Frequently Asked Questions

• We believe “parenting” is a life skill for everyone. Godparents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and the whole village should be involved.

• We understand that most of us as adults are reparenting ourselves and/or still learning the skills we are trying to teach kids.

• We focus on easy to implement (and adapt) in daily life.

• We know the world isn’t fair and do our best to integrate equity in our services and be culturally aware of different needs for different families.

• We created the Pillars of Pediatric Wellness for an embedded coaching approach to learning.

Alli has a master’s in occupational therapy from Columbia University and several additional certifications in movement methodologies (Foundation Training, Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation, Neurokinetic Therapy, Functional Range Conditioning, Postural Care), health & wellness approaches (Institute of Integrative Nutrition health coach, lymphatic therapist), and sensory integration neurology & application (Conscious Discipline, Sensory Smarts, Star Foundation). She continues to take a new course for certification each year. She has provided 1:1 and group therapy for 15+ years and created programs for organizations ranging from US Peace Corps, NYC Department of Education, to Foundation Training. This education and training are important. But more consequential than a list of certifications is the ability to organize, personalize, and integrate that knowledge into application. This is what really brings about sustainable change and is a unique skill to Alli Cost.

Occupational therapy is rehabilitation that is focused on function. Every activity we do is an occupation, whether it be cooking a meal, picking up our children, brushing our teeth, exercising, or doing our job. These "occupations" each require a unique set of physical, mental, and environmental demands. Therefor, our ability to function is impacted by changes in physical issues (ie stroke, broken arm, poor flexibility), mental issues (ie depression, motivation, irrational beliefs), or environmental issues (relationships, habits, where we live).

When someone is not able to do an activity the way they want or need, an occupational therapist strategizes how to get someone to 1) Return to doing the activity the same way by helping heal & strengthen; 2) Modify the way the activity is done by teaching new approaches; or 3) Find a new way to do something by adapting the environment. Basically, we figure out a way to get folks back to the life they want to be living.

Alli’s love language is writing. Part of that is creating stories to better explain concepts that seem complicated or overwhelming. The characters I made up for this stories were always a little wild, a little curious, and little offbeat. They were zany. When I started working with families as an occupational therapist and building my own family, I playfully referred to the authentic self we all pop out with as the Little Zany in us.

Alli loves, loves, loves to do this and has a small caseload of private clients. But ultimately she can do more big-good by providing resources to a broader group of people who can all apply it. Do you know the saying that it’s better to teach a man to fish than give a man? Well, I think it’s better to teach a the village how to teach their children how to fish. Basically, this means that by teaching parents and kids how to teach each other (yes, each other, it’s a two way learning path) then we will have healthier families and more adaptable, thriving kiddos.