Starfish Youth Therapy Center
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Starfish Youth Therapy Center
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Starfish Youth Therapy Center
Starfish Youth Therapy Center is an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic that services youth ages 3-21 with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
At Starfish, we provide services that support each child’s independence, development, and well-being. We believe in a team approach between our providers, patients, and their families – emphasizing effective communication and individualized strategies for each patient.
Starfish Youth Therapy Center is a program of Waterfall Clinic.
We offer outpatient therapy services to youth ages 3-21 years with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
Therapy services offered:
ABA Occupational Therapy Speech Langauge Pathology Feeding Therapy 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Where is the clinic located?
Our address is 465 Elrod Ave Suite 101, Coos Bay, OR, 97420. We are across the street from the fire station, on the bottom floor.
How do I start therapy services for my child?
A referral from a physician is required for all of Starfish’s autism services. You may ask your provider to complete a referral form if you feel our services may be of benefit for your child. For your convenience, a downloadable referral form is available at the top of this web page.
Once a referral is received, a Patient Services Representative will contact you to register and review next steps. You will be contacted by one of Starfish’s providers when they have an opening for your child.
Starfish currently has a waitlist for all autism therapy services. We are working diligently to grow our team and expand access to our services within the community.
My child doesn’t have autism, can he/she still be seen at Starfish?
An autism diagnosis is required for ABA, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services. Waterfall Community Health Center also provides pediatric psychiatry and counseling services for children of varying needs. An autism diagnosis is not required for psychiatry and counseling services.
What happens during an evaluation?
The evaluation process differs across each type of therapy. Typically, a parent or legal guardian will be required to attend an initial intake appointment with their child that lasts anywhere from 60-120 minutes. Further evaluation appointments for additional testing or observation
may be scheduled at the provider’s discretion. Your Starfish provider will clearly outline the intake and initial evaluation process with you prior to your child’s first appointment.
Do I need to complete paperwork prior to my child’s evaluation?
Prior to your child’s initial appointment at Starfish, you will need to register as a patient. This can be done by visiting Starfish Youth Therapy Center to complete a form or by registering online: https://www.wfall.org/resources/patient-forms/new-patient-registration/
Your child’s provider may request that you complete additional intake paperwork or questionnaires prior to the initial appointment. Your provider will instruct you how to obtain and complete these forms during the initial phone call.
What should I bring to my child’s initial evaluation appointment?
If a diagnostic autism report was no included in your child’s referral, you may be asked to bring one with you to your child’s initial appointment. You will also need to bring the following:
- A current photo ID (license)
- Insurance card
- Prior therapeutic, medical, or academic evaluations
- Starfish intake paperwork or questionnaires completed prior to the appointment
Can I bring my other children?
All siblings and children accompanying the patients must be supervised by a parent or other designated adult throughout their time at Starfish. It is recommended that siblings stay home during the initial evaluation so parents are able to give their undivided attention to the patient and evaluation process. If unable to secure childcare, it is recommended that families arrange for a parent or other adult to accompany and supervise siblings while on clinic property. Starfish Youth Therapy Center does not provide childcare services.
Do parents participate in therapy?
Parents are typically required to attend the initial evaluation appointment and may be asked to participate in some therapy sessions, depending on the type or therapy and specific skills targeted. Parents may also be asked to participate in individual parent education and training sessions or be given follow up tasks to complete with their child in an effort to maximize progress. Starfish providers strive to provide the entire family with skills and knowledge to help the patient gain the greatest benefit from therapy.
How is therapy scheduled?
The length and frequency of sessions will vary depending on the types of therapies and patient availability for therapy. Most children receiving speech or occupational therapy are scheduled for 30-60 minute sessions 1-2 times per week. Children enrolled in ABA therapy will be scheduled for reoccurring appointments 1-5 times per week that may last from 1.5-4 hours each. The duration of the treatment for all therapies depends on the child’s response to treatment and individual needs.
Will my insurance pay for therapy?
Medical coverage will vary, but many health insurance plans cover our services. Please contact your insurance company to verify if your plan offers a benefit for occupation therapy, speech therapy, or ABA services. Prior to intake, our team will work with you to verify benefits and obtain prior authorization for services.
How are Starfish’s therapy services different from my child’s therapy in school?
School-based therapists are considered a “related service.” Their job is to observe and assess a child to determine their needs in order to best access their education. Therapists may use direct treatment and pull the child out of the classroom, push inside the classroom by providing equipment for the student to
access, or therapists may consult with an educator in the classroom to better accommodate the student. School based therapy uses an educational model that focuses on education and academic performance and is governed by the Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act (IDEA). School-based therapy goals are specifically related to assisting the student better access their education. In contrast, Starfish Youth Therapy Center provides outpatient, clinic-based therapy using a medical model that focuses on working with the diagnoses prescribed by a doctor and often directed by insurance. Our therapists help children access and participate in activities in the home, community, and any other environment a child may find themselves. Goals are functional and based around the activities and environments specific to the child, not necessarily tied to their education. Goals are individualized based on the child’s needs and family’s priorities. Children are able to receive school and outpatient therapies in conjunction with each other. A child may qualify for services in an outpatient setting, but not in school, and visa versa.
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Dillian’s Place
Waterfall Clinic’s Starfish Youth Therapy Center is the only Autism Treatment Program of its kind in Southern Oregon. Dillian’s Place has equipment that is used therapeutically to develop sensory input, allow for fun social interaction, and promote exercise among our patients. The playground is fully adaptable and accessible for patients of all abilities.
Learn More About Dillian’s Story
How Can You Gain Access To Dillian’s Place?
Dillan’s Place is accessible to both patients and community members. You can gain access to the Dillian’s Place playground by completing a registration form and obtaining and access code at Starfish Youth Therapy Center during our normal business hours.
Call 541-751-7948 for more information.
Meet Our Team
Kelly Squire-Hamblet, MSOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Kelly Squire-Hamblet is a nationally certified and state licensed occupational therapist with over 11 years of experience. Kelly received her Master’ s degree in Occupational Therapy at Touro University in Henderson, NV. She was born and raised in southern California and moved to Las Vegas as a young adult where she met and married her husband and raised her three children before moving to the beautiful southern Oregon coast 10 years ago. Recently, Kelly has completed doctoral level course work with specialty certifications in Ayers Sensory Integration and Qigong Sensory Treatment. She has been working in the schools for the past few years but also has an extensive medical background working with children and adults of all ages in a variety of settings such as home health, outpatient, skilled nursing, and acute rehab. When not working, Kelly loves to cook, bake, spend time with her family including her 5 grandchildren, and her dog Barkley.
Arthur Lee, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Arthur Lee was born and raised in Southern California prior to relocating to the state of Oregon. Arthur has received a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University. Arthur has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2016 as a behavioral therapist, mid-level clinical supervisor, and currently in the capacity as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Arthur’s professional areas of interest include early learner and teenage patient populations, and further expanding his clinical repertoire in Practical Functional Assessment/Skills-Based Treatment procedures. In his free time, Arthur enjoys tinkering on his car, fishing, trying new restaurants and foods, attending sporting events, and seeking new outdoor activities in the area.
Nicole Castro, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
Nicole Castro is a licensed and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who joined the Starfish team in 2024. She studied English at Arizona State University, initially hoping to be a high school English teacher. After deciding that teaching wasn’t the right fit in 2018, Nicole began working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Her time in ABA ignited a passion she had been searching for and she went on to earn a Masters degree in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Nicole specializes in Early Intervention and developing individualized treatment plans for children learning to communicate through play-based strategies. She loves building relationships and working closely with parents to help them develop confidence and recognize their own strengths. In addition to her clinical work, Nicole enjoys tutoring and training individuals on ABA concepts and finds the most reinforcement in facilitating the change and success of those around her. Nicole was born and raised in Southern California, but spent 10 years in Clackamas, Oregon where she found her love of the outdoors and the PNW. Outside of work, she finds joy in reading, hiking, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family and dog while trying new foods.
Deborah Ledbetter, OT/L
Occupational Therapist
Deborah Ledbetter is a licensed occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience. Deborah studied English and Spanish at the University of Texas in Austin before earning her Master’ s degree in Occupational Therapy at The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA in 1997. She has experience in pediatric occupational therapy with children of all ages in a variety of settings including pediatric outpatient clinic, pediatric home health, pediatric inpatient hospital, preschool to high school and early intervention. Her professional interests include the development of fine motor, play and daily living skills, sensory integration theory and practice, social emotional learning and collaboration with parents and caregivers. She was born and raised in Texas. As an adult, she lived and worked in Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, Washington, DC, Kalamazoo, MI, Tacoma, Seattle, and Los Angeles. She relocated to Oregon in 2025 and she is thrilled with the beautiful forests, gorgeous beaches, stormy ocean, amazing wildlife, cool weather and interesting people. In her leisure time, Deborah loves visiting with family and friends, exploring Oregon, drinking tea and walking on the beach with her dogs, Simba and Treasure.