About Us
Owner & Founder Stacy Kozlowski
Stacy is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. Throughout her career she has gained extensive knowledge and skills in the following areas:
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Developmental disabilities
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Physical dysfunction
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Environmental modifications
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Sensory processing disorder
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Feeding
What I believe in
Treating a child’s physical, psychological AND emotional needs
Helping children overcome adversity
Implementing techniques that result in positive change
Helping children and their families harness their inner strength
Promoting accessibility and community integration for children with physical and emotional challenges
Facilitating self-determination
“I am inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit.”
Background
Stacy began her career working with children and adults recovering from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burns. During this time, she found her greatest strengths were helping adapt and modify physical, social, and emotional barriers for children with developmental disabilities, allowing them to gain purposeful connections in their communities. She acquired extensive training in community integration and adaptive equipment.
Stacy transitioned to the next phase of her career as an OT for United Cerebral Palsy in NYC. She was chosen to direct the design and renovation of a simulated training apartment for people with disabilities. The apartment became a platform to train children and young adults on how to access their home environment. The training focused on environmental modifications and adaptive strategies that allowed patients to live as independently as possible, with emphasis on their abilities.
She went on to manage the United Cerebral Palsy NYC orthotic and bracing clinic, working closely with a physiatrist and orthotist to fit children with customized orthoses and adaptive equipment.
After moving to North Carolina in 2009 with her family, Stacy has been dedicated to integrating her passion for universal accessibility by working with children in diverse environments.
Stacy has been happily married to her husband John for 15 years. They are the proud parents of 3 daughters.
Training and Certifications
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Neurodevelopmental Treatment
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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
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Handwriting Without Tears
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Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome
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The Wilbarger Protocol
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Sensory Integration
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Meditation
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Applied Behavior Analysis
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AEIOU Systematic Approach to Pediatric Feeding
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Merry Mealtime Guide
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Safe and Sound Protocol
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SOFFI
Meet our Administrative Staff
Stacy Kozlowski, OTR/L
Abil-OT Owner
Stacy is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience in the areas of developmental disabilities, physical dysfunction, environmental modifications, sensory processing disorder and feeding. As an occupational therapist, Stacy believes it is vitally important to treat client’s psychological and emotional well-being, as well as their physical needs. She is passionate about her role in helping children overcome adversity, and is always inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit. It is truly gratifying to be a part of the healing process, or the process of watching a child develop and acquire new skills. Whether a child is challenged physically, mentally or emotionally, being able to analyze, identify and implement techniques that result in positive change is deeply humbling. It could be as simple as providing equipment to a child with increased muscle tone that enables them to self feed, or training caregivers on a sensory diet that increases a child’s ability to participate in family mealtimes or attend social gatherings, but to many families it is anything but simple, it’s life-changing. It is immensely rewarding to be a part of that process. Stacy began her career working with children and adults, and supporting families recover and regain function following traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and burns. The opportunity to work closely alongside a diverse team of medical professionals was invaluable to her growth as a therapist. As gratifying as she found working with children in the acute stages of illness and injury, she found her greatest assets were helping adapt and modify physical, social and emotional barriers for children with developmental disabilities to gain purposeful connections in their communities. As an OT for United Cerebral Palsy in NYC, with extensive training in community integration and adaptive equipment, Stacy was chosen to direct the design and renovation of a simulated training apartment for people with disabilities. The apartment became a platform to train children and young adults how to access their home environment, focusing on environmental modifications and adaptive strategies that allowed them to live as independently as possible, with emphasis on their abilities. Following the renovation, she managed the UCP/NYC orthotics and bracing clinic, working alongside the physiatrist and orthotist to fit children with customized orthoses and adaptive equipment to maximize their functional independence. After moving to North Carolina in 2009 with her family, Stacy has been dedicated to integrating her passion for universal accessibility by helping children and their families harness their inner strength, while working with children in diverse environments. She is driven by a desire to promote accessibility and community integration for children with physical and emotional challenges, while promoting self determination. Stacy has training in the areas of Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Handwriting Without Tears, Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, The Wilbarger Protocol, Sensory Integration and Meditation. Stacy also has extensive knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis, integrating sensory based strategies with behavior based interventions for optimal progress and goal attainment. Stacy is also trained in the AEIOU Systematic Approach to Pediatric Feeding, the Merry Mealtime Guide, the Safe and Sound Protocol, and is SOFFI certified. She has been happily married to her husband John for 15 years, and they are the proud parents of 3 daughters.
Julianne Russo, MS, CCC-SLP
Abil-OT Clinical Director
Julianne completed her undergraduate studies in cognitive science at the University of Delaware, and her graduate studies in communication disorders at SUNY New Paltz. Throughout her educational career, she has gained experience working with a variety of populations as a student clinician. While studying upstate New York, she provided in-home services to children 0-3 years of age; worked with a geriatric population in an audiology clinic; and served pre-teen and teenage children in a middle school setting. She graduated in 2016 with a M.S. in Communication Disorders, and began working on Long Island shortly thereafter. Julianne completed her clinical fellowship year working with children 3-16 years of age. She has experience serving children with a wide variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Nagar Syndrome, as well as children with developmental or speech delays. During her time as a clinical fellow, Julianne worked to become level 2 PROMPT trained and attend many continuing education courses in Applied Behavior Analysis. In 2017, Julianne moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and has loved the change of pace! She has been working in elementary schools for the past 3 years, and has found her passion working with children of all ages. She is enthusiastic about working with other professionals and family members, and incorporating a team approach into her therapy sessions.
Tabitha Talley
Office Manager
Tabitha attended Campbell University and received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. She spent 12 years in law enforcement as a fingerprint agent and then a police officer. She recently stepped away from the law enforcement world to be able to take care of her daughter, Emmie, who was born with down syndrome. In her free time, she loves to play volleyball. She also loves to go on hikes and bike rides with her daughter and husband of almost 7 years. She is an integral part of the Abil-OT team, helping families with scheduling and understanding the initial intake process, coordinating between therapists and clients, and obtaining authorizations. Tabitha understands first-hand the challenges of caring for a child with special needs and takes great care to ensure all families and children are warmly welcomed into the Abil-OT family and receive the assistance they need. Staff often say she is the pulse of Abil-OT Kids Therapy, and we are so fortunate to have her.
Julia Martinez
Spanish Translator/ Patient Educator
Julia is the Spanish interpreter and patient educator for our office. She is compassionate, empathetic, and supportive. She has experience translating for Spanish speaking families from previous employment. She will address questions and concerns from families to staff. She has experience with local support groups and is an active member of the Johnston County community. We can count on her for knowledge on local resources. Julia is currently the parent leader for Circle for Parents of Children with Special Needs and a member of the Hispanic Autism Support Group of Johnston County. She attends parent workshops on behavior and Autism support. Julia also has experienced the joys and struggles of Autism. She has a young child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her children have been treated by therapists for developmental delays since 2013. Julia is a dedicated and caring mom who loves to seek adventures with her family and teach her children about their Mexican culture. She is in a long time relationship with her significant other David, and they have 3 children together.
Victoria Worrells
Patient Care Coordinator
Victoria, “Tori”, graduated with her associates degree in science in 2019, and graduated from the Dental Assistant program in 2020 from the Sunrise School of Dental. She recently stepped away from the dental world to join our team as Patient Care Coordinator in our Clayton office. Tori worked for the Clayton Recreation Center for seven years as an after school care director and camp counselor serving children of all ages and abilities. She spearheaded programs for special needs children including dances, events and summer camps. She has experience working with children with various disorders including ADHD, Autism, and Down Syndrome. As a child, she received speech therapy and has had a passion for helping children feel included and celebrated ever since. Tori is a proud Dog Mom to Goose and enjoys her weekends at the beach with her husband, Jackson.
Katy Hall
Clinical Coordinator
Abil-OT is proud to serve children and their families in Johnston and Wake counties in our clinic locations and in their natural environment. Collaborating with physicians and other allied health professionals, Abil-OT is passionate about developing individualized treatment plans and child centered interventions that will help them realize optimal independence and function.