Shirael Pollack, physical therapist and creator/director of Watch Me Grow practices at the Upper West Side location. Shirael has extensive experience working with infants and school age children with a wide variety of neurological, developmental and musculoskeletal impairments. Shirael employs manual techniques such as Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) techniques, therapeutic handling, yoga, and respiratory strategies. Throughout her career, she has provided services in schools, homes and clinics. She has also mentored and supervised other therapists within these settings. Shirael is very active with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) in Manhattan. She has served as the Recreational Specialist and Physical Therapist in the Saturday Teen Recreational Program for 6 years. She works collaboratively with families and therapists to enhance a child’s gross motor functioning.

Missy Frey received her degree in occupational therapy from Touro College of New York in 2001. Her occupational path has guided her into many different pediatric settings from Hippotherapy to school-based and center based environments. Immediately following graduation, she began her career in pediatrics working for the NYC Board of Education until she became the Clinical Supervisor of the Spectrum Center, a center in NYC that combined the Tomatis Listening Program with Sensory Integration. Missy now has more than 10 years of experience in pediatric treatment and supervision, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of children with movement disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and sensory integration dysfunction. Previous to her Supervisory position at Watch Me Grow, Missy recently maintained a position of Occupational and Physical Therapy Supervisor for two years at the Rebecca School, a D.I.R./ Floortime School in Manhattan for students with language, relating and communicating disorders. She oversaw the treatment of more than 100 children and 12 occupational and physical therapists. Missy has extensive training in Sensory Integration (SI), DIR/Floortime and Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT). She completed the 4-week SIPT certification course in 2005 and 1 week training as a D.I.R.C clinician at the ICDL Institute in 2009. In addition, she has a plethora of other therapeutic courses and has received NDT training from Lois Bly and Gail Ritchie. In utilizing her knowledge, creativity and therapeutic use of self, Missy generates a unique and child specific treatment plan that addresses the whole child and family.

Lillian (Lily) Albert-Gardner is a Physical Therapist who works at both the 19th Street and Upper West side locations of Watch Me Grow. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Sciences, and a Master of Physical Therapy, both from the University of Vermont. Previous experience includes work with school-aged child with diverse neurological, emotional, and communication challenges. She has extensive knowledge of the Floortime/DIR (Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship) model and uses this approach in her therapy to meet the child at his or her cognitive developmental level, address the child’s unique sensory and emotional needs, and to help the child take ownership and expand his or her gross motor skills in warm, fun therapy sessions. She has taken numerous continuing education courses focused on the NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) approach and handling skills and Sensory Integration theory. She is Therapeutic Listening certified and has experience implementing programs in the school setting. Lily is excited to be joining the Watch Me Grow team this September and looks forward to meeting and working with the new families!

Sarah Barasch is an Occupational Therapist working at both 19th Street and Upper West Side locations. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Previously, she has worked with school aged children diagnosed with neurological, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Within the sensory gym environment, she enjoys providing therapy using the dynamic medium of play to achieve individualized goals. Sarah has recently taken courses on Early Intervention and Handwriting Without Tears (Pre-K, Printing and Cursive). She values the role that parents, teachers and caregivers play in the collaborative effort of child development.

Nina Britz is an Occupational Therapist practicing at both of Watch Me Grow’s Uptown and Downtown locations. Nina was awarded her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University and has gained experience working in community practice mental health settings, acute hospital care, and in pediatrics. Nina prides herself in her volunteer work with children in the U.S. and abroad working in schools, orphanages, and domestic violence shelters. She is excited to work with some of New York City’s children at Watch me Grow and to continue providing occupational therapy services to pre-school and school-aged children with various developmental, neurological and sensory regulatory disorders.

Konkani Devi is a Speech Language Pathologist working from both the Upper West Side and 19th Street locations of Watch Me Grow. She earned a Masters of Arts in Communication Sciences from Temple University in 2003. Konkani, or "Coco" as she is sometimes called, has worked in varied environments including, private and public schools, outpatient clinics, and in the home. Coco has specific training in many areas including: PROMPT, apraxia, articulation, augmentative communication, Autism, behavioral feeding, DIR/Floortime, language, literacy, oral motor, Rapid Prompting, and voice. Coco believes the most effective way to encourage growth in children is through family education and PLAY.

Kim Posner is a Speech-Language Pathologist working at both locations of Watch Me Grow. She graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University in 1999, with a Masters in Science, in Speech-Language Pathology. Kim has extensive clinical experience providing therapy for children in early intervention, preschool, and school age populations. She has evaluated and treated children with a variety of neurological and developmental disorders. Over the course of her career, Kim supervised student interns and other therapists in schools, clinics, and homes. Kim has training in PROMPT, DIR/Floortime, and feeding therapy. She uses a child-centered approach to treatment and is excited to be a full-time employee at Watch Me Grow.

Christine Hough is an occupational therapist practicing at Watch Me Grow’s Upper West Side location. She comes to us from New York University’s Masters Program in Occupational Therapy with a specialty in pediatrics. She has clinical experience working with preschool and school age children diagnosed with a variety of neurological, developmental and sensory regulatory disorders. Christine uses a client-centered approach that facilitates achievement of goals while maintaining an enjoyable therapeutic environment.

Elizabeth graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky in May 2007 with her master’s degree in communication disorders. She has worked in public elementary and middle schools throughout New York City as a speech therapist in Harlem, the Bronx, and the Upper East Side in both regular and special education classrooms. Elizabeth completed clinical rotations during graduate school in a rehabilitation hospital, outpatient clinic, and elementary school where she provided language, articulation, and swallowing therapy for children ages five to 18 years of age. Elizabeth has worked with children with many diagnoses including apraxia, pragmatic, articulation, language, and phonological delays.