About Me

Hello,

My name is Dr. Aleek Karkazian, OTD, OTR/L.

I am passionate about providing high-quality, personalized, evidence-based health and wellness support to clients with various diagnoses.

I use my personal experiences with sensory processing differences and my knowledge as an occupational therapist, along with the latest evidence-based interventions, to support clients in their wellness journeys.

I have been an occupational therapist since 2015. My past work experiences include school-based pediatrics, community mental health, and community-based adult services. I completed my doctorate in occupational therapy in May 2021.

I have earned a specialized microcredential in Autism from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), recognizing my knowledge in evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming care

I'm so glad you are here!

-Dr. Aleek

she/her/hers What is this?

My
Story

As someone with sensory processing disorder, I know firsthand what it means to have sensory needs that differ from the general population. I have seen the significant positive impact that learning about your (or your child's) sensory needs can have on day-to-day happiness and functioning.

With 6 years of experience working with the pediatric population in a school setting, I have developed expertise in educating children, parents, and educators about sensory processing/ sensory differences, as well as implementing sensory diets into the school routine.

Based on my personal experiences in college, graduate school, and entering the workforce, I have observed that there are distinct needs and lifestyle characteristics among teenagers and young & middle-aged adults with sensory processing differences. Sensory differences often add another layer of complexity to managing multiple transitions and the added demands/ roles of these life stages.

I am passionate about supporting people through the various stages of life and empowering them with the tools, skills, and knowledge to lead a meaningful and happy life.

Educational Background

2018-2021

Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
Boston University

After gaining a few years of work experience, I decided to pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. The focus of my doctoral project was health management/ self-management in young and middle-aged adults. The title is "Thriving with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A Self-Management Program for Young and Middle-Aged Adults with RA"

Link to Dissertation

2013- 2015

Master of Arts
University of Southern California

I obtained my Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from USC, one of the top occupational therapy graduate programs in the country. I passed my board exams and became a licensed occupational therapist in December 2015.

2009-2012

Bachelor of Arts
University of California Berkeley

I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

Specialized Education & Training

I prioritize staying up to date on the latest evidence-based interventions to ensure that my clients get high-quality, effective services and treatments when they come to me. I take courses in multiple areas related to health and wellness because I believe in a holistic approach to wellness.

Neurodivergence & Self-Regulation

I have 6 years of experience in the school setting, working with kids and teens with a variety of diagnoses on self-regulation and developing sensory diets.

I have taken the following courses related to those needs and related diagnoses:

Sensory Integration theory: I took a semester-long Sensory Integration course during my Master's program at USC.
Differentiating Sensory from Behavior
Pediatric Yoga And Mindfulness
Life Management Series: Lifestyle Redesign® for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Across the Spectrum
Complementary Interventions for Autism, Asperger’s, Sensory & ADHD in Children & Adolescents
Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, & Dysgraphia- An Integrated Approach
Executive Function and Self-Regulation
Meeting Sensory Needs in the General Education Classroom: A Researched-Based Approach
Developing and Implementing Effective Sensory Diets for Children and Teens
Sensory Processing Disorder in Adults

Lifestyle Management & Health Promotion

Over the past few years, I have taken courses in the following topics:

Pain Management: 41 hours of continuing education (CE)
Women's Health: 10.5 hours of CE
Stress Management: 6 hours of CE
Physical Activity: 6 hours of CE
Lifestyle Modification: 16 hours of CE.
Additionally, I have taken a semester-long Lifestyle Redesign® course during my Master's program at USC.

Professional OT Experience

2022- Present

Community-Based Adult Services

ADHC of Fresno & Clovis | Fresno CBAS | ADHC of Madera

-Created and lead an Arthritis and a Stroke class -Conduct initial/ reassessments and create individualized treatment plans for participants -Supervise the provision of occupational therapy care provided to participants -Train and supervise program aides who are providing the maintenance program -Documentation, such as progress notes and quarterly notes -Work collaboratively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and make referrals to other disciplines as needed -Provide education to participants and their families in skills and functions essential for promoting patient independence and improved quality of life.

2016- 2021

School-based Pediatrics

Fresno Unified School District

-Managed caseload of 35-65 students, ages 3-18 -Administered standardized and non-standardized assessments, wrote evaluation reports, and determined the need for services -Created and implemented treatment plans for meeting student goals -Attended and presented at IEP and IEE meetings -Worked collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support student growth and goal achievement -Created handouts, home programs, and “home kits” to assist parents with understanding and applying OT recommendations -Collaborated with and provided education for teachers/ staff to improve the implementation of strategies/ recommendations -Facilitated evidence-based practice for district-wide autism program by conducting a literature review of current research and preparing a presentation of findings for review by the Autism Team.