Elaine Kojima Chiu

Dr. Elaine Kojima Chiu has enjoyed her work as an occupational therapist (OT) for over 23 years in clinical, school-based and academic settings. Before entering the allied health field, she earned her bachelor’s degree in studio art at the University of California, Irvine. Following graduation, she was involved with the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society’s Special Camp. Serving alongside adults and children with neuro-diverse backgrounds inspired her to change career directions to become an OT. Kojima Chiu went on to earn both her master’s and clinical doctorate degrees in occupational therapy at the University of Southern California. As a clinic and school-based therapist specializing in sensory integration and adolescent to adult transitions, she has had the opportunity to work with children with different physical and developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, etc. She also taught adolescent and pediatric intervention courses and worked as clinical fieldwork faculty at California State University Dominguez Hills' OT Department. Currently, Kojima Chiu is committed to helping develop the academic curriculum and fieldwork program for the new Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at Biola University.