Our Vision
Empowering children, parents, and educators by integrating human development with education to create supportive environments where every child can thrive​​​
Our mission is to support the growth and development of children - and the adults who care for them.
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We empower parents and educators with knowledge and practical tools that help children thrive. These resources foster children’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, deepen understanding of neurodiversity and learning, and strengthen the systems that nurture growth for both children and adults.
Our programs focus on the complex relationship between a child’s environment, their individual skill development, and their beliefs. By addressing these interconnected areas, we help lay the foundation for every child to reach their full potential - at home, in school, and beyond.
Meet Dr Elizabeth Shaffer, OTD, OTR/L
Doctor of Occupational Therapy | Board-Certified Occupational Therapist | Chair, IFIP Specialist & Therapist Board Education
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Doctor of Occupational Therapy – Chatham University (Cum Laude)
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Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy – University of Pittsburgh (Cum Laude)
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Experience
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Chair, Specialist & Therapist Board – IFIP (2023–2024)
Led global initiatives to advance inclusive teaching and bridge policy with practice. -
Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Consultant – Therapeutic Innovations International (2012–2015)
Delivered therapy and training across Romania and Argentina
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Honors & Certifications
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IFIP Distinguished Fellow (2023)
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Dorothy Day Scholarship (2018)
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Board-Certified Occupational Therapist (NBCOT)
My Approach
My work is an interplay of knowledge gained in 25+ years of research and professional experience, plus my own personal journey. As a student who once struggled in the classroom and a parent raising two neurodivergent children, my lifelong passion is to promote and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional development of both children and adults. These experiences give me deep insight into the complex realities of learning, self-regulation, and resilience - and shape my commitment to helping others create environments where every child can flourish.
Holistic Perspective
Through my professional lens as an occupational therapist, I recognize that effective solutions must address the full picture of human development. Children are influenced by biological, sensory, emotional, social, and environmental factors that are deeply interconnected. Sustainable change requires understanding how these systems interact - and how adults can adapt to better support them.
Collaboration Across Systems
Our work spans individual and systemic levels. We collaborate with parents, educators, schools, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to bridge gaps between theory and practice. By partnering with diverse stakeholders - across private and government sectors - we aim to foster a shared understanding of child development that goes beyond traditional academic or behavioral frameworks.
Supporting Parents and Educators
We help individuals and teams develop the knowledge, empathy, and confidence to recognize the factors influencing learning, behavior, and emotional regulation.
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Educators:
Training and consultation to enhance classroom practices, improve inclusion, and support neurodiverse learners with research-informed strategies for self-regulation, resilience, and engagement.
​​Parents:
Resources and guidance to strengthen family relationships, manage stress, and model the emotional skills that help children thrive.
Organizational & Community Impact
At the organizational level, we design and implement systems that promote whole-child development, ensuring support structures are both compassionate and effective. Our approach values collaboration and diverse perspectives to explore innovative, sustainable solutions that truly meet children’s needs.
Our Goal
By considering the nuanced needs of individual development alongside the cultural and societal factors that shape our world, we create a more informed, balanced, and compassionate foundation for growth. Our aim is not only to help children succeed academically, but also to equip them - and the adults who guide them -with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with strength, adaptability, and confidence.
Our Programs
Parent-Centred Support
Parents play a vital role in a child’s development, yet few programs exist to support those doing their best to help children with extra needs.
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The Empowered Parent Pathway gives parents a solid foundation in physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This helps parents approach their child’s unique needs with calm, confidence, and clarity, while modeling these skills for their children.
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When parents are supported, the whole family thrives, creating a more resilient, connected, and empowered home environment.
School & Educator Support
Educators are among the most vital professionals in any society, shaping not only a child’s learning but also their personal growth and sense of self.
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Yet today’s teachers face increasing challenges - balancing diverse learner profiles, supporting students who struggle academically or emotionally, and addressing growing needs for self-regulation and self-agency - often without sufficient training or understanding of the underlying causes.
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The F.O.S.T.E.R. Student Success Professional Training Program is a comprehensive approach designed to equip educators with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to better understand and support every student in their classroom.
Connecting Parents, Educators, and Systems for Meaningful Change
Empowering Change Through Understanding
To truly impact child development, we must empower everyone involved: the parents, educators, and communities, to understand the underlying challenges children face:
Cultural Awareness
Recognizing how cultural shifts influence child development is crucial. Today, many children lack opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and unstructured play - essential components for developing coordination, communication skills, and independence.
Systemic Change
By fostering awareness and collaboration among parents, schools, and communities, we can work together to create environments that support healthy development. This includes advocating for policies that prioritize play, movement, and emotional well-being in educational settings.
Collaborative Solutions
We aim to break the cycle of dependency on external fixes by equipping families and educators with the tools they need to nurture development from within. By promoting understanding and cooperation, we can create a more supportive and responsive system for all children.
Developing innovative and sustainable solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also create lasting change
Personal Experience
My experiences as a child in the educational system have shaped my understanding of the struggles many face. I know firsthand how critical it is to provide support that resonates with a child's unique needs, acknowledging their sensory, emotional, and cognitive challenges.
Parent Perspective
As a parent, I understand the complexities of nurturing children in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Parents often feel overwhelmed, relying on external systems to fix their children’s challenges. By empowering parents with knowledge and strategies, we can foster a collaborative environment that supports the child’s growth.
Professional Insight
Through my work as an occupational therapist, I analyze the systemic factors that contribute to developmental delays. Cultural shifts and changes in how children interact with their environment have led to a rise in delays in coordination, communication, and self-organization. These challenges require a comprehensive understanding and innovative solutions
Rooted in a deep understanding of the challenges children face in today’s world, we work to create meaningful, lasting change
The Empowered Person Framework
The Empowered Person Framework is a holistic model that nurtures growth in parents, educators, and students alike. It brings together awareness, actionable strategies, and reflective practices to empower individuals at every stage of life - fostering both personal transformation and collective progress.
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Built around three interconnected layers, the framework strengthens individuals, deepens relationships, and equips people to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society.
Inner Core — Self
Empowerment begins within. This layer focuses on developing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By understanding their bodies, managing stress, and adopting healthy habits—like maintaining quality sleep and cultivating self-awareness—individuals build the foundation needed to thrive.
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Middle Core — Self with Others
With a strong inner foundation, the next layer focuses on connection. Here, individuals learn to strengthen their relationships by cultivating empathy, communication, and collaboration skills, fostering deeper bonds with family, peers, and their wider community.
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Outer Core — Self in a Role
The final layer brings personal growth and social connection into action. Whether as a student, parent, or educator, individuals learn to apply their strengths with resilience, purpose, and practical strategies for navigating challenges—creating meaningful impact in their roles and in society as a whole.
What Makes Our Approach Unique?
We take a holistic approach to helping children thrive, looking at biological, sensory, social-emotional, and psychological factors that can impact development. Our unique perspective ensures solutions address the whole child, not just isolated challenges.
We work within healthcare and education systems to create structures that nurture children at every stage, preparing them to become resilient, capable adults in a constantly changing world.​
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With 25+ years of research and professional experience, and her personal journey as a parent of two neurodivergent children, Elizabeth understands the challenges families face firsthand.
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As she testifies, “I learned the hard way that I couldn’t help my child self-regulate, reduce stress, and handle life’s difficult moments unless I first took those steps myself.”
That’s why our programs begin with restoring the parents’ own health and well-being. By restoring your own health and well-being, you gain tools and insights to model resilience, calm, and confidence, which helps your child navigate life’s challenges with the same skills.
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​We also support educators through professional development programs that equip teachers with practical strategies, a deeper understanding of diverse learner needs, and tools to foster resilience, self-regulation, and engagement in the classroom.
Our Vision for the Future
Empowering educators and parents to create environments where every child can overcome obstacles and thrive.
We envision a future where all children are empowered to reach their full potential and thrive. This requires a shift in how we view development - recognizing that every child is a unique individual shaped by their environment, experiences, and relationships.
Together, by embracing a comprehensive approach that includes all stakeholders, we can inspire meaningful change and create a brighter future for our children.