Areas of Expertise

Transition from school to adult life for students with developmental disabilities, students with autism, person-centered planning, and school-based occupational therapy

Biography

Meira L. Orentlicher, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA is the Director of Research and Faculty Scholarship in the School of Health Sciences and Professor and Associate Chairperson for Research and Scholarship in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department of Touro College in Manhattan and Central Islip, NY. She received her Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy (BOT) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel in 1992, her Master’s in Advanced Occupational Therapy with specialization in developmental disabilities and pediatrics from New York University in 1995, and her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in occupational therapy research and leadership from New York University in 2008. Before joining Touro in 1999, Meira was a program manager at the Research and Training Institute of the National Center for Disability Services in Albertson, NY, where she coordinated research and demonstration grant programs funded by the US Department of Education. In this role she developed and researched transition programs tailored for students with severe disabilities.

As a qualitative researcher, her research focuses on the experiences of young adults with disabilities and their families during the transition from school to adult life. Meira is a member of AOTA’s Community of Practice on Transition, as well as the editorial board of the Journal of OT, Schools, and Early Intervention, where she edits a column on transition. She co-edited the first OT textbook on transition, “Transitions across the lifespan: An occupational therapy approach”, which was published by AOTA Press in 2015. In 2019 she authored a chapter in the book, “Best practices for occupational therapy in schools” (by AOTA Press) on best practices in transition planning for independent living and workplace readiness. She presented numerous presentations and published articles and book chapters on transition, person-centered planning and school-based occupational therapy.

Clinical Specialty

School based occupational therapy, transition from school to adult life

Education

• New York University, New York, NY. Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy
• New York University, New York, NY. Master of Arts in Advanced Occupational Therapy with Specialization in Developmental Disabilities/Pediatrics
• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Honors and Awards

• Service Commendation (2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2012), American Occupational Therapy Association
• Outstanding Mentor Award (2018), American Occupational Therapy Association
• Vera Jean Clark Brown Service Award (2016), Occupational Therapy Department, Touro College
• Alumna of Note (2016), American Friends of the Hebrew University
• Roster of Fellows (2015, American Occupational Therapy Association
• SIS Quarterly Wall of Fame Editor (2015), American Occupational Therapy Association
• Distinguished Leadership Award (2014), Occupational Therapy Department, Touro College

Research

Transition from school to adult life, person-centered planning, consumer-directed disability programs, collaboration in school-based practice

Recent Publications

Select Recent Publications

Orentlicher, M. L. (2019). Best practices in transition planning for independent living and workplace readiness. In G. Frolek Clark, J. E. Rioux, & B. E. Chandler (Eds.), Best practices for occupational therapy in schools (2^nd ed.; pp. 193-199). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Orentlicher, M. L. & Case, D. (2018). Adolescence and ASD. In R. Watling & S. L. Spitzer (Eds.), Autism across the lifespan: A comprehensive occupational therapy approach (4^th ed.; pp. 243-253). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Orentlicher, M. L. & Case, D. (2018). Intervention for participation in IADLs and Independent Living for Individuals with ASD. In R. Watling & S. L. Spitzer (Eds.), Autism across the lifespan: A comprehensive occupational therapy approach (4^th ed.; pp. 287-303). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Orentlicher, M. L., Case, D., Podvey, M. C., Myers, C. T., Rudd, L. Q., & Schoonover, J. (2017). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): What is Occupational Therapy’s Role in Transition Services and Planning? Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association. Available at: https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Practice/Children/FAQ-What-is-OTs-Role-in-Transition-Services-and-Planning-20170530.pdf

Handley-More, D., Schneider, E. W., Hollenbeck, J., & Orentlicher, M. L. (2017). FAQs about Practice in the Schools. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association. Available at: https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Practice/Children/Member-Questions-about-Schools-20170413.pdf

Handley-More, D., Schneider, E. W., Hollenbeck, J., & Orentlicher, M. L. (2017). FAQs about Practice in Early Intervention. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association. Available at: https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Practice/Children/Member-Questions-about-EI-20170413.pdf

Orentlicher, M. L., Schefkind, S., & Gibson, R. W. (Eds.) (2015). Transitions across the lifespan: An occupational therapy approach. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Orentlicher, M. L., Schefkind, S., & Gibson, R. W. (2015). Introduction. In M. L. Orentlicher, S. Schefkind, & R. W. Gibson (Eds.), Transitions across the lifespan: An occupational therapy approach (pp. xv-xvi). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Orentlicher, M. L. (2015). Transition from school to adult life. In M. L. Orentlicher, S. Schefkind, & R. W. Gibson (Eds.), Transitions across the lifespan: An occupational therapy approach (pp. 103-126). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Schoonover, J. W. & Orentlicher, M. L. (2015). Supportive environments for transition. In M. L. Orentlicher, S. Schefkind, & R. W. Gibson (Eds.), Transitions across the lifespan: An occupational therapy approach (pp. 213-236). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

Recent Presentations

Select Recent Presentations

• Supporting the transition of students with autism from school to adult life in the community.” Shema Kolainu – Hear Our Voices Autism Workshop Series at Touro College, New York, NY, June 2019
• “Family, youth, and community engagement.” Coauthors: A. Stoffel, W. Mahoney, & S. Schefkind. 2019 Annual Conference, American Occupational Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA, April 2019
• “Pre-conference Institute: Supporting transitions from early childhood through high school.” Coauthors: C. T. Myers, & D. B. Schwind. Specialty Conference on School System Practice, American Occupational Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, November 2017
• “School to work transition.” Specialty Conference on School System Practice, American Occupational Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, December 2017
• “What happens next? Understanding the transition from school to adult life from the perspective of young adults with disabilities and their families.” Coauthors: L. L. Benenati, W. A. DeGeorge, M. Yakubov-Nisanova, M. Frattarola-Saulino, K. Perry, J. Clark, Jo. Clark, E. Perry, M. Pitchard, G. Waltz, & N. Pentzell. 2017 Annual Conference, American Occupational Therapy Association, Philadelphia, PA, March 2017
• “Developing and implementing transition services in schools: Tips and practical strategies.” Coauthors: S. Schefkind, D. Case, J. Hollenbeck, C. Myers, M. Podvey, & L. Rudd. 2016 Annual Conference, American Occupational Therapy Association, Chicago, IL, April 2016
• “Participatory action research: The science of storytelling and social change.” 4^th Annual Faculty Author Reception, Touro College Libraries, New York, NY, November 2015
• “Secrets from the field: Transition research, resources, and tips.” Coauthors: D. Case, L. Crabtree, R. Gibson, H. Jackson-Pena, C. Myers, M. Podvey, L. Rudd, S. Schefkind, J. Schoonover. 2015 AOTA Annual Conference, American Occupational Therapy Association, Nashville, TN, April 2015

Professional Service

• Reviewer, Health Services Research Grant Program, American Occupational Therapy Foundation
• Editor, Transition Today and Tomorrow Column, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention
• Volunteer, Conference Planning Committee, American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference

Memberships and Affiliations

• Transition Community of Practice, American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA)
• World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
• Orthodox Jewish Occupational Therapy Caucus (OJOTC)
• Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R)
• TASH
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
• Society for Disability Studies

Teaching Responsibilities

• OT 695-696: Research I&II