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RESUME

Resume
Disclaimer

Neurodiversity is a core piece of who I am, it describes my identity, my community, and my life ambitions. My greatest asset as an autistic individual is my ability to perceive and approach the world in a uniquely original and authentic manner. 

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As someone trained in Occupational Therapy, I have developed a contextually cognizant understanding of human occupation, and an appreciation for the role it plays in identity, community, and individual life course. I consider the instrumental nature of life and occupation to possess an inherent level of artistry and mastery. For this reason, I operate best when I am inspired, preferring to learn and teach expressively by exploring, doing, and storytelling.

 

Although my approach to practice is inherently occupation based and individualized, the term Occupational Therapist does not strongly resonate with me, at least not in the traditional sense. “Narrative shifter” would be much closer to the mark, because it describes my role (as a therapist) influencing/facilitating the narratives of the individuals I work with, and my broader aspirations to shift the narrative surrounding disability and neurodiversity. A skeptic by nature, I believe in the importance of questioning the ways things have always been done and pursuing social justice by challenging the ableist assumptions embedded within society and the profession of Occupational Therapy.

 

​In the spirit of adopting the unconventional, permit me to take a different approach to this resume… one that is not solely based on templates or what is expected. Allow me to paint the picture of who I am with supplemental examples of my work serving as a narrative device. Because, my  work is not separate from me; rather it is an expression of who I am, as an advocate, a professional, and an autistic individual.

Contact Info

Email:

Phone:​

  • (704) 749.4881

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Social Media/Other Links

Instagram:

  • @neurodiversity_ot

  • @renaissance_ot

Facebook:​

  • OTs for Neurodiversity

  • Renaissance OT

Other:​

  • b3coffeestand.com

Academic History

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, August 2021

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  • Bachelor of Science, Psychology, May 2017

Self Advocate/OT Trainee | Leadership in Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities | FALL 2020-SPRING 2021

  • Participated in an interdisciplinary training program aimed to equip emerging leaders in healthcare to advance best practices and address systems-level needs

Work​
experience​
Support Professional- Arc of the Triangle | Fall 2019-Present

 

  • Supported transition age individuals with disabilities in … through self determination theory informed coaching practices.​​

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Ex: Addressed occupational deprivation for client in the wake of Covid-19. We created occupational opportunities to reclaim balance including, a Covid safe charity car wash (weekly), cooking lessons, and an ongoing landscaping business.​

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LEND Educational coach | Fall 2020- Spring 2021​

 

  • ​Hand selected to fill the educational coach role for the other LEND Self-advocate Trainee (Allen). Collaborated with and mentored Allen as he voiced his unique perspective as an individual with an intellectual and physical disability to class and small group work.

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Ex:  Allen is an excellent advocate, the most exciting part of my job was to connect him with advocacy opportunities. We have forged an ongoing professional relationship thanks to his ability as a speaker and passion for advocacy.​

 

Program Coordinator HEELS Prep | Summer 2020- Present

 

  • Co-coordinated HEELS Prep, a 7 week program that supports individuals w/ ID pursue self-identified goals for adult life.

  • Developed and implemented the self-management content area of the program in close collaboration with TEACCH staff.

  • Served as a 1:1 coach for participants utilizing CO-OP as a guiding framework

  • Developed, presented, and coordinated the training sessions and activities for incoming HEELS Prep Coaches.

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Ex:  As a program coordinator, I developed + co-led the training and weekly support for Prep coaches. Organized training and ongoing support is essential for ensuring effective coaching, especially for a program reliant upon student employment (yearly turnover). 

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Cooking Instructor | Summer 2019-Present

 

  • After serving 10 years in the restaurant industry (7 years in leadership positions), I translated my cooking passion and knowledge into becoming a personal cooking instructor for individuals with disabilities.

  • Currently developing a neuro inclusive cooking curriculum, which adopts a self determination theory informed approach to capacity building via occupationally embedded learning opportunities.

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Ex: Adapted recipes into 5 different formats ranging from standard written to full visual. The flexibility of these formats allows me to borrow strategies from different styles and integrate them together. For example, one client I work with prefers color coded written instructions with clear transitions, a checklist, and visuals of the ingredients and tools.

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Paths Academy Intern, Autism Charlotte | Spring 2018- Spring 2019

 

  • Served in peer-mentor role to support learning and participation of Paths participants

  • Co-instructor: involved in the content creation + co-facilitation of classes related to specific areas of functioning

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Ex: I developed and led a class session related to on campus student self-advocacy (writing professional emails, connecting with disability services, advocating for individual needs as an autistic student).

Community Projects
B3 Coffee- Co-founder, Director of Strategic Planning
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Instagram @b3coffee | Facebook B3 Coffee

  • Formally established B3 as a NPO

  • Facilitated extension of B3 community to online format,  resulting in 65% membership growth in first year as NPO.

  • Currently finalizing a permanent location at the Chapel Hill Public Library

Ex: Some of my contributions for the library project include co-creating the business plan + model, developing the plan for our universally designed space, and connecting with local resources and organizations to create local partnerships and revenue/fundraising streams.

 

 

OTs for Neurodiversity Founder

 

Instagram @neurodiversity_ot | Facebook OTs for Neurodiversity

  • Speaking engagements

    • Podcasts: Modiv Talks, Two Sides of the Spectrum

  • Content creation

    • Create content informed by autistic adults to increase public acceptance of neurodivergent experience(s)

    • Develop helpful tools and guides for therapists, allies/accomplices, and others interested in neurodiversity affirming practices

  • Consultation

    • Currently consulting on trainings, including a Neurodiversity Allyship training through the DEI office at Chapel Hill

    • Long term plans to create a private consultation business specializing in neuro-inclusivity and strengths based practice

Ex: Created a Neurodivergent Identity Workbook to foster the discovery and self actualization of ND individuals as they create a positive self identity.​

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Renaissance OT Founder

 

Instagram @renaissance_ot | Facebook Renaissance OT

  • Examines OT theory, practice, and application through the lens of renaissance ideals

  • OT brand for the type of therapy I envision enacting during my career

OT Fieldwork Placements

​Level 1 Placements

  • Club Nova in Carrboro, NC - a nonprofit community center for people with serious mental illness providing employment, education, social opportunities, and more.

  • Alamance-Burlington County School System - Spent time shadowing and collaborating with a variety of different OTs

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Level 2 Placements

  • Department of Public Instruction (Fall 2020)

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  • Wake County Schools (Fall 2020)

    • Provided virtual OT services to K-12 students with varying disabilities and access needs (i.e. ASD, CP, ID, CVI, LD).

    • In the wake of Covid-19 and the transition to virtual learning, I helped launch social group meetings 1-2x per week to give students with IEPs space to socialize and engage in shared occupations.

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  • Community level work w/ the “Autistic OT” (Sarah Selvaggi-Hernandez) (Summer 2021)

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Speaking Engagements​

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  • Featured Guest, Two Sides of the Spectrum Podcast | March 2021

    • Engaged in discourse related to “Pro-neurodiversity Practices in Action”

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  • Featured Guest, Modiv Talks | November 2020

    • Shared perspectives and advice to neurodivergent youth on the topic of combating stigma in healthcare

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  • Co-Presenter, Overview of OT Involvement in School Mental Health | December 2020

    • Discussed new NC School Mental Health Policy and implications for OT practice through an MTSS framework

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  • Co-Presenter, OT Advocacy Toolbox: School Mental Health | February 2021

    • Examined current supports and barriers to OT practice in school mental health and suggested strategies for advocacy and involvement in promoting occupational justice for students and staff.

Publications/Research​

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  • [In process] Exploring Occupation-Based Practice in Schools. 

    • Conducted descriptive, qualitative research with a group of colleagues under supervision of UNC OT/OS faculty

    • Utilized visual methods and focus group methodology to examine school-based practitioners' understanding and enactment of occupation-based practice in the schools

Awards + Honors​

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  •  B3 Coffee selected as a finalist for the Chamber of Commerce's “University Born Business of the Year” (Winner announced in July 2021)​

  • Pitched B3 Coffee and selected for the LAUNCH start-up accelerator program 2021 cohort (April 2021)

  • Awarded the 2021 Kenan-Biddle Partnership Grant for community-building work with B3 Coffee (March 2021)

Professional Membership​

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  • American Occupational Therapy Association Student Member (2019-Present)

  • North Carolina Postsecondary Education Alliance Member (2020-Present)

  • HEELS UP Steering Committee (UNC Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program Development) (May 2020-Present)

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