Dedicated to rising above expectations

Aisha Martins MSOT, OTR/L

Founder // Occupational Therapist

​​Aisha is the founder and operating clinician here at RISE Harbor. With a Bachelor’s in Occupational Science and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from American International College, Aisha has been a licensed occupational therapist since 2018.

Her approach is deeply rooted in neurodiversity-affirming care, with specialized expertise in executive functioning and sensory supports. Over the first five years of her career, Aisha worked across New York City and surrounding boroughs in a variety of settings—from specialized schools and outpatient clinics to home-based therapy—gaining extensive experience with children ages 3 to 10 with varied developmental disabilities and levels of independence. Her passion population is non-verbal autistic children, including those with co-occurring ADHD, mild to moderate behavioral challenges and/or suspected Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Aisha is a certified handwriting specialist and has completed advanced training in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and the Zones of Regulation program.

What truly sets Aisha apart is her personal connection to her work. Born with Erb’s Palsy, she received occupational and physical therapy as a child, giving her firsthand insight into the therapeutic process and the challenges families face. Raised in an environment that celebrated her differences, she understands the impact of disability empowerment and early self advocacy. Like many of the children she serves, Aisha completed much of her education experiencing challenges with academic attention, high sensory needs and executive dysfunction, and received a later-in-life diagnosis of ADHD. 

This unique blend of professional training and lived experience fuels Aisha’s passion to create a welcoming and affirming space where children feel understood, families feel supported, and neurodiversity is embraced as a strength.