Apple Tree's Therapy Team
One of the most experienced and highly trained pediatric therapy teams in the Southern California Area.
Occupational Therapy
Mona Hart, OTR/L, CASDCS
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist
Mona is the Clinical Supervisor, she is a graduate of San Jose State University with a
Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy since 1999. Mona’s area of specialty is pediatrics. Mona is a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and has also competed training in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). Mona is a member of AOTA, and IDA. She currently facilitates the fine motor, sensory motor, and feeding group sessions of our in-center global therapy program. Mona has developed an exciting family oriented approach to intervention, and includes the family in every aspect of therapy.
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist
Mona is the Clinical Supervisor, she is a graduate of San Jose State University with a
Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy since 1999. Mona’s area of specialty is pediatrics. Mona is a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and has also competed training in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). Mona is a member of AOTA, and IDA. She currently facilitates the fine motor, sensory motor, and feeding group sessions of our in-center global therapy program. Mona has developed an exciting family oriented approach to intervention, and includes the family in every aspect of therapy.
Debra McMillan, COTA/L
Deb is a licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant graduating from Santa Ana college in 2016. Prior to OT, she worked in the school setting in the special education pre-school program for 6 years. She returned to school pursue Occupational Therapy because she loves working with children and families in helping them reach their greatest potential.
Deb is a licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant graduating from Santa Ana college in 2016. Prior to OT, she worked in the school setting in the special education pre-school program for 6 years. She returned to school pursue Occupational Therapy because she loves working with children and families in helping them reach their greatest potential.
Physical Therapy
Penny Homan-Muise, PT
Penny graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in physical therapy. She is a member of the APTA, and has a Clinical Instructor Certification. Penny is a dedicated professional with more than 20 years experience in pediatrics. Penny has experience with patients pediatrics to geriatrics. She has a passion for early intervention. |
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Speech/Language Pathology
Janet Chan M.A., CCC, SLP
Yen-Chen (Janet) earned her Bachelor’s degree in phycology. After graduating, she worked as a ABA therapist for 2 years. She then was inspired by one of the children she worked with and decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology. Janet obtained her Master’s degree in communication science and Disorders from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2013.
Specific training or skills include but are not limited to:
Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing, Social Emotional: Advanced knowledge and training in ACES/ Protective Factors/Early Parent Child Relationship/Attachment/Early Social Communication, AAC: Low Tech, PROMPT Trained: (Developmental Social Pragmatic Models such as More than words, DIR, Play Project, SCERTS):, SLPs trained in NDBIs (ex: Project Impact, JASPER, ESDM).
She has been in the field as a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) since graduating. She has experience in providing evaluation and therapy services in center-based and in-home settings. She always welcomes parents in her therapy sessions. She believes that not only just the child but also the whole family needs to be involved in order to achieve the best success.
Yen-Chen (Janet) earned her Bachelor’s degree in phycology. After graduating, she worked as a ABA therapist for 2 years. She then was inspired by one of the children she worked with and decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology. Janet obtained her Master’s degree in communication science and Disorders from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2013.
Specific training or skills include but are not limited to:
Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing, Social Emotional: Advanced knowledge and training in ACES/ Protective Factors/Early Parent Child Relationship/Attachment/Early Social Communication, AAC: Low Tech, PROMPT Trained: (Developmental Social Pragmatic Models such as More than words, DIR, Play Project, SCERTS):, SLPs trained in NDBIs (ex: Project Impact, JASPER, ESDM).
She has been in the field as a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) since graduating. She has experience in providing evaluation and therapy services in center-based and in-home settings. She always welcomes parents in her therapy sessions. She believes that not only just the child but also the whole family needs to be involved in order to achieve the best success.
Janelle Clease, M.A., CCC, SLP
Janelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Long Beach in 2012. Part of the undergrad program included the necessary coursework and clinical hours to practice as a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). She worked at Apple Tree Early Intervention Center as a SLPA while continuing her education at CSULB to earn her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (2014). After graduating, she worked full time at ABC Unified School district, working with elementary and middle school students and their parents/caregivers and teachers. After having a baby, she took a year off from working to be home full time. Now, Janelle seeks to continue to work in the field of speech-language pathology at Apple Tree Early Intervention Center while continuing to grow her own family at home.
Janelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Long Beach in 2012. Part of the undergrad program included the necessary coursework and clinical hours to practice as a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). She worked at Apple Tree Early Intervention Center as a SLPA while continuing her education at CSULB to earn her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (2014). After graduating, she worked full time at ABC Unified School district, working with elementary and middle school students and their parents/caregivers and teachers. After having a baby, she took a year off from working to be home full time. Now, Janelle seeks to continue to work in the field of speech-language pathology at Apple Tree Early Intervention Center while continuing to grow her own family at home.
Interventionist
Sherylynne Carriveau B.A.
Cognitive Educator/Early Interventionist
Sherylynne is the Cognition Specialist. She has degrees in Child Development, Nursery
Education, BA. Sherylynne has worked in the
classroom since she graduated from High School. She has also served as the Children’s
Ministry Director in several churches over the course of 20 plus years.
Cognitive Educator/Early Interventionist
Sherylynne is the Cognition Specialist. She has degrees in Child Development, Nursery
Education, BA. Sherylynne has worked in the
classroom since she graduated from High School. She has also served as the Children’s
Ministry Director in several churches over the course of 20 plus years.
Michelle Le Donne, M.S.
Early Interventionist
Michelle graduated from UCLA in 1990 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology with an emphasis in developmental disabilities. She earned a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1994. She has 20 years experience working with probation youth and their families in a group home setting. She enjoys working with children of all ages.
Early Interventionist
Michelle graduated from UCLA in 1990 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology with an emphasis in developmental disabilities. She earned a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1994. She has 20 years experience working with probation youth and their families in a group home setting. She enjoys working with children of all ages.
Avianna Tagerty, M.M., BCMT
Music Therapist
Avianna completed her college education at Berklee College of Music where she majored in music therapy and found her passion for pediatric work. Avianna completed her Music Therapy Internship at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital where she focused on helping support developmental milestones and socialization skills due to isolation within the hospital for long periods of time. Music has always had a special place in Avianna’s heart. She started as a stage actress at a young age and even now continues to perform on the side
as a passionate hobby. Avianna believes music has touched every person no matter where they come from or how old they are. Music is a special resource that creates connection and creativity for all who take part in it.
Music Therapist
Avianna completed her college education at Berklee College of Music where she majored in music therapy and found her passion for pediatric work. Avianna completed her Music Therapy Internship at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital where she focused on helping support developmental milestones and socialization skills due to isolation within the hospital for long periods of time. Music has always had a special place in Avianna’s heart. She started as a stage actress at a young age and even now continues to perform on the side
as a passionate hobby. Avianna believes music has touched every person no matter where they come from or how old they are. Music is a special resource that creates connection and creativity for all who take part in it.
Samantha Mathew, M.S., BCBA
Family Service Dir. / Behavior
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has over 10 years of experience providing early intervention services to families experiencing a variety of special needs. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Miami and a Master's degree in Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Nova Southeastern University, Samantha has been able to support young children and their families within the preschool, home, and community settings. She has provided individual play-based therapy, led and facilitated play-based parent-child social groups, collaborated with caregivers to train and support their specific needs, as well as assessed and created goals with the entire family to set them all up for success in the present and future. Samantha has seen how critical early intervention is, not just for the child but for the health and happiness of the entire family unit, and as such loves being able to provide it to the families she works with!
Family Service Dir. / Behavior
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has over 10 years of experience providing early intervention services to families experiencing a variety of special needs. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Miami and a Master's degree in Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Nova Southeastern University, Samantha has been able to support young children and their families within the preschool, home, and community settings. She has provided individual play-based therapy, led and facilitated play-based parent-child social groups, collaborated with caregivers to train and support their specific needs, as well as assessed and created goals with the entire family to set them all up for success in the present and future. Samantha has seen how critical early intervention is, not just for the child but for the health and happiness of the entire family unit, and as such loves being able to provide it to the families she works with!
Consultants
Dr. Robert Vande Steeg Ph.D
Dr. Rob Vande Steeg has 15 years of experience treating children, adolescents, adults and families. His background includes work in special education, community based mental health and outpatient practice.
Dr. Vande Steeg has extensive background in evaluation and treatment of cognitive disorders. He is certified in psychological evaluations and psycho-educational assessments.
Dr. Rob Vande Steeg has 15 years of experience treating children, adolescents, adults and families. His background includes work in special education, community based mental health and outpatient practice.
Dr. Vande Steeg has extensive background in evaluation and treatment of cognitive disorders. He is certified in psychological evaluations and psycho-educational assessments.
Apple Tree Management Team
Heather Thompson
Director |
Mona Hart
Clinical Supervisor |
Julie Flores
Office Manager |
* Buena Park, Norwalk, Both Locations
