NAPA Center was founded by Lynette LaScala in 2008 after spending years traveling the world to find the best pediatric therapy programs for her son. Now, NAPA has grown into an industry-leading pediatric therapy center; attracting patients worldwide by offering the best and most innovative therapies. We approach pediatric occupational therapy with the understanding that no two children are alike. Our highly trained and passionate occupational therapists provide your child with individualized, fun, and meaningful OT sessions to help them reach their specific goals.
At NAPA Center, we offer individualized pediatric therapy programs with unique combinations of our wide range of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, and more. We strive to provide children and families with hope by offering services in a playful environment that helps children maximize their full potential.
In addition to our traditional weekly therapy sessions, we also offer intensive therapy sessions. At NAPA Center, we proudly offer occupational therapy for babies, toddlers, and children of all ages. To discover how NAPA can help your child, contact our team to schedule a free 30-minute phone screening and/or a tour of our Boston pediatric occupational therapy clinic. The NAPA Boston clinic is located at 220 Bear Hill Road, Suite 101, Waltham, MA 02451.
START YOUR CHILD’S JOURNEY TODAY
Working with children of all abilities has always been a passion for Tara. During high school and college she worked in a variety of after school recreational programs for children with disabilities as well as a summer camp program. After college, she moved on to the insurance industry and for the past 10 years has been working in underwriting and management in the professional liability insurance sector. When Tara's first child Kate was born, she suffered a hypoxic event at birth and was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This brought Tara back into the world of disabilities. Like many parents, she searched everywhere for the most effective treatments for her daughter including traditional and alternative therapies. She found NAPA in 2016 when Kate was three years old and flew to LA with her family to complete her first intensive. Tara told us “I knew immediately that I had found the right place for Kate. The expertise, therapies, knowledge, and community at NAPA is unlike anything I have experienced before.” Tara is a lifelong Connecticut resident and excited to be in the Greater Boston area with the NAPA family. As a Red Sox fan, the idea of moving to Boston was a natural fit as well as a great community to bring NAPA to.
Katie found her way to occupational therapy through her love of children and passion for helping them achieve therapeutic goals. Before NAPA, Katie spent seven years practicing in a variety of pediatric settings including sensory integration clinics, the home, and schools. Katie enjoys working with both neuromotor and sensory based populations. She is SIPT (Sensory Integration Praxis Test) certified, trained in CME and has experience with Sensory Integration and Neuro Developmental Approach.
She lives outside of Boston with her husband, two kids, and a retired therapy dog. When she is not at NAPA or in the kitchen cooking for her family, you can find her in the gym or having dance parties with her kids. In the winter, she loves to ski with her family and in the summer she spends the weekends on the beaches of Cape Cod. Take us with you Katie!
Katie graduated from Sacred Heart University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master's degree in occupational therapy. Katie always knew she would enter a field centered around taking care of others. She enjoys learning, being active, and constantly being challenged. Occupational therapy was an immediate draw due to OT’s holistic views and opportunities for individualized treatment. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Katie worked as a behavioral technician with home based early intervention. During this time, her love for helping children and their families took flight.
Katie enjoys being creative and working with those around her. She never tires of taking her dog on a hike or planning her next travel destination. She adores her nieces and nephews and will jump at the chance to be silly and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Courtney earned her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College. Her love for helping people grew throughout her formative years and steered her directly into a profession in which her passion is met by her fulfillment. Courtney has worked in various school settings, inpatient and outpatient pediatric rehabilitation, gaining valuable knowledge and skills throughout her career, especially in the areas of visual deficits, neurodevelopmental impairments and feeding difficulties. She has learned to welcome challenges, even look forward to them, because she knows the joy she feels from meeting goals is only surpassed by the sense of accomplishment her clients experience as they gain greater function and independence. In Courtney's free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Kolana. She is often caught overpacking for many weekend getaways and adventures. But if staying local, she enjoys long distance runs along the Charles River, keeping up with the sport she participated in through high school and college. Courtney has only run one marathon but is already looking forward to her next.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Rebecca has always been drawn to both working with children and the health sciences for as long as she can remember. She was unsure of how it would all come together in a career until she crossed paths with occupational therapy as an undergraduate student at Elon University in North Carolina. She was inspired by the emphasis occupational therapy puts on both physical and mental well-being and moved to Boston right after graduation to pursue her doctorate.
Prior to NAPA Center, Rebecca worked at a children’s hospital treating kids in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. She believes there is no better feeling than watching kids grow their confidence as they master new skills all while having fun! Growing up in Connecticut, Rebecca is used to being around Red Sox fans but she will never betray her Yankees despite now being a Massachusetts resident. In her free time, you can find her enjoying an active lifestyle from exploring Boston, choreographing musicals, or traveling back to Connecticut to spend quality time with her family for weekly Sunday dinners.
Nicole attended Quinnipiac University and achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science Studies and a Masters in Occupational Therapy. She has always had a love and passion for working with the pediatric population. Since graduating, Nicole has worked throughout different pediatric settings, including early intervention and aquatic therapy. As a pediatric OT, she loves providing the necessary tools and strategies to help each child reach their fullest potential. Outside the clinic, Nicole enjoys spending quality time with her family, swimming and exploring the outdoors.
Before becoming an OT, Megan worked in administration at Boston Children’s Hospital but knew she wanted to work more closely with kids and families. When her brother suggested she observe an OT session at his pediatric setting, Megan instantly fell in love with OT. Megan attended Salem State University and achieved a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. During her pediatric rotation, she discovered the complexities and challenges of sensory processing and its effects on child development. Prior to NAPA, Megan worked in a variety of settings including EI and sensory clinics where she gained experience with a wide-ranging spectrum of clients. She loves to come up with creative treatment ideas and incorporate play into building functional skills. Outside of the clinic, Megan enjoys getting outdoors, paddling, building mental and physical strength through yoga and barre, and playing with her two rescue dogs, Ruby and Annie.
From a young age, Chelsea was nannying, teaching, and working at a recreational therapy summer camp. She always knew her career path would include working with the pediatric population, but it wasn’t until her mother was diagnosed with cancer that she knew occupational therapy was her calling. After watching her mother’s OT guide her on alternative ways to accomplish everyday tasks, provide support, and be an open ear, she knew she wanted to make the same sort of impact in other’s lives. She earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Sage College and after various clinical fieldwork experiences, she landed at NAPA Boston!
In Chelsea’s free time, she enjoys reading, biking and relaxing on the beach. You might also find her spending time with loved ones at one of Boston’s many restaurants!
MS Occupational Therapy, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Western Michigan University
Elizabeth always knew she wanted to work in healthcare but could not decide which path to take. When her brother injured his arms in high school and Elizabeth, along with her family, had to help him with many ADLs and IADLs it was clear that OT would be a great choice. Elizabeth’s entire OT career has been in a variety of pediatric settings. Prior to working at NAPA, Elizabeth has worked in sensory clinics, school districts, and early intervention. Outside of work, Elizabeth loves to indulge in way too many reality tv shows. She loves spending time outdoors and checking out new restaurants. Still very new to Boston, Elizabeth is very excited about exploring all that New England has to offer!
M.S. Occupational Therapy, Stanbridge University, Irvine, CA
Before becoming an OT, Miranda spent years working as a nanny, gymnastics coach, and respite care provider for children. Her love of working with children and her search for a career that balances science, creativity, and fun lead her right to OT. Prior to NAPA, Miranda has experience in outpatient pediatric settings and inpatient settings. What she loves most about being an OT is connecting with the children and families, guiding them through challenges, and celebrating their well-earned achievements! Miranda enjoys hiking, camping, and learning how to snowboard. On slower weekends, you can catch her practicing yoga, exploring her artistic side, or exploring her new city of Boston!
Masters in Occupational Therapy, Temple University
Christine has had a passion for working with children for many years. Growing up in a large family with a lot of children, she has been taking care of her younger cousins since a young age. She first learned about OT after her cousin had a stroke and saw the incredible impact the therapists had on her rehabilitation. Christine knew that OT would be the perfect career for being able to help others in the same way her cousin had been helped many years ago. Christine has worked in early intervention and outpatient rehabilitation, and she is certified in the SOS Approach to Feeding. Christine loves working with children because every day is fun and exciting and there is nothing better than seeing a patient master a new skill! In her free time Christine enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out, traveling, and going to the beach.
McKenzie spent the last few years working as an OT in sunny San Diego, but has recently moved back home to the Boston area. She is happy to be back surrounded by lots of family and friends. Her OT experience has been in both pediatrics and Early Intervention since graduating from the University of New Hampshire. The oldest of 7, working in pediatrics has always been near and dear to her heart. Find her walking the beach or looking for a new spot to watch the sunset!
Occupational therapists are trained to work with a variety of diagnoses including traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, stroke, cerebral palsy, burns, fractures, spinal cord injury, orthopedic impairments, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays and more!
Sensory integration therapy can benefit children who are overly sensitive to sensory input, under-responsive to sensory input, are constantly seeking sensory input (touching people or objects), or crashing into people or objects.
NAPA Center also specializes in intensive pediatric therapy programs which attract families from around the world. We use the Intensive Model of Therapy (IMOT) when treating children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. Children often advance to the next developmental skill or higher during the three-week program.
Schedule a free 30-minute screening with one of our therapists today!
