Karen Nagao

Karen-NagaoPediatric Occupational Therapist
Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children

Karen Nagao is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children in Portland, Oregon. She works with children with a variety of conditions in both the outpatient clinic and attached residential skilled nursing facility for medically fragile children. She began her career in Therapeutic Recreation, working with adults and children impacted by traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and drugs and alcohol.

Nagao specializes in aquatic therapy, sensory integration issues, therapeutic listening, and cranial sacral therapy. Believing that everyone can benefit from activity in water, she has developed a successful aquatic therapy program that provides opportunities for children with conditions that restrict movement, including medically fragile children, to experience supported stretching, movement, and play in a therapy pool. Nagao incorporates volunteers who provide social engagement and support for the children during therapy.

Nagao received her bachelor’s degree from California State University Chico in 1988 in Recreation Administration, specializing in Therapeutic Recreation. She earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Pacific University (Forest Grove, Oregon) in 2000.