Full Description
Despite growing awareness of neurodiversity, ableist narratives continue to shape OT practice, creating barriers to truly inclusive care. This community-driven resource is a timely collaboration amongst justice-focussed leaders, equipping OT professionals with the tools to foster neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Drawn from both lived experience, professional expertise, and justice-oriented frameworks, this is both a practical guide and a visionary blueprint for dismantling ableism in assessment, intervention, research, and education. The first half of the book explores essential foundations such as neurodivergent occupations, disability justice, trauma-informed care, antiracism, and strengths-based approaches. The second half offers practical strategies for embedding affirming principles throughout the OT process.
Supplemented with over 100 pages of digital content including case studies, assessment tool resources, and checklists, this is not just a textbook, but a call to action and a compass for reflection. This book is a roadmap for transforming OT into a more equitable profession that celebrates neurodiversity.
Contents
Table of Contents
Co-Authors and Contributors
Foreword by Winnie Dunn
Preface
Bryden Carlson-Giving
Key Notes About the Book
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Neurodiversity
Lori Vaughn, Christopher D. Edwards, and Sarah Selvaggi Hernandez
Spotlight: How Neurodivergence and Transness Have Brought Me Home
Aster Gallus
Chapter 2 - Disability and Ableism: Models, Perspectives, & Implications for Occupational Therapy
Alisa Jordan Sheth & Laura VanPuymbrouck
Chapter 3 - Neurodiversity & Occupation
Aaron R. Dallman and Melanie E. Wright
Spotlight: The Occupations of Communication and Playwriting
Sofi Ghassaei and Bryden Carlson-Giving
Chapter 4 - Disability Justice
Bryden Carlson-Giving and LaVonne Fox
with Sam Brandsen, Maya Brandsen, Diamond Rashad, Razan Hamad, Khalilah R. Johnson, Shayda Kafai, Toni Saia, Georgia Vine, and Daryl Patrick Yao
Chapter 5 - The Body's Story: Trauma, Interoception & Occupational Therapy
Katie O'Day & Kelly Mahler
Spotlight: Trauma-Informed Approaches for Supporting Individuals with IDD
Sam Brandsen
Chapter 6 - Antiracism Occupational Therapy Practice: Why, What, How?
Musharrat J. Ahmed-Landeryou
Chapter 7 - Strengths-Based Approaches: Foundations for Practice and Anti-Ableist Occupational Therapy Education
Kavitha Murthi and Kristie K. Patten
Spotlight - Supporting Individuals with High Support Needs Through a Strength-Based Approach
Lucio Serio, Kelsie Reed, Breea M. Rosas, and Haley Biddanda
Chapter 8 - Critical Reflexivity
Julia Sterman and Janet Njelesani
Chapter 9 - Inclusive Evaluations
Lisa Marnell, Kathryn L. Hansen, Rachel Robertson, and Bryden Carlson-Giving
Spotlight - The Cultural Identity Assessment
Mary Katherine Howell
Chapter 10 - Neurodivergent Empowerment: Affirming Practices and Supportive Strategies
Amy Laurent and Lisa Marnell
Chapter 11 - Advocacy
Greg Boheler, Jacklyn Boheler, and Elizabeth Duffy
Spotlight - Sass Meets Advocacy: Wit and Wisdom from a Nonspeaking Advocate
Bri Guerra and Bryden Carlson-Giving
Chapter 12 - The Empowering Neurodivergent Occupational Participation and Well-being (EMPOWER) Model
Bryden Carlson-Giving
Chapter 13: Stories of Practice
Elizabeth Duffy, Kelsie Olds, Stephanie Olszewski, Robert B. Pereira, and Rachel Robertson
Acknowledgements
Appendix A - Reflections for Change
Appendix B - Matrices for Action
Appendix C - List of Supplemental Downloads and Resources in the Vault
