ALISON J. GERLACH, M.Sc., O.T.,(C).
Tel: (808) 214 5438
Email: agerlach@hawaii.rr.com
RECENT CLINICAL PRACTICE
‘Skills For Kids’
Vancouver, Canada
Private occupational therapy practice committed to family-centred services. Contracts include collaboration
with the Lil'wat Nation to develop and provide early intervention and school therapy services since 1999.
1998 - 2007
Access Community Therapists
Vancouver, Canada
Rehabilitation consultant and case manager for adult clients with developmental disabilities
living in community settings.
1998 - 1999
Centre for Ability
Vancouver, Canada
School therapy consultant responsible for establishing, developing and providing services in collaboration
with North and West Vancouver School Districts.
1992 - 2000
TEACHING PRACTICE
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
Major project supervisor, Master of Rehabilitation Science (online program)
2008
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
Clinical faculty member for School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
2005 - 2007
Capilano College
North Vancouver, Canada
Faculty member for Rehabilitation Assistant Program
2004-2007
Capilano College
Squamish & North Vancouver, Canada
Faculty member for Special Education Teaching Assistant program.
2001 - 2007
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Fostering Culturally Safe Programs for Aboriginal Children & Families
Aboriginal Peoples Family Accord, Kamloops, B.C.
2008
Steps in the Right Direction: What is community development anyway?
Aboriginal Peoples Family Accord, Kamloops, B.C.
2008
Cultural Safety in Health Care
Preconference Workshop – C.A.O.T. annual conference, Whitehorse, Y.U.
2008
First Nations, Metis & Inuit Peoples Health & Community Development
Professional Issue Forum – C.A.O.T. annual conference, Whitehorse, Y.U.
2008
From Sensitivity to Safety: Culture in Early Childhood Development
Workshop - Aboriginal Infant Development annual conference, Chase, B.C.
2008
Steps in the Right Direction: Connecting & Collaborating in Early Intervention
Telehealth videoconference - Sunny Hill Health Centre, Vancouver, B.C.
2007
Bridging the Cultural Gap: Family, Healing & Disability
Presentation - Bridges Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
2006
Voices Not Yet Heard: Aboriginal Families & Family Centred Practice
Presentation - Early Years Conference, Vancouver, B.C.
2006
It Takes A Village: Community Development & Partnerships
Presentation - Early Years Conference, Vancouver, B.C.
2006
Therapy Reports: Family-centred & Culturally-sensitive?
Interactive workshop - B.C. Aboriginal Child Care Association Annual Conference, Vancouver, B.C.
2005
Cultural Context: Family-Centred Services & First Nations Families
Poster presentation - Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Scholarship Program Conference,
St. John’s, Newfoundland
2005
Bridging the Cultural Gap: Family, Healing & Disability
Paper presentation - Aboriginal Nurses Association Annual Conference, North Vancouver, B.C.
2005
Voices Not Yet Heard: Aboriginal Families & Family Centred Practice
Extended discussion - C.A.O.T. annual conference , Vancouver, B.C.
2005
The Occupation of Parenting: Bridging the Cultural Gap
Paper presentation - C.A.O.T. annual conference, Prince Edward Island.
2004
A Guide To Culturally-Focused Early Intervention Therapy: Healthy Children & Partnerships
Interactive workshop - B.C. Aboriginal Childcare Conference in Richmond, B.C.
2004
RESEARCH
MSc Thesis
San Jose State University, USA
Ethnographic study in collaboration with the Lil'wat Nation in Mt. Currie: 'Cultural Values and Practices
Related to Raising a Child with Special Needs in Canadian First Nation Families: Implications for Collaboration'.
2003
PUBLICATIONS
Circle of Caring: A First Nations Worldview of Child Rearing
Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy.
2008
Steps in the Right Direction: Connecting & Collaborating in Early Intervention Therapy
with Aboriginal Families & Communities in British Columbia
B.C. Aboriginal Child Care Society.
2007
Celebrating the Strengths of Aboriginal Consumers: Community Consultation and
Partnerships
Occupational Therapy Now.
2005
A Guide for Culturally-Focused Early Intervention Therapy Programs for Aboriginal
Children & Families in British Columbia
B.C. Aboriginal Child Care Society.
2004
RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Master Of Science Degree (Occupational Therapy)
San Jose State University, San Jose, U.S.A.
2003
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy Certification Examination
1992
2
3
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Diploma of Occupational Therapy
St. Loye’s School of Occupational Therapy, Exeter, U.K.
1987