The original conceptions of occupation were not developed with neurodivergent and disabled individuals, requiring a paradigm shift for how we support neurodivergent occupational participation. There are no current frameworks of occupation prioritizing authentic, neurodivergent well-being, resulting in the first neurodiversity-focused occupational therapy model.

Oftentimes we hear of neurodiversity being identified as a “spectrum” or an “umbrella”; for me as a multiply Neurodivergent person, those categorizations have never felt like they were close to representing the beautiful and vivid complexity of neurodiversity. For me, each neurodivergence felt like its own universe of experiences…

Dr. LaVonne Fox and I co-presented at the 2025 MOTA Conference, where we explored the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, specifically how to combine Eurocentric perspectives of neurodiversity and disability justice with Indigenous perspectives of neurodiversity to support affirming practices for everyone. We provide many practical examples of how to apply the principles of disability justice and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and I guarantee some of this knowledge will blow your mind!

At the 2026 AOTA conference, I co-presented with Tracey DeMaria, Greg Santucci, and Kelly Mahler on how OTPs can promote belonging and neurodiversity-affirming in schools through Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). We share ideas for all three tiers, and how to navigate everyday advocacy challenges!

This is Santanna Ficken, Lizzi Duffy, Nikki Huelsman, Kathryn O’Brien, and I’s presentation on how OTs can influence the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP) process to minimize their harm. Click the button below to download the presentation slides and the resource packet (it may take a little bit of time to download due to the hefty file size)!

My dear friends and colleagues at Minnesota Neurodivergent Education Advocacy and Therapy Services (MnNEAT) created a FREE, open-access website with ICE-specific resources designed by and for people with communication differences. These tools support individuals in understanding their rights, communicating needs, and protecting themselves during ICE encounters. These materials were created by Santanna and Lizzi of MnNEAT, who quite literally skipped meals and rest to get this website up as fast as possible for the community. If you use or share these resources, please consider donating to MnNEAT to support their labor and care.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

This manuscript is the culmination of my post-professional occupational therapy doctoral research, and entwines my love for disability justice, neurodiversity-affirming literature, and advocacy. This manuscript was a partnership with neurodivergent practitioners, advocates, and scholars from around the world, and I am thrilled to share it with you.

This is my most recently updated (2024) “go-to” presentation for groups and conferences. The learning objectives are: (1) recognize occupational injustice and ableism that proliferates occupational therapy practice; (2) apply neurodiversity-affirming principles and (3) aspects of the EMPOWER model to practice, and; reflect on current practices and modify approaches to ensure they align with best practices as identified by Neurodivergent individuals.

This is the research poster I use to feature at conferences featuring the research of the EMPOWER Model, and it’s yours to download if you find it useful!

When an intervention is determined to be effective, who is the intervention actually effective for? Is it effective for the neurodivergent individual based on their hopes, dreams, and input, or is it deemed effective by the non-Disabled researcher or practitioner based on what they assume to be important for the Disabled individual? What are the outcomes listed within the article, and who exactly is defining those outcomes? As shown in the illustration, the issues with most EBP approaches extend beyond the research component and permeate the other two critical elements: clinical expertise and the client’s circumstances and values...