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Abby Khou MA ’23

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I found occupational therapy when my son Ethan was diagnosed with autism and he was referred to a pediatric OT. My interaction with his OTs and seeing how much OT helped him develop and shine made me realize that I would like to help others in the same way.

What area of practice are you interested in?
Pediatrics/Early Intervention.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
This is my second master’s degree! I have an MA in English from Cal Poly Pomona. I also have 12+ years of professional experience in online PR and marketing.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Creative and academic writing, traveling to small coastal towns, eating from a variety of cuisines, taking care of my son Ethan.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
Antigua! I have fond memories of this place as is it where my husband Steve and I spent our honeymoon.

You have your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?
My father, Francis. He’s done so much for me and I would like to honor him.

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USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.