ASHA RAO

Dr. Asha Rao OTD, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist who practices in early intervention in the suburbs of Northern Illinois. Asha supports the needs of families of children with disabilities and developmental delays ages 0-3. Adjacent to clinical practice which includes experience in school-based settings and mental health environments, Asha holds research and teaching experience related to undergraduate and graduate levels from her time at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Asha’s diverse skill set across clinical practice, research, and teaching lends itself to supporting pediatric disability, perinatal mental health and well-being, cultural relevance and trauma-informed care approaches in addition to community engagement and advancement.

Her new role as the founder of The Chicago Kasam, comes from years of mentorship through different opportunities related to uplifting communities. Asha has participated in community organizing through organizations like Young Invincibles and COTAD Diversity which are also non-profits. Asha’s ties to the South Asian community include acting as Culture Editor at Brown Girl Magazine, creating Mixing Up Masti, an inclusive drinking game for South Asian communities, and advocacy and awareness building work in the context of disability in South Asian Communities.