Christina is a seasoned and dedicated pediatric occupational therapy with over 13 years of experience helping children of all ages and abilities. She has experience in a variety of settings including private practice, home-based, schools and the early intervention setting. Christina’s comprehensive background includes working with children with developmental delays, low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, language delays, developmental coordination disorder, premature birth, torticollis, rare genetic conditions, down syndrome, Williams syndrome, postural instability, congenital visual deficits, multiple disabilities, dysgraphia, and neurological conditions.
Christina believes in using a child-centered approach to treatment looking at the whole child and how the child interacts with the environment. She truly strives to identify the root cause of why a child may be experiencing difficulty when participating in functional activities. Christina dives into the environment to make adaptations and recommendations to promote success. She also incorporates child interests as motivators during play activities and therapeutic exercise to ensure sessions are motivating and fun. Parents always highlight her as a wonderful communicator in explaining the “why” behind activities provided, communicating to other professionals on the child’s team, and providing activity suggestions. She is always responsive to answer any question or concern that may arise.
Christina’s journey through motherhood has made her passionate about providing education and support to mothers and their babies as they learn and navigate this chapter in their lives. Through her own journey of breastfeeding her children, dealing with torticollis and infant tightness, she is familiar with the challenges that may arise during the first year and is eager to provide a helping hand. Her goal is to provide children and families with the support and foundation needed to reach all milestones through any stage. She is a believer in motivating all children, empowering them to grow, thrive and enjoy life to the fullest!
ABOUT ME
Christina Lubrino, MS, OTR/L
Founder of Playful Pathways
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Christina graduated from Kean University with a BS in Psychology in 2009, Magna Cum Laude and MS in Occupational Therapy in 2012. Christina is registered and certified by the National Board of Occupational Therapy and holds license to practice Occupational Therapy in New Jersey. She is New Jersey School Certified and is an approved provider for Early Intervention Services in New Jersey.
EXPERIENCE
Christina began her career in Pediatrics working at elementary schools and private practice at a sensory-focused clinic in New York City. In New Jersey, she gained experience working with children with hemiplegia utilizing the Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) method by fabricating casts, leading specialized group and camp therapy programs as well as provided individual therapy focusing on CIMT for children from all over the world. Christina also led programs such as small group and camp programs for children with sensory needs, handwriting programs, collaborated with speech therapist to run combined speech/OT groups, sports programs in the community and provided traditional OT sessions. She has experience in private schools in NJ providing individual OT services to school-aged students. Christina has an extensive amount of experience, over 13 years, working in the Early Intervention system. She has worked with children ages 0-3 within the Early Intervention systems of New York and New Jersey in their homes, community setting, daycare or pre-school, including Ben Samuels Children’s Center at MSU. Christina values the EI family training model and truly believes that family training is an integral part to a child’s treatment plan and success. In 2019, Christina led an inclusive program along with an art educator called CREATEabilities at the Montclair Art Museum. This program was designed for families and children of all abilities to explore artistic materials, make friends and enjoy being creative together. Throughout her career, Christina has experience providing individual OT sessions in a home-based setting working with children of all ages.
CONTINUING EDUCATION & SPECALITIES
Christina has completed an extensive amount of continuing education throughout the years including:
Neurodevelopmental Treatment model including NDT Treatment of Sensory and Motor Issues in Young Children Birth to 3 and NDT Assessment and Treatment of the Baby
Motor based coursework including topics on adaptive strengthening activities for children with motor dysfunction, therapeutic handling and facilitation techniques
Sensory integration
Addressing executive functioning in children and its impact on academic performance, visual skills & learning in school aged children, identifying the root of challenging behaviors
Primitive Reflexes
Brain breaks, sensory breaks and movement breaks.
Pediatric Yoga
Education focusing on the Early Intervention population include:
The DIR/Floortime Approach,
Early childhood interventions & Autism Spectrum Disorder
Supporting self-regulation development in young children and sensory
Primitive reflex development in early intervention.
Education focusing on the infant population include:
Evidence-based strategies for infant positioning and handling
Functional support for lip and tongue-ties
Infant massage and bonding
The occupational therapist’s role in breastfeeding
She is currently in the process of completing the Tummy Time Method! Certification.
Christina is trained in the Learning Without Tears method including Pre-K Complete Certification, Print K-2, Cursive 2-5 and Handwriting Assessment K-5. She is currently in the process of completing her Level 1 Learning Without Tears Certification.
Christina lives in Caldwell, NJ with her husband, Matt, and their 3 young children (Sienna, Matteo and Leonardo). Life is busy and are always on the go but when there is some downtime you can find them outdoors enjoying their backyard, at local parks, beaches and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about being an occupational therapist and is excited to share all her experiences and knowledge with each family in her care. Christina will support, promote success and guide each family to embrace each stage of their child’s life with all its possibilities! Let’s learn, play and grow together!
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS
PLAYFUL PATHWAYS
Nurturing Skills, Fostering Growth
programs designed by a pediatric occupational therapist