Shelby Surfas, OTD, OTR/L

CA-LEND Title

Occupational Therapy Discipline Director

UCEDD Title

Program Area Lead and Director of Occupational Therapy

Academic Title

• Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California
• Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California

Other Titles

Lead Occupational Therapist, Boone Fetter Clinic, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Contact Information:

4650 Sunset Blvd. MS #53
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Clinical Expertise

• Autism
• Sensory Integration
• Developmental Coordination Disorder
• Play
• Mental Health

Advocacy Focus

• Leadership Training
• Occupational Therapists as Licensed Mental Health Providers - CA

Research Interests

• Relationship across Sensory Integration and Mental Health
• Interdisciplinary Teams and Training Activities

Select Publications

Blanche-Kiefer, Dominique, and Surfas, Shelby, Author and Videographer. A. Jean Ayres: The Pioneer Behind Sensory Integration. 2010. DVD. Pediatric Therapy Network, 2010.

Pitts A*, Wills H, Clarke N, Surfas S, Poulsen MK, Aller S, Daley B, Smith KA, Yin L.Interdisciplinary Care and Rett Syndrome: Ambulatory Status and Health. National Academies of Practice. National Conference. Washington D.C. March 23, 2012.

Earhart J, Williams M, Lalezari S, Surfas S.  Service and Training Implications of an Early Childhood Interdisciplinary Assessment Clinic. Zero to Three Conference. National Conference. Los Angeles, CA. November 29, 2012

Professional Memberships

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
• The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
• Occupational Therapy Association of California

Education and Training

• OTD, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California
• Advanced Practice S.I.P.T. Certification, Los Angeles, CA
• MA, Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California
• BA, Psychology, Lake Forest College, IL