Meet Our Team
Avital
Clinical Director
Avital is the founder and clinical 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.
Avital has received post-professional training in Ayres Sensory Integration® through the Collaboration for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI) and is qualified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT).
Having completed post-graduate education and training in SOS 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.
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.
Avital brings her love for children, understanding of parents struggling with a special needs child, and years of therapy experience to every session.
In her free time, Avital enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 young children, and her dogs, going to the beach, hiking, and traveling.
Christina R.
Lead Occupational Therapist / Feeding Specialist
Christina is an energetic and driven occupational therapist dedicated to bringing the best care for her clients and family. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Cal State Fullerton while simultaneously playing Division 1 soccer for the Titans. Her passion for child development started from coaching youth soccer and being a teacher’s assistant at an early childhood development center after undergrad. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in 2016.
She has been working in pediatric private practice clinics ever since graduation with children with a variety of diagnoses. Christina particularly enjoys meeting children and their families where they are at and providing them with the skills and tools necessary to meet their full potential. Christina also has experience with developing and implementing a soccer-based program for youth with varying abilities.
She has completed post-graduate training and certification with sensory integration, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding, picky feeders, and primitive reflexes.
Christina is a Southern California native who enjoys being outdoors walking her two dogs Bane and Jafar, hiking, playing soccer, or traveling with her husband.
Lichelle
Pediatric Occupational Therapist / Feeding Specialist
Lichelle is a pediatric occupational therapist and feeding and swallowing specialist. She received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences in Canada before moving to Wisconsin where she received a Masters degree in Occupational therapy. She has over 15 years of extensive experience working with a variety of diagnoses with the pediatric population.
The majority of Lichelle’s career has been at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago focusing on the complex medical needs of patients ranging in age from high risk neonates to young adults. Lichelle’s specializations include developmental therapy, picky/selective eating, bottle feeding, transitioning to solid foods, and sensory and oral motor feeding challenges while looking at the whole child’s sensory, developmental and environmental needs. Lichelle counsels families in providing strategies to foster positive mealtimes at home.
Lichelle has a passion to work with families closely to help their day run more smoothly. She takes on a “holistic” approach looking at all areas that may impact a child’s ability to eat and carry on daily skills successfully.
Additionally, Lichelle has experience working in brachial plexus clinic, hand clinic, and specializes in splinting and providing hand therapy for a variety of upper extremity diagnoses in the pediatric population.
Lichelle has presented at OTAC, AOTA, and APTA national and regional conferences providing evaluation and treatment strategies for the pediatric population with feeding/dysphagia issues.
Lichelle is a native Canadian who successfully worked her way down to warm, sunny California where she loves to try new restaurants, attempt new recipes, entertain friends and family, and do anything fun that is active or inactive with her husband, two kids, and dog Bailey.
Dr. Angeline
Lead Occupational Therapist
Angeline is a pediatric occupational therapist who received her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC). She completed her doctoral residency specializing in group programs for young children targeting self-regulation, mindfulness, and social-emotional skills at a private pediatric OT practice.
Angeline has extensive experience providing therapy in both individual and group formats, targeting the areas of fine and gross motor development, sensory processing, self-regulation, and executive functioning. She has completed advanced training in Handwriting without Tears, the USC Chan Sensory Integration Continuing Education Certification program, and Social Thinking. Angeline values collaboration with all individuals who are a part of a child’s life, including caregivers, teachers, and other therapy professionals. She is passionate about providing family-centered care to promote a child’s participation in any of their occupations – including play, learning, and social interactions.
In her free time, Angeline enjoys quality time with family, friends, and her pups, going to Disneyland, and yoga!
Dr. Phoebe
Pediatric Occupational Therapist / Human-Animal Interaction Specialist
Phoebe has been working with the pediatric population since 2012. She began volunteering to teach karate to children with special needs and then worked as a Developmental Specialist using DIR/Floortime. Phoebe graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2018 and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy in 2019. She completed her doctoral residency to pursue competency in animal-assisted occupational therapy and training dogs for animal assisted interventions. In 2023, Phoebe earned her Certificate as a Human-Animal Interaction Specialist from the University of North Florida’s Animal-Assisted Interventions and Interactions Certificate Program. She follows the Animal Assisted Intervention International Standards & Competencies to practice animal assisted therapy.
Phoebe enjoys learning about each child’s motivations and uses a strengths-based approach to highlight each individual’s inherent abilities and interests to improve areas of need.
Phoebe is a proponent of lifelong learning and presents at local, state, and national conferences. Topics are related to standards of practice and competencies to strengthen the skills of healthcare and human service providers when participating in occupational therapy and animal assisted interventions.
In her free time, Phoebe enjoys eating, reading, baking, rock climbing, taking dog training classes, and going to the dog beach with her dog, Summer.
Adrienne
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Adrienne is a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2021. She also completed an OTA program from Santa Ana College in 2022. She has always had a passion for working with kids. She became a nanny for different families at the age of 15.
While she completed her clinical hours, she spent her time providing support for the OTs, and developing and implementing intervention plans for pediatric clients.
Adrienne was born and raised in Orange County. She enjoys spending time with her friends, traveling, watching sunsets, playing board games, vacationing in Michigan, and taking care of her dog, Lila.
Dr. Lynsey
Occupational Therapist
Lynsey is a passionate occupational therapist with a strong foundation in both research and hands-on clinical experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from California State University, Long Beach, before pursuing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Baylor University in Texas. During her doctoral studies, Lynsey researched the therapeutic benefits of hippotherapy, focusing on how the use of a horse as a therapeutic tool can positively impact sensory processing in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This research deepened her commitment to using innovative, holistic interventions to support children’s development.
Lynsey brings a diverse range of clinical experience, including time spent at an outpatient hand therapy clinic specializing in sports injuries for high school athletes, as well as experience in a private pediatric OT practice and hippotherapy. Her therapy approach is child-driven and play-based, rooted in the belief that children thrive when engaged in activities that are both meaningful and fun. Lynsey is deeply committed to building trust with each child by fostering a safe, supportive environment where they can grow and thrive.
Originally from Southern California, Lynsey enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, traveling, and attending concerts. When she’s not at the beach, you’ll likely find her spending time with her horse, Spike.
Dr. Jessica
Occupational Therapist
Janna
Occupational Therapist
Janna is a pediatric occupational therapist who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Concordia University Irvine in 2021 and went on to complete her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at A.T. Still University in 2024. Janna’s interest in occupational therapy was sparked by her experience as a competitive gymnast and later as a coach for special needs gymnastics starting at the age of 16. This early exposure to working with children with diverse abilities helped shape her commitment to the field.
Janna’s professional journey also includes three years of volunteering at a gymnastics-based occupational therapy clinic, where she was able to combine her expertise in gross motor development with her love for creating sensory-rich learning environments. She firmly believes that learning happens best through movement and multisensory approaches, and she’s excited to bring this philosophy into her therapy sessions with the children she works with.
Outside of work, Janna enjoys running and rollerblading at the beach, exploring new workout classes with friends, baking sourdough and listening to podcasts.
Vivi
Occupational Therapy Aide
Vivi is a California State University, Fullerton graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she gained valuable experience as a physical therapy aide and a behavioral technician. Now, she is excited to pursue a career in occupational therapy and is eager to develop her therapeutic skills while working alongside occupational therapists and speech pathologists at Tumble N Dots.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, bouldering, painting, and spending quality time with friends and family. With a passion for helping others, she is committed to making a positive impact in the field of occupational therapy.
Dr. Erin
Occupational Therapist / Feeding Specialist
Erin is a pediatric occupational therapist with extensive experience supporting children with diverse developmental needs across clinical, school-based, and international settings. She holds a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Mississippi. Erin is currently pursuing a PhD in Global Leadership and Organizational Change at Pepperdine University.
Her professional background spans private clinics, alternative education programs, and early intervention, with a strong emphasis on sensory integration, feeding skills, fine and gross motor development, assistive technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Erin has contributed to international pediatric therapy initiatives in Australia, consulted on clinic development, and led research on the use of individualized education materials for assistive technology at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She is passionate about empowering families and creating inclusive environments that support children’s growth and engagement.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her nieces, trying new restaurants and being at the beach.
Smriti
Speech Language Pathologist, CCC-SLP
Smriti is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist focused on providing individualized, expert care to help children and their families achieve their unique communication goals. Her journey into the field began at UCLA, where her Psychology studies and volunteer work at the Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program sparked her passion for Speech-Language Pathology. She further honed her skills, earning her Master’s in Communicative Disorders from the University of Redlands in 2013, where she gained invaluable clinical experience across diverse client needs.
With a background in both school and private practice settings, including the Corona Norco and Irvine Unified School Districts, Smriti brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. She has extensive experience supporting clients with early intervention needs, stuttering, school-age language and articulation disorders (including phonology and Apraxia of Speech), and integrating AAC devices. Smriti thrives in a collaborative environment, particularly enjoying the co-treatment opportunities with pediatric occupational and physical therapists in private practice. Smriti is thrilled to be back in private practice in Orange County, where she can fully devote her time and specialized expertise to helping clients and their families flourish communicatively. Outside of her professional life, Smriti loves spending quality time with her husband, two young children, and dog, as well as pursuing her hobbies of traveling, discovering new restaurants, and enjoying the outdoors.
Ashley
Occupational Therapy Aide
Ashley is a graduate of Concordia University Irvine, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. She is passionate about supporting others and takes pride in being every kid’s cheerleader. Ashley is excited to work alongside occupational therapists, expanding her knowledge and hands-on experience in the field. Her enthusiasm for helping others shines through in everything she does. In her free time, Ashley enjoys photography, watching Dodger games, playing sports, and relaxing with a good movie.
Kiana
Occupational Therapist Aide
Kiana is an Occupational Therapy Aide who earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach. During her time at Long Beach State, she gained a strong foundation in human movement and development. As she begins her journey in the field, Kiana is excited about helping children reach their full potential through play and client-centered care. She is passionate about occupational therapy and is thrilled to be gaining hands-on experience. Her long-term goal is to become a licensed occupational therapist, and by working closely with our OT’s, she is deepening her understanding of how to support children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going on hikes, and listening to podcasts.
Administration
Igal
Chief Operating Officer
Igal is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Tumble N’ Dots.
Igal earned his Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California (USC). He is a published children’s book author.
Since 2001, he worked as a consultant for multiple pediatric therapy clinics across the east and west coasts to help with their daily operations and growth.
In his free time, Igal enjoys trail running, mountain biking, playing the drums, and spending quality time with his family.
Allison
Office Manager
Allison is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton where she received her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. Being originally from Carlsbad, CA, she returned to San Diego after college to work as an instructional aide at Scholarshop Prep Academy in Oceanside.
Allison enjoys being able to help families find comprehensive care that works for them and their kiddos here at Tumble N Dots.
An artist at heart, Allison enjoys singing, drawing, reading, and sewing in her free time.
Katherine
Care Coordinator
Katherine is originally from San Antonio, Texas, but has lived in sunny Southern California for 6 years now. Katherine attended the University of the Incarnate Word and holds a B.A in Communications and Media Studies, with minors in Marketing and Psychology. She is a skilled administrative professional with expertise in medical administration, marketing, and social media management. Katherine excels in patient coordination, data management, and client communication. Her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle high-volume environments make her an asset in both healthcare and business settings.
In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, thrifting, listening to music -she loves DJ sets- hanging out with her friends, or you can catch her relaxing at home with her cat, Mouse.
Canine Co-Therapists
Summer
Canine Co-therapist
Summer is an Australian Cattle Dog mix who has been in training with Phoebe since 2019 to work in animal assisted therapy sessions. She began her career in an outpatient occupational therapy clinic and dog training facility. She was trained and handled using positive reinforcement, reward-based, and relationship-based methods. She has participated in two in-person practicums and served as a demonstration dog for animal assisted therapy. Summer has experience working with several populations including children, adolescents, and adults with varying abilities.
Summer has her Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, and Urban Canine titles from the American Kennel Club. They enjoy taking agility, musical freestyle, and rally competition classes.
Phoebe and Summer are evaluated as an AAI human-animal team yearly for animal assisted occupational therapy and have been deemed a good fit by objective evaluators skilled in occupational therapy, animal assisted therapy, and dog training.
In her free time, Summer enjoys cuddling, sunbathing, playing with her best friend, Toast the pug, and going the dog beach.