August 2018 - Present 

August 2018 - Present 

Member ID #000004558391

A presentation on developed around "Putting the PIECES together: A Structured Problem Solving Model to Address Problem Behaviors." 

Presented by Joani M. Richardson, OTR/L for Summit Professional Education 

A presentation on developing and implementing practical and effective modulation plans for children of all ages. 

Presented by Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR for Summmit Professional Education 

Presented by Debra Johnson, MS, OTR/L 

Summit Professional Education 

August 2014 - May 2018 

Graduated with Cum Laude 

August 2018 - May 2021 

Certified Nursing Assistant 

August 2017 - December 2017 

Performed bed checks to all residents to ensure safety and comfort 

Assisted residents throughout their morning routines to complete ADLs safely and effectively 

Certified Nursing Assistant 

Undergraduate Internship 

Consistently performed bed checks to ensure all residents were comfortable and safe 

Performed various types of transfers 

Assisted residents through their morning routines to complete all ADLs safely and effectively 

08/2017 - 12/2017 

Student aid under supervision of Rose Mills 

Level I Fieldwork 

Provided ideas and activities targeted towards improving fine motor skills in the geriatric population 

Motivated individuals to engage in activities geared towards physical mobility and exercise 

Assisted in dance therapy to help individuals work towards their maximal functional ability 

02/2019 - 04/2019 

Student aid under supervision of Laura Critchley 

Level I Fieldwork 

Developed treatment plans and performed therapeutic activities with the pediatric population 

Observed treatment sessions with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists 

 09/2019 - 10/2019 

Student aid under supervision of Amy Spencer 

Level I Fieldwork 

Interacted with typically developing children, ages newborn to five years old, in a daycare setting 

10/2019 - 11/2019 

Student aid under supervision of Beth O'Rourke 

Level I Fieldwork 

Interactive fieldwork experience reviewing transfers, proper handling techniques, and the utilization of adaptive equipment and assistive technology 

Developed and strengthened clinincal reasoning skills through various case studies and scenerios 

02/2020 - 04/2020 

Student Occupational Therapist under supervision of Steven Vrchota, OTD, OTR/L 

Level II Fieldwork 

Treated pediatrics within the ages of 2-15 years old through a Telemedicine platform 

Developed and implemented treatment plans for specific children of specific diagnoses 

Provided thorough occupational therapy evaluations for various children 

Co-treated with physical therapists and speech therapists to gain deeper knowledge of their roles within patient care 

05/2020 - 08/2020 

Student Occupational Therapist under supervision of Gina Smith, OTR/L 

Level II Fieldwork 

Treated individuals between the ages of 6-93 years old with a variety of diagnoses 

Experience in both inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy services 

Observations in the operating room for various types of surgeries to gain a deeper understanding of the processes involved in reparing damaged muscles 

09/2020 - 11/2020 

October 2018 

Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation 

February 2020 

November 2019 

November 2018 

September 2018 

Analyzed case study scenerios among multidisciplinary student healthcare teams 

January 8, 2021 

Differentiating Sensory from Behavior, Finding Solutions for Challenging Behaviors in Children 

Summit Professional Education 

Presented by Joani M. Richardson, OTR/L 

January 22, 2021 

Developing and Implementing Sensory Diets, Practical and Effective Modulation Plans for Children of All Ages 

Summit Professional Education 

Presented by Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR 

February 11, 2021 

Differentiating Sensory from Behavior, Linking Sensory Integration and a Strength-Based Approach to Assess and Address Challenging Behaviors in Children 

Summit Professional Education 

Presented by Debra Johnson, MS, OTR/L 

October 2020 

Presented at the American Society of Hand Therapists 2020 Virtual Conference 

SafeColleges Training

A training program requiring 70 minutes was completed on Thursday, March 25, 2021. This was a reality-driven course designed to educate students about consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, as well as the realities of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and more. 

February 2019 

September 2019 

August 2017 - Lifetime 

July 2017 - July 2019 

Trained to provide hands-on care to residents in medical settings under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse; Trained to assist residents with basic daily tasks such as bathing and dressing 

September 2018 - March 2021 

Trained to provide service for life resuscitation 

by Mollie Lovasko

Illustrated by Rena Mindas 

Independently published through Kindle Direct Publishing

This book was developed to be included within The Sensory Series. 

The Sensory Series includes four books. The first three books are tailored towards children with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorder (SPD). Each of the three stories are aimed towards providing real-life situations that typically cause difficulties for children with each of the three types of SPD. Each situation is then followed by strategies to help accommodate for these difficulties. The fourth and final book within this series is tailored towards parents, caregivers, teachers, or therapists striving to gain a deeper understanding of how children with SPD experience the world. This final book directly aligns with all three children’s books as it includes each scenario listed within each story. This book helps to explain why certain environments, situations, or tasks can be difficult for children with SPD, as well as additional strategies and recommendations that can be applied to better accommodate these children.

This series aims to bring light to common, daily-life activities that are perceived as difficult and triggering for many children with SPD. The goal of this series is not only to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists understand strategies to accommodate these children, but to help these children learn to help themselves. 

by Mollie Lovasko

Illustrated by Rena Mindas

Independently published through Kindle Direct Publishing

This book was developed to be included within The Sensory Series. 

The Sensory Series includes four books. The first three books are tailored towards children with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorder (SPD). Each of the three stories are aimed towards providing real-life situations that typically cause difficulties for children with each of the three types of SPD. Each situation is then followed by strategies to help accommodate for these difficulties. The fourth and final book within this series is tailored towards parents, caregivers, teachers, or therapists striving to gain a deeper understanding of how children with SPD experience the world. This final book directly aligns with all three children’s books as it includes each scenario listed within each story. This book helps to explain why certain environments, situations, or tasks can be difficult for children with SPD, as well as additional strategies and recommendations that can be applied to better accommodate these children.

This series aims to bring light to common, daily-life activities that are perceived as difficult and triggering for many children with SPD. The goal of this series is not only to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists understand strategies to accommodate these children, but to help these children learn to help themselves. 

by Mollie Lovasko

Illustrated by Mollie Lovasko

Independently published through Kindle Direct Publishing

This book was developed to be included within The Sensory Series. 

The Sensory Series includes four books. The first three books are tailored towards children with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorder (SPD). Each of the three stories are aimed towards providing real-life situations that typically cause difficulties for children with each of the three types of SPD. Each situation is then followed by strategies to help accommodate for these difficulties. The fourth and final book within this series is tailored towards parents, caregivers, teachers, or therapists striving to gain a deeper understanding of how children with SPD experience the world. This final book directly aligns with all three children’s books as it includes each scenario listed within each story. This book helps to explain why certain environments, situations, or tasks can be difficult for children with SPD, as well as additional strategies and recommendations that can be applied to better accommodate these children.

This series aims to bring light to common, daily-life activities that are perceived as difficult and triggering for many children with SPD. The goal of this series is not only to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists understand strategies to accommodate these children, but to help these children learn to help themselves. 

by Mollie Lovasko

Illustrated by Rena Mindas

Independently published through Kindle Direct Publishing

This book was developed to be included within The Sensory Series. 

The Sensory Series includes four books. The first three books are tailored towards children with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorder (SPD). Each of the three stories are aimed towards providing real-life situations that typically cause difficulties for children with each of the three types of SPD. Each situation is then followed by strategies to help accommodate for these difficulties. The fourth and final book within this series is tailored towards parents, caregivers, teachers, or therapists striving to gain a deeper understanding of how children with SPD experience the world. This final book directly aligns with all three children’s books as it includes each scenario listed within each story. This book helps to explain why certain environments, situations, or tasks can be difficult for children with SPD, as well as additional strategies and recommendations that can be applied to better accommodate these children.

This series aims to bring light to common, daily-life activities that are perceived as difficult and triggering for many children with SPD. The goal of this series is not only to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists understand strategies to accommodate these children, but to help these children learn to help themselves. 

Short, N., Almonroeder, T., Baumle, M., Benvenuti, K., Bozett, N., John, O., Lovasko, M., and Rinaldi, E. (in press). Wrist Pressure and Angulation during Keyboarding: Comparison between Two Common Wrist Supports. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. 

August 2018 - December 2018 

Student Research 

Huntington University Research I 

Analyzed the effects of sensory integration therapy on pediatric patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder 

January 2019 - August 2018 

Student Research 

Huntington University Research II & III 

Analyzed the effects of low-immersive virtual reality on the outcomes of upper-extremity rehabilitation on patients who were post-stroke 

August 2019 - May 2021 

Student Research

Huntington University Research IV & V 

Analyzed wrist pressure exerted through the median nerve while typing at a standardized workstation 

August 2017 - December 2017 

Undergraduate Capstone 

Trine University 

Over the course of two weeks, five participants (three female and two male) tested their blood glucose levels before and after completing a thirty-minute aerobic exercise program. 

January 2021 - April 2021 

Graduate Doctoral Capstone

Project Description: This capstone investigated current techniques utilized by elementary school educators with students experiencing either sensory or behavioral difficulties. The current capstone also provided elementary school educators information on the differentiation between sensory and behavior and simple techniques utilized by occupational therapists to assist in meeting the needs of children that are experiencing difficulties. The purpose of this capstone project was to both analyze the techniques utilized by teachers currently while also providing additional recommendations to meet the needs of the students. The information regarding sensory integration gained throughout this Capstone was then utilized to develop an informational book for parents, caregivers, teachers, and additional medical professionals to expand upon the background of sensory deficits experienced by most children. Success of the capstone project was evidenced by the overall improvement in academic participation by the students as measured by educator surveys before and after the presentation of information, as well as the completion of an informational book regarding Sensory Integration as a whole.

Mission Statement: To analyze the following: (a) current techniques used by elementary school educators with students experiencing either sensory or behavioral difficulties, (b) the overall knowledge of elementary school educators on the topic of sensory versus behavior as measured by educator-surveys, and (c) best practice methods implemented throughout the home in regards to sensory integration strategies.

Vision Statement: To improve overall academic participation in elementary school students by providing additional recommendations to educators and to develop an informational book for parents, teachers, and other medical professionals in regards to sensory integration to increase general knowledge in the topic of sensory integration.

Deliverables: 

1. Literature Review regarding sensory processing within a classroom 

2. Needs Assessment regarding elementary educators and caregivers of elementary-aged children 

3. Three Continuining Education Courses 

4. Pre- and Post-surveys completed by elementary educators before and after a presentation of information regarding sensory versus behavior in school settings 

5. Pre-Recorded presentation titled Sensory vs. Behavior provided to Nathan Hale Elementary educators 

6. PowerPoint slides provided to all educators during a live presentation titled Sensory Processing Disorder in the Classroom 

7. PDF folder provided to all Nathan Hale Elementary educators, including resources regarding heavy work activities in the classroom, brain break differentiations, PBIS, among various additional resources 

8. Sensory Totes provided to all Nathan Hale Elementary educators which included the following: sensory fidgets (popsicla stick hand-made fidget, sensory ring, marble sling, stretchy fidget, 3-ring fidget, textured sensory ball), two sensory bins (rice with large beads and colored pasta, lima beans with various-sized pompoms), and a desk chair elastic band 

9. Calming Totes provided to all Nathan Hale Elementary educators which included the following: Eye-Spy Rice Bag, Calming bottle, gel pad, store-bought stress ball, hand-made flour and balloon stress ball, calming coloring bookmarks, calm strips, and slinkies 

10. Behavioral folders provided to all Nathan Hale Elementary educators which included a Time Out Traffic Ticket, allowing students to reflect on undesired behaviors, followed by brainstorming alternative, more desired behaviors 

11. Brain Break Packets which included the differntiation between the three categorized brain breaks (calm, focus, energy), as well as 7 examples of each categorized activities 

12. Organized Table of Contents for sensory integrative informational book 

13. Research binder with various evidence-based interventions for children with sensory difficulties 

14. IRB approval to provide caregivers with questionnaire regarding common questions on the topic of sensory processing to be highlighted within the informational book 

15. Three children's books and one book for parents, caregivers, teachers, or other medical professionals regarding sensory processing and the three types of sensory processing disorder 

See attached. 

December 2018 

Traveled to Guatemala to fit and provide individuals with personalized wheelchairs and adaptive equipment 

July 2019 - August 2019 

Performed prosection/dissection to varying degrees across six human cadavers for future occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician's assistant students to examine and study 

January 2021 

Traveled to China to provide education and therapy services to children, parents of children with disabilities, therapists, and other medical professionals on the importance of occupational therapy