The Help Group USC Occupational Science Initiative

Fostering Clinical Practice in the Classroom

In 2015, The Help Group proudly partnered with the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, establishing The Help Group – USC Occupational Science Initiative. The initiative is dedicated to developing evidence-based intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through the guidance of an interdisciplinary team of researchers, educators and clinicians. Each year, an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student from USC completes a residency at The Help Group. Expanding research into intervention in Help Group classrooms, each doctoral resident develops and implements a therapeutic curriculum to foster growth and progress for young people with autism and other sensory challenges.

Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Dean and Chair, and the Mrs. T. H. Chan Professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at USC