Gail Valiente

Brooklyn-based occupational therapist

Meet Gail

  • Gail’s philosophy as an occupational therapist centers around the whole person. Through her holistic approach, she fosters independence and self-confidence in her students so they can flourish in their academic and social lives. She empowers students with an individualized toolbox to achieve goals they’ve set together (often with the help of parents and teachers). Ultimately, Her mission is to get kids and young adults ready to learn and thrive.

    Gail is a New York State licensed Occupational Therapist, who earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University, and her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University.

    Through her experiences working in sensory gyms, school, home, and Telehealth settings, she has found that her passion is taking a collaborative approach to occupational therapy. For her, that not only includes working with school-aged children, but also sharing knowledge with parents and teachers through lectures and workshops. Her goal is to create a community that not only understands OT, but is working together to create the best atmosphere for all children, parents/caregivers, and teachers alike.

    As the oldest of five, Gail quickly realized that everyone learns differently, and everyone has different strengths and interests. Gail helps kids tap into those while working through challenges, and often turning areas of difficulty into strengths.

    A Brooklyn native, Gail loves the borough so much that she has always lived here (except for a brief stint in the Chicagoland area during college and immediately after). In her free time, she enjoys cycling, yoga, cooking, and spending time with family and friends (ideally outdoors). Since recently becoming a mom, Gail’s favorite thing to do is hang out with her daughter Sydney.

APPROACHES

Through “just right challenges,” Gail and her students work together to build a unique toolbox so they can be independent in the areas that are important to them, particularly in academic and social settings.

  • EXECUTIVE FUNCTION

    Doing what’s important in a way that makes sense, and getting it all done completely and efficiently.

    • Mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember, and juggle multiple tasks.

    • Time management, and ability to shift focus.

    • Specific strategies to improve organization, task initiation and follow through.

  • SENSORY-BASED SELF-REGULATION

    Making sense of what’s going on inside and outside of our bodies so we can best regulate and respond to whatever comes up in our world.

    • Processing information from the body and the environment to optimize emotional-regulation, learning, and participation in daily life.

  • WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

    Clearly and effectively sharing ideas through writing.

    • Graphomotor development, or motor processes that are necessary for writing, coloring or drawing.

    • Organization of ideas (understanding how to organize written ideas, how to get started, and how to self-edit).

SERVICES

Gail works with students of all ages, many with diagnoses including ADHD, Autism, and Dysgraphia. One of her favorite parts of being an OT is helping students understand themselves better, and empowering them to find strategies that work for their unique learning style.

  • Individual Occupational Therapy

    1:1 occupational therapy to address sensory processing, motor skills, written communication, and executive functioning. Unless otherwise specified, the first few sessions will involve assessment and specific goal setting. Subsequent sessions will be tailored to your child based on the goals identified.

  • Classroom Consultation

    Observations in the child’s typical school environment to provide insight into what is going on during the school day, areas of strength and difficulty, and potential reasons behind behaviors. These observations are typically followed up with a parent and teacher consultation, to share findings and provide strategies.

  • Minicourse For Kids And Teens

    Sequences of classes, which are social in nature, but are also a self-study.  Students learn about the science behind their sensory systems through activities and discussion. They uncover the what and why behind their individual preferences, and have fun connecting with peers in the process.

  • Lectures And Workshops For Adults

    Tailored lectures and workshops for Teachers, Parents and Caregivers. Past workshop topics have included: fine motor skills for preschoolers, graphomotor development for elementary schoolers, and sensory integration and processing.

  • Parent Consultation

    Phone or video call to identify strategies to support your child in various areas of their life, including homework, organization, play, and sensory needs.