Occupational Therapists
Caren Arnold, OTD, OTR
Occupational Therapist, Owner
Caren received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Exercise Science and her Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University, Nashville. Caren has worked in private practice as well as inpatient and outpatient pediatric hospitals. She specializes in sensory integration, autism spectrum disorders, and dysgraphia. Specialty certifications include: The ALERT program, Interactive Metronome, Debra Beckman's Oral Motor Skills and Mary Benbow's foundational hand skills. Caren has also developed a cursive writing protocol, a curriculum for intensive print and cursive handwriting camps, and is skilled in conducting wheelchair and equipment evaluations.
Occupational Therapist, Owner
Caren received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Exercise Science and her Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University, Nashville. Caren has worked in private practice as well as inpatient and outpatient pediatric hospitals. She specializes in sensory integration, autism spectrum disorders, and dysgraphia. Specialty certifications include: The ALERT program, Interactive Metronome, Debra Beckman's Oral Motor Skills and Mary Benbow's foundational hand skills. Caren has also developed a cursive writing protocol, a curriculum for intensive print and cursive handwriting camps, and is skilled in conducting wheelchair and equipment evaluations.
Becky Staudt, M.S., OTR
Occupational Therapist
Becky received her B.S. in Psychology at Texas State University in 2012 and her Masters of Occupational Therapy at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She completed her fieldwork rotations in pulmonary rehabilitation at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, and in Austin working with children with a variety of diagnoses, including sensory integration disorders, Autism, developmental delays, and dysgraphia. Becky is passionate about improving children’s quality of life, and incorporating their families along the therapeutic process. She has recently moved back to her native home of Texas, and is excited to be a part of Big Sky’s team and enjoy all that Austin has to offer. She enjoys running Lady Bird Lake trail, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Occupational Therapist
Becky received her B.S. in Psychology at Texas State University in 2012 and her Masters of Occupational Therapy at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She completed her fieldwork rotations in pulmonary rehabilitation at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, and in Austin working with children with a variety of diagnoses, including sensory integration disorders, Autism, developmental delays, and dysgraphia. Becky is passionate about improving children’s quality of life, and incorporating their families along the therapeutic process. She has recently moved back to her native home of Texas, and is excited to be a part of Big Sky’s team and enjoy all that Austin has to offer. She enjoys running Lady Bird Lake trail, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Brooke Weber, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Brooke received both her B.A. in child development and M.S. in occupational therapy from Tufts University in Boston. She completed her fieldwork rotations in early intervention, hospital, school, and community-based settings throughout the Boston area, working extensively with children with sensory processing difficulties, autism, and developmental delays. A Virginia native, Brooke has volunteered her time working with children with severe burn injuries in central VA. She is passionate about family-based care and is excited to be part of the Big Sky team! In her time off, Brooke enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.
Occupational Therapist
Brooke received both her B.A. in child development and M.S. in occupational therapy from Tufts University in Boston. She completed her fieldwork rotations in early intervention, hospital, school, and community-based settings throughout the Boston area, working extensively with children with sensory processing difficulties, autism, and developmental delays. A Virginia native, Brooke has volunteered her time working with children with severe burn injuries in central VA. She is passionate about family-based care and is excited to be part of the Big Sky team! In her time off, Brooke enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.
Callah Kimble, M.S., OTR
Occupational Therapist
Callah received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human Development from California State University, Long Beach and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New York University. She completed her clinical rotations in hospital, outpatient, school and community settings throughout New York and New Jersey, working with clients with various physical, cognitive and socio-emotional disabilities. Callah has experience working with children in both educational and outpatient settings. Prior to graduate school, Callah spent over a year volunteering in California with the Pediatric Therapy Network, where she gained experience with sensory integration techniques for children in the Early Intervention Program. As an occupational therapy student, she spent time at the Imagine Academy for Autism in Brooklyn, NY, where she gained experience providing therapy to improve student’s ability to participate optimally in their school, home, and community environments. Callah is passionate about providing holistic, quality care that is individually catered to meet the goals of her clients and their families. Callah is new to Austin and is proud to be a member of the Big Sky Pediatric Therapy team, she looks forward to getting to know the children, their families, and all that Austin has to offer!
Occupational Therapist
Callah received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human Development from California State University, Long Beach and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New York University. She completed her clinical rotations in hospital, outpatient, school and community settings throughout New York and New Jersey, working with clients with various physical, cognitive and socio-emotional disabilities. Callah has experience working with children in both educational and outpatient settings. Prior to graduate school, Callah spent over a year volunteering in California with the Pediatric Therapy Network, where she gained experience with sensory integration techniques for children in the Early Intervention Program. As an occupational therapy student, she spent time at the Imagine Academy for Autism in Brooklyn, NY, where she gained experience providing therapy to improve student’s ability to participate optimally in their school, home, and community environments. Callah is passionate about providing holistic, quality care that is individually catered to meet the goals of her clients and their families. Callah is new to Austin and is proud to be a member of the Big Sky Pediatric Therapy team, she looks forward to getting to know the children, their families, and all that Austin has to offer!
Carolyn King, M.S., OTR
Occupational Therapist, Clinical Manager
Carolyn received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. She completed her clinical at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Caren Arnold and joined the Big Sky team upon her completion of school. Carolyn has experience working with children with developmental delays, dysgraphia, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing dysfunctions, attention deficit disorders, motor coordination disorders, neurological injuries/impairments and a variety of other diagnoses. She has been trained and certified in the Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual protocol; a therapeutic approach for increasing visual skills, motor coordination and body awareness. When she is not working she enjoys spending her time exploring Austin and all it has to offer!
Occupational Therapist, Clinical Manager
Carolyn received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. She completed her clinical at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Caren Arnold and joined the Big Sky team upon her completion of school. Carolyn has experience working with children with developmental delays, dysgraphia, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing dysfunctions, attention deficit disorders, motor coordination disorders, neurological injuries/impairments and a variety of other diagnoses. She has been trained and certified in the Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual protocol; a therapeutic approach for increasing visual skills, motor coordination and body awareness. When she is not working she enjoys spending her time exploring Austin and all it has to offer!
Joan "Joni" Scaparra, MOT, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Joni graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, with a Minor in Genetics and a Master of Biotechnology, with a certificate in business. She then attended Alabama State University where she received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an applied behavioral analysis therapist for children with autism and related disorders. Throughout her time at Texas A&M she was a part of Project Sunshine, an organization that works with children with disabilities and long term illnesses. When Joni is not working she enjoys being out doors, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.
Occupational Therapist
Joni graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, with a Minor in Genetics and a Master of Biotechnology, with a certificate in business. She then attended Alabama State University where she received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an applied behavioral analysis therapist for children with autism and related disorders. Throughout her time at Texas A&M she was a part of Project Sunshine, an organization that works with children with disabilities and long term illnesses. When Joni is not working she enjoys being out doors, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.
Jody Ritter, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Jody received a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of North Texas in 1989, and a master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University, Houston in 1994. She began her career in adult physical rehabilitation and developed an interest in neurological functioning while working with individuals with brain injury. Neurology continued to be an area of interest as she transitioned to working with children in 1997. After teaching occupational therapy at the graduate level for several years, Jody returned to pediatric clinical work in the school setting. She is passionate about developing therapeutic relationships with her clients and their families. When she is not engaged in the therapeutic process, you can find Jody enjoying her family, working on mosaics, or exploring her new home-city of Austin.
Occupational Therapist
Jody received a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of North Texas in 1989, and a master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University, Houston in 1994. She began her career in adult physical rehabilitation and developed an interest in neurological functioning while working with individuals with brain injury. Neurology continued to be an area of interest as she transitioned to working with children in 1997. After teaching occupational therapy at the graduate level for several years, Jody returned to pediatric clinical work in the school setting. She is passionate about developing therapeutic relationships with her clients and their families. When she is not engaged in the therapeutic process, you can find Jody enjoying her family, working on mosaics, or exploring her new home-city of Austin.
Kim Strickland, MS, OTR, ATP
Occupational Therapist
Kim has been practicing occupational therapy for 22 years. She received her BA in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her MS in occupational therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has an Assistive Technology Professional Certification (ATP) issued by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America. She has worked in a variety of hospital settings including inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation, mental health and a hospital for medically fragile children. She also has extensive experience as a school based therapist including in Eanes ISD. She enjoys working with children with a variety of abilities and challenges including autism, Downs syndrome and other genetic differences, cerebral palsy and other neurological differences, sensory processing challenges, fine motor delays, traumatic brain injury and learning differences. She has a particular passion for using low tech and high tech strategies to assist those children who struggle with the writing process or who are emerging writers. In her non-professional life she finds fulfillment in the joys and perils of parenting two teenage sons, traveling with her husband, reading, attending the theater and volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children who have been abused or neglected. She also has a fondness for silly puns and Broadway showtunes.
Occupational Therapist
Kim has been practicing occupational therapy for 22 years. She received her BA in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her MS in occupational therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has an Assistive Technology Professional Certification (ATP) issued by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America. She has worked in a variety of hospital settings including inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation, mental health and a hospital for medically fragile children. She also has extensive experience as a school based therapist including in Eanes ISD. She enjoys working with children with a variety of abilities and challenges including autism, Downs syndrome and other genetic differences, cerebral palsy and other neurological differences, sensory processing challenges, fine motor delays, traumatic brain injury and learning differences. She has a particular passion for using low tech and high tech strategies to assist those children who struggle with the writing process or who are emerging writers. In her non-professional life she finds fulfillment in the joys and perils of parenting two teenage sons, traveling with her husband, reading, attending the theater and volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children who have been abused or neglected. She also has a fondness for silly puns and Broadway showtunes.
Laurie Hebert, BS, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Laurie graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with both adults and children in home health, school and outpatient pediatric clinic settings. The majority of her experience has involved working in sensory-based clinics, treating children with sensory processing difficulties, autism, developmental delays, ADHD, dysgraphia and dyslexia. Laurie has a special interest in mindfulness and yoga for children and has completed the Level 1 Aerial Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids certification through Yogapeutics. In her spare time she enjoys writing, hiking and soaking up the Austin music scene.
Occupational Therapist
Laurie graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with both adults and children in home health, school and outpatient pediatric clinic settings. The majority of her experience has involved working in sensory-based clinics, treating children with sensory processing difficulties, autism, developmental delays, ADHD, dysgraphia and dyslexia. Laurie has a special interest in mindfulness and yoga for children and has completed the Level 1 Aerial Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids certification through Yogapeutics. In her spare time she enjoys writing, hiking and soaking up the Austin music scene.