81 posts
Standard
The label “profound autism” has gained significant traction over the last several years, emerging as a distinct clinical and social descriptor for individuals on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. While the term was intended to draw attention to a population with unique, high-level support needs, its application has remained inconsistent across research…
Standard
The collaborative nature of the occupational therapy community serves as the primary engine for the evolution of clinical resources. Recently, this spirit of cooperation was highlighted when an occupational therapist practicing in Tennessee reached out with a poignant observation regarding the Occupational Therapy Toolkit. The practitioner noted that a patient living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)…
Standard
The Occupational Therapy Toolkit, a cornerstone resource for clinicians seeking practical, evidence-based materials for patient care, is poised for a significant expansion. Following a direct request from a practitioner in Tennessee, the creator of the Toolkit has announced that Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) will be formally integrated into the next edition of the publication. This decision…
Standard
MINNEAPOLIS — For nearly four decades, Niraphanh Insomphou has called Minnesota home. Like many in the state’s vibrant immigrant community, her family arrived in the 1970s seeking refuge after fleeing conflict in Laos. While her siblings eventually navigated the complex path to U.S. citizenship, Insomphou—who lives with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities and is unable…
Standard
The occupational therapy community thrives on collaboration, constant learning, and the shared goal of improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice. Recently, these core values were highlighted when a practicing occupational therapist from Tennessee reached out to the editorial team behind the Occupational Therapy Toolkit with a compelling request. The therapist noted that a patient living…
Standard
At the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Nashville, the newest piece of mobility equipment is a 3D-printed wheelchair—built layer by layer by a gaming and technology specialist who had never set out to design a wheelchair at all. That detail matters. It is a small sign of a much bigger shift happening in pediatric…
Standard
Underneath the surface of internalized ableism, a profound truth often remains obscured by modern societal expectations: no one truly wants to be seen and heard by the masses. Instead, human beings naturally prefer to be understood and loved deeply by a few, and everyone shares an innate desire to love, care for, and help one…
Standard
Autistic culture represents a world of infinite diversity that exists far beyond the boundaries of the neuronormative imagination. Every autistic relationship is entirely unique, forged within a context where many individuals carry the weight of profound trauma. To address this reality, communities require appropriate tools to invest in the deep understanding of one another. Scholars…
Standard
By Cheryl Hall | June 23rd, 2026 As an occupational therapist, there are few feelings as discouraging as the sense that your voice is being lost in the clinical shuffle. It is a sentiment that resonates across the healthcare spectrum. Whether you are a nurse navigating a complex discharge plan, a physician assistant managing multiple…
Standard
Three McMaster University students have stepped forward to challenge one of the most persistent and costly hurdles in modern healthcare, aiming to disrupt an industry where high prices have long kept essential devices out of reach for millions of people. Driven by personal experiences watching family members struggle with the financial burden of hearing loss…
