Allison, OTR/L

Allison has been an occupational therapist for over 13 years, following completion of her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2005 at Tufts University in Boston, MA. As part of that degree, she completed a 13-week full-time internship at Franciscan Hospital for Children. There she evaluated and provided services for children with special needs who attended school at the hospital, as well as providing early intervention OT services for kids and babies ages 0-3 at their homes or daycare environments.

Less than a year after graduating, Allison moved to London lived there for 8 years.  Her experience during this time included Orthopedic, Hand Therapy, Older Adults, Acute & Stroke Rehab, and eventually Team Leader for a Community Stroke Rehab Team for 5 years.

Upon returning to the USA in 2013, Allison re-entered the setting of early intervention and pediatric occupational therapy services in NJ. She has worked with babies and young children in their home and daycare settings providing sensory integration services, gross and fine motor skill development, self-regulation techniques, self-help/adaptive skill development, and improving attention skills. Allison has worked with young children with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, and global developmental delays.

Allison focuses not only on developing and providing appropriate treatment for her pediatric clients, but also emphasizes family training, caregiver education, and provision of home strategies and programs.  Allison considers the development of a therapeutic relationship with each child to be closely tied to collaboration in setting goals and developing a treatment plan with that child’s caregiver. She encourages parents/guardians/caregivers to stay in close communication throughout the child’s therapy journey.

Allison has two young boys, a 6 and almost 2 year old, who keep her on her toes. Challenges Allison has experienced in her role as a mom have included lip and tongue ties, issues with both breast and bottle feeding, speech delays, sensory difficulties, and developmental hip dysplasia. Allison and her family have recently moved to the Triangle area from NJ and are enjoying their new home and exploring the area.