Melissa Grant
Director, FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy
Melissa Grant has been a licensed and registered occupational therapist in the Washington, DC area for the past 15 years. During this time, Melissa has worked with children with autism, Down Syndrome, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, developmental delay, fine motor delay, visual motor delay, sensory motor dysfunction, fetal alcohol syndrome, hearing loss, and delays in social skills. Melissa is trained in Handwriting Without Tears, The Print Tool, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, Zones of Regulation, and the “How Does Your Engine Run?” Program. Melissa has also taken introductory level courses to Floortime and has attended multiple seminars over the years relating to early childhood development and sensory integration. Melissa has experience in early intervention, the school setting, and the clinic setting. Currently, Melissa lives in Oakton with her husband and son, Max, and they are expecting a little girl in July of 2021
Jessica DiNenno
Jessica DiNennoJessica DiNenno is a licensed and registered occupational therapist. Jess joined FUNdamentals in May 2018. She has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist in the DMV area since 2014. Jess completed her Masters of Occupational Therapy at James Madison University. Jess is certified in Handwriting Without Tears, The Print Tool, and The Alert Program. She also has experience with Zones of Regulation and Social Thinking curriculum. She has special interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Sensory Processing Disorders. In her free time she enjoys [solidcore], playing with her puppy, running/biking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Marissa Hunter
Marissa HunterMarissa Hunter is a COTA/L at FUNdamentals. Marissa graduated from Lynchburg College in 2011 with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. She earned her M.Ed in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Education, focusing on including children with disabilities with general education physical education classes. In 2013, after working for one year at the Central Virginia Training Center with adults with disabilities, she returned to school (Tidewater Community College) to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in May of 2015. Marissa’s interest in occupational therapy started at a hand therapy clinic in Fairfax, VA and grew as she had the opportunity to volunteer, work and intern at the same clinic. Although most of the patients were adults, it was the opportunity to think creatively during treatment sessions work with the school aged patients that encouraged her to continue toward her goal of working in the field of occupational therapy. Marissa has experience working in a variety of settings including within multiple school systems, day support programs, and in her patients’ homes. She particularly enjoys educating families and support staff on sensory integration and has a recent interest in community-based occupational therapy for working mothers. She hopes to be able to provide animal assisted therapy in her sessions in the future.
Stephanie Bishop
Stephanie BishopStephanie Bishop has been an acting COTA/L since 2008. She joined FUNdamentals in October of 2017. Stephanie initially worked in inpatient adult hospital setting for three years. After that, she switched to her passion of pediatrics and has been there ever since. Stephanie loves working with children with Autism and sensory processing issues. Stephanie has certifications in Handwriting Without Tears (HWT), Therapeutic Listening (TL), and reflex integration.
When she’s not in the clinic, Stephanie enjoys time with her two kids-Hannah (10) and Davin (8). She also enjoys hiking, crafts and spending time with family and friends.
Hilary Dilks
Hilary DilksHilary Dilks, OTR/L, MHS, NTMTC has been an OT at FUNdamentals since 2019. She has been working in pediatrics since 2003 in a variety of in-patient and out-patient settings. She has received training in numerous pediatric interventions such as Handwriting Without Tears, NDT, the Alert Program, iLS, completed level 1 of intensive mentorship at the STAR Center, SOS approach to feeding, and Social Thinking. She has also worked in a level IV NICU for many years, has received training in infant massage and is certified in neonatal touch and massage. She enjoys working with children of all ages. Hilary lives in Arlington with her husband and three children.
Kirsten Metzger-Gilbert, MA, CCC-SLP
Kirsten is a speech pathologist and the former Director of Building Blocks Therapy. She purchased the practice from the previous owner in 2008 after working for Building Blocks for the prior 4 years. Kirsten received a Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and Master’s degree from George Washington University. Kirsten became interested in working with kids with special needs after having a cousin diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kirsten enjoys working with children with dyspraxia, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and feeding and swallowing challenges. Kirsten has received training in PROMPT, TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy, the SOS Approach to Feeding, and Beckman Oral Motor Therapy. Kirsten recently completed the Dynamic & Postural Reflex Pattern Integration course; a foundational course for the MNRI (Musgatova) Method. In her spare time, (now non-existent with a 7 year old and 5 year old!) she loves watching college basketball, the Red Sox, Nationals, and Patriots, reading and traveling.
Melissa Mimidis, MS, CCC-SLP
Melissa Mimidis has been with Fundamentals and Building Blocks Therapy since 2007, after working for a pediatric rehabilitation clinic in Pennsylvania. Melissa completed her undergraduate work at Penn State and received her Master’s degree from James Madison University. Melissa is trained in Talk Tools Oral Placement Therapy, Beckman Oral Motor Therapy, Introduction to Floortime, and PROMPT. Melissa enjoys scuba diving and looks forward to returning to the sport in the future. She also enjoys yoga and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Rachel Hicks, MA, CCC-SLP
Clinic Lead
Rachel has been with FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy since June 2015. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Psychology and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Indiana University Bloomington. Rachel completed the Introduction to PROMPT: Technique and DIR 101: An Introduction to DIR and DIRFloortime. She has sought out additional training in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by attending the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) workshop and Pittsburg AAC Seminar Series (PALSS). Rachel has special interests in Autism Spectrum Disorder, AAC, and developmental delays. She also has experience treating speech sound disorders, fluency, developmental language disorder, social communication difficulties, and is trained in early intervention parent coaching and the Natural Learning Environment Practices (NLEP). Rachel enjoys educating others on the field of speech language pathology and routinely supervises SLP graduate students and provides in-services trainings to parents and schools. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys swimming, running, and spending time with friends and family.
Cristin A. Brophy, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Hanen Certified
Cristin has been with FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy since March 2011. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan and received her Master of Education from the University of Virginia. Cristin has completed the Introduction to PROMPT Technique and the second level of PROMPT: Bridging Technique to Intervention, the Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders: SOS Approach to Feeding Conference, TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy Program, and the Beckman Oral/Motor Protocol. She also has special training in social and pragmatic language skill development with the use of the DIR/Floortime Approach and Social Thinking. Cristin recently became Hanen certified in the It Takes Two to Talk® Program for groups of parents of children with expressive and receptive language delays. Cristin works with children with developmental delays, apraxia of speech, Autism Spectrum Disorders, fluency and language disorders, and feeding and swallowing difficulties. She enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and having fun with friends and family.
Amy Benitez, MA, CCC-SLP
Amy joined Building Blocks’ Therapy team in 2007. She worked full-time for us for 3 years before having her first child, Reesa. While pregnant with her second child, Amy returned to Building Blocks to work every other Saturday. And, after the birth of her son, Cruz, she is back with us on an every other Saturday basis. Amy completed her undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Indiana University. Before joining our team, Amy worked in the public school system in Indiana and for the government-funded birth to three program in Indiana, called First Steps. Amy completed the Introduction to PROMPT course in 2009 and the Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention course in 2011. She enjoys working with early speech & language development as well as school-aged speech and language disorders. Amy supports parental involvement by providing parents with activities to complete at home in order to promote and reinforce the target therapy goals and maximize progress. In her spare time, Amy loves being a Mom and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling, shopping, running and exploring new restaurants with her husband, Greg.
Emily Schwaber (formerly Brodsky), MA, CCC-SLP
Hanen Certified
Emily joined FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy in September 2017 as a Speech-Language Pathologist after spending time in the school system. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, where she majored in Speech and Hearing Sciences and minored in Human Development and Family Studies. She then received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The George Washington University. Emily enjoys working with toddlers and school-aged children with a variety of needs, ranging from articulation and language disorders to autism spectrum disorders, among other disorders. She is especially interested in collaborating as a team with other professionals, as well as parents, after her experience with early intervention services during her graduate externship. Emily received training in PECS Level I, Core Vocabulary, and PRC Accent Device, and Introduction to PROMPT. Emily attended the Hanen program, It Takes Two to Talk in May 2018. Emily attended the LAMP training in 2019 to further her education in alternative and assisstive technology. In her free time she enjoys exploring D.C. with her pup, Nelly, watching her favorite football team the New England Patriots, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Kristen Kozminski, MS, CCC-SLP
Kristen joined FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy in January 2018 as a part-time therapist. Kristen received her Bachelor's degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master's at James Madison University. She attended the Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders: SOS Approach to Feeding conference in July 2018 and is currently working on the introductory coursework in DIR/FloorTime. Kristen recently married in the Spring 2019!
Bianca Loreti, MS, CCC-SLP
Bianca joined FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy in December of 2018. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the Florida State University and in 2015 graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. Since beginning her career, Bianca has worked with children of all ages with a wide range of speech, language, and swallowing disorders including articulation, phonological disorders, receptive-expressive language delays, autism spectrum disorder, motor speech disorders, AAC, fluency, and oral motor, sensory-motor, and behavioral feeding disorders. Bianca has completed various certifications and continuing education courses such as Feeding Therapy: It’s Not Just About Swallowing, 3-Part Treatment Plan for Oral Placement Therapy (Talk Tools), Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach (Talk Tools), The Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) Approach to Feeding, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorder: A Medical, Motor, Behavioral Approach. Originally from Florida, Bianca enjoys getting outside to run, reading, exploring the city with friends, and traveling.
Robyn Morris, MA, CF-SLP
Robyn joined the Fundamentals/Building Blocks team in June 2021. She completed her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology at George Washington University. She previously completed her undergraduate coursework at Biola University and has had placements in Prince William County Schools and a local pediatric private practice. She has served pediatrics between the ages of birth- 18 years, with a variety of needs including articulation, fluency, voice, expressive and receptive language and social communication. She is particularly interested in Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental delays and literacy. Prior to her graduate degree she spent years working at a respite center focused on providing care and social opportunities for children aged 6-21 with a broad range of intellectual disabilities. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys hiking, reading and exploring the area!
Kirsten Metzger-Gilbert, MA, CCC-SLP
Director
Kirsten is a speech pathologist and the Director of FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy. She purchased the practice from the previous owner in 2008 after working for Building Blocks for the prior 4 years. Kirsten received a Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and Master’s degree from George Washington University. Kirsten became interested in working with kids with special needs after having a cousin diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kirsten enjoys working with children with dyspraxia, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and feeding and swallowing challenges. Kirsten has received training in PROMPT, TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy, the SOS Approach to Feeding, and Beckman Oral Motor Therapy. Kirsten recently completed the Dynamic & Postural Reflex Pattern Integration course; a foundational course for the MNRI (Musgatova) Method. In her spare time, (now non-existent with a 7 year old and 5 year old!) she loves watching college basketball, the Red Sox, Nationals, and Patriots, reading and traveling.
Rachel Hicks, MA, CCC-SLP
Clinic Lead
Rachel has been with FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy since June 2015. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Psychology and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Indiana University Bloomington. Rachel completed the Introduction to PROMPT: Technique and DIR 101: An Introduction to DIR and DIRFloortime. She has sought out additional training in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by attending the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) workshop and Pittsburg AAC Seminar Series (PALSS). Rachel has special interests in Autism Spectrum Disorder, AAC, and developmental delays. She also has experience treating speech sound disorders, fluency, developmental language disorder, social communication difficulties, and is trained in early intervention parent coaching and the Natural Learning Environment Practices (NLEP). Rachel enjoys educating others on the field of speech language pathology and routinely supervises SLP graduate students and provides in-services trainings to parents and schools. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys swimming, running, and spending time with friends and family.
Cristin A. Brophy, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Hanen Certified
Cristin has been with FUNdamentals and Building Blocks Therapy since March 2011. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan and received her Master of Education from the University of Virginia. Cristin has completed the Introduction to PROMPT Technique and the second level of PROMPT: Bridging Technique to Intervention, the Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders: SOS Approach to Feeding Conference, TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy Program, and the Beckman Oral/Motor Protocol. She also has special training in social and pragmatic language skill development with the use of the DIR/Floortime Approach and Social Thinking. Cristin recently became Hanen certified in the It Takes Two to Talk® Program for groups of parents of children with expressive and receptive language delays. Cristin works with children with developmental delays, apraxia of speech, Autism Spectrum Disorders, fluency and language disorders, and feeding and swallowing difficulties. She enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and having fun with friends and family.
Rebecca Wood
Rebecca has been practicing Occupational Therapy since graduating with her Master’s degree from Howard University in 2012. She joined the Building Blocks EI team in 2018. Rebecca is trained in early intervention and Natural Learning Environment Practices and specializes in feeding. She has completed the SOS Approach to Feeding.
Jan Agricola
Jan is a Developmental therapist who has been providing services to children of the District since 2013. She joined the Building Blocks EI team in 2017. Jan has a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University and a Professional Certificate of Early Intervention from Georgetown University.
Bess Wilson
Bess is a Developmental therapist who has been providing services to children of the District since 2013. She joined the Building Blocks EI team in 2017. Bess has a Master’s in Special Education from Brooklyn College and a Professional Certificate of Early Intervention from Georgetown University.