Elizabeth A. Sherman, MA, MOT, OTR/L

Elizabeth A. Sherman, MA, MOT, OTR/L, (they/she) is a clinical occupational therapist and faculty member in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree programs at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth received their BS in exercise science from West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, her master of occupational therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, and her MA in infant and early childhood development (IECD) from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. Elizabeth is currently completing her PhD in the IECD program at Fielding with concentrations in reflective practice and the developmental, individual differences, relationship-based (DIR) model. Elizabeth has also completed a certificate program in evidence-based trauma-sensitive yoga methodology developed at the Justice Resource Institute in Massachusetts. Elizabeth is currently completing their dissertation on autistic-created and autistic-driven supports for agentic action in the autistic community across the life span. Elizabeth’s clinical occupational therapy work is focused primarily on neurodiversity-affirming (inherently trauma-informed) and community mutual aid support for autistic children and adults as well as collaborative mental health care for children, adults, and families. She presents regularly for graduate occupational therapy programs and state organizations across the U.S. Elizabeth’s current primary commitment to scholarship and service is engaging in collaborative, autistic-led advocacy efforts aimed at reducing systemic trauma and the incidence of PTSD in the autistic community through expanding access to basic needs and authentic community care for autistic community stakeholders.