ABOUT
San Antonio Pediatric & Adolescent Neuropsychology Specialists
Leading Provider in Pediatric Neuropsychology with Sought After Services and Renowned Professionals
Our Mission
To Improve the Lives of Families by Helping Them to Better Understand Their Children and How To Help Them Reach Their Potential.
Dr. April Abrego, PsyD, LP, LPC
Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Vocational Evaluator
Dr. Abrego is a pediatric neuropsychologist and vocational evaluator who works with children, teens, and young adults on various issues related to their developmental, emotional, and cognitive functioning.
Dr. Abrego provides thorough neuropsychological evaluations and counseling to children and adolescents who have an acquired brain disorder, genetic, neurodevelopmental, or congenital disorder, such as traumatic brain injury, strokes, and concussions, along with hematology/oncology conditions, or the effects of chemotherapy, learning disorders, ADHD, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Tourette’s and tics.
Dr. Abrego specializes in the integration of neuropsychological assessments and educational planning of cognitive and behavioral changes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dr. Abrego also offers detailed feedback sessions with the client and their families to inform them of their loved one’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, emotional factors, and diagnostic analysis. The goal of this feedback session is to provide parents and teachers with concrete recommendations on ways to eliminate or manage some of the problems that can influence a person’s school, home, and/or social functioning. She believes that a comprehensive evaluation can help parents, teachers, and others in the child’s or adolescent’s life better understand how their brains function with the goal of developing strategies that will support their child’s learning and development.
Dr. Abrego received her doctorate (Psy.D.) in counseling psychology with a specialization from Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) in 2020. During her doctoral program, Dr. Abrego’s trainings included practicums at Methodist Children’s Hospital in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital Center for Miracles, a clinic focused on assessment of suspected child abuse, The Guardian House, Haven for Hope Psychological Assessment Clinic, OLLU’s Community Counseling Service, and Nurse Family Partnership as an in-home therapist for new mothers. She then completed her APA-accredited internship training at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, with training focused on Pediatric Psychology Consultation and Neuropsychology at the Deafness Related Evaluations and More (DREAM) Clinic (2020) in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Abrego also completed a two-year postdoctoral residency (2020-2022) in pediatric neuropsychology at the St Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) with a specialty in oncology, hematology, sickle cell, epilepsy, epilepsy pre-surgical evaluation, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, concussion, Tourette Syndrome and tics, and concussion. While at SLCH, she completed research regarding targeted neuropsychological evaluations for late effects of cancer treatment.
Her doctoral dissertation investigated how individuals with intellectual abilities perceive their experiences of strengths-based therapy.
Dr. Abrego has a Master’s degree from Texas A&M University in counseling & guidance with concentrations in mental health counseling and marriage & family therapy, along with extensive experience working with children and adolescents who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma, and those who suffer from developmental and genetic conditions and disabilities. She became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in 2018 and has worked in telehealth with children, adolescents, and adults since then.
Along with extensive education, she also has experience working as a vocational evaluator for adolescents and adults across the lifespan with disabilities, an adjunct instructor in psychology, and supervisor of master and doctoral level clinicians in training.
Dr. Alexander Young, PsyD, LP, LPC-S
PRN Evaluations Specialist (Presurgical & Health Evaluations Specialties)
Dr. Young is a licensed psychologist in the following states – TX, PA, MD, HI, CA, FL, and NY. He also participates in Psypact, which is a compact agreement that allows psychologists in participating jurisdictions to practice across state lines. Additionally, Dr. Young is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) supervisor for psychology interns in the State of Texas. Dr. Young is intermittently available to conduct PRN evaluations for our practice. He specializes in presurgical and health evaluations and is only available by appointment.
Dr. Young, a clinical health psychologist by trade, has a wealth of experience working with diverse populations, such as LGBT individuals, and people who are struggling with chronic illnesses, HIV, and serious mental illnesses with substance involvement. He not only has extensive experience as an integrated GI psychologist and health psychologist, but also a background in primary care behavioral health (PCBH), and hosting seminars on a variety of psycho-health topics, such as psychosocial education, the intersectionality of bariatric surgery, addiction, and suicide, mental health diagnostic criteria and brief behavioral interventions for various medical conditions, and second and third wave therapeutic approaches.
Well-esteemed in the psychology field, Dr. Young has also published numerous journal articles and participated in a variety of presentations and seminars on health and clinical psychology. He has a warm and friendly spirit and is a true asset to our practice. He is always willing to listen and takes your questions, concerns, and thoughts very seriously. Most of all, Dr. Young is accepting. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, his goal is to provide you and your family with relief. Like the rest of our specialists, Dr. Young believes in a cooperative relationship where the parents, client, teachers, and doctor work together to identify issues of concern and find solutions that will provide a brighter and more productive life for his clients and their families.
Julie Velez, MA, Special Education Teacher, Lead Tutor
Julie Velez holds one important goal close to her heart – improving the abilities and performance of young people so they can reach their full potential and have the life they want and deserve. San Antonio Pediatric & Adolescent Neuropsychology Specialists is excited to have Ms. Velez as part of our “crew.” She is a gem – a true rockstar in the field of special education and executive functioning tutoring. She is dedicated to student success, regardless of the individual’s abilities. There is no “mountain” that she cannot tackle with your help.
Ms. Velez is 100% committed to helping young people grow and develop in a way that fosters “wholeness” and success. She is in tune with the “heaviness” that some parents face when finding the necessary resources that can and will help their children “flourish.” She is devoted to removing the fear, anxiety, stress, depression, and “heaviness,” associated with this process, so parents and their children feel educated, supported, understood, and empowered. Ms. Velez believes that with the support of loved ones, young people can transcend their current or future life situations and become their best selves.
Well-equipped to deal with any challenge, Ms. Velez has a bachelor’s degree in early education and a master’s degree with a specialty in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M, San Antonio. She is also Texas Board-Certified as a Generalist EC-6th, Special Education EC-12th, and English: Second Language Supplemental Specialist.
But that’s not all…
With more than a decade of experience in behavioral management, effective communication techniques, learning progression, and goal-setting, she has become an expert in helping underperforming students feel “heard” and supported. Ms. Velez is a strong proponent of collaborative and transformative teaching, inclusivity, and purposeful activities.
She has devoted her career to creating and adapting programs to fit the ever-changing needs of young people, from early childhood to young adulthood. Ms. Velez’s theoretical and practical experience means that she has the knowledge and expertise to back up her passion for leading young people to greatness, making her the “perfect person” to help your child grow and thrive now and in the future.
If you are needing tutoring services – your child or adolescent could not be in better hands than Ms. Velez. She is missing the link to helping your child or adolescent reach new heights and soar through the skills both at home and at school or work.
Priscilla Garcia – Medical Office Assistant
Priscilla Garcia, our medical office assistant, is known for her warm demeanor and cheerful smile, which are bound to brighten your day. She is always willing to help anyone at any time. She is a true asset to our office due to her exceptional customer service, compassionate advocacy, caring heart, and administrative experience. She has extensive experience working as a domestic violence advocate, customer service representative, and front office clerk, so she knows what she is doing. She has also been trained and is certified in crisis care, which means she can handle anything that comes her way. Priscilla’s goal is to assist you so that you have a wonderful experience in our office. If you have a question or concern, ask Priscilla, she would love to help you in any way possible.
Sandra Flores – Office Manager
Sandra Flores, our office manager, has a wealth of experience in various areas, including many years of working with individuals with disabilities as a supported employment specialist, coach, and vocational evaluation aide. Because of her know-how, our office runs like a well-oiled machine. Sandra handles the ins-and-outs of our office and makes sure we are all doing our best to provide you and your family with the utmost care, respect, and attention. Sandra’s main goal is to ensure that you are treated fairly and that you and your family have a good perception of us and our services.
Sandra is a warm and friendly person who will put you at ease and assure you that you are taking the right steps towards helping your child have the best life possible.
Rosemary Trejo – Psychometrist
Rosemary Trejo, our psychometrist, is a certified evaluator who has extensive experience as an executive director at the Vista Vocational Resources Center, Inc. and Terra Health, Inc., in San Antonio, Texas. She is well-versed in the field of assessments and evaluations, as she has been providing vocational assessments and evaluations for people with disabilities for more than 30 years.
She also has many years of experience as an occupational therapist assistant, having worked in rehab centers and skilled nursing facilities. In this work, she helped patients improve and maintain their strength, mobility, self-care practices, independence, mood, daily living skills, confidence, and overall quality of life by following a direct plan of action, and providing individualized support, empathy, and care to them and their families.
She earned an associate’s degree in occupational therapy assistant from Saint Philips College in San Antonio, Texas, and a bachelor’s degree in Mexican American studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Rosemary continues to be an inspiration of hope and resilience for her clients and their families.