Ariana is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with a strong foundation in pediatric care. She earned her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Pima Medical Institute in Colorado and holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from New Mexico State University. Before becoming a COTA, Ariana worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), giving her additional experience supporting children and their unique developmental needs. 

Ariana was drawn to pediatrics because she loves the fun and creativity that come with helping children learn through play. One of her favorite therapy activities is creating obstacle courses because they can target multiple skills at once while keeping kids engaged and having fun. She especially loves helping families understand that play is a child’s primary “occupation”—their meaningful work and one of the most important ways they learn, grow, and participate in the world around them. 

Outside of the clinic, Ariana loves spending time outdoors with her husband and kids. She is also a proud plant enthusiast with 14 houseplants and counting—and yes, she talks and sings to them!