Christy Isbell, PhD, OTR/L
Associate Professor
Christy Isbell, PhD OTR/L is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Doctor of OT Program at East Tennessee State University where she teaches child development, pediatric therapy, and research courses. She is a pediatric occupational therapist with more than twenty-five years of experience working with infants, children, and youth in schools, homes, hospitals, and clinics. Dr. Isbell’s specialty is early intervention and treatment of children with autism and children who were born substance exposed. She has authored and co-authored books and articles and presented nationally and internationally on early childhood topics, sensory integration, and fine motor development. Dr. Isbell’s current research interests are the occupations (feeding, play, sleep, education) of young children who were prenatally substance exposed and the impact of the physical, sensory, and social environment on young children with and without disabilities.
EDUCATION
PhD in Child and Family Studies (1999)
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Master in Health Sciences with specialty in Occupational Therapy (1993)
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (1991)
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy August 2022-Current,
East Tennessee State University, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences
Program Director, Chair and Professor of Occupational Therapy January 2019 -May 2022, Milligan University
CURRENT CLINICAL FOCUS
October 2019-Present
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Pediatrics Baby Steps Clinic https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/opioids/maternal-infant-health-and-opioid-use-program/promising-practices/
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Authored Books:
Isbell, C. (2010). Everyday Play: Fun Games to Develop the Fine Motor Skills Your Child Needs for School. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.
Isbell, C. (2010). Mighty Fine Motor Fun: A Guide to Fine Motor Activities for Young
Children. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.
Winner of 2010 Teacher’s Choice Award sponsored by Learning Magazine
Isbell, C. and Isbell, R. (2007). Sensory Integration: A Guide for Preschool Teachers.Beltsville,
MD: Gryphon House.
Winner of the 2008 Earlychildhood News Director’s Choice Award
Isbell, C. and Isbell, R. (2005). The Inclusive Learning Center Book for Preschoolers with Special Needs. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.
Isbell, R. and Isbell, C. (2003). The Complete Learning Spaces Book for Infants and Toddlers. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.
Articles:
Isbell, C. (November 2022). Feeding in infants born substance exposed: A sensory-based, family-centered approach. American Occupational Therapy Association Sensory Integration and Processing Special Interest Section Quarterly. https://www.aota.org/publications/sis-quarterly/sensory-integration-processing-sis/sipsis-11-22
Dotson, D., Johnson, M., & Isbell, C. (2020). Treating children with sensory processing disorders. Decisions in Dentistry, 6(2), 40-43. https://decisionsindentistry.com/article/treating-children-sensory-processing-disorders/
Johnson, ME., Boggs, T., Greer, L, Isbell, C, Zaleski, V, Thompson, M. The Positive Eating Program: An Interprofessional Approach to the Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Feeding Challenges. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2017;117(9): A14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2017.06.331
National Presentations:
Building Self-Regulation in Infants and Toddlers: A Sensory Integration Perspective
National Association for the Education of Young Children 2023 Conference
Nashville, TN
November 17, 2023
Poster Presentation (1-308):OT in an Interprofessional Clinic for Young Children Exposed
to Drugs in Utero
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Inspire Conference 2023
Kansas City, MO
April 20, 2023
Prenatal Drug Exposure: Interprofessional Approaches to Improving Pediatric Feeding
Outcomes (Johnson, M., Isbell, C. and Boggs, T.)
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) 2022
Orlando, FL
October 9, 2022
Promoting Occupations of Prenatally Drug-exposed Infants and Toddlers: A Sensory Integration
Approach
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Inspire Conference 2022
San Antonio, TX
March 31, 2022