Our New Center, Cooking!

Jaclyn Zeccola, Ph.D., Clinical Director

Meet Our New OT

Ani Oganesyan

Before I became a mom, I cooked all the time. I love the creativity and improvisation available with cooking, especially as you begin to know tastes and textures of different foods. While I have handed my oven mitts to my husband at home, I have been having so much fun cooking with the students at Cheerful Helpers in the past several weeks. We are limited to mostly cold and raw foods that can be made in 20-25 minutes, and because of various food allergies we are sticking with vegan and gluten free recipes. Within those boundaries we have created some really yummy foods! We’ve made hummus, sushi, pesto, kale Caesar and Greek salads, mochi, and a few different kinds of energy bites. We  also made guacamole and avocado pudding, and pasta
salad. In addition to  cooking we have also learned knife skills, kitchen hygiene and how to make food look as good as it tastes. Kids have been really brave with trying new things! We also talk about where in the world our food comes from, looking at a world maps and seeing how different flavors are prominent in other countries.

Cooking is more than just a means to an end for kids. It builds confidence as well as the willingness to experiment with textures, smells and tastes, creativity, flexibility and patience. There is a lot of waiting in cooking! The kids at Cheerful Helpers have impressed me with their abilities and skills and they leave each day with a proud feeling! Sharing their food with their friends is the best benefit of cooking! 

Hi there! I’m Ani, the new OT (Occupational Therapist) at Cheerful Helpers. I’m so excited to be part of this incredible community! I graduated from USC in 2020 with my master’s in Occupational Therapy and have been working with children in a variety of settings ever since (and even before then)!

Alongside my work here, I serve as a Regional Center consultant helping individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities access the support and services they need to thrive. I also work in early intervention, supporting newborns and toddlers in developing essential skills for daily activities and overall growth.

I believe in learning through play, building confidence with small wins, and making therapy fun! Whether it’s strengthening little hands for writing, improving self-regulation for smoother transitions or working on everyday skills, I love finding creative ways to help kids succeed.

When I’m not working, I’m off on little outdoor adventures, discovering new coffee spots, or hanging out with my dog.

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