Our team of therapists is dedicated to providing your child with the “just right” services to optimize their potential.
PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Neha Iqbal, MOT, OTR/L
Neha graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Disability Studies. She obtained her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL.
Neha is a co-owner of CDOT. She is also the Director of MCC academy’s Special Needs Islamic weekend school, Strive Together. Here, she has helped establish an adapted curriculum to promote inclusion in an Islamic education for Muslim children with special needs.
Neha is also a core volunteer for Muslim Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN). She has attended conferences, travelled nationally, and internationally to support and promote accessibility and inclusion for Muslims with disabilities.
Neha has 9 years of experience working with children with disabilities. She has occupational therapy experience in outpatient pediatric settings and is certified in Children’s Yoga, Handwriting Without Tears, and Interactive Metronome. She is also credentialed to provide occupational therapy services through the Early Intervention Program of Illinois.
In her free time, Neha enjoys rollerblading, yoga sculpt, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.
“Play is the soil from which a child grows. Let her flower naturally, organically and in her own timing.” - Vince Gowmon
PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Cassandra McManus, MOT, OTR/L
Cassandra graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Aging. She obtained her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL.
Cassandra is a co-owner of CDOT. She has both personal and professional experience working with children with disabilities. During and after graduate school, she participated in the Tiered Occupational Therapy (TOT) grant program to further develop her expertise in providing both individualized and group services related to child mental health via a Response to Intervention or (RtI) approach. This grant program was directly created as a result of the growing evidence on how to identify and address the needs of students with and at risk for learning disorders.
She has occupational therapy experience in both the outpatient pediatric setting and school setting. She is certified in Handwriting Without Tears and Youth Mental Health First Aid. She is also certified in the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP).
In her free time, Cassandra enjoys taking her cat on walks, rollerblading, finding new movies and TV shows to watch, exploring Chicago, and spending time with her family and friends.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” - Fred Rogers
PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Ashley Lopez, OTD, OTR/L
Ashley graduated from the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with Bachelors Degrees in Biology and Psychology. She obtained her Masters and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
During her graduate program, Ashley assisted in implementing a Healthy Lifestyles Program (Families Saludables) in collaboration with community leaders and a community agency who served individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families in a predominantly Latinx neighborhood of Chicago. The Healthy Lifestyles Program included exercise, health education, family goal setting, and group discussions. While pursuing her doctorate in occupational therapy, Ashley developed a Spanish Manual and guide for cultural considerations for the Preschool Activity Card Sort for use with Latinx children and families. She believes in the value of family-centered and culturally-relevant care through the the practice of cultural-humility as important to creating a partnership with children and families of diverse backgrounds.
Ashley has 2 years of experience working with children with disabilities. She has occupational therapy experience in the outpatient pediatric setting and school setting.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys baking, taking her cat on walks, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.
“Play is the foundation of learning, creativity, self-expression, and constructive problem-solving. It’s how children wrestle with life to make it meaningful.” - Susan Linn
PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Safa Muntajibuddin, MSOT, OTR/L
Safa graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 2010. She obtained her Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in Chicago, IL in 2015. While attending Rush, Safa received the Excellence in Clinical Pediatrics award.
Safa has 8 years of experience working with children with various diagnoses including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and other genetic syndromes. In addition to outpatient pediatrics, she also has experience in adult rehabilitation and hand therapy. She is certified in neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). She is also credentialed to provide occupational therapy services through the Early Intervention Program of Illinois.
Safa has volunteered for the Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN) weekend school at her local community mosque in Morton Grove, IL. She has taught other volunteers how to provide environmental modifications and sensory regulation techniques for children on the autism spectrum.
Safa has a 3 year old daughter. She loves going on walks with her, playing with her, and watching her progress and grow every day. Her daughter was born prematurely and has developmental delays. Because of her own personal experiences, Safa is able to offer a unique perspective and understanding, first and foremost, as a parent.
Safa enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” -Amanda Gorman
PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Hidaia Omer, MOT, OTR/L
Hidaia graduated from a combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master in Occupational Therapy program (BS/MOT) from Chicago State University.
Hidaia has worked with an organization called Muslim Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN) that aims to create a better understanding of disabilities in Muslim communities. She gained valuable experience working with children with disabilities through her volunteer work at this organization.
During her Level 2 fieldwork, Hidaia worked at a preschool/outpatient pediatric clinic in the West Loop working with Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and sensory processing deficits. It was from that rotation that she decided she wanted to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. She always loved being around and working with children.
In her free time, Hidaia likes crafting and spending time with her children and family.
