Laura Park-Figueroa

Programs and Courses Taught

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

OT732- Advanced Clinical Practice- Pediatrics; OT733- Health Promotion and Wellness; OT704- Integrative Seminar 4

About Me

Professor Park-Figueroa has worked in a wide variety of settings as a pediatric occupational therapist throughout her career, including outpatient pediatric rehabilitation, NICU, private clinics, homes, and public and private schools.  In 2016, she opened Outdoor Kids OT, a private OT practice specializing in nature-based small-group OT services for children (www.outdoorkidsot.com).  Her professional interests include sensory integration treatment, development of children’s creativity through play, complementary and alternative treatment approaches, growth mindset, and the impact of nature on participation in occupations of daily life.  She also loves learning about entrepreneurship, consulting, leadership, and education, and taking risks to put new ideas into practice.

Education

Professor Park-Figueroa is currently pursuing her PhD in occupational therapy at Texas Woman's University.  Her dissertation work focuses on the use of nature in pediatric OT service provision for young children with sensory processing challenges.

Teaching Interests

Pediatrics, Health & Wellness, Problem-Based Learning, Team-Based Learning

Scholarly Interests

Investigating the affordances of outdoor nature settings as a therapy environment for children's occupational therapy services.  Using inquiry-based learning in nature-based group OT services for children.  Efficacy of group vs. individual services for children with sensory processing challenges.  Parent coaching as a family-centered OT intervention approach. Active learning approaches in occupational therapy graduate education. 

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Occupational Therapy Association.  Occupational Therapy Association of California.  Children & Nature Network.

Community Service

Project Peace East Bay.  Children & Nature Network.