Meet the students from the College of Public Health and Health Professions, a diverse group dedicated to improving health and well-being in communities around the world. These students come from various backgrounds, united by their passion for health and their commitment to making a positive impact. They bring unique perspectives and experiences to their studies, preparing to become the next generation of health professionals who will address pressing health challenges and advance their field.
Meet: Tasleem Al-As’ad
Program: Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience and cognition from Florida Gulf Coast University
Why did you decide to join your program?
I joined the OTD program because I’ve always been passionate about working with babies and young children. Since my teenage years, I’ve held various childcare positions where I have had the opportunity to work with children with autism. I was first introduced to occupational therapy through my mother, who is a pediatric speech-language pathologist. Shadowing OTs in different clinic settings confirmed that this was the career for me! I knew I wanted to help children from all backgrounds reach their fullest potential. Since joining UF’s OTD program, my passion for the profession has only continued to grow.
What have been some of your favorite moments in your program?
One of my favorite parts of the program has been the hands-on learning experiences. I loved being able to practice assessments with elementary school children, use adaptive equipment, perform transfers with classmates, and experience navigating the world in a wheelchair. Taking a splinting and orthosis course was also such a memorable experience. These opportunities gave me the foundational skills, knowledge and confidence I needed during my fieldwork rotations, and I continue to learn and grow through community interactions.
A recent highlight was attending the Florida Occupational Therapy Association conference, where my team and I presented the research we conducted over the summer. It was such a meaningful experience and one of my favorite moments in the program.
Tell us about your O.T.D. capstone project.
I completed my project at the UF Early Childhood Collaborative (Baby Gators), where I had the pleasure of working with infants and toddlers ranging from 6 weeks to 4 years old. My capstone, titled “An Educational Approach to Reducing Food Aversions During the Weaning Stage in Infants and Preschoolers,” focused on early feeding education and intervention.
I conducted surveys and facilitated a formal OT Feeding Workshop for parents and teachers, providing education on evidence-based strategies to introduce new foods, prevent the development of picky eating behaviors, and support infants during the weaning stage. I also discussed the role of occupational therapy in feeding and how to differentiate between typical picky eating and pediatric feeding disorders. I also created infographics and handouts on topics including sensory systems, sensory seeking versus sensory avoidance, supporting infants with reflux, and additional feeding-related resources.
In addition to my project, I provided both individual and group interventions for infants and toddlers. I worked with children experiencing bottle-feeding challenges, delayed milestones (such as crawling and walking), difficulties transitioning to solid foods, low muscle tone/coordination, and picky eating behaviors.
Once a week, my peer colleague Liliana and I led a Food Acceptance Intervention Group for toddlers with limited dietary variety. Each week, we conducted two sessions, one with younger toddlers and another with older toddlers. We used evidence-based strategies from my project, including sensory exploration through play with food, repeated exposure, and social modeling. (We made fruit lollipops, food buddies that the children could feed before trying the food, and more!) It was incredibly rewarding to see the children taste and enjoy new foods and to hear from parents that their children were showing more interest in foods at home.
This experience has prepared me for the next step in my career in meaningful ways. Building relationships with parents and teachers helped me understand the importance of early advocacy for OT in community settings, especially for feeding support. I also had the opportunity to connect with the UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment and expand my knowledge of behavioral approaches to feeding and how OT can partner with behavioral therapy in intensive feeding programs.
I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to make an impact on so many children and families during my time at Baby Gators. Assessing infants and toddlers, creating interventions, and connecting with families strengthened my OT skills and confidence I built during my fieldwork experiences.
What would you like to share with others who may be considering the same program?
OT school can be challenging, but it’s absolutely worth it once you see the impact you can make in people’s lives. You’ll gain unforgettable experiences that will help you grow not only as a clinician but also as a person. This program is meant for those who are truly passionate about the profession and have a genuine heart for helping others.
What do you plan to do with your degree?
After graduation next month, I plan to pursue a career as a pediatric occupational therapist. I have a strong interest in feeding therapy and hope to complete additional training and certifications to become a Specialized Feeding Occupational Therapist. During my fieldwork experiences, I truly fell in love with pediatric OT, and I can’t wait to help little ones and their families reach their goals full time.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Outside of OT school, I love going to the movies, cooking, visiting amusement parks, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and going to concerts. I also enjoy staying active through cycling classes, Pilates and going to the gym. Some of my favorite highlights from this year include traveling to the Dominican Republic and holding spider monkeys, visiting Epic Universe in Orlando and seeing Beyoncé in concert!
Want to learn more?
Learn more about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
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