strong start okinawa
A new type of practice…
Recognizing the need for additional pediatric occupational therapy services in Okinawa, our founder, Dr. Earthlyn Armstrong, created Strong Start Okinawa in 2025.
Our team is dedicated to working collaboratively with families to understand each child’s sensory, motor, emotional, and communication profiles. Our therapists create safe, affirming spaces where kids feel free to explore, play, and grow. We embrace neurodivergent ways of thinking, learning, and interacting, and we reject one-size-fits-all therapy models. Instead, we focus on respectful, individualized care that honors each child’s identity, preferences, and needs. Together, we create meaningful, individualized therapy goals that honor your child’s identity and foster real-life engagement and independence.
We believe that neurodivergent children—whether autistic, ADHD, sensory-seeking, or otherwise—deserve to be seen, heard, and supported exactly as they are. Our approach is grounded in respect, collaboration, and empowerment. We do not aim to “normalize” children, but to help them build skills, confidence, and self-advocacy in ways that align with their natural strengths and interests.
We are here to celebrate their differences and help them develop the skills and confidence they need to engage in meaningful everyday activities.
Whether your child needs support with motor development, sensory processing, emotional regulation, or daily activities, we’re here to walk alongside your family—every step of the way.
Because we believe all kids deserve to thrive by being exactly who they are.
Meet our team
Dr. Earthlyn Armstrong, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Armstrong is passionate about pediatric occupational therapy and that all children should have access to quality, neurodivergent affirming care, no matter where they live in the world.
Dr. Earthlyn Armstrong is a licensed and board certified Occupational Therapist. She completed her Masters of Education in Occupational Therapy at Springfield College (2008), and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences (2023).
She has vast experience in many healthcare settings as well as teaching experience in an occupational therapy assistant education program and a post secondary occupational therapy program.
Dr. Armstrong has resided in multiple locations in the United States as well as previously in Okinawa, Japan. She most recently worked with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Now back in Okinawa, she recognized the need for additional pediatric occupational therapy services and created Strong Start Okinawa.
Dr. Armstrong is passionate about child-led play based pediatric occupational therapy and that all children should have access to quality, neurodivergent affirming care, no matter where they live in the world.