Parents come to my clinic seeking practical tools for a deeper developmental understanding of their children, while also strengthening the child’s skills during intervention. I have decades of experience working with young children facing challenges in communication, social interaction, sensory-motor, cognitive and emotional development. The clinic provides comprehensive support, from the diagnostic stage to intervention and ongoing practice at home.
Throughout the sessions, parents receive professional and empowering guidance that helps them recharge and adapt to their child’s development. Following a comprehensive assessment of the child’s strengths, needs, and interests, I create a unique treatment plan that incorporates personalized play, movement, and creative activities. Through fun and shared play experiences, the child’s motivation increases, enabling learning and positive change.
As an internationally recognized autism researcher with rich clinical and research experience, I believe that parents are pivotal agents of change in supporting their children’s development. I focus on parents’ ability to observe and understand their child's developmental needs. In my clinic, parents actively participate in sessions and gain tools to better understand their child’s abilities and learn to adapt practice at home. My work integrates techniques from various sensory-motor, cognitive, social-emotional approaches according to the needs of the child and family. As an occupational therapist, I value direct work on daily functions (such as play, crafts, and eating) as a way to practice milestones (such as non-verbal communication and fine motor skills) needed for independence. I promote developmental progress through daily routines to ensure regular and natural practice. Play is a central tool in my work, providing a way to challenge the child and enhance his/her self-efficacy in facing challenges. Early childhood is a critical period for intervention, as the brain is flexible, and the capacity for adaptation is high. In my practice, I combine direct intervention with the child, parent-child sessions, and parent coaching. As a researcher at heart, I implement evidence-based methods, integrating scientifically studied assessment and therapy methods with clinical experience to create an intervention plan tailored to meet each patient’s unique profile.
I earned my Sc.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from Boston University in 2007 and completed my post-doctoral studies in the psychology departments of the University of Haifa and the University of Mass in 2010. Since age 15, I have worked with families of children with special needs, finding deep satisfaction in both small and large achievements. Initially, I volunteered in home-based programs following the Sun-Rise approach, learning to encourage the child’s initiative and choice through intensive work with in-home teams. I graduated with an MA in Special Education from the Hebrew University in 2002 and completed a BOT in Occupational Therapy there in 1997. My career includes work as an occupational therapist in a school for autistic children as well as in a boarding school for blind children with complex needs. Over the years, I have pursued specialized training, including feeding therapy, the COOP approach, autism screening and diagnosis, and early intervention for young children with autism.
For the past twenty years, I have taught and supervised students at the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences at the University of Haifa. As a senior faculty member, I have managed major research projects, including a developmental monitoring application, early autism detection using innovative technology, and studies on the relationship between sensory regulation, anxiety, and parenting. My research papers which have been published in professional literature including specific articles of interest to parents are available upon request.
My work incorporates principles from a variety of approaches I have studied over the years. I don’t adhere to a single approach which allows flexibility in aligning my methods with the specific goals of the client and family, and tailoring them to the child’s responses to these methods.
In working with young children, it’s essential to create a therapeutic environment that promotes development. This means starting from the child’s current developmental stage in terms of communication, sensory-motor skills, emotional, and cognitive abilities. Intervention sessions are structured so that interactions and tasks gradually increase in difficulty. The types of play used in intervention allow the child to work on developmental skills step by step. I also guide parents in understanding their child’s behavior from a developmental perspective.
Children up to age six with suspected or diagnosed autism can benefit greatly from an intensive process that enriches their daily lives with countless developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. In working with families, I help tailor interactions so the child can participate, imitate, and enjoy shared play. Success in integrating developmental-emotional and behavioral approaches relies on early brain plasticity, especially in social-communicative and emotional skills.
For children with gross and fine motor difficulties, I integrate principles from motor learning, neurodevelopmental, cognitive-dynamic, and cognitive orientation approaches for daily occupational tasks. Using these principles allows me to shape the physical and verbal support needed for motor learning and its generalization.
For children with sensory and emotional regulation difficulties, I combine principles from sensory, behavioral, and cognitive approaches. Sensory regulation issues often co-occur with attentional and emotional regulation difficulties. Children sensitive to sounds or textures may also suffer from anxiety, impulsivity, and avoidance behaviors. It is essential to work towards the child’s and family’s short-term well-being while building a foundation for long-term well-being. Understanding the child’s patterns of avoidance and participation helps in this process.
Functional work is direct therapeutic work on the child’s daily life skills, including play, crafts, eating, dressing, and personal hygiene. I believe in the value of direct work on daily life skills as it allows practice of the steps needed for functional performance (e.g., communication, fine motor skills).
As a researcher at heart, I apply evidence-based practice, combining scientifically studied assessment and treatment methods with my clinical experience to design intervention tailored to the child’s unique profile. Every child brings a unique combination of strengths and challenges to practice. No client is identical, either in their medical profile, personality, or family environment.
Interior design and photography: Efrat Ben-Naeh