About Us
Vision Statement:
Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids’ vision is to provide an environment of love, acceptance, positive reinforcement and support that enables clients to respond to therapeutic intervention; in order to grow, develop skills, increase independence and function at their personal best.
Goals:
- We, the staff at Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids, believe that all people, clients and staff have unique gifts and strengths; and we emphasize these to create desire and satisfaction for seeking a sense of mastery, growth and development in their own abilities to function optimally in each of their environments (including the ability to perform self-care skills as well as fulfill their occupational roles.
- We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and trusting environment to foster growth and change, and to facilitate optimal development.
- We strive to provide individualized occupational therapy services which enhance the quality of life and increase our client’s independence in their occupational roles.
- We strive to foster joy and high self-esteem in our clients, and believe all children are capable of successes.
- It is this clinic’s desire that each and every therapist employed by Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids develop a reputation for excellent work with utmost integrity to assist each client to reach maximum potential in every day skills as needed to reach the highest level of self-efficacy and confidence.
Mission Statement Summary:
- To provide quality pediatric occupational therapy services to clients including providing education to the family and caregivers to increase efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
- To be a model of pediatric occupational therapy services integrating and specializing in the combining the sensory integration model with rehabilitative, cognitive-behavioral and client-centered models and frames of references,
- To increase a greater understanding and awareness and knowledge (for families and medical professionals in the community) of subtle neuromotor problems (such as Sensory Processing Disorders) and other related learning and behavior disorders (such as disorders falling in the autism spectrum),
- To disseminate information and facilitate awareness in the community of these disorders and how they impact growth and development.
About Us
Abigail Villanueva, MOT, OTR/L
Abigail Villanueva joined Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids because of her love for children and her desire to assist children to always reach for their personal best! She believes that all children have gifts and it is her goal to build off these strengths to increase confidence and skill levels. Miss Abby is a graduate of Loma Linda University and has more than a decade of experience working with children as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.
"The best part of my job, is when a child looks at you with that shocked smile... that look that says, "I cannot believe I just did that on my own!" -Miss Abby
"The best part of my job, is when a child looks at you with that shocked smile... that look that says, "I cannot believe I just did that on my own!" -Miss Abby
Maegan Robinson, MOT, OTR/L
Maegan Robinson created Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids to provide an environment of support, love, acceptance, and positive reinforcement that enables children to respond to therapeutic intervention and achieve their personal best each and every day! She earned her Bachelor of Psychology degree from California State University, Fullerton and her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Santa Ana College. She has nearly 10 years of experience as a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant in the La Verne area. It has always been Miss Maegan's goal to open her own pediatric clinic. Miss Maegan is married to Chuck Robinson. Together, they have a set of twins - a son named Quinn and a daughter named Cassie.
"Even the smallest of achievements is a huge deal. Because, that child KNOWS that today she is now able to do something that was impossible yesterday... imagine what will be possible tomorrow." -Miss Maegan
"Even the smallest of achievements is a huge deal. Because, that child KNOWS that today she is now able to do something that was impossible yesterday... imagine what will be possible tomorrow." -Miss Maegan
Elizabeth Medina, COTA/L
Elizabeth Medina joined the Building Blocks Therapy 4 kids family last year and is very happy to be a part of an awesome team of dedicated therapists! She graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Santa Ana College in 2014 and has worked
in the field of Pediatrics ever since. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling around the world.
"I love working with kids! I enjoy helping them learn there are no boundaries to what they can achieve. The best part of my job is watching them grow and seeing them reaCh their fullest potential!" -Miss Elizabeth
in the field of Pediatrics ever since. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling around the world.
"I love working with kids! I enjoy helping them learn there are no boundaries to what they can achieve. The best part of my job is watching them grow and seeing them reaCh their fullest potential!" -Miss Elizabeth
Kristen Kempiak, COTA/L
Kristen Kempiak joined the Building Therapy 4 Kids family this year because of her love of being able assist to children to progress to their full potential. She graduated from Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Stanbridge development. In her spare time she serves in the children's ministry at her church.
"I truly enjoy watching children hit those small steps in progression. As well as that, every learning experience can be made into a fun activity." - Miss Kristen
Marysol Galvan, Administrative Services Manager
Marysol Galvan joined Building Block Therapy for kids this year. She truly believes occupational therapy has a valuable impact based on first hand experience. As a sepsis and stroke survivor she underwent occupational and physical therapy to learn how to improve her quality of life. She has 3 school aged kids and understands the importance of developing a strong learning foundation.
“My goal is to pass on the importance of perseverance and patience and to trust the process of therapy.”
Judy Lee, OTR/L
Judy Lee joined Building Blocks in 2021 due to her love of helping children and their families. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of California, Irvine and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Stanbridge University. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two dogs during her spare time.
“The rewarding feeling of when a child accomplishes something new and challenging; their face lighting up and I turn to their parent(s) and their face is full of astonishment and joy. That is a feeling that is both unforgettable and beautiful.”
Lilibeth Moran, COTA/L
Lilibeth Moran recently joined the team at Building Blocks Therapy 4 kids! She has a bachelor's in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles and graduated from the Santa Ana occupational therapy assistant program in June, 2018. She has over 5 years experience of working with children with special needs and truly enjoys this field. On her spare time you can find her hiking, at concerts, or eating hot Cheetos.
"One the best thing about of being a COTA is that most of the time, the children don't even realize they're working because they're having so much fun!"
Casey Mamora, OTD, OTR/L Director of Clinical and Therapeutic Services- Riverside Location
Casey Mamora joined the Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids team in 2019 after earning her Masters of Occupational Therapy degree from Loma Linda University. Her passion for working with children, education, leadership, and providing quality care led her to completing her Doctoral degree in 2021. She has over 10 years of experience working with children of various ages and believes that all children deserve the opportunity to reach their own level of independence using the best occupation there is.....PLAY!!! Outside of the work environment, you can find Casey enjoying time with her family, running, hiking, traveling, and going to Disneyland!
"I have such a strong passion for working with children and I love seeing their faces light up with pride when they are able to do what they thought was impossible" -Miss Casey
Joanne Chen, MOT, OTR/L
Joanne Chen joined Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids because of her lifelong passion for helping children grow and working with parents as a team. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Joanne earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, CA. She enjoys playing with children and loves to bring fun and creative activities into her therapy sessions. Joanne believes that the combination of evidence-based intervention and a play-based approach can allow children to learn and grow while having fun.
“The best part of working with the pediatric population is to see kids learning from exploring and interacting with their environment and gradually developing new skills. It is a huge reward to me when kids make small steps towards their goals and parents gain more confidence in supporting their child.” - Miss Joanne
Nakisa Verdugo-Garcia, DPT
Nakisa Verdugo-Garcia joined the Building Blocks family as she has always had a passion for helping children be their best and achieve motor milestones. She believes that there is nothing more rewarding than being part of a child’s development and watching a child roll, creep, or take steps for the first time. She strongly feels that it takes village to implement a strong gross motor foundation and together with the support from the family and guidance from the therapist, there is no better team. Nakisa received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Western University of Health Sciences and has been treating in the field of pediatrics for over 13 years. She has experience in early intervention, school-based, and clinic-based therapy. In her spare time, Nakisa enjoys making memories with her husband and three daughters. She enjoys camping, boating, and being a “Dance Mom”.
“The best part of being a Physical Therapist are the bonds that I form with each and every patient and family. Each child has made tiny footprints on my heart that will last forever. I truly feel blessed to be a part of each and every child’s life.” – Miss. Nakisa
Stephanie Untalan, COTA/L
Stephanie Untalan joined the Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids team because even at an early age she knew that she wanted a career working with children. She has a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from California State University, Fullerton and graduated from the occupational therapy assistant program at American Career College. In her spare time, she enjoys art journaling, listening to music, spending time with loved ones, and volunteering at her church.
“Witnessing a child’s confidence rise and how joyful a child gets in therapy when they achieve something that they previously struggled with is a beautiful thing.” -Miss Stephanie
Lisa Nguyen, MSOT, OTR/L
Lisa Nguyen joined the Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids team because of her love for helping children and their families learn and grow together through evidence-based intervention and a play-based approach. Lisa received her Bachelor's in Sociology and minor in Disability Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. In her free time, Lisa enjoys cleaning, trying new food spots, finding new local breweries, playing with her Alaskan Malamute and maltipoo pups, and traveling.
"The best part of being a pediatric OT is helping kiddos gain lifelong skills through silly play and adaptive approaches. Progress is progress no matter how small or big!"
Mary Hanna, OTR/L
Mary Hanna recently joined the Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids team in San Dimas. She loves working with children and knew without a doubt that the pediatric setting would be a natural fit for her. She graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, then from Loma Linda University with a Masters of Occupational Therapy degree. In her free time, Mary swims competitively with a masters team, bakes scrumptious desserts, and spends time with her loved ones.
“To me, pediatric occupational therapy is about providing children with work that helps them gain independence, without them knowing that they are actually working. It takes a village, and I’m here to be a part of it!’
Glynis Rojas, BS COTA/L
Glynis Rojas joined Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids because of her passion in helping children overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Glynis earned her Associates of Arts in Human Development and Bachelors of Science in Occupational Studies at Santa Ana College. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with her dog Remi, and playing video games.
“Working with kids is incredibly rewarding, and I feel grateful to be a part of their journey. I also enjoy helping parents and caregivers create a supportive environment that encourages growth and development for their children.” - Miss Glynis
Angela Mecheal, MOT, OTR/L
Angela Mecheal joined Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids because of her love and passion to help children and watch them grow into their full potential. She always saw herself working in a career with children and found her passion in occupational therapy. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, CA. In her spare time, she loves going to Disneyland with her husband, exploring new places with family and friends, and just enjoying a night in watching movies.
“There is no better feeling than seeing each child’s smile and seeing them reach their full potential!”
Sandra Garcia MOT, OTR/L Director of Clinical and Therapeutic Services- San Dimas
Sandra joined Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids because she is dedicated to helping children achieve their full potential through customized and evidence-based interventions. She enjoys making therapy fun and engaging for each child while providing the “just-right” challenge.
Sandra has a master’s degree in occupational therapy from University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, CA. She is licensed in the state of California and stays up-to-date with the latest research and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for her clients. Sandra has experience as a clinic-based occupational therapist and a school-based occupational therapist.
“One of the most rewarding things about being a pediatric occupational therapist is seeing a child's face light up when they finally accomplish a task they've been working on for weeks or months. It's awesome to see them gain confidence in themselves and their abilities, and to know that you played a part in helping them achieve their goals.” - Miss Sandra
“There is no better feeling than seeing each child’s smile and seeing them reach their full potential!”
Lindsay Blount COTA/L
Lindsay joined the Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids Team because of her passion for helping children grow and learn. Lindsay has been a licensed and certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2019. She studied at Santa Ana College, earning her Associate's in Occupational Therapy Assistant and Bachelor's in Occupational Studies. She is certified in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding and has a background in early childhood education as well as social and behavioral studies. She is passionate about giving families the tools to help their children thrive. She enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, and spending time with loved ones in her free time.
“I love that working in occupational therapy gives me the opportunity to work closely with families to help them achieve their goals. Every dream includes small tasks, and I enjoy watching children excel every step of the way” - Ms. Lindsay
Crystal Robinson PT/DPT
Crystal joined Building Blocks Therapy for Kids in 2022. She has over 13 years of pediatric
clinical experience and Building Blocks gave her the opportunity to treat children and provide
family-centered care in the home setting as well. Crystal has enjoyed working with children with
a variety of diagnoses from the NICU to teenagehood. Crystal received her Doctorate in
Physical Therapy from Chapman University, and in 2014 she became a Board Certified
Pediatric Clinical Specialist. When she’s not working, Crystal enjoys camping with her husband
and three sons.
“I love working with families to help their children develop the strength and coordination needed
to maximize their potential and progress with their gross motor skills. I think I get as excited as
the parents/caregivers when a child achieves a new milestone.”
Jocelyn Parra COTA/L
Jocelyn joined building blocks in October of 2022. She began working with kids within the school district as an instructional aid where she was introduced to occupational therapy and decided to pursue that career. Jocelyn graduated from Santa Ana College in 2021 then began working with the pediatric and geriatric population. Helping others is her passion. She loves seeing clients/patients grow, being a part of their journey witnessing the small changes that make a huge impact on the individuals life is very rewarding to me.
During her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, having cookouts, and dancing in the living room.
Tiffany Lui, MSOT, OTR/L
Tiffany first had a connection with the Special Education classroom as a one-on-one aide for a student with Cerebral Palsy and Autism. She also provided respite care for families around Orange County at the same time. The rewarding nature of connecting with students and guiding them in tasks that were previously challenging drew her to Occupational Therapy. Tiffany has experience working with clients aged 0-23 in the outpatient, school, and early intervention settings. Tiffany graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2020. She strives to provide client-centered and play-based care while maximizing independence and skills in her clients. In her spare time Tiffany goes to concerts, explores new cuisines and cultures, and enjoys watching TV shows."
Karen Hwang, PT Director of Physical Therapy
Karen joined Building Blocks after running her own Physical Therapy pediatric therapy company based in West Covina for 7 years and is happy for the opportunity to serve a larger clientele helping children reach their full potential in a more comprehensive setting. She has had a lifelong passion for kids, graduating with a Child Development degree from The University of Texas and a Physical Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University. She has 3 children of her own, as well as over 20 years of experience in pediatric settings including in clinics, homes, and schools. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as the outdoors.
"The best part of being a pediatric therapist is the joy and fulfillment that each achievement towards the child's fullest potential brings, no matter how big or small!" Miss Karen
Ryan Galo, PTA
Ryan joined Building Blocks Therapy 4 Kids because of the rewarding feeling he gets from seeing the excitement kids and parents feel from being able to do things they were never able to do before. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton with his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology in 2017 and earned his Associate’s as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2021 and has had working experience in pediatrics and outpatient orthopedic settings. Ryan being the 3rd eldest of 9 siblings is no slouch to teaching children different sport activities and problem solving tough tasks as well as his 6 years working at Disneyland Resort where he attended to many different children with his outgoing personality. On his free time Ryan enjoys sports including basketball, tennis, and indoor rock climbing and also plays the acoustic guitar and loves his video games.
Contact our pediatric occupational therapists in San Dimas or Riverside California, to provide your child with the building blocks for independence.