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ABOUT

Get to Know Me
and My Philosophy

Pediatric OT

Explanation of certifications

  1. CPAM: Certified in Physical Agents and Modalities        Physical agents and modalities refer to thermal and electrical treatment practices to improve and develop muscle function. These include hot packs, paraffin, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), and Functional Electrical Stimulation  (FES). This certification is achieved through 45 contact hours of continuing education in addition to supervised treatment applications.

  2. C/NDT: Certified Neurodevelopmental Treatment Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) is a holistic and interdisciplinary clinical practice model based on movement analysis for habilitation (developing skills not previously developed) and rehabilitation (regaining skills lost through illness or injury) with neurological challenges. In-depth knowledge of the human movement system, understanding typical and atypical developmental, and expertise in the analysis of postural control/ movement/ activity/ participation throughout the lifespan are cornerstones of NDT. Certification is achieved after the successful completion of an 8-week intensive course and continuing certification of 20 hours of professional education every three years. 

  3. Occupational therapists are registered with the National Board of Certified Occupational Therapists after board examination and registered every three years after meeting ongoing required professional education. (OTR)

  4. Licensing is required in the State of Maryland reflecting completion of professional development criteria every two years allowing use of /L indicating active licensure. 

  5. Infant and Toddler certification is achieved in the State of Maryland through 45 hours or more of professional education needed for early childhood professionals providing care to infants and toddlers.

MY APPROACH

Before meeting my little patients, I prefer to do an intake with the parent prior to our first meeting. This 10-minute phone interview focuses on your child. Their interests, hobbies, activities, favorite characters, subjects, and games/toys. How do they currently deal with challenges?

 

I have met patients in princess gowns and superhero outfits. We complete silly games, jokes or walks to establish a rapport where your child feels we are a team to make their challenges easier or exceed past them. They need to trust me as I present changes and new challenges to prompt them to say "I did it!!" When a child understands their body, the pride and mastery they gain is tremendous!

 

Once that rapport is established with the therapist, parent participation is critical. I prefer to have parents in treatment sessions to very subtly bring attention to observed progress or challenges to help you support your child outside therapy sessions. Therapy is a place to grow, take a "risk", make mistakes, and feel comfortable on the journey to improve function while we have a good time!

ABOUT ME

Erin Sharkey Gormley OTR/L,

C/NDT, CPAM

Pediatric Specialist

Erin Sharkey Gormley OTR/L
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As an experienced Pediatric Occupational Therapist with expertise in developmental intervention and neuromuscular treatment, I have had the profound honor and pleasure to work with children and their families for over 30 years. 15 of those years were with Kennedy Krieger Institute in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The children I see include those with very mild developmental delay or mild handwriting issues to those with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, hemiplegia, and neurologic or orthopedic diagnoses.

 

My previous areas of practice have included private practice, pediatric inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, early intervention, and school-based services. Private parent consultations are also made for developmental play skills and activities to promote development.

 

Certifications

  • CPAM- Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner Credentialing Agency, LLC (PAMPCA) 2018

  • C/NDT- Neurodevelopmental Treatment 8-week Course in Treatment of Children with Neurologic Dysfunction Certificate (NDTA) 1995

  • Occupational Therapist Registered 

  • Occupational Therapist Licensed, Maryland 1992-present

  • Infant and Toddler Certified in Maryland

Pediatric OT
Cerebral palsy
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
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