maude is SIPT certified and specializes in Sensory Integration services as it applies to functional activities of daily living, including improving the ability of any child to partake in his/her learning environment. She also holds a certificate in DIR®/Floortime™, and is a certified Cellfield Intervention provider. She is also a certified Tomatis Consultant and is registered with the International Association of Registered Certified Tomatis Consultants (IARCTC), and in May 2009 was elected to serve on the IARCTC board. Maude has recently been accepted to publish an article in Ricochet, the journal for the IARCTC, presented at the Tomatis international conference in Dublin in May 2009 and is also a member of the research committee. In May She is one of the national trainers in the US of the Tomatis based home program, Solisten. Maude is a certified Interactive Metronome Provider and also an Irlen Syndrome Diagnostician and is finding this specific work extremely gratifying. She has also participated in international speaking engagements with regards to the field of sensory integration and autism. Maude and Charl have an Airedale Terrier called Oscar, who is a source of great delight in their lives!
Janice A. Buckwalter, OTR/L, IMC, Irlen Syndrome Diagnostician, graduated magna cum laude from Temple University in 1978. She became certified in administration and interpretation of the SCSIT in 1980 and used it extensively until it was replaced by the SIPT. Janice began her pediatric career at Crozer Chester Medical Center where she assisted in the development of a pediatric OT program. She continued her career in school districts in Delaware until the birth of her son David in 1984. In order to balance career and family life, Janice became an OT contractor in 1984 and worked in various school districts in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. After 23 years working in school settings, Janice began looking for an exciting change and found it at A Total Approach where her therapeutic frame of reference in sensory integration could be broadened. Since joining ATA in October 2004, Janice has become an Irlen Diagnostician, a certified Interactive Metronome trainer, a Therapeutic Listening provider, and a Captain's Log provider. She has also gained an understanding of Tomatis, DIR®/Floortime™, and Cellfield.
In addition to her role as a therapist, Janice has a personal insight to the challenges families face raising a child with a disability. In 1988, Janice's 10 month old son, Philip, became brain injured secondary to a viral infection. OT was no longer just a career choice but played a major role in Philip's rehabilitation and education. Philip is also benefitting from his mother's association with ATA. He has been provided with a Therapeutic Listening and Tomatis training under the supervision of Maude LeRoux. Janice has currently applied to be an Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Janice lives in Landenberg, PA with her husband, Jeff.
Angela Gaudiuso Johnson OTR/L, IMC, SIPT, CEIM, SQL, Clinical Supervisor, is an experienced Pediatric Occupational Therapist, practicing since 1989, and has worked in medical, educational, and private practice settings in staff and supervisory positions. She been working at A Total Approach since 2002, and enjoys being part of a group of experienced therapists dedicated to helping children grow to their fullest potential. Angela's experience in working with children with special needs include a variety of diagnosis such as PDD (including Autism & Aspergers), Developmental Delay, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, ADD, ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc. In addition to her years of clinical experience with special needs children, she has personal experience raising a son with sensory integration challenges and learning differences. Although a diagnosis may be important to obtain services, she believes in assessing a child's individual potential and empowering parents in assisting their child's growth. She is certified in Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, Infant Massage, Solisten, and in administering the Sensory Integration Praxis Test. She also holds a certificate in Sensory Integration. Angela has had extensive training and is experienced in sensory integration treatment, DIR®/Floortime™ approach, infant massage, and sound therapies amongst others. Angela shares our company philosophy that each child and family are unique and deserving of the best quality occupational therapy services.
Ayesha Ganges, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Pennsylvania-licensed and ASHA (American-Speech-Language and Hearing Association)-certified speech language pathologist (SLP). Born in Scotland and raised in the Midwestern United States, she came to the East Coast in 1991 where she attended Bryn Mawr College. After obtaining her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Bryn Mawr in 1995, Ayesha went on to work with children with autism for several years as a Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS), then as a behavioral consultant. She received her behavioral training through several different companies, including Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center and Douglass Outreach in Rutgers, NJ. She received her Master's Degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing from Temple University in 2004, where she was voted to receive Honors as a promising clinician by her colleagues. Ayesha completed her speech and language clinical fellowship training with Theraplay, a pediatric outpatient clinic located in West Chester, Horsham, and Drexel Hill, PA.
Yearning for a more individual approach to intervention and child-centered treatment of children with autism and developmental delays, Ayesha attended several workshops and trainings to study the DIR®/Floortime™ approach from 2001 to 2005, and subsequently attended the week long summer institute in Virginia. She became a floortime therapist for several children on the autism spectrum and their families. She believes strongly that each child learns differently and, therefore, the structure of therapy sessions needs to focus on these individual differences. She believes in taking 'A Total Approach' to each child's therapeutic needs.
Ayesha is a well-trained and well-educated speech pathologist able to evaluate and treat a variety of speech, language, and communication disorders. She has taken the Introduction to PROMPT workshop, and will soon be attending the Bridging PROMPT to Intervention training workshop, after which she plans to secure mentorship and pursue PROMPT certification. Please see Speech and Language Services for the types of evaluation and treatment services she provides here at ATA.
Ayesha is a proud mom of a little girl and is absolutely thrilled with motherhood! She builds a strong rapport with children of all ages and makes therapy fun! She truly believes in the philosophy here at A Total Approach and is happy to be part of the team!
Nicole Randazzo Alexander, MOT, OTR/L, SIPT, IMC, SQL received her B.S. from Albright College in Psychobiology, which laid the groundwork for her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Temple University, where Nicole graduated in the top of her class. Nicole has worked with a variety of children and adolescents from 2 years to 21 years of age. She has worked in Early Intervention centers, home care, school settings and clinical programs. Nicole has also worked in the hospital and nursing home settings with adults on the acute care, orthopedic, rehab, and transitional care units. She been working at A Total Approach since 2004.
Nicole continuing education includes programs such as Balametrics, Handwriting without Tears, and the "How Does your Engine Run?" Alert program. Certifications include Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests, Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, and Solisten. Nicole has joined A Total Approach to further her education and practice occupational therapy by truly looking at and treating the whole child.
Melissa Doyle, MS, IMC, SQL, received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Arcadia University in 2006. She then attended a CACREP accredited (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) graduate school for her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. While working on her Master's degree she began taking additional courses in Play Therapy and Advanced Child Development using a Play-Family Therapy approach through Dottie Higgins Klein. She also completed the Solisten training and is now a Solisten Qualified Licensee; she also completed the Interactive Metronome Certification. She is currently in the process of becoming a National Certified Counselor and completing her hours for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Melissa began working at A Total Approach doing the ESY program in 2003, and has come far since then. She currently works within the Tomatis program, intensives, Play Therapy, and is expanding the counseling aspect here at ATA. She has gained much in her knowledge and expertise while working here through the years and feels that she would be apply to apply this information greatly in her current and future work as a mental health therapist. Her son assists us frequently in peer related DIRR work. He has fun talking about being and "employee" at ATA.
Janine Gargano, P.L.A.Y. Project Certificate, Floortime practitioner, is a dedicated Floortime practitioner and our ATA Play Project Partner. She has over 10 years experience working with a wide range of children on the Autistic Spectrum. After graduating with a B.S. from Drexel University, Janine began her journey as a home ABA therapist and as a one to one instructional assistant in various South Jersey school districts. She gained further experience by attending a variety of workshops and intensive training on the DIR model. Janine had the opportunity to participate in a DIR Summer program for 2001 & 2002 in North Jersey. Due to her skills, she was employed by a South Jersey school district to provide services for a many children with school and home based DIR programs. Under the supervision of Maude Le Roux, Janine has enjoyed working in both home and school DIR sessions with children on the spectrum. Janine is also attending monthly workshops in understanding the mental health developmental structures as it relates to play. She attends these workshops through Dottie Higgens Klein and is currently in her second year of training. She conveys her special fondness for working with children and their families in the comfort of their own home. Janine expresses how much the DIR approach respects each child's individual strengths. "When you validate the child and then see that spark in their eyes, there is no greater reward."
Janine is a wife and a mother of two. Her son had been diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age two. Both her husband and she are very appreciative to have the guidance of A Total Approach and the therapy services available to their son. As a mother of a child on the spectrum, she states , "I now have a greater understanding of the emotional undertaking and impact this road has on the everyday lives of the families . When either of our children reach a milestone, we are extremely grateful for each one, no matter how big or how small."
Barb Pezik, Physical Therapist, graduated from Quinnipiac College in 1980 and began working as a physical therapist, which had been her goal since she was 15. She has worked in a variety of settings, focusing on pediatrics since 1999. She's worked with children from birth to age 3 in their homes, with preschool-age children with severe physical disabilities in their classroom, with 7 to 21-year-olds in a school-based program for children needing physical support, with elementary-age kids in a public school setting, with birth to 21-year-olds in an out-patient facility, and with people of all ages and disabilities on the back of a horse (which is called hippotherapy - using the horse to improve balance, coordination, etc.) In 1990 she founded and then directed for eight years a hippotherapy program in Unionville, and now works as an equestrian therapist one evening a week. Her continuing education courses have included infant massage, sensory integration, Floortime, and language enhancement. Having a son who received special education services for a year gave Barb a slight glimpse into the difficulties of finding time to work on specific skills with one child in the midst of a busy family's life. All three of her adult children (apparently!) enjoy living with her.
Courtney Parker, MMT, MT-BC, AVPT, received her Master's degree in Music Therapy from Temple University and is a Board Certified Music Therapist who has worked in both medical and psychiatric settings. She has worked intensively with attachment issues, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self-esteem, and social issues. Courtney also has post-graduate training in Vocal Psychotherapy™, a technique which aims at using vocal expression and interaction to address developmental, psychotherapeutic, and psychosocial needs. She has also worked with infants and parents using toning, parent's voices, and instruments that reflect intrauterine sounds to address attachment and developmental concerns. In addition to her work as a therapist, Courtney is a professional vocalist, performer, and songwriter. She received her Bachelor's degree in Opera Performance from the Hartt School of Music. Courtney has also taught piano, voice, and early childhood classes at the Settlement School in Philadelphia and the Diller Quaile School of Music in New York City, and, as a member of the Actors Equity Association she has performed extensively across the US in off-Broadway productions, regional theaters, and opera companies. Courtney currently fronts a pop-infused quartet. She brings to ATA a wealth of creative arts expression that enhances the linguistic, social, and emotional growth that we seek in our children.
Kate Caldwell, M.S., OTR/L, SIPT,
received her Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Harcum College in 1998 and
went to work with adults with Developmental Disabilities. She received her Bachelor's in
Liberal Arts from Neumann College. After graduating, Kate worked for several years as a Therapeutic
Support Staff (TSS) in the schools and community for children with autism. She graduated with honors
from Philadelphia University where she received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy.
Kate's love for children drew her to work in Early Intervention Programs both in the home and
schools with children from birth to five and Elementary schools in both Delaware and Philadelphia
Counties. During this time she had the pleasure of finding ATA where she has worked part-time in
the Tomatis program. Kate was thrilled to have the opportunity to work full time at
A Total Approach to learn more about the innovative and comprehensive approach
to treating children and supporting their families.
Kate's continuing education includes a Certificate in Sensory Integration from Temple University,
Handwriting without Tears, the Alert Program and Infant Massage. She also began education requirements
of the DIR certificate program by attending the DIR Summer Institute and group supervision to further
her knowledge of this approach.
Adrianne Pepitone, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Pennsylvania licensed and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). She attended Queens College of the City University of New York both for her B.A in Speech Pathology and Audiology and for her M.A. in Speech Pathology. Adrianne has over 30 years experience in her field with both children and adults. Adrianne's experiences include: oral motor problems, apraxia of speech , feeding/dysphagia issues, child language development, autism, augmentative and alternative communication devices, and adult speech/language problems involving traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and other various degenerative neurological conditions. She is currently enrolled in the PROMPT training program for certification. Adrianne is happy to be part of the ATA team. She is excited to help clients reach their highest communication potential through the collaborative efforts of parents and other ATA team members.
Anne McMenamin, IMC came to ATA full of home-based knowledge from raising five children of her own with her husband, and also from receiving experience working with special needs children in a school-based environment. She has been with us now for over five years. She specializes in working with a variety of children and adolescents in programs such as Interactive Metronome and Tomatis, integrating her natural creativity and Floortime training. She is also responsible for the scheduling of our Tomatis based programs and intensives. Anne expresses, "I've always loved the wonder of childhood and this position provides me with the opportunity to help each child grow towards his or her potential."Anne finds it rewarding to interact with all the kids who walk through the doors of ATA.
Mike Schwien is a college student
who is focused on majoring in Physical Therapy. Mike is currently working for his Bachelor
of Science in Biology where he will be completing at West Chester University. He has done
volunteer work at Crozer Chester Hospital with their Physical Therapy Department and is
now eager to gain experience in the pediatric field. Mike is a clinical assistant
to the Tomatis and Cellfield program, as well as assisting the professional staff as
needed. He is certified in Interactive Metronome and is
excited about being a part of the ATA team.
