Shelby Surfas

Shelby Surfas is an Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC), with a joint appointment in the Keck School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics. She serves as Director of Occupational Therapy at the USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Her clinical expertise focuses on pediatrics, particularly autism spectrum disorders and neurodevelopmental disabilities through her role at the Boone Fetter Autism Clinic, an Autism Treatment Network site. Dr. Surfas has expanded occupational therapy services for children with mental health needs at UCEDD, establishing collaborations with local Head Start programs to provide educational resources on autism and sensory integration.

Education:

• OTD, University of Southern California (2006)
• MA in Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California (2004)
• BA in Psychology, Lake Forest College (2001)

Research & Teaching: She teaches child development at USC and provides advanced continuing education in sensory integration, autism, and interdisciplinary assessments. Her 2022 publication, a chapter in An Evidence-Based Guide to Combining Interventions with Sensory Integration in Pediatric Practice, highlights her contributions to clinical practice.

Clinical Contributions: Her work emphasizes bridging research and clinical practice, particularly through the Boone Fetter Autism Clinic and UCEDD initiatives. She has developed educational materials for educators and families addressing autism and sensory integration in classroom settings.