About Me
When I had my daughter, I suddenly found myself on the other side of the therapy process—not only as an occupational therapist, but also as a parent. I quickly realized how frustrating it can be to wait for evaluations, referrals, and services while wanting to help your child right away. I wished there had been one place where I could find clear, practical information that I could begin using immediately—something beyond waiting lists, paperwork, and generalized advice.
That experience inspired me to create CU in OT.
My goal is to make pediatric occupational therapy information accessible, easy to understand, and practical for everyday family life. Whether you are looking for sensory strategies, feeding support, fine motor activities, early-development information, local resources, or simply a better understanding of your child’s needs, I hope this site helps you feel more informed and confident.
If this resource helps even one family feel better supported and empowered, then it is worth it.
Thank you for being here. I’m so glad you found CU in OT!
Hi, I’m Alison, a pediatric and neonatal occupational therapist based in the Champaign-Urbana area. I created CU in OT as a resource for families, caregivers, and professionals looking to better understand pediatric occupational therapy, child development, feeding, sensory processing, and the supports available within our community.
Welcome to CU in OT!
How I Found My Passion for OT
My journey into occupational therapy began in high school when I started volunteering in a special education classroom. I spent my open period there nearly every day for four years, helping students and learning alongside their teachers and therapists. One day each week, the occupational therapist’s schedule overlapped with mine, allowing me to see firsthand how OT helped children with disabilities participate more fully in their daily lives.
From adaptive equipment and sensory strategies to fine motor development and functional skill-building, I was fascinated by the creativity and purpose behind occupational therapy. I knew then that it was the career I wanted to pursue.
I earned both my bachelor’s degree in occupational science and my master’s degree in occupational therapy from Saint Louis University. One of the most influential parts of my education was completing a clinical rotation in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, where I worked with medically complex and premature infants. That experience sparked a lasting passion for neonatal therapy, infant development, feeding, and supporting children and their families from the very beginning of life.
My Professional Journey
After graduating, I began my career in adult acute care, working in the hospital setting during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience strengthened my clinical reasoning and gave me valuable experience working with medically complex patients in critical-care and rehabilitation environments. However, my heart remained in pediatrics, and I eventually transitioned into pediatric occupational therapy full time.
I currently work as an occupational therapist in the neonatal intensive care unit at Carle, where I support premature and medically complex infants through neurodevelopmental care, positioning, sensory support, feeding development, caregiver education, and preparation for life beyond the NICU.
I also continue to work within the Illinois Early Intervention system through Positive Outcomes. My Early Intervention work allows me to partner with families of children from birth to age three, identify developmental strengths and needs, and provide practical strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines. While transitioning into my NICU role, my Early Intervention work is primarily focused on completing developmental evaluations.
Working in both neonatal care and Early Intervention allows me to support infants and young children across a meaningful continuum—from their earliest days in the hospital through development and participation within their homes and communities.
Outside of direct clinical care, I serve as Co-Coordinator of the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association’s Early Intervention Special Interest Section and as a member of the ILOTA Full Board. I am also involved with local and statewide groups focused on strengthening services, resources, and systems of support for young children and their families.
CU in OT is an independent educational resource created from my combined experiences as an occupational therapist, Early Intervention provider, neonatal therapist, community member, and parent.
Contact me
Interested in more information? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!