Advocating for children with autism is not a new experience for Bemnet Habtamu, an Occupational Therapist here at St. David’s. She interned with us while finishing her master’s degree in occupational therapy at St. Catherine’s University. She was hired as a full-time St. David’s staff member in Winter 2026.
Her advocacy for children with autism truly took root early in her life as she helped her parents, who are immigrants from East Africa, navigate a complicated medical system as a pre-teen to get the best care for her younger brother.
“My philosophy is informed by that experience in any number of ways,” Bemnet said. “Not everyone is able to advocate for families and caregivers with this lens, but I think that helps me in so many ways and really defines my role in serving our diverse populations here in Minneapolis.”
She shared how her parents were dealing with a lot upon receiving her brother’s diagnosis:
- Coordinating hours of care.
- Finding the right support for Occupational Therapy and Speech.
- Ensuring that he got his needs met in early education settings.
All while navigating the culture shock of coming from such a child-centered culture and ending up having him out of their care for several hours a day. While they understood the benefits of the programming he was involved in, it was hard to navigate this unfamiliar territory, in a new country.
Using that lens, Bemnet is a valued partner to clients and colleagues as she helps her clients find their joy in little things every day.
“Whether I’m teaching them to play with others, or teaching them life skills, laughter and joy is always my focus,” Bemnet said. “The greatest compliment I receive from families is when they tell me they’ve noticed a change in their child’s confidence as they tackle everyday tasks like brushing their teeth, it makes me so proud to hear that changes are being noticed at home.”
Her tips for future interns at St. David’s:
“Do things scared. It’s okay, everyone is scared every once in awhile. If you’re brave and courageous you’ll do more than if you let that fear control you,” Bemnet said. “Don’t be afraid to propose or try new things. St. David’s commitment to trying new things helps them lead in our field. And the support system here at St. David’s is phenomenal. I am so hopeful for the future.”