Our Team ——
Experienced, Trustworthy, & Friendly Staff
Katie Duke Shaffer
she/her
Occupational Therapist / Clinical Director / Founder
Katie has a passion for helping children overcome life’s challenges! Katie received her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has over 28 years experience in the field of Pediatric Occupational Therapy with expertise in Early Childhood Intervention, oral sensory/motor feeding difficulties, Autism, and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Katie has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings including inpatient/NICU, outpatient, home & school-based environments. She has received post-graduate certification for the administration & interpretation of the Sensory Integration & Praxis Test, including therapeutic intervention programs using Sensory Integration Techniques.
Katie has specialty certification and training in the following areas:
- Advanced Training in the assessment and treatment of Sensory Integration Disorders, Behavior Disorders, self-regulation, attention, praxis, and other child-centered, relationship-based therapeutic interventions. SIPT Certification #1216
- Clinical Instructor for Level 1 and 2 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Students affiliated with UTMB-Galveston, UT Health Science Center-San Antonio, Texas Woman’s University-Denton
- Certified Interactive Metronome (IM) provider
- Advanced Training in Oral Motor and Oral Sensory Feeding Disorders
- Completion of Austin Eye Gym Level 1 and 2 certification course for Managing DevelopmentalVisual Deficits in Children
- Trained and Certified to administer the Therapeutic Listening Program, Vital Links provider # M4785
Katie’s special interest areas include: Auditory Integration Therapy, Pediatric Yoga, Music Therapy, and Relationship Development Intervention for children on the Autistic Spectrum.
While not in direct patient care any longer, Katie enjoys the ongoing mentoring to new team members, and engaging with patients and families as a support and resource in the community.
In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her 2 children, Holt and Hadley, traveling, exploring ALL the different food Austin has to offer, being active-running/hiking/yoga, reading, going to movies, and seeing live music!
Cindy Martin
she/her
Clinical Supervisor / Occupational Therapist/ Feeding Team Lead
Cindy Martin, OTR graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1989. She has been a practicing OTR in Texas for 29 years, working extensively in both adult and pediatric settings. She has a passion for children and improving their families’ lives and has been practicing with children exclusively since 2001. Cindy has expertise in acute care, trauma care, rehabilitation, psychiatric and outpatient settings. She has extensive experience working with brain injury, feeding and developmental care in the Neonatal Intensive Care, splinting, infants and children with developmental delay and sensory processing difficulties. She has been a Student Fieldwork Coordinator / fieldwork Clinical Instructor for over 20 years. Cindy has a wonderful 26-year-old son who is in training to be a nurse. She loves to fellowship with friends, read, watch classic and contemporary movies, play outdoors and she thoroughly enjoys living in Central Texas.
Brittney DeFranco
she/her
Occupational Therapist
Brittney has been a licensed OT since 2021. She received her master’s degree of Occupational Therapy from University of St. Augustine in Austin, Tx. In 2023, she became a Certified Primitive Reflex Specialist (CPRS). She has spent her time working with kids of all ages. She has experience working with self regulation, fine motor and sensory processing deficits. In Brittney’s free time, she also enjoys traveling, exploring Austin with her dog and everything Disney!
Brittlyn Hebert
she/her
Occupational Therapist
/ Co-Team Lead
Brittlyn “B” Hebert received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She spent the initial part of her career in Louisiana before joining the OTC team here in Austin. She has experience in inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and outpatient pediatric therapy, where she found her passion for helping children and their families grow and gain independence through their everyday activities! She has worked with a multitude of diagnoses and is eager to learn more! In her free time, Brittlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her dog, hiking, or simply relaxing on the couch.
Shelby Leonardi
she/her
Occupational Therapist / Co-Team Lead
Shelby received her bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences from the University of Texas in Austin. She earned her doctorate in occupational therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin. She completed a doctoral capstone project where she designed a program to teach social-emotional skills to children living in residential foster care. Shelby has experience in pediatric, adult, and hand therapy settings. In her free time, Shelby enjoys trying new restaurants, exploring many of the parks in the Austin area, and gardening.
Anni Shield
they/them
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anni is a graduate of Pima Medical Institute in El Paso, Texas. Knowing that their passion lies with the pediatric population, they were eager to begin their journey as a pediatric COTA in both outpatient and the schools here in the Austin area. Their previous experience includes fieldwork in pediatric settings, time as a pediatric occupational therapy and neurofeedback technician, and clinical rotation in skilled-nursing facilities. Anni is eager to grow and learn all that they can about working with the pediatric population in hopes of someday pursuing their Masters in Occupational Therapy. In their free time, Anni enjoys spending time outside with their dog, taking pictures of their cats, roller skating, and volunteering for various causes.
Emma Ronk
she/her
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Martha Lemieux
she/her
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Martha received her Associates degree from Austin Community College in 2019. During her fieldwork she worked in a pre-school for special needs and in Round Rock schools. She has a degree from UT Austin in Business Administration with over 35 years with children in a variety of settings with all abilities. She worked at a pediatric clinic in a variety of positions. She developed and ran a summer camp and adjunct programs working with children with Autism, ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Down Syndrome, and a variety of other diagnose. Martha was a director or a pre-school/parent’s night out for 17 years. She has taught gymnastics both competitive and developmental for 35 years. She has been teaching swimming for 25 years. She enjoys empowering children to believe in themselves in all areas of life even if it is challenging. In her off time, she enjoys travelling to see her family across the USA. She loves to play Frisbee Golf with her husband and 3 children and spouses as well as ride her bike and swimming. She has fun teaching her dog Zylie tricks and taking her on long walks.
