Video Interview: The Why Behind Classroom Behaviors

Jamie Chaves, OTD, OTR/L, SWC, is  pediatric occupational therapist with over 8 years of experience working with children who have sensory processing differences and learning differences. She received bachelor’s degrees in health science and psychology from Bradley University, and a doctorate of occupational therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Chaves is the division leader for the occupational therapy department at The Center for Connection in Pasadena, CA—a multidisciplinary clinic that provides an array of services rooted in the IPNB framework. She recognizes the importance of a play-based, relationship-based approach to therapy that is rooted in regulation.

She does contract work with various private schools in Pasadena, CA, particularly delivering teacher in-services and parent education on a variety of topics including promoting positive handwriting, sensory integration strategies in the classroom, how diet and sleep influence learning and regulation, and the impact of screen time on development and learning. Dr. Chaves lives in Pasadena, CA, with her husband and two young children.

Ashley Taylor is a licensed clinical pediatric psychologist with a practice in Pasadena, CA. She is endorsed in California as an infantfamily and early childhood mental health specialist. Dr. Taylor received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Spanish from the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT, and attended the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, for her graduate training. She has worked in Vermont, Massachusetts, and California supporting children, families, and educators for over fifteen years. She specializes in providing, comprehensive pediatric evaluations assessing for developmental delays, autism, trauma, ADHD, and learning disabilities.

She also provides parent–child dyadic mental health therapy as well as educator and parent trainings and workshops. She has provided evaluations and mental health services for the pediatric population across multiple settings, including intensive day-treatment programs, medical settings, schools, community mental health, and private practice. She believes in the power of building healthy relationships to build healthy brains! Dr. Taylor is also the mom to two fun and active boys who are always ready for the next big adventure!