Our Staff

Amy Hagopian, OTR/L

Director

Amy is the director of SPOTS Rockland. She conducts consultations, evaluations, provides individual therapy sessions, and school-based therapy at one of our partnered private schools.

Amy graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology.  

With over 20 years of experience, Amy brings her extensive training,  intuitive nature, and clinical expertise to the children and families she works with. She has received training in many areas including: Sensory Processing Disorder, STAR Institute Courses, Interoception, Executive Functioning, Ackerman Institute for the Family Workshops, Aquatic Therapy, Therapeutic Listening, Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), Neuro-Developmental Treatment, and Handwriting Without Tears. 

Amy began her career as an occupational therapist at a private school for multi-disabled students ranging from toddlers to teens. She has worked in a multitude of different settings providing treatment in sensory gyms, school-based therapy in both private and public schools, and home-based therapy for infants and toddlers as an early intervention provider. Through her years of practice, Amy gained invaluable experience being a part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals that afforded her the ability to work collaboratively with others. 

She applies this team-oriented approach with the families, team members, and children she supports. Amy has a special interest in working with children with sensory, regulatory, and social emotional difficulties.

Julianna Haar, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Julianna is a full-time staff occupational therapist at SPOTS Rockland. She provides individual treatment sessions, evaluations and school-based services at one of our partnered private schools.

She graduated from Misericordia University with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.

Julianna joined the SPOTS Rockland team with experience providing occupational therapy within a hospital, sensory clinic and private school. In addition, she co-led a camp for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder that incorporated sensory-based activities to facilitate their social skills. Julianna has advanced training in Sensory Processing, Interoception, Social Thinking, The Zones of Regulation, and the Alert Program.

Through her varied experiences, Julianna has worked collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team. Her knowledge and caring nature is evident when providing consultations to families, teachers and other professionals. Julianna is creative and skilled at using each child’s interests during individual treatment sessions. Julianna is passionate about building a strong therapeutic relationship and fostering each child’s confidence through a nurturing, child-led approach.  

Kristina Palop Maya, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Kristina is a part-time staff occupational therapist at SPOTS Rockland.  She provides individual treatment sessions and evaluations. She is bilingual in Spanish.

Kristina graduated from Carleton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and she completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University.

Kristina began her career at a preschool for children diagnosed with special  needs.  While at that preschool she treated children receiving CPSE and EI services. Furthermore, she supervised students completing their Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy and she conducted evaluations. Kristina transitioned to a sensory based clinic where she worked with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing deficits and developmental delays. 

When not at SPOTS Rockland, Kristina works at a school for adolescents diagnosed with social emotional disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.

Kristina is trained in sensory processing interventions, ABA, Handwriting Without Tears and Therapeutic Listening.

Kristina uses her calm and patient demeanor as a vehicle for delivering compassionate child and family centered care. 

As the mother of a child diagnosed with autism, Kristina can  relate to the journey of a caregiver who must navigate and integrate the  daily challenges of what it  is like to care for a child with special needs. She understands that no matter how little the success, those are some of the biggest moments to celebrate meaningful therapeutic change.

Emily Sansone, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Emily is a part-time staff occupational therapist at SPOTS Rockland. She specializing in enhancing the lives of the children she works with through therapeutic interventions. She earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University at Buffalo.

Emily’s passion is helping children become more independent using creative approaches. Emily began providing school-based occupational therapy services in 2019 and has experience in a sensory gym that she brings with her to SPOTS Rockland. Her main goal is to help children thrive on their own and teach families how to support them in their everyday lives.

Emily possesses extensive training in evidence-based approaches such as The Zones of Regulation, Handwriting Without Tears, and the Size Matters Program.

Before transitioning to her current role, Emily started her career in occupational therapy within the realm of adult rehabilitation. There, she worked with individuals facing a diverse range of diagnoses. Her skills encompass teaching motor planning techniques and employing neurological strategies to enhance the quality of life for her clients.

Lauren Schlanger, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Lauren is a part-time staff occupational therapist at SPOTS Rockland. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a Human Development and Family Studies major and moved to California after graduation to get some much needed sunshine. She then completed her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy at California State University, Dominguez Hills. 

Lauren has extensive experience working in an outpatient pediatric setting and with children with varying delays and diagnoses. She has taken several education and certificate courses in areas such as feeding therapy, executive functioning, and sensory processing. 

Lauren takes pride in building a trusting relationship with the kids and families she works with in order to support engagement in their daily activities and to improve the quality of life for her clients. When Lauren is not at work, you can find her walking her dog, cooking, and working out!