PDA North America Level 2 Certified

Specialties

• ADHD

• Autism

• Feeding Support

• Interoception

• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

• School Related Difficulties

• Self-Care

• Self-Regulation

• Sensory Processing

• Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)

• Parent & Caregiver Coaching

Hi there! I am Sara Wallace, and I am a Pediatric Occupational Therapist who is passionate about helping children and their families find fulfillment through child-led, neurodiverse-affirming, and strengths-based approaches. I provide services locally in the greater Los Angeles and San Bernardino area and virtually throughout all of California.

My interest in pediatric occupational therapy began when I was a nanny for children with special needs and started volunteering at a pediatric occupational therapy clinic. I attended graduate school at Loma Linda University, where I gained experience in acute hospital, hand therapy, and mental health settings during my fieldwork rotations. After graduating, I continued my journey in pediatrics by working in a dynamic range of settings, including the school system, clinic, and in-home early intervention. I’ve worked with children with varied profiles and support needs including autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), sensory processing disorder/differences (SPD), Down syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating/feeding difficulties, visual processing disorders, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.

Growing up with a neurodivergent sibling and being diagnosed as neurodivergent later in life myself, I developed a deeper understanding of the barriers my clients and their families face. This background allows me to help my clients feel heard and to find client-centered solutions to life’s obstacles.

I understand the frustrations that come with trying to fit into a mold fabricated by society and the broad impacts this pressure can have on mental, physical, and spiritual health. My therapeutic approach incorporates motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and sensory regulation strategies to support clients through a holistic lens. It is my mission to elevate and empower children and their families by focusing on their specific interests and strengths to foster intrinsic motivation and self-confidence to achieve goals and overcome challenges.

It is a privilege to be part of my clients’ journeys, and I continue to grow and learn from them every day.