I have been an occupational therapist for 23 years with extensive experience in working with children with special needs and their families.I use a family centered approach in my treatments. I have lectured at the University of Illinois-Chicago and have served as adjunct faculty at Winston-Salem State University. I have also collaborated in clinical research, presented a short course at the AOTA, and presented several poster presentations at the Annual Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars on sensory processing.
I completed my post-professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at the University Of Illinois-Chicago (USA) and my post-professional Masters in Health Rehabilitation from University of Pittsburgh (USA). I received my Bachelors with Honors from University of Teeside (UK) and Diploma in Occupational Therapy from Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore). My graduate studies focused on sensory integration theory, autism and evidence-based practice. I have completed two Maternal and Child Health fellowships in Interdisciplinary Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities (LEND) with a focus in autism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Illinois-Chicago. In 2006, my LEND fellowship project was focused on outreach to physicians to promote the Learn the Signs Act Early campaign for autism from the Center of Disease Control (CDC). As part of my fellowship training in 2012, I presented a policy brief on “Planning and demonstration grant for services for children, transitioning youth and adults with autism” to Illinois representatives in Capitol Hill, Washington, DC and presented my research project on preemie babies with sensory processing issues. My post-professional masters clinical preceptorship was completed at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh with a focus on sensory integration, and my post-professional doctorate in advanced clinical specialization was completed at the Centro Ann Sullivan Del Peru, in Lima, Peru. I am the owner of Healing Synergy LLC which provides high quality occupational therapy treatment that is evidence-based and family-centered. I conduct workshops, e-courses, telehealth and home treatment sessions. I am the author of “The SI Solution: The Definitive Family Guide to Thriving During Sensory Integration Dysfunction” (www.TheSISolution.com) and run a 4 week online e-course “The Sensory Revolution: Empowering Parents to Thrive during Sensory Integration Dysfunction” (www.TheSensoryRevolution.com). |
Parent Coaching for the Sensory Child
Parenting a child with sensory processing issues can be complex and challenging. There are daily challenges that families have to manage from activities of daily living, emotional outbursts to having another family member get on board with understanding the sensory needs. Parent coaching provides the guidance and support that parents of sensory children need to feel empowered as confident “expert” advocates for their children. Parent coaching is not intended to replace occupational therapy for the child but rather supplement services they are already getting. Parent coaching can be provided both via Telehealth/ in person.