SUMMER
INTENSIVES

Padra Smith is the Founder and Clinic Director of Mighty Minds and Muscles Therapy and Coaching. Padra holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education from Arizona State University. After obtaining her B.S., she earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine. Padra's training include but is not limited to training at Mayo Clinic & The University of Champaign Hospital and Clinics (and other locations). To build on her exercise and research background, Padra continued her studies at Washington University School of Medicine where she studied how cognition develops and changes through the life cycle. Additionally, she studied how the physical environment affects one's ability to participate and be successful in the world. While working towards her degree, she cared for a child with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. She also traveled internationally with, and assisted a professional adult with quadriplegia on a daily basis. These experiences inspired her to develop her practice using neurodevelopmental therapeutic interventions and coaching strategies. In addition to providing O.T. services, Padra also incorporates her skills as a Professional Organizer in order to help clients and their families to interact with their belongings and successfully complete life tasks in a calm organized fashion. Padra acts as a consultant to a number of schools and provides teacher and parent workshops regularly. Padra is constantly promoting her own knowledge and seeks to grow with each client as they grow and learn. Padra also provides mentorship to other therapists and emerging clinicians. Padra is a Certified Tomatis Method® Practitioner, Certified Therapeutic Listening Provider, Certified iLS Provider and Certified in Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and a Licensed Cellfield Reading Intervention provider. She is also a "Core in Training' therapists under the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) program. She is very experienced in Handwriting Without Tears, Balametrics, Astronaut Training, The Alert Program and incorporates concepts related to Orton Gillingham, Writer's Workshop, Singapore Math, Brain Gym, Beckman's Oral Motor Techniques, NDT and many more programs. When she is not working Padra loves to spend time with her devoted husband and young child, visit with her family and friends, read, design (anything), cooking, enjoying photography, arts & crafts, going to the movies or shows and most of all she loves to travel.

Gaby is a bilingual speech-language pathologist with over ten years of experience supporting children with speech, language, communication, and feeding needs in both English and Spanish. She earned her Master’s in Communication Disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a certification as a bilingual Teacher of Speech and Language Disabilities. She takes a holistic, collaborative approach to therapy, partnering with families and professionals to build on each child’s strengths and support meaningful communication. Certifications & Training: - DIR-Floortime Trained - PROMPT Trained - Solid Starts Foundations for Feeding - Certified by the American - Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Certified Bilingual Speech Therapist (TSSLD-bi), Teachers College, Columbia University

Alison is a general and special education teacher who provides SETSS at Mighty Minds and Muscles in both our Tribeca clinic and local schools. She studied communications and culture at Clark University and earned her degree in elementary education from Manhattan College. Teaching since 2014, Alison is New York State certified in both general and special education. She specializes in early literacy using a structured literacy (Orton-Gillingham) approach. Alison has worked with children ages 4–12 with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, speech and language disorders, intellectual disabilities, PDA, and other learning differences. One of her favorite of working at Mighty Minds and Muscles is collaborating with occupational and speech therapists to continue growing her teaching toolkit.

Roopali is an occupational therapist with 10 years of experience. She holds a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University. As both a clinician and a parent of a child who has received therapy, she brings deep empathy and strong family support to her practice. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, specializing in home programs, caregiver training, early intervention, sensory processing, and movement analysis. Roopali is passionate about empowering families and creating individualized, effective therapy plans. Outside of work, she is a trained classical Indian dancer, pageant contestant, and local director for a national pageant organization. She’s also a mom of two and a guest moderator for the Jersey City Moms group. Roopali looks forward to caring for your child with compassion and expertise.

Melissa is a licensed occupational therapist with her MA from the University of Southern California. Since returning to New York in 2020, she has worked with children ages 18 months to 18 years in schools, daycares, homes, and sensory gyms. She also continues to support early intervention outside of MMM. Melissa takes a whole-child approach, drawing from Floortime, Sensory Integration, and Neurodevelopmental Treatment. She aims to help children become confident, curious, and aware of their strengths. All while nurturing growth through play, creativity, and strong relationships. Passionate about pediatric OT, she is excited to continue learning and growing with the Mighty Minds and Muscles team.

Jillian is a life-long teacher and learner dedicated to empowering educators and students with a positive mindset of learning and a focus on learning how to think critically. Dedicated to ongoing learning in the field. Over two decades of education experience working with diverse learners from early childhood to adults. Jillian's philosophy centers on the belief that all children can learn when supported by knowledgeable educators and the appropriate resources that put students at the forefront. Her main goal is to ensure that all learners have access to high-quality, thoughtful, individualized learning opportunities that encourage social, emotional, and academic growth. She also aspires to inspire idea sharing and collaboration among educators to highlight strengths and increase educator expertise. Jillian is effective at designing and facilitating engaging, relevant, and accessible learning experiences that can immediately be put into practice. She understands the history of impactful professional development and coaching cycles to achieve school and district initiatives. Jillian's strengths include collaboration with schools and district leaders to provide coaching, create and deliver high quality professional development, and encourage pedagogical shifts that maximize student success.

Dominique Sulit, DrOT, OTR/L is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in pediatric care, with extensive experience supporting children with autism and developmental needs. Before joining team MMM, she served as a Lead occupational therapist at The McCarton Center, a well known Autism Center, where she provided therapy, staff training, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Dominique is highly trained in sensory integration and early intervention, and is dedicated to promoting self-regulation, functional skills, and positive developmental outcomes in children.

Kate earned her Master’s in Occupational Science from Seton Hall University. Kate began her career in Early Intervention, working with infants and toddlers to promote early developmental milestones. She brings extensive experience supporting children and families in home, clinic, and school-based settings. Her experience includes feeding therapy for selective eaters, fine motor development, social skill enhancement, and group therapy leadership. She values the therapeutic bond between child and therapist, focusing on individualized goals that foster confidence, skill-building, and meaningful progress. Outside of work, Kate enjoys meditation, yoga, playing piano, and jogging. She’s also learning new family recipes and enjoys creating DIY fine motor toys.

Kelly is a Pediatric occupational therapist and clinical manager who joined the MMM team in 2022. As a primary liaison for families, she ensures each child’s therapy journey is guided with empathy, expertise, and care. A Certified Autism Specialist, Kelly brings advanced training in sensory processing, behavior interventions, and the impact of ASD on childhood occupations. She also holds certifications in MNRI, Therapeutic Listening, and Interactive Metronome. With extensive experience supporting children with ADHD, ASD, SPD, and developmental delays, Kelly takes a holistic, play-based approach to help every child reach their goals. Outside the clinic, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, walking in Central Park, fitness classes, and cooking with friends.

Catherine is a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience working with children and families. She is certified in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, NeuroDevelopmental Treatment, Zero Balancing, and Soaring Crane Qigong, and has extensive training in yoga, Aikido, and meditation. Catherine finds Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy to be the most transformative approach in her practice and enjoys sharing these integrative mind-body techniques with clients of all ages.

Fahim brings 14 years of teaching and tutoring experience across kindergarten through eighth grade. He holds a B.A. in English from Cornell University, an M.S. in Education from Hunter College, and dual New York State certifications in Childhood and Special Education. At the Bronx Charter School for Better Learning, he was nominated for New York State Teacher of the Year. His students consistently outperformed city and state averages in ELA, Math, and Science, and he supported students in meeting over 90% of their IEP goals. He also led Coding and Robotics programs, guiding his First Lego League team to city finals. Fahim is passionate about helping students build confidence, skills, and a love of learning—whether academic, social, or physical. Outside the classroom, Fahim loves to travel and has visited 16 countries, including teaching English in Thailand. These experiences have shaped his global perspective and deep appreciation for people and culture.

Emma is a native of Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Delaware. She went on to obtain her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She comes to Mighty Minds and Muscles with experience working with children with a diagnosis of Autism and is LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s certified. Emma is passionate about working with the pediatric population; increasing their participation and independence in all aspects of life. She is enthusiastic about building a strong rapport with clients and families to be able to work as a team together to support any child. She is eager to make a positive impact in the lives of the children she serves. As a new NYC resident, Emma loves to explore the city and walk on the west side highway. When she is not in the clinic, she likes trying new restaurants and workout classes with friends. Emma is excited to continue growing both professionally and personally in her role at Mighty Minds and Muscles.

Rebecca is a compassionate occupational therapist dedicated to building children’s independence through playful, engaging activities. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine, where she created a support group for parents in early intervention. Her pediatric experience includes outpatient clinics, preschools for children with developmental disabilities, and mentoring students with autism transitioning to college. Rebecca uses encouragement, empathy, and fun in every session and values collaborating with families through parent coaching. Outside of work, she enjoys dance classes, biking, exploring coffee shops and restaurants, and spending time with loved ones. She’s excited to bring her positivity and passion for pediatric OT to the Mighty Minds and Muscles team.

Sapna Soin, MS, OTR/L, earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Stony Brook University and her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University. She is a licensed occupational therapist with over a decade of experience supporting children from birth through adolescence. Sapna provides school-based and private occupational therapy services, specializing in early intervention, preschool, and school-aged populations. She has extensive experience evaluating children, developing individualized treatment plans, delivering holistic therapy for fine motor delays, sensory processing challenges, and autism spectrum disorders. Through her work in schools and private practice, she is committed to helping children build the skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.

Over the last decade Malinda has continuously worked to transform Padra's creative visions into final designs that she loves!

Mandi Fahey is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families in early intervention, schools, and private practice. She holds an NBCOT micro-credential in Autism and has completed specialized training in ADHD, vestibular-ocular protocols, listening therapies, feeding interventions for selective eaters, and more. As a founding member and former school leader at Thaden School in Bentonville, Arkansas, Mandi brings a child-centered, trauma-informed approach to helping children thrive. She is a proud mother of three grown children, and she and her husband love traveling, exploring new places, and creating adventures together.

Dr. Morlaye Kamara is a physical therapist with over 14 years of experience improving quality of life for clients across pediatric and adult care. He specializes in identifying movement dysfunction within the body’s kinetic chain and takes a whole-body approach that integrates physical, psychological, and functional aspects of health. His treatment philosophy centers on building confidence through movement and enhancing overall physical ability. Dr. Morlaye holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Hunter College. He has worked with patients of all ages and supported the National Wheelchair Rugby Team. A passionate traveler and artist, he founded Project Guinea, an organization providing therapy, clothing, and toys to underserved communities in West Africa.

Molly is a certified special education teacher with dual licenses in Childhood and Special Education in New York and Florida. She earned her B.S. in Human Development from Binghamton University and her M.S. in Childhood and Special Education from Touro College. She has experience in both school and clinical settings, working with children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, hyperlexia, and executive functioning challenges. Molly uses a whole-child, individualized approach to teaching—building skills in literacy, math, social-emotional learning, and executive functioning. She values strong relationships, structured and engaging lessons, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, using visual supports and hands-on learning. Outside the classroom, she loves traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her husband and their Goldendoodle, Khaleesi.

Nicole is a pediatric occupational therapist who graduated from Temple University in 2023. Nicole's experience includes working with outpatient clinics, schools, home health, and children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and executive functioning needs. She creates individualized, play-based sessions that incorporate each child’s interests to make therapy both fun and effective. When she’s not working, Nicole enjoys park walks, exploring new restaurants, and discovering Manhattan’s many neighborhoods.

Gabriella is an occupational therapist who earned both a Bachelors of Science in Health Science and a Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout her time in college, Gabriella spent her summers working at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, where she further embraced her love of working with children and began to cultivate her passion for working with individuals experiencing vision loss. After she graduated from university, she decided to pursue further education, earning her graduate certificate in Orientation and Mobility from Portland State University to allow her to more holistically serve individuals living with vision loss. Gabriella’s passion for working with individuals experiencing vision loss has allowed her to work with individuals across the lifespan, providing outpatient and in-home services to help individuals find meaningful engagement in their occupations. Gabriella is excited to return to the pediatric population where she can foster confidence, curiosity and capability through a play-based approach. When she is not at the clinic, Gabriella enjoys visiting her family in her hometown of Wilmington, DE. She also enjoys cooking, reading, running, and, most of all, traveling!

Christine Hsu-Nazzal is a licensed Occupational Therapist with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound and a background in medical technology from the University of Washington. She specializes in supporting children and adolescents, particularly students on the autism spectrum, through individualized, evidence-based interventions that promote self-regulation, social skills, motor development, and meaningful participation in school and daily life. Christine is known for her collaborative approach, strong clinical reasoning, and commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care that empowers clients and families to achieve their goals.

Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Inclusive Education and a specialization in Educational Diversity from Anáhuac University. She is certified in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) and has received training in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI). Her clinical experience includes working with children with developmental delays, sensory processing differences, and motor challenges, always prioritizing a holistic, child-centered approach. Nicole is an internationally educated physiotherapist with over five years of hands-on experience supporting children’s development through a sensory integration and neurodevelopmental approach. She has worked across multidisciplinary clinical and educational settings in Mexico City, providing individualized, evidence-based care to children with diverse developmental needs. Currently, Nicole is involved in patient coordination and administrative operations within a pediatric therapy setting, supporting intake processes, scheduling, and family communication to ensure a seamless experience of care. She recently relocated to New York and is in the process of obtaining her U.S. licensure.