Shelby Surfas, OTD, OTR/L, Program Area Lead, Occupational Therapy Program
Shelby Surfas, Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California, is a specialist in the area of pediatrics and currently serves as the Director of Occupational Therapy at the USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) based at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She is an active clinician with the Boone Fetter Autism Clinic, an Autism Treatment Network site which operates as a diagnostic, clinical and research center for autism and other Neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.
In her role with the USC UCEDD, Dr. Surfas has primarily addressed a nationally prevalent gap in occupational therapy services for children with mental health needs. The UCEDD program, which has quintupled since her inception, provides awareness and education, along with direct and consultative services. A new relationship with local Head Start programs has developed into presentations of continuing education lectures and brochure materials on the topics of autism and sensory integration in the classroom for educators and the families they serve. She has taught child development in the Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science Department at the University of Southern California, along with continuing education in advance practice for sensory integration, autism, and interdisciplinary assessments. Her recent publication, "A. Jean Ayres: The Pioneer Behind Sensory Integration," is now available as a teaching tool for professionals and families as a model of dedication, leadership, and achievement of excellence in life.
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