About Us
Tumble N’ Dots is a private pediatric occupational therapy clinic located in Irvine CA.
We work with children of varying diagnoses, including autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, motor development delays, and sensory processing challenges. Our therapists specialize in evaluation and treatment using Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), a framework developed by A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA, an occupational therapist, psychologist, and neuroscientist. Our specialized facility is designed around tailoring intervention to each individual child’s needs using ASI principles.
Our team
Avital Shuster, MA OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist / Owner
Avital is the founder and director of Tumble N’ Dots.
Shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California (USC) with a Bachelors and Masters degrees in Occupational Therapy, she began her work as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Irvine Unified School District.
Having completed post-graduate education and training in Ayers Sensory Integration and Feeding Therapy, Avital has been working with children since 2008 and has experience serving children with a variety of diagnosis in the clinic, home, school, telehealth, and community-based settings.
She specializes in using task analysis to develop goals and plans that support the child’s needs.
Avital believes in helping parents to focus on the strength and abilities of each child while incorporating behavior plans and strategies to foster success.
Avital is also the creator of OTPlan – an activity idea search engine for developmental activities. The OTPlan website is designed to help find activity ideas by matching the developmental skills you want to promote, with the materials you have, to a detailed activity that will help you strengthen developmental skills. Via OTPlan you can purchase our Skills in a Box and (OT)PlanDough – Playdough Kit products.
In her free time, Avital enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 young children and dog, going to the beach, hiking, and traveling.
Avital brings her love for children, understanding of parents struggling with a special needs child, and years of therapy experience to every session.
Danielle Noriega, MA OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Danielle is an Occupational Therapist at Tumble N’ Dots.
She grew up taking care of her relatives and knew the difference it made to have a supportive and knowledgeable healthcare team. She chose Occupational Therapy because she felt it allowed her to most directly serve others by helping them fulfill their occupations – that is, what they want to do and need to do – so they may live life to their highest potential.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an Occupational Therapy Aide at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she discovered her passion for serving the youth and their families. She loved utilizing art to assist individuals’ progress toward goals. During her graduate program, she was a student facilitator for the Occupational Therapy Journal Club, which served to keep the student body up to date on the latest research to better inform our evidenced-based practice. Her Occupational Therapy fieldwork experience includes Inpatient Acute experience in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Inpatient Rehabilitation experience in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from her Occupational Therapy program with honors, and her prior experience includes working as a school-based and outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapist for school-aged children with varying diagnoses, including developmental delays, sensory processing impairments, and behavioral impairments.
Her strengths are her compassion, creativity, and perseverance, and she prioritizes making therapy fun and educational. Danielle’s areas of interest include Feeding & Swallowing, Environmental Modification, and Stress Management. She is currently taking steps to pursue continuing education and certification in these realms. Her preferred occupations include painting, running, and being with family.
Danielle enjoys serving her community and is dedicated to working with others through the scope of Occupational Therapy because she loves to see each unique individual and family grow into the best version of themselves.
Since we specialize in individual care, at each appointment we devote an hour of 1:1 attention. This gives us ample time to assess your child and devise a program to meet your child’s specific Occupational Therapy goals. We pride ourselves on a collaborative approach and have a team of occupational therapists. Although your child will work primarily with one therapist, at times we will co treat and collaborate so that additional insight and approaches can be integrated into your child’s care.
We want you to know that we are always available between appointments via email or phone to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Not sure if OT is the service your child needs?
We’re offering a free 30-minute screening appointment at our Irvine clinic. If you are interested, please contact us to schedule your screening appointment.
- Comprehensive evaluations, screening, and consultations
- Individual Occupational Therapy – direct service sessions at the clinic and/or at the child’s school
- Feeding Therapy
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) participation
- School observations
- Collaboration with parents and teachers
