How to Write Neurodiversity-Affirming OT Goals
Today, many occupational therapists want to embrace a neurodiversity-affirming practice. But HOW do we do this exactly? We need to...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Mar 275 min read
Repetitive Actions in Autism
Let's talk about REPETITIVE ACTIONS in autism. Like OPENING and CLOSING doors. Like looking through a book OVER and OVER and OVER again....
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Dec 1, 20237 min read
Intense Reactions in Autism . . . and How to Provide Support
"A jar of jam on the dinner table set him off." "Her chicken nuggets were cut in half and not whole." "The teacher wore a baseball hat...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Nov 7, 20233 min read
The Very Excited Autistic Child
When it comes to supporting autistic children, one question I am often asked by occupational therapists is this: “How do I work with an...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Sep 6, 20235 min read
ABA in Autism: Short-Term Changes and Long-Term Trauma
As an autistic occupational therapist who has worked extensively in schools, I have often seen behaviorist approaches used in classrooms....
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Apr 24, 20232 min read
Non-Speaking Versus Non-Verbal: What is the Difference in Autism?
The terms non-speaking and non-verbal may sound identical to many people. But there is a different and important distinction which is...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Mar 25, 20232 min read
Black and White OR Categorical Thinking in Autism
As an autistic person, one of the most CHALLENGING concepts I deal with every day is the following: Things are not Black and White. There...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Dec 9, 20223 min read
Support the Autistic Sensory Seeker with Dyspraxia
I often see children’s actions labeled as “sensory seeking” when in fact they are truly reflecting difficulties processing and...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Sep 4, 20224 min read
3 Ways to Support Autistic Children as they Transition INTO School
Today I will address a challenging transition for many children, namely walking INTO school at the start of a new day. This transition...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Jul 2, 20222 min read
"Special Interests" in Autism
An important topic is “special interests” in autism. A question frequently asked is about how school professionals, OT included, should...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Apr 10, 20222 min read
A Strengths-Based Approach in Autism . . . for Auditory Sensitivity
Celebrating an autistic child’s strengths is key to develop their self-esteem and sense of agency. But how can we shift gears and see...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Jan 25, 20223 min read
So . . . What Is Sensory Integration Therapy?
As a pediatric occupational therapist, this is one question I am asked frequently. Although people have often heard the term sensory...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Dec 12, 20215 min read
How to Support Children During Transitions
When you speak with parents, teachers, or therapists about challenges they face when working with kids, there's a good chance that the...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Nov 29, 20217 min read
Visual Supports and Autism: 5 Must-Know Categories To Support Self-Regulation and Skills Acquisition
Before we think about visual supports, let's think about day-to-day verbal interactions. Conversations serve many purposes, whether...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Oct 20, 20213 min read
Typing Speed in "Touch Typing" vs. "Self-Taught" Typists
My husband, a marketing professional, is one of the fastest typists I know. I hear him on the keyboard cranking out e-mails faster than...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Sep 6, 20212 min read
Quick Assessment of Kindergarten Fine Motor Skill
As an occupational therapist I often work with kindergarten teachers. (One of my favorite parts of this job!) At the start of the school...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Jun 24, 20212 min read
How to cope with TOUCH SENSITIVITY in summer . . .
Are you happy that it's summer? For kids, summertime means sunny days at the beach, the park, the playground, and the pool. Yet, these...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
Jun 21, 20212 min read
What is Masking in Autism?
"MASKING" in autism may be a relatively new term, yet it is far from a novel concept. But what is masking, exactly? Masking is a strategy...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
May 27, 20213 min read
Transitions in Autism: Moving From Place to Place
Autistic individuals often struggle with transitions. Physical transitions may involve moving from one space to another space, stepping...
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Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA
May 16, 20212 min read
What Does CALM Mean in Autism?
We are all familiar with the usual demands: "Calm down!" "Quiet hands. Quiet Feet." "Please, show me you are listening with your whole...
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