Home
Who We Are
Services
Getting Started
Resources
Recommended Readings
Contact Us
Directions
Melly's Messages

Rebecca Pokluda, MS, OTR/L, P.C., Director

Rebecca is the owner and clinical director of KidWorks Therapy Services. She started KidWorks Therapy in 1999. Rebecca has worked in therapeutic environments for over 20 years. Rebecca graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from University of Texas and with her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Womans University, completing her thesis on Sensory Integration. She has worked in various settings including adult and pediatric acute, rehabilitative, and outpatient care, as well as in aquatic therapy and hippotherapy. Rebecca specializes in pediatrics with expertise in early childhood intervention, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, vision therapy, and sensory integration. She has completed post graduate advanced training/certification in the following areas:

  • Administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing, including planning and implementation of appropriate treatment of sensory processing. SIPT Certification # 494
  • Certified and trained to administer IM interactive metronome treatment.
  • Advanced training in Therapeutic Listening / Sound Therapy. Certification # M22229
  • Clinical Instructor affiliated with several Universities including: University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio , University of Texas in Austin , Texas Woman's University, and Austin Community College.
  • Extensive training with self-regulation and social, emotional development and dysfunction, including Stanley Greenspan's Floortime Approach
  • Research and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Participation in research related to up-dated standardization of BOT-2, a widely used motor assessment for school-aged children.
  • Advanced training in Vision Therapy and Aquatic Therapy
  • Advanced training with learning disabilities

In her spare time Rebecca enjoys soccer, trail-running, mountain biking, hiking and exploring, scuba diving, and playing and hanging out with friends and family.

Juliana Padilla, MOTR/L, Assistant Clinic Director

Juliana graduated from The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio with a bachelor's degree in health care science and a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in private and school based pediatric settings specializing in developmental and sensory processing disorders. She has advanced training and certification in the following:

  • Autism Education
  • SAMONAS Sound Therapy
  • Greenspan's DIR Model with the use of Floortime as an intervention
  • Advanced intensive mentorship program at the STAR (Sensory Therapies And Research) Center in Denver, CO. There she received direct mentorship from Dr. Lucy Jane Miller and her collegues and was trained in the most up to date research, assessment, and intervention for Sensory Processing Disorders.

In the past, she has enjoyed attending camps for children with disabilities and has volunteered at a Hippo-therapy center. She is interested in pursuing advanced training in this area and also has a special interest in animal assisted therapy. She would like to incorporate both into her practice someday. Her lifelong ambition has been to work with children to help them develop to their full potential. She is passionate about her work in the field and is dedicated to children and their families. Juliana enjoys reading, sewing, traveling, attending live music events, and spending time with her family and friends.

Heidi Villamin, MS, OTR/L

Heidi grew up in Austin and received her MS in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and also has a BA in Biochemistory from Baylor University. Her experience includes working with children from birth to adolescence with a variety of diagnoses including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as kids with fine motor and feeding difficulties. She presented her graduate work on a Spanish preschool assessment tool at the 2007 AOTA conference and enjoys working with the Spanish speaking population. She spent two weeks in Honduras volunteering her OT services at Casayuda, a school for children with disabilities. Since her time at Kidworks, she has also received additional training on the Floortime/DIR model. She has completed post graduate advanced training/certification in the following areas:

  • Feeding Therapy using the SOS Approach, developed by Kay Toomey, PhD
  • Get Permission Approach to Feeding by Marsha Dunn Klein, MEd, OTR/L
  • Food Chaining
  • Oral Motor Feeding Workshop presented by Gay Lloyd Pinder, PhD, CCC-SLP
  • Nutrition Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, presented by Elizabeth Strickland, MS, RD,LD
  • iLs Certified (Integrated Listening Systems) Practitioner
  • Interactive Metronome Provider
  • Vision therapy - managing developmental visual deficits in children - Judy Hughes, O.D.
  • Basic Course on the DIR/Floortime Model - Stanley Greenspan, MD

Her favorite occupations are traveling, eating Amy’s Ice Cream, watching baseball games at Wrigley Field, listening to live music in Austin, and hiking the greenbelt.

Michelle Beck, COTA

Michelle received her certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant from Austin Community College and is currently completing her academic core work for consideration into a graduate Occupational Therapy program. She has worked in a school based program in New York City specializing in children aged two to five with developmental disabilities and autism. Her focus has been on maximizing the academic and personal potential in children of all ages and abilities. She has completed training through Kid Works in the following:

  • Sensory Integration
  • Self-regulation Programs
  • Dyslexia and dysgraphia training programs
  • Specialized training in administration of Sensory Diet Programs
  • iLs (Integrated Listening Systems)
  • Interactive Metronome
  • Vision therapy - managing developmental visual deficits in children - Judy Hughes, O.D.
  • Stanley Greenspan's Floortime approach
  • Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique
  • Astronaut Training - an auditory, visual, and vestibular approach
  • Dealing with Dysgraphia- Dr. Dilip J. Karnik M.D.
  • Basic Course on the DIR/Floortime Model - Stanley Greenspan, MD

Before becoming a COTA Michelle taught Preschool and was employed as a Paraprofessional in Special Education classrooms. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking and cooking.

Emily Hefft, MOTR/L

Emily graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas and a Master’s of Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Her experience includes working in out-patient settings with children of various diagnoses such as sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, autism, and fine motor difficulties. Her goal is to be a positive influence on others and make the lives of children and families better. During her time in San Antonio, Emily was involved in various volunteer programs for children with developmental delays including wheelchair basketball and swimming programs. In addition to working with children, Emily enjoys watching live music, spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, cooking, and shopping. While at Kidworks, she has received training in: Sensory Integration, DIR/Floortime (Basic course in DIR/Floortime), vision therapy techniques, therapeutic brushing, and self-regulation programs.

Kara Hyatt, COTA

Kara was born and raised in Austin. She received her certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant from ACC and is currently completing her academic core work for consideration into a graduate Occupational Therapy program. During her time at KidWorks, Kara has gained experience in the DIR/Floor Time approach, Sensory Integration, vision therapy techniques, therapeutic brushing and self regulation programs. Kara enjoys scuba diving, hunting, traveling, and spending time with her husband, family and friends.





Lacy Funk, MOTR/L

Lacy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas and a Master’s of Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Her experience includes working in out-patient settings with children of various diagnoses such as sensory processing disorder, autism, and fine motor difficulties. In addition to working with children, Lacy enjoys hiking, running, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends and family. While at KidWorks, she has gained experience in Sensory Integration, DIR/Floortime, vision therapy techniques, and self-regulation programs.


Lisa Ricketts, OTL

Lisa is an Occupational Therapist at Kidworks Therapy Services part time and during the summer months. Every day she learns something new from the children she works with and their families. She works alongside expert therapists who train her to do her very best. Lisa is full time Occupational Therapist at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired since September of 1994. She studies the impact visual impairment has on the other senses and overall development.








Amanda Harpst, MS, CCC-SLP, Lead Speech Therapist

Amanda is a California transplant, who has lived in Austin for a few years. She is married with a beautiful baby girl. Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2001. When she realized being an English Teacher was not for her, she decided on Speech Pathology and completed her graduate degree in 2005 at Cal State Northridge. While working toward her graduate degree, Amanda had the opportunity to work as a speech aid in a pediatric speech practice for 2 years, where she received hands on training in Floortime, PECS, Hanen programs, and was able to lead a preschool speech group for children on the Autism Spectrum. Amanda’s Internship experiences include working with TBI patients at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, and taking part in the Head Start and Preschool programs in Los Angeles Unified School District. Recently, Amanda completed the Lindamood-Bell Advanced workshops in reading comprehension and phonemic awareness for children with dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. She now leads the SUCCESS READING! program here at KidWorks. Amanda has served children with deficits in articulation, oral motor, feeding/swallowing, auditory processing, reading and spelling, and expressive and receptive language. She has worked with children with Autism Spectrum disorders, Down’s Syndrome, and is especially experienced with early intervention cases. She has received training through Talk Tools (oral motor therapy), and has gained valuable education in sensory integration while working closely with the OT’s here at KidWorks. Amanda is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the State of Texas.

Sarah Engleking, MS, CCC-SLP

Sarah is a native Austinite who received her graduate and undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Communication Disorders and a minor in Early Childhood Intervention. While receiving her graduate degree, Sarah had the opportunity to partner with the Greater East Texas Community Action Program of Head Start and the Austin Independent School District’s Extended School Year Program. She has served individuals with articulation, fluency, expressive and receptive language disorders, swallowing, and oral motor concerns, and is very experienced and has an amazing talent for working with and treating children on the autistic spectrum. Sarah is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the state of Texas. She has received PROMPT training, a multidimensional approach to speech disorders. Sarah has also received training through Talk Tools, a muscle based approach to speech clarity and oral coordination. Through her time partnering with KidWorks Sarah has gained experience in the Floor Time approach and sensory integration. Last summer, Sarah had the opportunity to go to Zambia Africa and work with Family Legacy Missions International, an organization that serves and supports AIDS orphans and their families, an experience that increased her love and respect for children around the world. She has always loved kids and has been motivated by her own challenges with dysfluency as a child to pursue her career as a speech therapist. Sarah is looking forward to new opportunities and continuing education with KidWorks. She looks forward to meeting you and your child.

Brooke Hyland, MA, CCC-SLP

Brooke is originally from Austin, Minnesota. She graduated from TheUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders. She then received her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she also received a certificate for completing a Bilingual-Multicultural Emphasis Program. Brooke is currently a member of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is in the process of joining the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Brooke most recently worked at an outpatient pediatric clinic in Minnesota providing treatment for children with articulation difficulties, expressive and receptive language disorders, developmental delay, feeding and/or swallowing concerns, and early intervention for late talking children. She has also worked with children on the Autism Spectrum for a number of years and focuses on incorporating different sensory integration techniques with the Floor Time approach. Brooke enjoys working with children, watching them achieve new goals and develop to their full potential. She looks forward to working with you and your child.

Crystal Pugh, MA CCC-SLP

Crystal is originally from McAllen, Texas, and moved to Austin in 2001 to attend college. Growing up, Crystal had speech difficulties and knows how being different can affect a person’s self-esteem. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders specializing in speech pathology from the University of Texas. While working toward her graduate degree, Crystal had the opportunity to work as a speech aide at a pediatric private clinic and at a school for children who have speech and language disorders. She has also worked in a local school district for two years working with elementary students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. She has had hands-on training in the STAR Program and PACE. Crystal has had the privilege of working with children with articulation, fluency, expressive and receptive language, auditory processing, oral motor, and feeding/swallowing deficits. She has worked with children with Autism Spectrum disorders, Downs Syndrome, and genetic disorders. Crystal recently became a certified trainer in PACE (Processing and Cognitive Enhancement) and Master the Code. The PACE program is designed to help children and adults, age six and older, improve their weak underlying learning skills. Significant gains will be seen in this twelve-week program, helping the student learn easier and faster. Master the Code is our sound-to-code based reading and spelling program, helping students build a solid foundation to sound out words and gain confidence in reading and spelling. Check out her website at http://cpugh.processingskills.com for more information on both these programs. Crystal is a newlywed who loves to spend time with her husband, their two dogs, their friends, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. She also enjoys reading and watching sports. Crystal looks forward to the new opportunities KidWorks has to offer as well as serving you and your family.

Mary Monckton, MS, CCC-SLP

Mary grew up in the Chicagoland area and has lived/worked in 4 states: WI, IL, CO, and now TX! She received her graduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. The majority of Mary's experience is with children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and she is fluent in American Sign Language. She has special training in "See the Sound" Visual Phonics program and certification in Radiant Child Yoga. Mary has attended workshops combining Yoga, literacy, speech and language and she has assisted in implementing a Yoga Ed program for elementary students. She loves to read and practice Yoga in her free time.

Carla Moore, PT

Carla received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Texas MEdical Branch in Galveston. Her initial work experiences included working in a variety of acute hospital settings with addults. Following her move to Austin 20 years ago, Carla pursued her desire to practice pediatric centered physical therapy. She has worked both in clinical settings and as a school based therapist at the Texas School for the Deaf. Carla enjoyed working with children of all ages at the School for the Deaf. She also enjoyed the exposure to American Sign Language and the opportunity to develop beginning skills in "signing".

Carla completed 15 hours of post graduate physical therapy at Texas Women's University in Houston and earned the "Certificate in ADvanced Pediatric Therapy from Texas Women's University in 2006. Course work at TWU included:

  • Pathokinesiology which focused on Gait Analysis
  • Pediatric Neuroscience, with a personal study on the vestibular system
  • Pediatric Outcome Measures
  • Motor Behavior in Pediatrics
  • Musculoskeletal Issues in Pediatrics

Other continuing education workshops have included:

  • Sensory Defensiveness and Related Problems by Patricia Wilbarger
  • Vestibular Activation: Therapeutic Movements to Optimize PHysical, Social and Cognitive Occupation by Mary Kawar
  • Kinesiotaping Fundamentals and Kinesiotaping in Pediatrics by Audrey Yasukawa and Trish Martin
  • Ready Bodies, Learning Minds by Athena Oden
  • Evaluation and Treatment of the Clumsy Child by Dr. Barbara Connolly

Carla's interest in the vestibular ("inner ear") ssystem and the important role it plays in motor development led her to KidWorks Therapy services in May of 2009. In her spare time, Carla enjoys behing "Nana" to her two granddaughters, jogging with her husband and gardenings.

Carla considers it a privilege to work with each child that comes to her and desire to work with parents and caregivers in a team approach.

Lindsey Waddell, DPT

Although a native Austinite, Lindsey relocated to New Orleans to earn her Bachelors in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Tulane University. She then moved to Florida to attend the University of Florida for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. While in graduate school, she had the opportunity to work extensively in research involving children with spinal cord injury and muscular dystrophy. After graduating in May 2009, she worked for 2 months in Ecuador at a non-profit clinic providing physical therapy to under-privileged children. Uponreturning to Austin, she began working in pediatric home health where she gained experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, Corpus Callosum agenesis, seizure disorder, and developmental delay. She has received continuing education on Autism and Spanish for PTs, and looks forward to learning much more in her career at KidWorks.

Cyndi Garza, Clinic Manager

Cyndi comes to KidWorks with over 20 years in medical management experience. She is originally from Harlingen, TX and has returned to Austin after living in Houston for 20 years. She is happily married and has two children, Jonas and Vanessa, in addition to her two dogs (actually three, but the third doesn't count - chihuahua). She has an associate degree in nursing and loves working with the kids at KidWorks. Cyndi is also bilingual (Spanish & English) and is always ready to offer her interpreter skills.




Crystal Castillo, Administrative Manager

Crystal was born and raised in Harlingen, TX. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human and Family Development with a concentration in Early Childhood from The University of Texas at Austin. Crystal has enjoyed working with children of all ages both as an intern at KidWorks and through volunteering at Esculeta De Alma in Austin, TX. In her spare time, Crystal loves playing softball, watching sports, dancing, listening to music, watching movies, and, most importantly, hanging out with friends and family.




Marshmellow "Melly" Pokluda, Clinic Pet Therapist

Melly is a 8 1/2 year old Spitz-mix. She is a valuable member of the Kidworks Team providing that special brand of emotional support that only pets can provide.

  • Advanded Pet Therapy training through Austin Dog Alliance
  • Melly is a graduate of Taurus Training, a superior traning facility in Austin, TX
  • Melly is a super laid-back, approachable, lovable, and popular member of our staff

In her spare time, she enjoys trail-running and soccer games with Rebecca, playing tug-of-war and fetch, and just chillin' out.

Dee Pokluda - Accounts Manager

Dee has been with our staff as our Billing and Insurance Coordinator/Accounts Manager since 2002. She retired after 18 years working as an Account Manager for a major insurance agency in Dallas, working commercial accounts. After retirement, she moved to South Texas and began to work for us. In her spare time, she loves to volunteer, play bridge, participate with the Red Hat Society, participate with the Wildflower Association, and play with her grandchildren. She has been a great asset to our practice as she is familiar with insurance companies and as a plus, she is bilingual. We are thrilled to have her with us.