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.
How Can You Gain Access To Dillian's Place?
To gain access to the Dillian's Place playground, visit Starfish Youth Therapy Center and ask one of our staff members for a registration form.
You can also call 541-751-7948 for more information.
Starfish Youth Therapy Center Walkthrough Video:
Accepting New Patients!
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:
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• ABA Therapy
• Feeding Therapy
At Starfish, we provide services that support and promote the achievement of a child’s independence and overall development. We believe in a team approach with all of the families we work with – emphasizing effective communication with parents and individualized strategies for home to carry over all of the gains we make within treatment.
Where is the clinic located?
We are located at 465 Elrod Ave. Suite 101. Coos Bay, OR 97420.
How do I start therapy services?
Patients must register as a new patient by calling 541-751-7948. The patient services representative in the autism department will assist you with the registration process.
Before an evaluation is scheduled, a physician’s referral is typically required. This referral usually comes from your child’s pediatrician, family physician or psychiatrist. You may call your provider and ask them to fill out our referral form. For your convenience, a downloadable referral form is available at the top of this web page.
Call 541-751-7948 to schedule an evaluation.
Autism Program Providers
Ashley Naghash, BCBA
Board Certified Behavioral Anaylst
Emma Kinross
Speech Language Pathologist
Emma Kinross grew up in Austin, Texas and received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology in Lafayette, Louisiana. Before accepting a position with Waterfall, Emma primarily worked in the schools as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication specialist, serving the kids who needed extra assistance with communication by using specialized devices or other supports to communicate. Emma is passionate about working with children who are neurodivergent and the unique challenges and strengths that they bring to the table. When not working, she enjoys working in her garden and spending time with her baby son.
Gail Davie, SLP-CCC
Speech Language Pathologist
Gail Davie is a nationally certified and state licensed speech language pathologist (SLP) with over 25 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Linguistics, and her Master of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences both from Ohio University. Born and raised in Ohio, Gail has also lived and worked in Texas, California and Florida before recently relocating to Oregon. She has extensive experience serving children of all ages with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders including apraxia of speech and dysarthria, articulation and phonological disorders, expressive / receptive language delays and disorders, social / pragmatic language disorders, and oral and pharyngeal dysphagia. Gail is also well versed in the assessment and implementation of low and high tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Gail’s professional career extends beyond clinical work. She has served in leadership roles for local and state speech language pathology associations, as well as lectured and published in the area of neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders. Outside of work, Gail enjoys exploring the Oregon coast and spending time with friends, family and her three cats.
Gina Mastroianni, M. Ed., BCBA, LBA
Autism Program Manager
Gina Mastroianni was born and raised in northern California and spent 6 years living in Arizona before moving to Coos Bay in 2021. Gina earned a masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University in 2019. Gina began working with individuals with developmental disabilities in 2009, and has worked in the field of ABA for over 10 years. Gina specializes in early intervention, social and adaptive skill intervention, academic consult, and family behavioral skills training. In her spare time, Gina enjoys hiking, biking and spending time with her husband and pets.
Kelly Squire-Hamblet, OT-C
Occupational Therapist
Position Vacant, Multiple Positions Available
Understanding Minor Consent and Confidentiality in Health Care in Oregon
Check out our 11,000+ square foot facility!
175 gallon Saltwater fish tank
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Lobby Sign
Friendly Faces
Calming Room
Calming Room
Feeding Therapy
Lots of space!
Exercise/Yoga Room
Lobby
Sensory Mural
To Learn More About Therapy Options, Click Below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What do I do if I think my child may need your services?
If you are wondering whether or not your child needs our services, you should contact our office and let them know that you are interested in talking to our occupational therapist, speech therapist, or ABA therapist about your child. The office staff will collect basic information and one of our therapists will give you a call as soon as possible (usually within a day or two). The therapist will answer your questions and help you determine which kind of evaluation might most benefit your child.
What happens during an evaluation?
This is an opportunity for the child, parent(s) or caregiver and occupational or provider to meet and share information. The occupational therapist, speech therapist, or behavior analyst considers the child's medical, developmental and academic history, formal testing results and parent feedback before developing a treatment plan. This initial meeting lasts 60-90 minutes. A parent or legal guardian must be present at your child’s initial therapy evaluation; this is important so that you can give consent for your child to be treated. Being present at the evaluation will give the therapist a chance to speak with you about your concerns and goals for your child. Additional evaluation sessions may be scheduled depending on the types of therapy you are seeking and the individual needs of your child. Typically, occupational therapy and speech evaluations are completed after the initial evaluation, while ABA therapy requires 1-2 follow-up assessments to directly test skills with your child.
What paperwork do I need to complete for the evaluation?
Patients are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to their evaluation appointment to complete necessary paperwork, including insurance verification, patient identification, background information, and consent to treatment. A Patient Services Representative will let you know when to arrive before your scheduled evaluation appointment.
What should I bring to my child’s initial evaluation appointment?
• A current photo ID (license)
• Insurance card
• Referral if needed
• Prescription
• School Reports (optional)
• Prior evaluations
• Name/addresses of individuals you might want the report sent to
Can I bring my other children?
If possible, it is recommended that siblings stay home so that the parent can give their undivided attention during the evaluation. Understanding that childcare is sometimes difficult, when bringing siblings, it may be helpful to bring another adult and activities to occupy the siblings during the evaluation.
Do parents sit in on therapy?
Parents may be asked to participate in some 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. One of our primary goals is to give your entire family skills and knowledge to help your child gain the greatest benefit from therapy.
How is therapy scheduled?
The length and frequency or sessions will vary depending on the types of therapies your child is enrolled in, as well as his/or her availability for therapy. Most children receiving speech or occupational therapy are scheduled for 45-60 minute sessions weekly. Children enrolled in ABA therapy will be scheduled for reoccurring appointments 1-5 times per week, that may last from 2-4 hours each. The duration of the treatment for all therapies depends on the child’s specific deficits and needs.
If therapy is recommended by my therapist, will my insurance pay for it?
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 occupational therapy services. If therapy is recommended, our Patient Services Representative will obtain authorization for treatment. Once the treatment is approved, you will receive a phone call from our scheduling department to schedule an appointment for treatment. There may typically be a waitlist for therapy times which need to be scheduled in the late afternoon, after school times.
When will I receive an evaluation report and/or treatment plan?
You should receive an evaluation report or plan for treatment within 2-3 weeks after completing all assessments.
How are your therapy services different than 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 or push inside the classroom by providing equipment for the student to access. Or a therapist 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 IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act). Goals in the schools are specifically related to 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 because their skills and compensations do not impact their ability to learn.