Cynthia has been involved in the field of occupational therapy since ’95 first as a therapy aide in various settings, in-patient, out-patient, aquatic, hand and pediatrics. Then graduated from Mt. St Mary’s College in Los Angeles with an Associate of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy and sat for the national board exam for occupational therapy assistant. She held this status and continued to work for Simi Valley hospital and healthcare services in the pediatric outpatient clinic where she quickly advanced from level I therapist to level III within five years. Cynthia also worked as an occupational therapist at Glendale Adventist Hospital in the psych hospital running and assisting with discharge planning, community integration, and group therapy sessions. During this time she attended multiple trainings and conferences that are as follows but not limited to: Neuro-developmental Treatment, Sensory Integration, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), Autism Spectrum Disorder, handwriting, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), assistive technology, and behavior. Cynthia was even a guest lecturer at Moorpark College for the Human Development course, with topics concerning chromosome abnormalities and working with children with special needs in the child care environment. At The Child Development Center she was instrumental in starting various social skills group, sensory training workshops for parents and professionals, and community outings.

She returned to school at the University of Southern California, to gain her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational therapy (2004-2006), and sat for the national board exam (Dec 2006). It became necessary to expand her already established respite company and add hours for community integration activities for families of children with special needs. This company, Companion Connection, now offers: respite, OT, social skills groups, camp, parent’s night out, community integration, parent training, workshops, behavioral assistance at school, and parent run support groups.