Our Staff – Jersey City

Sensory Kids & Social Minds is comprised of many different therapists, each with their own unique skill set. 

Occupational Therapists

Sonia Zayas OTR/L
Founder
Chief Executive Officer

Sonia received her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science campus, where she specialized in Occupational Therapy. Sonia completed further studies in public administration at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She established her career in New Jersey in 1976, working at Elizabeth General Hospital (now Trinitas Hospital) in Elizabeth, NJ. In 1990, Sonia developed and established the Occupational Therapy Division at the Jersey City Medical Center. She developed a thriving pediatric practice for Stulowitz & Gargiulo contracting with Jersey City Public Schools and New Jersey Early Intervention Systems, supervising Occupational and Physical Therapists.

Sonia founded Sensory Kids & Social Minds, LLC in 2006 to fulfill her personal mission to empower children and young adults by helping them integrate social, emotional, and cognitive development mastery. In April 2018, she has continued her quest to serve children and their families by founding Miss Sonia’s House, Inc. Miss Sonia’s House is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help children and families access quality services when their families are underinsured or uninsured. 

Vanessa Vega MA, MPH, MSOT/L, PhD
Clinical Director
Senior Occupational Therapist

Vanessa Vega is the proud daughter of Owner/Director, Sonia Zayas, and coordinates therapists among the charter schools where the clinic provide OT, SLP, and ABA services. She has two glorious daughters, Paloma and Magnolia. She has called Jersey City her home for the past 35 years. Vanessa completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Gender Studies at Dartmouth College, before graduating Magna Cum Laude. She has worked with children since she graduated– as Program Director for a pediatric gymnastics franchise, in after-school programs, and internationally, providing midwifery services in Cameroon, Africa, and working with pediatric burn survivors in China.

Upon completing her clinical degree in OT at Tufts University, where she completed rotations in neurology, pediatrics, and mental health for both inpatient and community-based settings. She began her career in Massachusetts Early Intervention, where she received the Eunice B. Shishmanian Fellowship for her dedication to working with children under age 3 from the MA Department of Public Health. She completed her MPH at Tufts Medical School in the following years, and began her Doctorate in Education (with a focus on Curriculum Leadership) at Northeastern University, where she ultimately taught online courses to undergraduates.

Before moving to NJ to work at her mother’s practice, she completed a year-long LEND Fellowship (Leadership in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders) at Children’s Hospital Boston. During this time, she gained expertise in the early detection and interdisciplinary treatment of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities/disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders. She recently received her PhD in Combined School and Clinical Psychology at Kean University. She loves cooking and travel with her husband, Jeff, and adventures with their kids, who have proven to be an adventure within themselves.

Nicole Ailey MS, OTR/L
Senior Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Supervisor

Nicole received her Bachelor of Science at James Madison University with a major in Health Science Pre OT and minor in Special Education. She received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Wesley College (now Delaware State University) in May 2020. She wanted to pursue occupational therapy after participating in Special Olympics in high school and then working as a paraprofessional at an elementary school while in college, after discovering how much fun children can have while developing life skills. Her fieldwork and previous occupational therapy position consisted of sensory gyms working with children with Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy and developmental delays.  With her school and clinic experience, she enjoys making sessions fun using the child’s interests and engaging using a relationship-based approach. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, cooking new recipes, traveling to new cities, exercising on her Peloton and spending time with family and friends.

Certifications: Interactive Metronome Certified, DIR Floortime Basic Certificate, Handwriting Without Tears – K-2 Trained, NDT Infant Handling Trained                             

Julianne Maccarone, MS, OTR/L
Senior Occupational Therapist

Julianne received her Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island in 2016. She received her Masters of Science and Masters of Occupational Therapy from Long Island University- Brooklyn in 2020. Julianne has always had a passion for working with the pediatric population and helping them claim independence in their daily lives. In Julianne’s free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs, doing skincare, watching crime docs, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Certifications: Vestibular Astronaut Training Protocol, Handwriting Without Tears – K-2 Trained 

 

 

 

Gillian Katz, MS, OTR/L
Staff Occupational Therapist

Gillian received her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University in January 2023. Her fieldwork experiences include an outpatient pediatric clinic/school, as well as a day program for adults with disabilities where she ran individual sessions and groups of various themes. She enjoys learning and working in an environment that uses a child-led approach to best support each child meet their goals. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the JC/Hoboken area. 

Certifications: Interactive Metronome Certified, DIR Floortime Basic Certificate, Handwriting without Tears – K2 Trained

 

 

Kay Deonarine, MS, OTR/L
Staff Occupational Therapist

Kay earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Syracuse University, minoring in Human Development & Family Science. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College. Kay has always had a desire to work with children and to make a difference in others’ lives. Her passions include utilizing a neurodiversity-affirming and culturally-sensitive approach to therapy. She has experience working with children throughout her life. During high school, she volunteered at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, where she discovered the importance of play while working with young children with complex conditions. She completed an occupational therapy internship at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, where she worked with children and adults with complex orthopedic conditions. She also completed an internship at Sensory Kids & Social Minds, where she fell in love with the DIR Floortime model and discovered her love for Sensory Integration. In her free time, you can find Kay cooking, baking, going on walks, or in the gym. 

Certifications: Interactive Metronome Certified, DIR Floortime Basic Certificate

Rona Mae Baluyut, MS, OTR/L
Staff Occupational Therapist

Rona received a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Kean University. Her clinical fieldwork experience includes working in a subacute adult rehab facility with a focus on the Traumatic Brain Injury unit, providing pediatric school-based therapy, and supporting residents at a senior housing community. Rona also gained valuable experience in mental health and addiction services through telehealth in an outpatient setting. In her free time, Rona enjoys exploring her creativity and staying active. She finds joy in cooking, traveling, and exercising, and treasures time spent with friends and family.

 

 

Melanie Brothers, MS, OTR/L
Staff Occupational Therapist

Melanie received her Bachelor of Arts at Rutgers University with a double major in psychology and human resource management. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University. In graduate school, she completed one of her Level II fieldwork placements at Sensory Kids and Social Minds, and loved being able to help children reach their goals through engaging activities and play! She is so excited to continue helping children reach their goals, now as a full time occupational therapist here at Sensory Kids and Social Minds. Outside of the clinic, Melanie enjoys traveling, running marathons, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

 

 

   Speech Therapists

Kerri Gannon MA, CCC-SLP
Assistant Clinic Director
Director of Speech-Language Pathology Services
Coordinator of School Based Services

Kerri graduated from SUNY Cortland where she was an Honor Society student, President of the Speech-Language Club, and an All-American Track and Field Sprinter. She brings us over 10 years experience with working with children and young adults on the Autism Spectrum. Her passions include helping children and adults find a functional and fulfilling way to communicate and socialize! Kerri supervises the speech-Language department where she is dedicated to helping new therapists grow, sharing ideas, & using her leadership skills to further grow the staff and students. When she is not at work, you can find her exploring Jersey City, doing yoga or spending time with her family upstate. She is honored to be part of an amazing team, whose number one goal is to help children grow!

Certifications: DIR Floortime Certificate of Proficiency

Nicole Lupo MA, CCC-SLP
Advanced Practice Speech Language Pathologist

Nicole received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Communication Disorders from Stockton University and her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Iona College. Her clinical experiences include evaluation and intervention for individuals from infancy to adulthood with a variety of disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, fluency disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, speech and language delays, pragmatic disorders, feeding disorders, and Attention Deficit/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Nicole’s knowledge of augmentative communication, PROMPT, and play-based therapy help meet the unique needs of the children she services. She is also trained in the natural language acquisition (NLA) approach, which is used to support children who use echolalia (gestalt language processing) to communicate. Nicole is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys integrating yoga into her therapy sessions. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, practicing yoga, and reading.

Certifications: PROMPT Trained, NLA Trained, DIR Floortime Basic Certificate

Katie Cuttitta MS, CCC-SLP
Advanced Practice Speech Language Pathologist

Katie graduated from Loyola University Maryland where she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience working with infants and toddlers in early intervention as well as working with children ages 3-21 with autism spectrum disorder in a school setting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and going to the beach.

Certifications: DIR Floortime Basic Certificate, PROMPT Trained, NLA Trained, SOS Feeding Trained

Katie Forbes MA, CCC-SLP
Advanced Practice Speech Language Pathologist

Katie obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Maryland and Master’s degree from Hofstra University, both in Speech Language Pathology. Katie has experience working in various school settings, including New York City schools with students aged K-12 and a specialized school for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Katie is experienced in working with a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) programs, and finds joy supporting her clients in becoming effective communicators while taking into account each child’s strengths, challenges, and individual differences. Trans-disciplinary collaboration and communication with parents and caregivers are key components of Katie’s practice in order to enable each child to reach their full potential. She is also trained in the natural language acquisition (NLA) approach, which is used to support children who use echolalia (gestalt language processing) to communicate. Outside of the clinic, Katie serves as a board member for Camp Ma-He-Tu, a non-profit sleepaway camp in Bear Mountain, NY, and enjoys hiking, cooking, and exploring all that Jersey City has to offer.

Certifications: DIR Floortime Basic Certificate, PROMPT Trained, NLA & NLA+AAC Trained

Kira Garofano MS, CCC-SLP
Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Kira received her masters in speech-language pathology from Seton Hall University. She has experience working with infants and children 0-21 years old. She has experience with children in various settings, including at home, school, and sensory gym. Kira has experience with various augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs. Outside of the clinic, Kira enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, and reading.

Certifications: DIR Floortime Basic Certificate, NLA Trained

 

 

Mical Gomez, MS, CCC-SLP
Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Mical received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University. In graduate school she completed externships working with school-aged children and adults. Mical has knowledge working with disorders in the areas of fluency, cognition, articulation, language, autism, and craniofacial abnormalities. Her greatest passion is using her knowledge of bilingual language acquisition to service multi-lingual populations. In her free time, Mical enjoys reading, playing the guitar, and spending time with her dog Toby.

Certifications: DIR Floortime Basic Certificate

 

 

Isabella Beninate, MS, CCC-SLP
Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Isabella Beninate is a speech-language pathologist who received her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences & Psychology from Case Western Reserve University. Isabella has clinical experience with both pediatric and adult populations across various settings including outpatient clinics, schools, a skilled nursing facility, and in the hospital. She has provided individual and group speech therapy for pediatric clients in the following areas: early intervention, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Isabella believes in providing evidence-based therapy that is individualized and functional for each child in order to achieve their full potential! Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and FaceTiming her family back home in New Orleans, LA. 

Certifications: DIR Floortime Basic Certificate

Jessica Cordatos, MA, CF-SLP
Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Jessica received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Connecticut and Bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. Throughout graduate school, Jessica gained experience with both children and adults in a variety of settings, including an outpatient clinic, elementary school (PreK-4th grade), special education school (8th-12th grade), skilled nursing facility, and hospital. During her clinical externships, Jessica gained evaluation and treatment experience in the areas of articulation and phonological disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), receptive and expressive language disorders, and cognitive communication disorders. Jessica understands the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and tailors her sessions to meet the unique, individualized needs of each client. Outside of the clinic, Jessica enjoys exploring Jersey City and NYC, baking, and spending time with family and friends. 

 

ABA Therapists

Chelsea Yaffe, MS, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Chelsea received her bachelors degree at Towson University in Maryland in Family Studies. She went onto obtain her Master’s degree from Arcadia University in Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has experience working in school, clinic and home settings with toddlers and children ages from 2-15 years old. She has experience with The Early Start Denver Model and has taken the introductory workshop. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants in NYC, reading and hanging out with friends and family.

 

 

 

       

Additional Staff

Christina Vega Therapy Aide Chrissy is one of our assistants here at Sensory Kids. She also helps with our Summer Intensives Program. Her past experiences include The Little Gym, Learning Community Charter School, Advocational School, and Think Tank Tutoring. When Chrissy is not at Sensory Kids, she is dancing at The Kennedy Dancer, teaching a special needs Tae Kwon Do class, or spending time with her nieces and family.