Haviva Siegel

Physical Therapy

Past/current experiences working in the field of disabilities:

When I was an adolescent I was involved in volunteering with peers with disabilities in a number of capacities, both educational and recreational. I progressed to tutoring peers with learning disabilities in high school, and went on to become a certified elementary education teacher. I enjoyed teaching children with all different learning styles, strengths and challenges, and working with their families to support them in school. I am currently studying to reach my goal of supporting families and children with disabilities through providing high quality pediatric physical therapy services. I am also currently involved with an IDEA grant focused on training physical and occupational therapists to be highly qualified Early Intervention and School Based therapists.

Goals for your LEND training experience:

I will improve my clinical skills while working with families, as well as learn how to advocate for my patients/clients amidst the current healthcare changes and future changes. I would also like to learn how to impact the policy to support participation for people of all different abilities in their health care decisions. I want to be able to help families navigate through transitions from EI to School and into adulthood.

What you wish to contribute, in the future, as a professional/family member in the field:

I look forward to being a leader in EI or school based physical therapy and setting an example with high quality of care and communication and bringing all of my past experience into my clinical practice. Eventually, I would like to serve as an educator teaching other therapists and service providers how to interact effectively and with cultural competence. I would also like to help train up coming professionals at how to work effectively as a medical/school team to support children and their families.