Bio

Michelle DeJesus, MS OTR/L (she/her/hers) is a pediatric occupational therapist in Miami, FL. Her experience spans across various pediatric settings including a hospital-based pediatric rehabilitation center, prescribed pediatric extended care centers (PPEC), private practice, and home health. She most recently launched her own home-based private practice called Neuplay Therapy where she is able to serve children in their natural environment or via telemedicine with an emphasis on providing family-centered care that is rooted in evidenced and brain-based approaches.

Michelle has pursued several trainings and certifications in her years of practice pertaining to pediatric brain development, neuroplasticity techniques, iLS focus system, constraint-induced movement therapy, family-centered care, and reflex integration. Aside from her clinical role as an OT, Michelle is passionate about promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) initiatives through her role as a national board member of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). Through COTAD, she has presented to several universities across the nation on various topics including working with Latine/x youth and families and promoting family-centered care in pediatric settings.

As a Latina OT, Michelle strongly believes in the power of mentorship, representation and entrepreneurship to pave paths for emerging leaders of diverse backgrounds. She utilizes social media and her blog Michelledot.com to mentor underrepresented students and promote action towards a more equitable and inclusive profession and practice.