Shiraz Kashani

MS OTR/L, Co-Director

Shiraz is the co-director of Sensational Kids Therapy. She first became interested in occupational therapy while working as an assistant at Lynne C. Israel and Associates, OT summer camp program while home on summer breaks from the College of Charleston. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Fitness in Health from the College of Charleston, she chose to attend Boston University where she completed her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy in January, 2000. She returned to Lynne C. Israel and Associates to begin her career as a pediatric OT, working in a private school setting for children with learning disabilities as well as working in a private outpatient clinic. Shiraz works with children with sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, torticollis, and fine and visual motor delays including handwriting. For over seventeen years, she has worked in private practice in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. She has spent many years leading therapeutic sensory-motor summer camps and weekly groups. Her treatment experience also includes classroom treatment and family and classroom consultations. She is certified in Sensory Integration Theory and Treatment and in the administration of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT).

• SIPT Certified
• Sensory Integration Theory and Treatment Certified
• Level 1 STAR Center Mentorship

Lisa George

MS OTR/L, Co-Director

Lisa George, co-director of Sensational Kids Therapy, received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Towson University in December 1999. She began her career in pediatrics with Lynne C. Israel and Associates where she worked in both the private practice as well as Kingsbury Day School. In the fall of 2002, Lisa left Lynne’s employment to work exclusively in pediatric private practice with children and families in the MD and DC areas. Lisa is dedicated to working with children with sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilites, and fine and visual motor delays including handwriting. In addition, she performs evaluations and consultations and has several years of experience leading sensory-motor groups in the clinic setting and at therapeutic camps. Lisa is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and Sensory Integration Theory and Treatment. She is also certified to administer The Listening Program.

• SIPT Certified
• Sensory Integration Theory and Treatment Certified
• Level 1 STAR Center Mentorship

Kathleen Pyne

OTR/L, Therapist

Kathleen (Kathy) Pyne, OTR/L graduated from VCU/MCV in 1990 with a degree in occupational therapy. Since then she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults From 1990 to 1993, Kathy worked in the school system, at a rehabilitation hospital, and at the Hospital for Sick Children. In 1993, Kathy joined Lynne Israel’s practice and has worked at Kingsbury Day School and the private clinic. Kathy is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and in Sensory Integration Theory and Treatment. She is also certified in Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, and infant massage. She is experienced in teaching swimming and bike riding. In addition, Kathy has led sensorimotor groups at a therapeutic summer program for many years and has led various groups in the clinic setting. Her goal is to help her clients gain the skills and confidence they need to explore new territory in their development and partner with families and teachers to problem solve strategies for increased independence in daily life roles.

• SIPT Certified
• Sensory Integration Theory and Treatment Certified
• Interactive Metronome Certified
• Trained in Therapeutic Listening
• Infant Massage Certified

Elizabeth Baugher

OTR/L, Therapist

Beth received her Bachelor of Science Degree in occupational therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in June, 2000. She began her career in pediatrics at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. From 2000-2004, she worked primarily in the outpatient clinic with a wide variety of diagnoses. She oversaw the expansion of the inpatient hospital to include pediatric patients and established a driving rehabilitation program. From 2004-2010, Beth worked at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. There she worked in the outpatient clinic at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders. While at KKI, Beth established the occupational therapists role within the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome clinic, integrated OT in preschool classes with children on the Autism Spectrum, and worked extensively on evaluation of toddlers with red flags for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Beth also ran several different pediatric groups, regularly was a guest lecturer at Towson University, and devoted time to parent trainings. Beth joined Lynne C. Israel and Associates in the fall of 2010, working in the private practice as well as at Kingsbury Day School.

Palak Patel

MS PT, Therapist

Palak Patel received her Bachelor and Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2001. She started her career in NYC working with babies and preschoolers with special needs. Palak shifted gears later in her career working with children 5 and over at sensory gyms, and with autistic and behavioral children at a private school. She enjoys building obstacle courses to work on attaining age appropriate gross motor skills through endurance, strength, motor planning/coordination and balance activities. Palak believes it’s important for kids to have fun while achieving goals set by parents and therapist. The last several years, she has focused on working with babies through the early intervention system in NYC. She recently got married, moved to the Washington DC area and joined Sensational Kids Therapy in 2019.

Orna Even

MS OTR/L, Therapist

Orna Even received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Occupational therapy from Tel Aviv University. Growing up, Orna used to take her younger brother to an occupational therapist. These trips to the OT made her fall in love with the field. Orna has spent the entirety of her career working with children with variety diagnosis such as, down syndromes, autism, developmental delay, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, etc. She worked as an Occupational therapist in children's hospitals, child development centers, schools and private clinic in both Israel and Texas. Orna has attended many workshops in sensory integration, social skills group, DIR Floortime, feeding (SOS -Sequential Oral Sensory), early intervention for 0-3 years old, and handwriting (handwriting without tears). Orna is a proud member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and is licensed to practice Occupational therapy in Texas, DC, and Israel. She relocated to the Washington DC area this year with her three children, husband, and dog, and joined the Sensational Kids Therapy clinic in 2019.

Jenny Blythe

MS OTR/L, Therapist

Jenny received her Master’s Degree in occupational therapy from Boston University in January of 2013. Initially Jenny practiced occupational therapy in California in a skilled nursing facility before relocating to Washington D.C. in January of 2015. Jenny practiced early intervention throughout the district with children under five for two years before contracting with DC public schools, where she has been at the same school for three years. Jenny has worked with those with a wide variety of diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and hydrocephalus. Jenny has taken many courses in feeding, sensory regulation, positioning and handwriting. She enjoys incorporating games and art projects into therapy to make occupational therapy as fun as possible!

Sumeye Abdulkadir

MS OTR/L, Therapist

Sumeye graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from D'Youville College in 2018 after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has worked with a variety of populations including adults, adolescents, and children, combining her creativity with her love of science. She has worked with pre-school, elementary, and middle school students with a variety of diagnoses including cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, primitive reflexes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and learning and cognitive disabilities. She provided OT services in public school systems in both Buffalo, NY and Bakersfield, CA. She works collaboratively with other professionals including PT's, SLP's, special and general education teachers, psychologists, and case managers to help develop plans of care and goals for her clients. She enjoys working with children and their families to improve their overall physical abilities, promote their independence, and improve their quality of life. Sumeye is fluent in Somali and has a basic knowledge of sign language. She recently relocated to the Washington, DC area as a welcomed addition to the team at Sensational Kids Therapy.