• Hello,
  
  

  I am currently a doctoral student at the University of New England. I am conducting a study titled Exploring School-Based Occupational Therapists’ Perceptions of Implementing the Neurodiversity Paradigm: Best Practices for Autistic Elementary Students for my dissertation. The purpose of this research study is to explore occupational therapists’ perceptions of best practices when working with autistic students and how school-based occupational therapists implement the neurodiversity paradigm in their work with autistic students in public elementary schools. I am seeking 10 participants to participate in my doctoral research study.

   

  You are eligible to participate in this research project if you are:

• ·      at least 18 years old
• ·      you are a licensed occupational therapist
• ·      you have at least one school year of experience working as an occupational therapist at one or more public elementary schools
• ·      you have experience working with autistic students

Participation in this research is voluntary. Participation will consist of one recorded interview of approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The interview will be conducted on Zoom at a time of your convenience. If there are more than 10 people who express interest, only the first 10 will be selected to interview.  All data will be kept confidential and pseudonyms will be used to protect the identities of respondents. All identifying information, including school names, locations, or staff will be deidentified.

Please review the attached Participant Information Sheet which outlines the specific details of this study including confidentiality and privacy measures.

If you are interested in sharing your experience with promoting neurodiversity as a school-based occupational therapist, please contact me via email at lnolan4@une.edu and we can set up a time for an interview over Zoom. 

If you would like additional information or have any questions, please reach out to me at the above listed email. 

Thank you for your consideration of participation in this study.

Respectfully,

Laura Nolan, MOT, OTR/L, CAS
University of New England Doctor of Education Student