I help families of special needs children, and those who champion them, learn how to advocate on behalf of the child so that all parties have the best opportunity to thrive, not just survive.
About Crystal
Boasting over 16 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist, Crystal is the Chief Marketing Officer of Ability & Beyond Fitness. After graduating with a BA from Bucknell University in Animal Behavior & Spanish, Crystal researched various ways to work with animals & became interested in occupational therapy. She then committed to attend Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus) where she earned a BS/MS in Occupational Therapy.
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Crystal’s experience working with the NYC Department of Education as a Senior Occupational Therapist and with the Young Adult Institute (YAI) has fueled her passion for helping adults with developmental disabilities function & participate in any setting they choose.
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Not only is her passion professional, but also personal. In 2019 she published an article in OT Practice Magazine discussing her perspective on having a brother with autism & being an occupational therapist. Crystal has also participated in poster presentations & a workshop for the American Occupational Therapy Association Conferences. In 2022, Crystal helped to conduct a workshop for the New York State Occupational Therapy Conference discussing the role of occupational therapy in addressing sex as a meaningful occupation.
She is also a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). Crystal lives in Queens, NY with her husband, and two children (one of which has Autism).
-Crystal Covington
Crystal's Talks
Relationships Matter
How to build sustainable & stable familiar relationships. Using my life as an occupational therapist, mother, sibling, & wife, help those in the neuro-diverse world create and maintain strong relationships.
Jaime Fisher; Paraprofessional
"Anytime I am lucky enough to hear Crystal Covington speak, I always tell her I could listen to her speak all day. She has a way with words and can keep the attention of the whole room. Crystal is so well-spoken and can teach us all a thing or two"
Micaela M. Cruse Missouri State University '23
Crystal brings forth her own unique culture to inspire her audience and build relationships with her listeners. Her content is well-organized and tailored specifically to her audience. She tastefully brings her experience, both lived and learned, to her conversations.
Dr. Amy Coopersmith, OTD, OTR/L; MA Ed.
I have been fortunate to attend professional presentations led by Crystal Mendez-Covington, who engages audiences with her dynamic speaking style. Her high-energy presentations are well-crafted, thought-provoking, and inspirational. Feedback from her speaking engagements is overwhelmingly positive, largely because of her enthusiasm and passion. I highly recommend her as a speaker at conferences and special events!
