Our Teachers and Office Staff
A Step Ahead Pediatric Developmental Services, Inc. consists of caring, dedicated, experienced, and knowledgeable teachers and support staff.
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ANNA HOLLEY, OTR/L, C/NDT, SWC, CIMI, CLE
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Anna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. She is certified in Neuromuscular Development Treatment, Listening Program, NOMAS, Assistive Technology, and Sensory Integration including the administration and interpretation of the SIPT. Anna has worked with children in various settings including rehabilitation, group homes, home health, neonatal intensive care unit, out-patient, burn unit, and school districts. She also provides training and educational services to local colleges, school districts, and developmental programs. Anna founded Step-By-Step Pediatric Therapy, Inc. in 2002 and has opened "The Clubhouse", a sensory integration clinic in 2008. Anna’s special area of interest and expertise is with high risk/premature infants with significant medical complications. Her passion for this population began when she gave birth to her own set of triplets who were born at 29 weeks gestation. Anna's first love, however, is Sensory Integration. Anna became SIPT certified in 2003 and has taken extensive training in Sensory Integration since then. Outside the clinic, Anna loves to dance, cook, travel, and of course...play!
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HOLLY WINANS, AS, COTA/L
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Holly obtained her associates degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant at Santa Ana College in 2008. She has been working with SBSPT since Anna Holley opened her company in June 2008. She has always loved working with children. While working as an activities assistant in a skilled nursing facility, Holly met an Occupational Therapist. She immediately knew that she wanted to be a part of this beautiful profession. She feels truly blessed to be able to work with such amazing families as well as our SBSPT/ASAP team. When not working, she spends her time with family and/or reading.
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Our admin are the glue that keeps our team together! They help us with scheduling, problem solving, billing, payroll, and the list goes on. They are also the ones that gives the kids stickers, ice pack and band-aids for their boo-boos, and a warm hello and goodbyes as they come and leave our clinic. We love our admin team and are grateful for them!
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Isabel Benitez
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Isabel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. Learning about the field of Occupational Therapy, her Senior year led her to intern at Step-By-Step Pediatric Therapy. She has always loved working with kids but after interning, her passion for pediatrics began. After finishing her internship, she began translating for Step By Step Pediatric Therapy, Inc. and is now an infant teacher for A Step Ahead Pediatric Developmental Services, Inc. She plans to attend OT school in the near future to become a pediatric occupational therapist. Outside of work, Isabel enjoys working out, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
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Leslie Bergado
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Leslie received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. She discovered her love working with kids with developmental disabilities interning at a behavior clinic. She then learned about Occupational Therapy and pursued an internship at Step by Step Pediatric Therapy. She is now looking to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy, and is excited to make a difference by helping the kids grow and develop! In her free time, she enjoys dancing, traveling and going out to try all the new foods!
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ESMERALDA BARAJAS
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Esmeralda received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from Azusa Pacific University. She enjoys working with children and helping them meet their goals one step at a time. She is extremely passionate about helping parents advocate for their children. Outside of work, she is a soccer mom who spends her weekends yelling at the referee. 😬
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HALEY KIRKHUFF
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Haley obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at California State University, Fullerton. She has worked with children and teens as a behavior therapist with the implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis intervention in both clinical and educational settings. Haley always knew she was destined to work with little ones and hopes to progress in Occupational Therapy. In her free time she enjoys cooking, completing jigsaw puzzles, and camping with friends and family.
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KARLA JIMENEZ
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Karla received her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development with a concentration in Management and Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills. She is currently working on her Master of Arts in Elementary Education as well as her teaching credential. She has worked with this age group for about 8 years. One of her favorite things about working with children is the relationships she gets to form with both children and families. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dogs and going on roadtrips!
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Jennifer morales
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Jennifer attended California State University, Fullerton, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She spent three years working as a student assistant for a school district and knew she was destined to work with kids. Seeing the smiles on the students’ faces as they learned brought happiness and warmth to her heart. Now that Jennifer is part of our SBSPT team, she is excited to continue helping children learn, grow, and most importantly, have fun!
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ASHLEY RIVERA
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Ashley received her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from California State University, Fullerton. She has worked in ABA as a behavior technician. She then learned about the field of Occupational Therapy, and interned at Step-By-Step Pediatric Therapy (ASAP's Sister Company!). She has always loved working with children, and during her internship I learned about becoming an Infant Teacher and fell in love. She believes that seeing kiddo accomplish their goals is very rewarding. Outside of work, she enjoy listening to music, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.
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ARACELY MAJIN
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Aracely received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Fullerton. During her undergraduate, she worked for the Rowland Unified School District as a Student Assistant for three years and an Instructional Aide II for one year. Her time with RUSD inspired her to continue to work with children and eventually pursue a career in occupational therapy. She is excited to continue to help children grow and see the smiles on their faces! In her free time, she enjoys hiking, writing, and trying new foods!
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LYNETTE ESPINOSA
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Lynette received her Associates Degree in Kinesiology from Cerritos College. She then transferred to California State University, Fullerton and received her Bachelor's in Kinesiology. In her last semester at CSUF, she interned at our sister company, Step-By-Step Pediatric Therapy, Inc. She loved her experience at the clinics and her time shadowing occupational therapists, which led her to pursue becoming an infant teacher at ASAP! She wants to be able to extend her knowledge before going to occupational therapy school, and wants to help her clients grow and develop to the best of their abilities. During her free time, Lynette enjoys meditating, reading, and being outside in nature such as being on her front porch or going on a hike.
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ALISA LUU
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Currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton, Alisa is passionate about combining her academic insights with hands-on experience. Prior her time as an infant teacher, Alisa completed an internship at Step-By-Step Pediatric Therapy (ASAP's sister company), where she formed a passion for working alongside little ones. Her time as an intern as well as her genuine desire to see every child thrive and reach their developmental milestones has motivated her to pursue a career in infant teaching. Outside of work Alisa loves trying new foods, going to the gym, hiking and spending time with her loved ones.
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ALBE LAM
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Albe received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Fullerton, after switching his degree from pre-nursing at a community college. He was a previous intern with Step-By-Step Pediatric Therapy (ASAP's Sister Company) and further developed an interest in movement through play and fun. He hopes to go back to school to become an occupational therapist which will allow him to help his patients make rehabilitation fun and rewarding.
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NATALIA HERNANDEZ
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Natalia is currently attending California State University, Fullerton and is working on her Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Youth Development in Spring of 2025. She discovered her passion working with children after volunteering at Paul Ecke Elementary school in Encinitas, CA alongside her aunt who was a teacher there. She later worked with children at Child Time Learning Center. She is now looking to pursue a career in Art Therapy in order to help children express their emotions, build self esteem and social skills through creative activities. Outside of work, Natalia enjoys traveling, trying new foods, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
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JEANETTE DIAZ
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Sydney is currently attending California State University Fullerton, undergoing the Bachelor's program for Child and Adolescent Development. She has always had a passion for interacting with and educating the youth. Her younger cousins and siblings have inspired her passion, and she hopes to pursue Speech Pathology in the future. She looks forward to this opportunity to see children grow and develop at A Step Ahead Pediatric Developmental Services! Outside of work, she enjoys making music, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family.