Committed to Excellence
Our vision therapists are highly trained in the most advanced vision training techniques available. Each week they come together to participate in 90-minute learning lab workshops. During the Learning Labs, they review cases with the doctors and practice procedures.
To become a certified vision therapist requires years of study, over 2000 contact hours, and passing a series of tests that include writing several essay papers, passing a written test, and successfully defending their papers during an oral examination in front of a panel of acclaimed doctors who have received fellowship from The Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association.
Our vision therapist training program serves as an international model for doctors around the world. The Vision Development Team has hosted doctors and therapists from Australia, India, Spain, Canada, and from across the USA, all who have come to The Vision Development Team to learn more about our award winning approach to training vision skills.
Request an AppointmentPatti Andrich, OTR/L, COVT, CINPP, FNAP
Clinical Manager, Occupational Therapist
Clinical Manager, business owner, occupational therapist and certified optometric vision therapist; Patti is an internationally honored vision therapist, researcher, lecturer, keynote speaker, and author. She is known worldwide for her success in treating individuals with sensorimotor processing disorders. She was named, Vision Therapist of the Year 2020.
Patti received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University College of Education and her occupational therapy degree from the Cleveland State University. She has studied abroad at the Institute of Scandinavian Physical Culture in Viborg, Denmark, and The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester, UK. Patti holds certifications in vision therapy, auditory processing, neurofeedback, and reflex integration.
She received her certification in vision therapy through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Today she serves on several advisory boards relating to vision in the United States and in Asia and is a member of The National Academies of Practice, The International Sports Vision Association, The Optometric Extension Program, and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.
Patti Andrich is the founder of the Sensory Foundations Program, a neuro- sensorimotor program that helps adults and children integrate active primitive reflexes and gain postural stability. Patti specializes in improving the lives of individuals with attention, behavioral, coordination, visual, auditory, vestibular and/or emotional regulation challenges.
Rob Truscott, COVT
Rob is a graduate of Kent State University, where he attained his bachelor’s degree in business administration while studying economics and business management. Although he enjoyed his work, he didn’t find his true professional passion until he discovered The Vision Development Team. It was when his own daughter, who at the time was a patient in our practice, began training her vision that Rob was able to see firsthand, as a father, the impact that vision therapy made in his daughter’s life. Soon after, he began his training to become a vision therapist. Rob started his career with the Vision Development Team in 2011.
Within a couple of years of working as a vision therapist he knew, there was no going back and that he had found his professional purpose. Rob eagerly completed the scholarly requirements and achieved the prestigious status of becoming a certified optometric vision therapist (COVT) in 2013.
Now Rob volunteers as a mentor for others, around the country who are working to achieve their certification in vision therapy. Rob also serves as a presenter for the Realeyes Program, in local schools, to teach children about their vision. Realeyes is a classroom education program created by the Ohio Optometric Association through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health Save Our Sight Fund. Additionally, he often helps his community by volunteering for the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Reunion and Autism Speaks Walk.
Kristine Augaitis, COVT
Miss Kristine met the Andrich Family when helping to take care of their youngest son. Kristine was a natural teacher and was looking for a career in child development. The Andrich’s easily identified her exceptional potential to become a vision therapist. After their youngest son went to school, Kristine was encouraged to move forward with the requirements to become a vision therapist. In 2015, she joined the practice. Kristine continued her studies and has earned the prestigious ranking of becoming a Certified Vision Therapist through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Kristine has also attained Vision Development Team certifications in Primitive Reflex Integration and Vision Therapy Skills. Additionally, she is a certified provider of The Listening Program.
Kristine has an extraordinary way of connecting with her patients. She is passionate about her work and has been instrumental in many people’s lives as they have gained the needed skills to thrive in their own lives. She has a gentle, kind, and fun personality as she leads her patients to gain abilities that were once out of reach.
In her spare time, Kristine enjoys spending time with her family, putting together puzzles, playing board games, spending time outside and rallying behind the Cleveland sports teams!
Sandy Todd, COVT
Miss Sandy was inspired by the Truscott family to enter our world of helping individuals feel the joy of success. Sandy has been a team member since 2012. As a mother of two beautiful daughters, one with special needs, Sandy immediately fell in love with our practice. She knew that she was entering a purpose-driven profession. Sandy patiently and artfully inspires the client to thrive as they develop their visual capacities. She has vast experiences working with individuals of all ages and enjoys assisting her clients in improving their sensory integrative abilities. The lives that are touched by Sandy have gone on to make a difference in the world. Sandy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Education with a minor in Art from the University of Akron. Since then she has achieved the distinguished honor of becoming a Certified Vision Therapist through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She also holds a certification in auditory processing through Advanced Brain Technologies. Sandy brings fun to the office, as she develops the monthly themes and games that make training visual skills exciting for our clients.While at home, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and her rescued black Labrador/border collie. You might also find her reading, crafting, and loving life!
Marybeth Brailer, OTR/L, OVT
Marybeth is a 1989 graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings over the past 35 years —from Long Term Care to Acute Care Rehab., to Chiropractic Offices. She has experience working with individuals of all ages and abilities. Her skill set is vast and includes cranial sacral therapy, performing preschool screenings, sensory integration, and providing comprehensive shoulder rehabilitation.
Marybeth’s love for neurology and her specialization in Comprehensive Shoulder Rehab have filled her career, however, this all came to a screeching halt when she discovered The Vision Development Team! Marybeth was thrilled to start a new adventure and join The Vision Development Team where she provides vision therapy services and Primitive Reflex Evaluations.
In her spare time, Marybeth enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at her church, playing the piano, cheering on her beloved Cleveland Browns, and being outdoors doing anything!!
Marybeth is grateful for the opportunity to be able to assist her clients differently now—enhancing their lives by teaching them the vision skills needed to excel in their Activities of Daily Living.
Retirement is not in her future thanks to Dr. Andrich, Patti, and the wonderful Vision Therapists at VDT!!!
Leah Flaherty, OVT
Vision Therapist | Dedicated to Improving Lives through Vision Therapy
With 18 years of experience as an Emergency Room Registered Nurse and Certified Trauma Nurse, I’ve always been driven by a passion for helping people in their most critical moments. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of compassionate care and the profound impact it has on people’s lives. But when I discovered The Vision Development Team, I found a new way to help individuals—and it quickly became clear that this was the next chapter of my professional journey.
I joined the VDT team because I wholeheartedly believe in the program and the incredible difference it can make. The changes I’ve witnessed in patients—whether it’s improved reading ability, enhanced coordination, or a renewed sense of confidence—have been nothing short of miraculous. It’s truly a blessing to have this life-changing therapy available right here in Northeast Ohio, where I can support individuals in reaching their fullest potential.
What inspires me most is the dedication and perseverance of the clients I work with. Their hard work and commitment to their vision therapy programs mirror my own passion for helping them succeed. We work together as a team, and their progress fuels my drive to give my best every day. I am also continually inspired by the amazing VDT team—the collective effort, encouragement, and genuine care we show each other makes every success even sweeter.
When I’m not helping patients improve their vision and lives, you’ll find me with my family, cheering on our beloved Cleveland Guardians! We’re diehard fans, and there’s nothing like bonding over a great game with the people I love.
Helping people see the world in a new way is a privilege—and I’m honored to be a part of this transformative process, helping individuals improve not just their vision, but their lives.
Monica Alioa, OVT
Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University and a Master’s degree from St. Louis University. Before joining The Vision Development Team, Monica worked as a Licensed Social Worker and mental health therapist, providing compassionate care to individuals across all age groups and diverse backgrounds. Her work has consistently focused on helping people manage and enhance their emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Today, Monica combines her expertise in psychology with The Vision Development Team’s award-winning vision training program. Her role centers on helping clients build the visual skills necessary to experience the world in a whole new way. Reflecting on her journey, Monica shared, “At The Vision Development Team, I’m constantly inspired by the progress our clients make. I truly enjoy helping others overcome their daily challenges, grow their confidence, and transform how they see and engage with the world.”
Bojan Andrich, OVT
Bojan is a dynamic professional who bridges his personal passions to his work. A skier, high-performance driver education enthusiast, mountain biker, and basketball player, he applies the same vision skills he teaches to clients when tracking his car or competing in esports. As the director of the Sensory-Focus Sports Vision Training Program, he works with athletes of all levels, from recreational participants to elite professionals, including professional basketball players and baseball players, helping them enhance their performance through tailored vision strategies.
Bojan excels in connecting with his clients, making vision training not only effective but also fun. He takes the time to explain the purpose of each exercise, helping clients understand how these vision drills can directly impact their performance. This approach fosters engagement and trust, allowing his clients to embrace the process with enthusiasm.
An international speaker, Bojan shares his expertise on visual perception, vision development, and sports vision. His connection to this field is deeply personal—he grew up in the practice, undergoing vision therapy himself as a child. As the son of Patti Andrich and Dr. Alex Andrich, he continues their legacy of excellence and innovation in vision care.
Destiny Payne, OVT
Destiny is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at Shawnee State University. Her first experience with The Vision Development Team was as a child, witnessing firsthand how vision therapy transformed her younger brother’s life. Years later, while completing graduate school with a research focus on vision, Destiny found herself back at The Vision Development Team, this time as part of the team! That full-circle moment sparked a deep passion for the powerful role vision plays in daily life.
Inspired by the team’s sensory-focused approach, Destiny knew she had found the place where she could make a real difference. She is passionate about vision therapy because she has seen its life-changing impact through her brother and in the lives of the patients she now supports. Whether working with children or adults of varying abilities, she finds purpose in helping individuals strengthen the visual skills needed for everyday function, learning, and confidence.
Destiny values the creativity and personalized care that go into every session and loves being part of a team that prioritizes meaningful connection and growth. In her free time, Destiny enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and being outdoors.
