Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dr. Zheng Wang's project is titled Cerebellar and basal ganglia contributions to neuromotor decline in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

pictured from left: Emily In and Dr. Zheng Wang This summer, Emily In will start her research journey studying postural control deficits in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Department of Occupational Therapy. Her faculty…

Dr. Christine Myers, project director, leads INSPIRE (Interdisciplinary Related Services Personnel Preparation for Early Childhood); an interdepartmental project offered by the Departments of OT, PT, and SLHS through a $1.24M grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Department of Occupational Therapy welcomes Dr. Amber Angell, research assistant professor, and Dr. Justin Mason, postdoctoral associate.

Dr. Zheng Wang joined the department as an assistant professor this May. Dr. Sandra Winter joined the department as a research assistant scientist. The department warmly welcomes Dr. Wang and Dr. Winter.

In this course, readiness to drive is assessed for a teen with a dual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to a healthy control, using indicators such as medical history, clinical testing, life skills, and simulated driving performance results. Using this case study and a decision tree, the presenter interprets how these indicators can guide a therapist to determine readiness for driving. The course also explores how to prepare teens, not yet ready to drive, for independence in community mobility and future driving.

In this course, the authors introduce the crash statistics and characteristics of teens in general, as well as those with ADHD and ASD. Using clinical tests, driving performance videos of teens in a driving simulator, and statistical analysis, the authors propose indicators of readiness to drive for teens at large, and for those with ADHD and/or ASD.

The Department of Occupational Therapy hosted the second annual Sandra Edwards Colloquium on February 24, 2018. The keynote speaker was Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Every morning, Morgan Montaudo — a University of Florida health science senior on the pre-occupational therapy track — puts on her backpack, heads toward the door and then turns to her wagging golden retriever to ask, “Do you want to be a service dog today?” Montaudo, 23, and her…

Dr. Kreider is pictured with Ray Moseley, PhD, from the CTSI. The UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute honored Consuelo Kreider, PhD, OTR/L, with membership in the Academy of Research Excellence…