MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE SPEECH TEAM
The Owners
Kate DeValerio, PT, DPT, PCS
Kate is a licensed Physical Therapist, board-certified as a Pediatric Certified Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association as well as a Neurology residency graduate. Kate is passionate about early childhood development, torticollis, head misshaping, balance, and caregiver empowerment. In addition to treating exclusively pediatrics since 2011, Kate has mentored pediatric physical therapy residents and trained postgraduate professionals in the areas of purposeful play skills and treating torticollis and head shape conditions. Kate obtained her bachelors in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Florida (2006) and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of North Florida (2010). As a Navy brat and Jacksonville native since 1999, Kate enjoys travel, shark tooth hunting, and spending time with her family. Kate and her husband of 20 years are raising a son and a daughter, are parents of a NICU graduate, and foster/adoptive parents.
Amanda Vargas, MOT, OTR/L, SCFES, CBS
Amanda is a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L), the only OT in the state of Florida to hold her Specialty Certification in Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing (SCFES). She is also a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS). Amanda obtained her bachelors in Health Science from the University of Florida (2009) and her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University (2011). Amanda is passionate about empowering families during the critical moments in a child’s first years with both feeding and development. Amanda specializes in the pre/post-rehab of tethered oral tissue (tongue and lip ties) and helps families with both breast and bottle feeding from birth. Amanda has helped children achieve independence and confidence with fine motor skills, self-care skills and handwriting. Originally from South Florida, Amanda has called Jacksonville home for the last 12 years. At home, she enjoys being with her husband and three young children and spending as much time at the beach as possible.
Speech Team
Alisha Norton, M.S., CCC-SLP
Alisha is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over ten years of experience working with children with communication disorders and their families. Alisha is Orton-Gillingham trained and has a passion for literacy, early intervention, and augmentative and/or alternative communication (AAC). She obtained her bachelors (2011) and masters (2013) in Communication Science and Disorders from Florida State University. Alisha has called Jacksonville home since graduation and lives with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time, Alisha enjoys spending time in her garden, practicing yoga, and making memories with her girls.
Alisha has been with Bold Child Co. since March 2024 and is our Speech Lead.
Joanna Berry, M.S., CCC-SLP
Joanna is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in cognitive-based treatment for speech, language, executive functioning, literacy, and other learning disabilites. Joanna is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to structured literacy and has extensive experience providing intervention for dyslexic students. She received her undergraduate degree from Stetson University and a master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Jacksonville University (2018). A Jacksonville beaches native, Joanna enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, performing in local community theater, and cheering on the Jags!
Joanna joined Bold Child Co May 2024.
Kayla Evans, M.S., CCC-SLP
Kayla is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with five years of experience working with children and adults with communication disorders and their families. Kayla has experience with articulation, language, fluency, ASD, and various other diagnoses. She obtained her bachelors degree in Communication Science Disorders from State University of New York at Cortland and her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Jacksonville University. Kayla moved to Jacksonville from New Jersey in 2017 and has called the beach home ever since. In her spare time she enjoys walking her goldendoodle "Chief" and traveling with her fiancé Kevin.
Kayla joined Bold Child Co. in March 2024.
Occupational Therapy Team
Danielle Tenny, MOT, OTR/L
Danielle is a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) specializing in feeding and reaching developmental milestones. Danielle has a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University obtained her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2015. Danielle has treated a variety of concerns including fine motor, visual motor, sensory processing, self-care, feeding, executive function, self-regulation, and handwriting concerns.
Danielle has pursued a feeding specialty by completing continuing education courses, including Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues) Training, Practical Strategies for Treating Complex Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Adaptive Baby Led Weaning for Babies with Feeding Challenges, and Bottle-Feeding Skills: Refining Clinical Reasoning for Selection and Use.
She has lived in Jacksonville with her husband for the past 10 years.
Kaleigh Sellars, MOT, OTR/L
Kaleigh is a licensed Occupational Therapist specializing in fine motor, sensory regulation, and developmental progression of skills. She has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida. Kaleigh has experience working within outpatient, home health, and school-based settings. She continues to pursue her knowledge of best practices through continuing education including Zones of Regulation training, Self-Regulation and School Success, Integrating Trauma Informed Care and Sensory Sensitive Strategies, Effectively Addressing Sensory Dysregulation, Best Practices in Inclusive Education, Ready Bodies and Learning Minds, and Printing Like a Pro Training.
Kaleigh was born and raised in Jacksonville and currently enjoys living at the beach with her husband and animals!
Kaleigh joined Bold Child Co. in March 2024
Physical Therapy Team
Suzanne Barje, PT
Suzanne joined Bold Child Co. in March 2024.
Jen Frenzel, PT
Jen joined Bold Child Co in 2023.
All team members are independent contractors for Bold Child Co, LLC aside from the listed owners.