Erica Lista – Pediatric Occupational Therapist in The Caldwells, NJ
Helping Kids Thrive with Occupational Therapy
Hi, I’m Erica!
I’ve worked as a pediatric Occupational Therapist for 23 years. My experience has focused on supporting children with a variety of needs within the school setting. I take a whole-child approach to therapy, helping promote independence and success across all areas of daily life.
Why I love what I do:
I love using play to engage children while supporting them in reaching their goals and growing in independence.
Why I’m passionate about in-home care:
I believe therapy should support the whole child across all daily environments, with strategies that carry over beyond sessions, and by partnering closely with families and caregivers, we can help children achieve their goals more effectively and consistently.
What does a Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational therapists support children in building everyday skills—so they can grow, play, and be more independent. If your child struggles with things like getting dressed, using utensils, paying attention, or staying calm in new situations, an OT can help.
OTs focus on:
• Fine motor skills – like holding a pencil, buttoning a shirt, or using scissors
• Sensory processing – supporting kids who are extra sensitive to sounds, textures, or movement (or don’t seem to notice them at all)
• Emotional regulation – helping kids manage big feelings and focus at school or home
• Independence and daily skills – like brushing teeth, tying shoes, potty training, or washing hands.
Occupational therapy supports kids at home, at school, and in everyday life—so they can feel confident and capable in the things they do every day.
My Specialties
I specialize in:
How my practice is special
Depth of Experience & Insight
With over two decades of experience, I bring a refined understanding of children and their families, allowing me to provide thoughtful, effective, and compassionate care.
Whole-Child, School-Based Perspective
My experience across school environments such as classrooms, cafeterias, and gyms allows me to assess and support each child within the full context of their daily routines.
Collaborative, Team-Oriented Care
I work closely with other professionals and partner with families and caregivers to promote efficient progress and help children build independence across settings.
Client testimonials
Erica worked with my daughter at age 3 for many years. We are so lucky to have had her expertise and guidance for that long. She is very patient, caring and knowledgeable and has a way to make each OT session fun and very productive. My daughter would not have been able to achieve all of her goals without Erica’s wonderful help and we are so grateful for her! Thank you Erica!!
Mrs. Lista was our son’s occupational therapist at his public school for four years. I was always so appreciative of how much she truly seemed to care about Harrison. Mrs. Lista always was kind, caring, and warm. She really got to know Harrison and understand who he was, and she always looked to problem solve and help him work through all the difficulties he encountered. But Mrs. Lista was not just compassionate, supportive and empathetic; she also was firm when necessary and appropriate. She helped our son learn how to navigate each and every day and gave him so many important tools that continue to benefit him and help him succeed.
My family had the incredible privilege of working with Mrs. Lista from the time my son was three years old until he “graduated” from her services at age twelve. My son has a rare syndrome, and from the very beginning, Mrs. Lista went above and beyond, not only for him, but for our entire family. She took the time to truly understand his diagnosis, researching and learning everything she could so she could provide the most effective, individualized support possible. Her dedication, patience, and expertise helped ensure his success every step of the way. She consistently found ways to adapt, encourage, and support him so he could thrive. What made Mrs. Lista even more extraordinary was the compassion and comfort she provided to our family during an incredibly difficult and emotional time. As we were learning to navigate his diagnosis ourselves, she was there offering guidance, reassurance, and unwavering support. She became such an important part of our journey. Mrs. Lista is professional, knowledgeable, thoughtful, accommodating, and simply amazing at what she does. The impact she has had on my son and our family is impossible to put into words. Anyone would be beyond lucky to have her as their OT and in their corner. We are forever grateful for everything she has done for our son and our family.
Areas I Serve
I work with families in The Caldwells, and these surrounding areas: North Caldwell, Roseland, Essex Fells, Little Falls, Fairfield, Livingston, West Orange, Verona, Cedar Grove, Montclair and Montville.
Local Places I love!
Shop Rite
Dough
Grover Cleveland Park
Unsure about what your child needs?
Book a quick 10 minute consultation with me! Serving families in The Caldwells near Grover Cleveland Park. Easily accessible from Bloomfield Avenue.
Who is Coral Care?
Coral Care supports families with exceptional in-home pediatric therapists in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Every provider in our network is thoroughly vetted through a clinical review process and receives ongoing support through monthly education, community, and access to specialized resources.
We believe the best care happens when disciplines work together. That’s why we actively support cross-specialty collaboration—ensuring kids get care that’s not just high-quality, but truly holistic.
Need more care for a child—or know a family who does?
