Ailyne Melena

Scholar

“Project ASPIRE gives me the chance to grow my knowledge in the peds field and gain hands-on experience before my Level II fieldwork. I wanted to build my skills so I can feel more confident as a clinician who works with peds after I graduate. I am passionate about neurodiverse care, and earning a DIR certificate was a major plus. I also enjoy working with kids, so this opportunity felt like the right fit for me.“

“Through Project ASPIRE, I hope to gain more confidence and skill in working with children with disabilities. I want to learn as much as I can so I can provide the best care possible. After completing my degree, I hope to work as a pediatric OT and continue building my experience so I can eventually open my own clinic that focuses on adapting extracurricular activities/hobbies for kids with disabilities. I am also interested in working with foster youth, especially in transitional living. My goal is to support children and teens in ways that help them participate, grow, and feel supported.“

Fun Fact: “I love cooking and trying new vegan recipes!“

Hometown: Killeen, TX