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Meet Our Los Angeles Developmental & Behavioral Specialists

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Oscar Soltero, DIR/Floortime® Inclusion Specialist & Educational Consultant

Oscar Soltero is the founder of Mindful Education Services LLC, offering relationship-based services, inclusion consultation, DIR/Floortime support, teacher and parent training, and Independent Living Services (ILS). Providing bilingual services in English and Spanish, he works with children, adolescents, and adults with Autism, ADHD, developmental delays, sensory differences, and social-emotional or behavioral challenges. His work incorporates a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and PDA-informed framework that prioritizes emotional safety, autonomy, and connection.

Oscar holds a B.A. in Education from UC Berkeley, where he worked with youth in juvenile detention and elementary after-school programs, as well as master’s degrees in School-Based Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis from California State University, Los Angeles. His early career included interdisciplinary collaboration at Professional Child Development Associates (PCDA) using the DIR® model. An ICDL-listed Intermediate DIR/Floortime® Provider and California Inclusion Project (CIBC) Consultant, he stays active in professional organizations including the American Counseling Association and the Association of Educational Therapists.

Founded in 2012, Mindful Education Services LLC delivers multidisciplinary care alongside Child Development Specialists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists. Oscar remains dedicated to empowering individuals toward independence while equipping families, schools, and communities with practical, compassionate strategies.

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Denise A. Sanchez, M.A.

Denise A. Sanchez is an Early Childhood Education Consultant with over 25 years of experience supporting children, families, and educators across diverse settings, including childcare centers, home-based services, and administrative leadership.

Denise earned both her B.A. and M.A. in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, specializing in Leadership in Education and Human Services with sub-specializations in Parent Community Work and Teaching Adults / College Teaching. Following a 4-year tenure as a Teaching Assistant, she served as a Senior Adjunct Faculty member at Pacific Oaks College for 14 years, instructing BA and MA-level courses focused on:
 

  • Early Childhood Themes & Life Cycle Issues

  • Behavioral Interventions & Therapeutic Companion Practicums

  • Working with Children Who Challenge Teachers’ Skills

  • Intervention Models in Early Childhood Education

  • Educational Leadership Fieldwork, Observation & Reflective Teaching

For 13 years, Denise served as Department Head for a non-profit organization, directing 8 specialized intervention programs powered by the DIR/Floortime™ model for individuals aged birth to 22. She managed funding streams across Regional Centers, school districts, and private sources while overseeing:

  • In-home & community infant/toddler development programs (Birth–3)

  • Social-emotional & socialization skills programs (Ages 3–12)

  • Teen (13–17), Young Adult (18–22), and Sibling Support groups (6–12)

  • Reflective supervision and training for teams of Developmental Interventionists

Through her independent consultation practice, Denise provides expert guidance in:

  • Staff & Parent Trainings

  • Child Observations & Individualized Assessments

  • Therapeutic Companion Support for Children

  • Staff Support, Evaluation & Reflective Supervision

  • Custom Curriculum Development

Práctica de Lengua de Señas
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Holly Charlton, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, DIR/Floortime Specialist

Holly Charlton is a registered Occupational Therapist with over 40 years of experience, including 19 years specializing in pediatric care across clinic, school, and home environments. Through her private practice, she provides in-home and preschool-based services to children facing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory processing challenges, and developmental delays.
 

Holly believes that strong relationships are the foundation for growth. She guides children through purposeful, play-based activities that address the root factors behind their daily challenges, blending proven frameworks including:
 

  • DIR/Floortime Model

  • Sensory Integration Theory

  • The SCERTS Model

  • Developmental & Play-Based Therapy

In collaboration with Mindful Education Services, Holly provides specialized OT consultation and education to Head Start programs. She works directly alongside classroom teachers to:
 

  • Observe and support children experiencing sensory vulnerabilities and developmental needs.

  • Train educators on identifying underlying sensory processing challenges in the classroom.

  • Implement practical strategies that foster emotional regulation, social engagement, and peer interaction in learning environments.

Image by Elissa Garcia
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Denise A. Sanchez, Early Childhood Education Consultant

Holly Charlton is a registered Occupational Therapist with over 40 years of experience, including 19 years specializing in pediatric care across clinic, school, and home environments. Through her private practice, she provides in-home and preschool-based services to children facing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory processing challenges, and developmental delays.
 

Holly believes that strong relationships are the foundation for growth. She guides children through purposeful, play-based activities that address the root factors behind their daily challenges, blending proven frameworks including:
 

  • DIR/Floortime Model

  • Sensory Integration Theory

  • The SCERTS Model

  • Developmental & Play-Based Therapy

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