Chelsea Wallaert
Hi, I am Chelsea (she/her) and I am a pediatric occupational therapist with professional experience in the early intervention program throughout the Chicagoland area. I was also a trainee in the The Illinois Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program during the 2020/2021 academic school year. Through my applied clinical work in addition to my continued education and training, I have gained a strong interest and passion in working in collaborative and interdisciplinary contexts with an aim of providing children with disabilities and their families with more equitable and positive early childhood experiences.
Why did you choose DHD at UIC?
The collaborative approach the Disability Studies Program at UIC takes with community members and partners in addition to the interdisciplinary faculty was a big factor in my decision to choose this program. Furthermore, as an occupational therapist who aims to utilize Disability Studies theory and principles to inform more inclusive and anti-ableist practices within pediatric therapeutic settings, I value the relationship between the Disability Studies Program and Occupational Therapy Department.
What do you want to do with a DHD degree?
After completing my PhD in Disability Studies, I intend to teach in an Occupational Therapy Program while continuing to engage in research in collaboration with families with disabled children. The ultimate goal for my future work is to add to the existing movement and work around creating a more just and inclusive society for children with disabilities and their families.
Research Interests
Early Childhood Disability, Family Perceptions of Disability, Family Resilience, Early Intervention, Pediatric Systems of Care, Inclusive Early Childhood Experiences, Medical & Therapeutic Reports and Ableist Language, Dis/ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), Community-Based Participatory Action Research.
Education
OTD, Washington University in St. Louis, 2018; BA, Psychology, Augustana College, 2016