Therapy Practitioners Profiles

Physical therapists and occupational therapists are part of the multidisciplinary team in special education.  They play an essential role in supporting students with physical and developmental challenges to access and succeed in their educational environment. 

Every October is Physical Therapy Month, and October 27 is World Occupational Therapy Day. We want to highlight our District’s physical and occupational therapy practitioners this October and their impactful work in supporting our students with unique and diverse learning needs.  

Rejielyn Cerdenio, OTD, OTR/L

Director, Occupational Therapy Services

Assistive Technology Specialist

Rejielyn Cerdenio is an Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience in both the hospital and school-based settings. She received a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Samuel Merritt University and a post-

professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Her previous experience has provided a solid foundation for a holistic approach to assessment and intervention, addressing musculoskeletal and cognitive impairments while considering other factors that impact outcomes, such as the person’s home environment, occupational roles, and cultural beliefs. Dr. Cerdenio’s practice interest lies with school-age children, transition-age youth, and young adults participating in community-based or life skills instruction and assistive technology. She has co-presented at the Occupational Therapy Association of California ("OTAC") conferences addressing a transition program for developmentally disabled adolescents. Dr. Cerdenio’s role as Director of Occupational Therapy Services and as part of the Special Education administration team has provided opportunities to expand the role of a school-based occupational therapist, contributing to program development, implementation, and capacity building of related service providers and therapy practitioners.

Ramon Carriel, PT 

Ramon Carriel graduated as a Physical Therapist from the Universidad Catolica del Norte, Chile.  Ramon started his career working in rehabilitation centers and private practice, gaining valuable experience in the field of physical therapy.  In 1998, he had his first experience in the school-based setting and has been dedicated to this field of practice ever since. Ramon loves his profession and being part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with parents, teachers, and paraprofessionals to provide a comprehensive approach to servicing the students of Lynwood. He addresses various physical and developmental needs in the school environment and ensures appropriate and safe use of adaptive equipment.  Ramon has been working as a school-based physical therapist at LUSD since 2013, demonstrating his dedication and commitment to serving the Lynwood community.

Samantha Freeman, MS, OTR/L

Samantha Freeman is an Occupational Therapist dedicated to working with children with diverse needs. She received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy at West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA, and found her passion in school-based practice.  Samantha is creative and holistic in her therapy approach when implementing activities for students’ individualized goals. She believes working collaboratively with parents and other school staff promotes positive student learning experiences.

Naima Jones, MS, OTR/L

Naima Jones is a passionate Occupational Therapist with over 12 years of experience in the school-based setting.  She has worked with children with varying abilities to help them thrive and reach their potential.  Naima loves seeing children's incredible progress and is dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care to every child she works with.  Naima believes in creating a safe and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable and confident exploring and learning. She has received additional training in techniques and programs such as Neuro-Developmental Treatment ("NDT"), Handwriting without Tears ("HWT"), and S’Cool MOVES.

May Tajima, MS, OTR/L

May Tajima is a compassionate school-based Occupational Therapist dedicated to helping

students overcome obstacles and thrive in their educational journey. She received a master’s

degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California.  May realized occupational therapy's critical role in enhancing students' ability to learn, participate, and succeed in school and found her true calling in school-based practice. She specializes in identifying and addressing a wide range of challenges, including sensory processing disorders, fine and gross motor skill deficits, and difficulties with activities of daily living. May collaborates closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to student development and to address each student's unique educational needs. May also plays a pivotal role as an assistive technology specialist ("ATS"), identifying, implementing, and customizing technologies that empower students and support their full educational potential.

Pavithra Ramasubramanian, MS, OTR/L

Pavithra Ramasubramanian is a passionate school-based Occupational Therapist dedicated to enhancing student performance in their educational journey. She began as an instructional aide for a special needs classroom, pushing her to pursue her Masters in Science in Occupational Therapy at West Coast University. She is excited to be part of Lynwood Unified School District and is dedicated to helping students feel empowered, confident, and independent in their daily activities. She loves being creative and student-centered with the activities and games she presents during her sessions. She has dedicated much of her continued education and experience to different approaches and interventions for children with developmental disorders. She feels grateful to use the knowledge gained through her educational, clinical, and experiences to support students to succeed in their educational journey.

Sylvia Wong, MS, OTR/L

Sylvia Wong received her Master's in Occupational Therapy degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills, in 2020, where she found her passion for working with school-aged children and transition-aged youths. She is a motivated school-based therapist adept at conducting occupational therapy evaluations and implementing treatments to support fine motor function, visual motor integration, sensory regulation, and self-care activities. Additionally, she is skilled at building rapport and collaborating in team environments to facilitate positive student learning environments, given their strengths and needs.