Ilana Kanovfsky, MA, OTR/L. BCEA-F

Ilana serves on the Advisory Board of NSEAI. 

Ilana Lindenblatt Kanovsky lives with her two beautiful children in Northern NJ. She holds a Master’s Degree in Occupational therapy from New York University. Ilana has worked as an occupational therapist for over 20 years in public schools, private boarding schools and private practice in NY, NJ and Vermont.

Ilana’s interest in the field of special education dates back to childhood when she watched her own parents struggle to find the right placement and support for her older sister. She later learned more about advocacy and the laws governing special education when she had her first child who was diagnosed as twice exceptional and later her second child who presented with sensory processing disorder and anxiety. From the time that her older daughter was in first grade Ilana learned that not every school is the right fit for every child and started on a journey to find a placement that would best support her child. When she moved from NJ to VT she learned that every state approached disabilities differently and not every state recognizes students that are gifted but still need special education support. From both personal and professional experience, Ilana is well versed in the needs of her clients. Ilana has also brought her experience and knowledge in special education advocacy to her private occupational therapy clients and has helped hundreds of students receive the support they needed.

Ilana’s combination of personal experience as a parent advocate and advocating for her clients built her passion for helping students reach their full potential and led her to pursue her board certification in educational advocacy.

Ilana brings extensive knowledge and expertise in:

• Twice exceptional students
• Sensory processing disorder
• Executive functioning challenges and its impact on a students performance
• Social communication disabilities
• Anxiety disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorders, and
• Learning disabilities.

Ilana has 11 years of experience practicing in both elementary and middle schools as well as private practices. She has provided assessments and worked both individually and in group settings with preschoolers through sixth graders dealing with learning disabilities, sensory and language processing disorders and other neurologically based conditions. Ilana is well versed with individual education plans and she has an extensive expertise combined with an intuitive approach on how to best accommodate students who do not qualify for in-school treatment. Ilana is certified as an Advanced Mentored Clinician in SPD Level 1, having completed the Advanced Intensive Mentor ship from the Sensory Processing Foundation. She is also the creator of the therapists’ Pediatric Potentials Yahoo Group!

Occupational Therapist, at the Windsor Bergen Academy,  2019- Present

• Treats students individually and in small groups by establishing and monitoring goals and developing intervention plans based on student evaluations.
• Actively participating in multidisciplinary meetings Ilana develops individualized education and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
• She consults with classroom teachers to support classroom based learning accommodations,
• She has a successful tele-health therapy model for direct treatment, coaching parents to provide effective carryover of therapeutic intervention.

Director of Support Services, FlexSchool 2018-2019

• Designed and implemented executive functioning and advisory programs.
• Assisted students in evaluating their cognitive strengths, weaknesses and learning style through the interpretation of neuro-psychological testing and other pertinent data.
• Assisted in collecting and organizing data on student’s class completion and cross references with the necessary graduation requirements to assist students in making course selections.
• Coordinated and oversaw testing and services provided through Union County Educational Services Commission for students in need of a service plan.
• Coordinated and oversaw annual IEP meetings for special education students who receive funding from their district.
• Consulted with classroom teachers on best practices for supporting and accommodating learning disabilities, sensory processing disorder and executive functioning challenges.
• Provided professional development on identifying behavioral challenges that stem from sensory issues.
• Facilitated understanding of processing disorder and  neuro-psychological testing scores.

Director of Support Services , Greenwood School 2016-2018

Director of Occupational Therapy 2015- 2018

• Oversaw the management of a comprehensive student support program comprised of occupational therapy, speech & language, social pragmatics and counseling departments.
• She successfully designed and implemented cutting edge programs such as an executive functioning program, CARE and a social pragmatics curriculum.
• Implemented strategic changes to ensure continuity of care for students including introduction of a support services bi -monthly meeting to discuss students’ progress and needs.
• Supported the professional development of teachers and residential staff in understanding the needs of the student population through in-servicing and provided guidance on cases as needed.
• Successfully managed administrative functions such as leading interdisciplinary team meetings and developing professional development curriculum for staff
• Continuously evaluated programming and developed new system wide programs to enhance student functioning including a handwriting program for students with dysgraphia.
• Assisted in increasing the use of assistive technology in the classroom to aid in student functioning.

Occupational Therapist, Parent Coach , Helping Hands Pediatrics 2013 – 2016

• Developed an eight- week group curriculum for parents “Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder”.
• Understanding sensory processing
• How it can impact a child’s behavior
• How to create a physical and emotional environment that will facilitate more success for the child and the family
• Developed a six- hour seminar for parents and educators “Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder”.
• Sensory processing 101
• Understanding the impact on emotional development
• Strategies to improve functioning at home and at school
• Organize and lead other groups for parents and children - “Zones of Regulation”.
• Emotion regulation
• Sensory based strategies
• Parent training
• Parent coaching
• Educate and support parents of children who are differently wired
• Support parents through challenging behavioral experiences with calm and measured action plans
• Help parents explore what supports their children’s’ needs in the classroom and educating parents on how to advocate for those supports

• Occupational Therapist , Pediatric Potentials 2008-2015
• Participated in parent conferences, case conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Collaborated with preschool teachers to help improve a child’s functioning within the classroom.
• Developed and facilitated workshops for professionals and families addressing fine motor, sensory motor development and occupational performance.
• Mentored students and supervised fieldwork interns.
• Occupational Therapist , Livingston Board of Education 2005-2008
• Occupational Therapist, New York City Board of Education 2001-2004

CONTINUING EDUCATION :

• Certified, Advanced Mentored Clinician in SPD, the Star Foundation
• SIPT certification, the Spiral Foundation
• Executive Functioning training, Landmark College, Certified by Peg Dawson as an Executive
• Functioning Coach, Socially Thinking Clinical Training, SOS approach to feeding
• Zones of Regulation
• Brain Gym
• Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia, Yoga for children with special needs
• From A-Z, Therapeutic Listening Program SOS Approach to Feeding
• Socially Thinking Clinical Training Program
• Cognitive Profile Analysis for Struggling Learners: Advanced Assessment Topics
• National Special Education Advocacy Institute, Advocacy Board Certification Program