About Us
You want to see that light in your child’s eyes to know that he’s happy, confident, and enjoying life!
At Sensory Stepping Stones, we’re here to show you there’s always hope.
It is possible for your son or daughter to harness his or her potential to shine!
Your child may have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum disorder and has been treated with medication and other approaches that do not work for Sensory Processing Disorders.
You have started to lose hope that your child will ever succeed in school, have meaningful friendships or have control over their emotions.
You may have realized that the traditional methods are not working.
That’s where Sensory Stepping Stones comes in.
Our team is dedicated to providing both traditional and innovative programs to help your child. We combine multiple, evidenced-based treatments into a holistic approach geared toward aiding your child and your family to reach its full potential.
It is our mission to provide specific, holistic programs to enhance your child’s mental, emotional, physical, and functional performance so he or she experiences greater self-awareness, understanding, and growth.
Our clinic insists upon creating an atmosphere that encourages your child to learn, discover, mature, and develop positive self-esteem.
At Sensory Stepping Stones we are committed to helping every child become self-sufficient!
Our team will determine where your child’s processing insufficiencies lie and intervene on a foundational level so he or she is better equipped to handle the everyday challenges of the world.
We focus less on your child’s diagnosis, and more on how she is experiencing the world.
Do you dedicate hours each week helping your child earn better grades in school, but you just don’t know how to get them to sit still and focus?
We can help. In our sessions together, your child will learn the coping skills and strategies to pay attention in class.
Is your family struggling with excessive meltdowns and tantrums, disrupting the entire family system?
We can help. When we work together, we will explore emotional regulation strategies from a foundational perspective to help your child calm down and self-soothe.
We truly believe that a more fun, flexible, and easy-going life is possible. We will work together in a supportive environment that will facilitate your child’s positive self-change.
Ultimately, life is about enjoying the moments, finding peace and relishing in happiness.
You’re ready to let go of the worry, doubt, and fear that surrounds your child.
You want to move past the daily struggles, feel hopeful about the future, and enjoy your family life.
You can have that by scheduling a free visit to Sensory Stepping Stones or booking your free consultation today.
Melissa Bianchini is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Children & Families Specialty. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fordham University and has done post graduate work at Arizona State University in neuroscience, anatomy and physiology. As a social worker, Melissa has extensive experience in the fields of neurological processing, sensory integration, children and families, mental health, and addiction therapies.
Melissa has specialized in Sensory Integration as the Educational Director of a Sensory Integration clinic in Arizona and now as the Executive Director here at Sensory Stepping Stones, LLC in NY. She is dedicated to helping children, teens and adults with executive functioning issues, Autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injuries, sensory processing disorders, developmental disorders, attention deficit disorder, developmental delays and physical disabilities. She is certified as a provider for the Sensory Learning SM Program, a Master Level Clinician in Interactive Metronome with several specialties, a certified PlayAttention provider, a neurofeedback provider and an auditory and visual processing specialist.
Melissa works closely with individuals, parents and other providers in the area to help those be successful in school, home, and work and in everyday activities through the holistic and alternative therapies she offers at the clinic. She tries to emphasize the focus on what the person CAN do and not what they can’t do. Melissa is a strong proponent of early intervention for all ages and disorders and the necessity of looking at and addressing how a person is processing their environment and responding to it in a more functional way.
Gale Zadoff is a New York State Licensed School Counselor with 30 years of experience working with children in middle and high school. She has provided academic and social/emotional counseling to students and parents to concentrate on organizational skills and time management. She has designed and implemented many programs in peer leadership, mindfulness, career exploration, Warrior club for mental health, to name a few. One of her strong philosophies for success is the need for a team approach, connecting school personnel, home, and any outside supports, which is an integral part of her programs.
Gale joins Sensory Stepping Stones as the P.O.S.T (Productivity, Organization, Scheduling & Time Management) Coach along with a liaison in our Academic Pod programs.
Zannelle Taveras has been a Bilingual School Psychologist for over 15 years. She is certified by both the State of New York and the State of Connecticut as a Bilingual School Psychologist. She is an advocate for children and families experiencing struggles with both educational and mental health concerns. Zannelle has previously worked in both educational and clinical settings that have focused on the individual’s personal mental health, behavior and learning to improve upon their overall holistic wellbeing. She applies all of her training and experiences to help each child succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. She will collaborate with both school staff (if available) as well as any other additional families/community providers in developing plans that offer the support and/or services necessary for students to be successful. She is able to conduct psychological assessments, promote positive behavior and well-being, support diverse learners, provide crisis prevention and intervention and connect families to community service providers when necessary.
Zannelle will now be accepting new clients here at the clinic for those children 5 and older. Please contact us for an appointment today!
Ashley Barton was born and raised here in Wappinger Falls, NY. After graduating from RCK, she moved to Rochester to attend Nazareth College and received her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree in 2005. She then completed her internship at Finger Lakes DDSO, working with young adults and adults with Developmental Disabilities. She received her credentials soon after and became a board certified- music therapist. She began working at Integrated Therapy Services in 2006 seeing children with special needs in local school districts. The music therapy department became its own entity, Music Therapy Pathways and she spent the last 16 years working there. She recently returned back to the Hudson Valley this past August to help with the care of her developmentally disabled sister. Ashley Barton is married with two children and created Duet Music Therapy Services. She created this unique company to be able to increase access to music therapy services for all abilities and ages within the Hudson Valley.
Lacey Straub is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with a Master's Degree from Mercy College. Before moving to New York to complete her Masters, she lived in Louisiana where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development. She has worked with a wide range of clients including infants, toddlers, school age and teenagers, while also collaborating and performing training with the families and caregivers. Lacey has received extensive training and certification in a variety of treatment approaches including Therapeutic Listening, Sensory Integration and Handwriting Without Tears. Her provision of services spans sensory clinics, schools and treatment in the home, allowing her to provide a well-rounded therapeutic approach to each child.
Lacey is a working mom who has three young children of her own. Wyatt - 8 years old, Charlotte - 6 years old, and Oliver - 2 years old.
Sophie Kinnarney is a registered and licensed occupational therapist in the world of pediatrics. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development at Virginia Tech with a minor in Medicine and Society. After graduation, she jumped right into graduate school at Iona University where she completed her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. As an OT, she provides individualized care that will help her clients acquire the skills needed for proper development and growth. Her positive energy and optimistic attitude are simply infectious, and she spreads that same mindset onward with every client she sees.
Dr. Phekoo has been working in the education field for nearly 20 years as a teacher,
instructional specialist, administrator, teacher coach, and professional development
provider. She has extensive background in executive functioning through supporting
schools with the understanding and implementation of executive functioning support for
nearly 10 years and writing about executive functioning for her doctoral dissertation.
She is passionate about learning and ensuring that all people at any age have the
support they need to succeed and do their best. Dr. Phekoo holds a Bachelors degree
studying Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from
Temple University, a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Chestnut Hill
College, and a Doctor of Education degree from Hofstra University with specializations
in Human Development and Educational Psychology.
Cole Everett has been working with children for over 18 years. He has been a part of the leadership team at a residential summer camp for a decade, tutored kids privately for several years, taught English to kids in China, developed and managed after school programs, and coached middle school baseball. Cole currently is a teacher in the Lakeland School District where he has taught in a variety of Special Education settings across all subjects in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade over 11 years.
Outside of school, Cole runs a business designing mazes and is a weather fanatic. He is a big sports fan, following The Ohio State Buckeyes with passion.
Jillian is a certified yoga instructor experienced with all ages as well as Hatha & Vinyasa practices. She began teaching yoga in 2016 after enjoying participating in the practice of yoga herself for several years. Initially, Jillian was drawn to the physical aspects of the practice but through her experiences and training, she began to understand the depts of yoga and its healing benefits.
Jillian joins Sensory Stepping Stones as a Program Specialist with the therapeutic modalities offered at the clinic but also as an instructor for the Mindful Movement & Meditation Classes and Mindfulness Coach with several other programs.
No matter what class or program you are in you will see that her classes are powerful, playful, and heartfelt! She offers unique and creative sequences that are tailored to meet each individual's needs and goals. She seeks to inspire others to live through the power of nourishing your body, mind and soul through yoga, mindfulness, and meditation.
Julia has a bachelors degree in biology & psychology with a minor in chemistry from Alfred university. She is continuing her education & pursuing a degree in occupational therapy. Julia loves working and connecting with others to help them reach their fullest potential while being in a safe and comfortable environment. She also enjoys helping kids express themselves through hands in experiences like arts & crafts.
Shannon has her Bachelors in Applied Psychology and is currently working on her Masters in School Psychology. She has experience working with children from different backgrounds and in various settings. Through her work with children, Shannon has found her passion for helping children to reach their goals no matter what obstacles lie in their way. She believes no mountain is too high, as long as you have the correct tools to help you reach the top.
At Sensory Stepping Stones, Shannon has been able to help the children find the tools they need as well as how to utilize them on their own. By utilizing these tools, the children have been able to successful and have pushed themselves harder to reach their future goals knowing they are capable. She uses everything she learns at Sensory Stepping Stones in her practice as a School Psychologist and hopes to continue to transform the lives of the students she will work with in the future.
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