Sprout West
Meet the Sprout West Team
Sara Macaluso, OTD, OTR/L, CNP
Clinical Director of Sprout West
Sara is passionate about supporting children and their parents in building feelings of safety, confidence, and emotional regulation through a sensory processing lens. She believes that when underlying sensory and developmental needs are thoughtfully addressed, children are better able to manage themselves and move through their environments with greater ease and success.
Sara values relationship-based, child-centered care and works collaboratively with families to create supportive, meaningful therapeutic experiences. In addition to her clinical work, she serves on the faculty at West Coast University - Center for Graduate Studies, where she teaches and mentors students in the Occupational Therapy program.
Sara has advanced training and experience in Ayers Sensory Integration*, therapeutic listening programs, hippo therapy, and perinatal mental health, allowing her to support children and families across a wide range of developmental and emotional needs. She is grateful to be part of the Sprout Children’s Therapy Center team and values Sprout’s commitment to thoughtful, child-centered and family-focused care.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys traveling with her family, reading, cooking, hiking, and practicing archery - sometimes on horseback.
Janie Cuccinello, MS, OTR/L
Lead Therapist at Sprout West, Graphomotor and ADHD Specialist
Janie has always had a passion for working with children, stemming from her background as a nanny, a preschool teacher and being an aunt of 10 nieces and nephews! She graduated in 2018 with a Master’s of Science in OT from Dominican University of California.
As an occupational therapist, Janie has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, including schools, homes, medical facilities, outpatient treatment programs, telehealth and private practice. Janie has worked with a broad range of children and has expertise in autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, developmental differences, Down Syndrome, ADHD, visual motor and perceptual difficulties, handwriting challenges, gross motor and fine motor differences. She has designed and led groups, including kindergarten readiness, handwriting, regulation, social skills, and nature-based therapy groups. Janie has advanced certifications in handwriting and graphomotor interventions as well as sensory processing. She strives to help children by cultivating a space where they can be authentically themselves and build connections with others, while supporting their physical, social and emotional well-being through creative play and child-led experiences. Janie believes in a holistic approach that embodies children’s unique strengths and interests to support their growth and development, so they can be more coordinated, competent, and confident kids.
When not working, Janie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, and binge watching the latest shows. Janie loves to be active and spends her time hiking, practicing yoga and meditation and being outdoors in nature!
Maggie Barnes
Photo and bio coming soon.