Erna Imperatore Blanche received her basic training in occupational therapy at the University of Chile (Santiago, Chile) and later earned her Master of Arts degree in Special Education at Columbia University. She received her PhD degree in Occupational Science at the University of Southern California. She is an expert in pediatric occupational therapy and interventions based on occupational science. She has co-authored two books, "Understanding the Nature of Sensory Integration with Diverse Populations" and "Observations Based on Sensory Integration," and one video series, "Combining Neurodevelopmental Treatment and Sensory Integration Principles," on pediatric practice. She has also published numerous articles in English and Spanish on the topics of play, wellness and other issues in clinical practice. Her articles have appeared in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy International, Journal of Occupational Science, and Play and Culture Studies, among others, as well as in pediatric textbooks. Blanche has lectured internationally in more than 20 countries and maintains ties with Therapy West, Inc., a clinic seeing over 400 children per week that was co-founded by her, as well as with the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Chile.