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Our OT Team

Taryn

Taryn grew up in Arlington, Virginia and completed her masters degree in occupational therapy at Ithaca College. She is currently pursuing a clinical doctorate in OT with Thomas Jefferson University. Taryn spent the first 4 years of her career working with children and adults at the Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital where she specialized in treating patients with acquired neurological conditions. After a year teaching in the Ithaca College OT program in western NYS, she was thrilled to return home to the DC area! Taryn loves playing outside, hiking, kayaking, camping, and playing rugby. She is excited to be working at MOCO!

Caroline

Caroline grew up in Malverne, New York. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy at Columbia University in 2012. Throughout her career she had a strong interest and experience in neurology, movement disorders, postural control, cognition, and wheelchair seating. Her educational background also includes certification as an elementary education and special education teacher as well as a Child Life Specialist. She has worked in many environments as an OT including acute rehabilitation and in the hospital environment. As a therapist she greatly values maximizing functional success in a natural environment. "MOCO is an environment that aligns with these values and kid's most important job... PLAY!" During her free time she spends time with her family, helping her daughter explore the world, running, and teaching barre classes. Fun Fact: Caroline once walked around the entire island of Manhattan (30 miles) in one day!

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Tanya

Tanya grew up in Chicago, Illinois and moved to DC. She has two masters degrees. She graduated from Towson University with an Occupational Therapy Degree. Tanya has been involved with MOCO for many years now. During her free time, after keeping busy with her children, Tanya likes to read, travel, play tennis, run, and listen to music. 

 

Fun fact: Tanya lived in Belgrade, Serbia for 2.5 years. 

Occupational Therapy

 

Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children gain the skills they need to participate in the daily activities (or occupations) of childhood such as play and leisure, social interaction, school, and self-care. 

Occupational Therapy at MOCO Movement Center provides children with the tools they need to maximize their functional independence and participation in all occupations, across all environments - home, school, community.  

 

We use play as a medium to work on social, emotional, and sensory-motor development with the goal of enabling children to interact appropriately with other people and the environment. Increasing a child's independence to a developmentally appropriate level allows them to do what they want and need to do in their daily life.

Our therapists work with the patient and caregivers to help regain or develop the skills necessary for the highest level of function and independence. These include fine motor skills, handwriting concerns, cognitive and social play, sensory processing, modulation, and integration.

 

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Available at all locations.

Skills we address:

  • Motor Planning

  • Organization

  • Play Skills

  • Sensory Integration

  • Social Participation

  • Self-regulation

  • Fine Motor Skills

  • Self-care 

Specializing in:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Cerebral Palsy 

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Developmental Coordination Disorder

  • Sensory Processing/Integrative Disorder

  • Down Syndrome

  • Cognitive impairments

  • Learning disabilities

  • Developmental delays

  • Physical injuries that limit participation

  • Other developmental disabilities

  • Other psychological and  neurological conditions

Emily

Emily graduated from Ithaca College....twice! She first graduated in 2018 with her Bachelor's degree and then graduated in 2019 with her Master's in Occupational Therapy. Emily heard about MOCO and completed her field work here as a student in 2019. She loved the atmosphere so much that she decided to come back! Her hobbies include fitness and strength sports. She is currently training in olympic weightlifting for her health and for fun (not for any titles!). She is self-taught at acoustic guitar and the ukulele. She has always loved singing/ performing. Emily grew up in central New Jerey. Fun fact: Emily considered purusing Classical Music Vocal Performance as a double major but ultimately decided it was not her dream. She still has a soft spot for opera, show tunes and creating music for fun!

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Timi

Occupational Therapist

Timi was born in Florida, then lived in the mid-west most of her life with Chicago being the most recent location.   She graduated in May 2019 with a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University and also has a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. 

Timi became interested in MOCO when she realized that to her, it found the perfect balance between recreation, play, and therapy! Timi’s hobbies include traveling abroad (pre-covid), spending time with family, cooking, and going on nature walks.

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