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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.

Heidi Villamin Day, MS, OTR/L

Heidi was raised 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:

  • SPD Foundation Level I Intensive Mentorship - Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR
  • 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
  • NDT 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.

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.









Brenna Culley, MOTR/L

Brenna was born in Austin, Texas and raised there with her younger sister. She attended the University of Texas Tech, where she was involved in many school organizations and received her Bachelors of Allied Health Sciences. She continued her occupational therapy education in Lubbock, Texas attending the University of Texas Tech Health Science Center (TTUHSC), where she received her masters degree in Occupational Therapy. Growing up Brenna has always had a strong dedication and passion to work with children. Throughout her graduate school career, Brenna gained a lot of hands on experience working with a vast extent of disabilities and cultures. She has completed four clinical rotations, where she has worked in the inpatient setting in rehabilitation and trauma hospitals as well as the outpatient pediatric setting. In the inpatient setting she has experience working with neurology and orthopedic teams with a crossover to specialty areas (burn/trauma, wound care, orthopedics, and cardiology). Brenna has also treated a wide variety of pediatric patients including feeding, sensory, neurological, developmental delayed, and orthopedic patients. Outside of work Brenna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to live music, going to the lake, wakeboarding, and traveling. She also enjoys spending time with her beloved cat who has the neurological condition Cerebellar Hypoplasia that was rescued while living in Lubbock.

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.










Sarah Tidmore, 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.

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.





Jennifer John, MA, CFY-SLP

Jennifer was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and majored in Communicative Disorders (Go Badgers!). Upon completing her bachelor degree, Jennifer moved to Minneapolis, MN to pursue a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Minnesota. While in graduate school, Jennifer completed five externships working as a Graduate Student Speech Clinician. She has experience in the assessment and treatment of articulation, fluency, voice, resonance, swallowing, language and cognitive deficits in children and adults. She most recently worked at the University of Minnesota’s Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Clinic, where she enhanced her knowledge of resonance, articulation, voice and/or swallowing deficits stemming from cleft palate, craniofacial anomalies, and other related syndromes. She hopes to be a part of a multidisciplinary cleft palate team in Austin in the future. Jennifer enjoys playing softball, painting pottery, comedy clubs, and singing karaoke with her friends and family. She is very excited to be in a wonderful new city and to be a part of the KidWorks team! She looks forward to working with you and your children.

Jayme Ferguson, CFY-SLP

Jayme was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She received her undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Montevallo, the highest ranked public master’s level university in Alabama. While obtaining her graduate degree, Jayme had the opportunity to participate in Project Transteam at the University of Alabama where she closely worked with occupational and physical therapists to better understand and develop methods of working together with children. Upon receiving her graduate degree, she was presented with an award for outstanding clinical excellency. She completed five externships in different settings working as a Graduate Student Speech Clinician and has experience in the assessment and treatment of receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation, voice, fluency, swallowing, and cognitive deficits in both adults and children. In her spare time, she loves to travel with her husband and children, spend time with family and friends, read, and search for her next favorite restaurant! Jayme loves the unexpected and enjoys working with children who also teach her something new every day. She is very excited to be a part of KidWorks!

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.

Julie Nachman, BS, ED, Neurofeedback Clinician

Julie was born in Lansing, Michigan but has lived as a Texan for most of her life. Julie is currently working towards her Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) Neurofeedback certification and is completing her Masters degree in Kinesiology through U.T. She is trained in EEG Biofeedback through EEG Spectrum International. She strongly believes in the mind and body connection. She has extensive background in early trauma, developmental disorders and their effects on brain function. Julie holds a B.S. in Education and has 10 years teaching experience with all age groups from young children to adults. Through personal experience as the mother of a child with significant brain dysfunction and developmental delays, Julie has received training and is familiar with

  • Infant massage
  • Filial Play Therapy
  • PECS: the use of Picture Exchange Communication System as an intervention
  • The Hanen Speech Program
  • Sensory Integration and therapeutic brushing
  • Therapeutic Parenting training at the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio
  • EEG Biofeedback

Julie’s personal interest in Neurofeedback grew through her desire to further her child’s development. Julie saw Neurofeedback as a gentle, holistic intervention that would address the entire central nervous system and would complement her child’s current treatment plan. The results from Neurofeedback have been promising. Julie is very excited to be working and learning at KidWorks.

In her spare time Julie enjoys traveling, cooking and rock climbing. She loves animals and volunteers her time at Austin Pets Alive.

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, Assistant Manager & Accounts 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 training 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.

Brendan Kelly, Support Staff through Project SEARCH

Brendan is originally from Houston, TX. He was diagnosed with Autism – Asperger’s syndrome at a young age. Brendan attended Riverview High School in Massachusetts. Riverview is a specialized school for individuals with disabilities. In 2009, Brendan moved to Austin to receive training at Marbridge. While at Marbridge, Brendan was accepted into Project SEARCH, a yearlong professional internship at Seton Medical Center Austin. Brendan graduated from Project SEARCH in May 2010. In August 2010, he joined the Kidworks team.

Brendan wakes up at the crack of dawn to come to Kidworks in order to complete his daily duties. Brendan is an amazing member of the Kidworks team! We are so happy and blessed to have him. In Brendan’s spare time, he enjoys swimming, movies, and music. He recently received 4 bronze medals in the Special Olympics! Click here to read a letter from Brendan's mom about his experience at KidWorks.

Project SEARCH serves people with disabilities through innovative workforce and career development. Through this process we educate employers about the potential of this underutilized workforce while meeting their human resource needs.