Biographical note

Heather Miller Kuhaneck is a clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University where she co-teaches the pediatric and research content of the program.As an occupational therapist she has practiced in pediatrics for 20 years in a variety of settings. She has specialized in occupational therapy using Ayres sensory integration approach and uses a play based approach to practice in all work settings. She is the editor of Autism: A Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Approach, and she recently co-authored an assessment tool for pediatric occupational therapy called the Sensory Processing Measures.She is a past committee member of both the sensory integration and the school system special interest sections of AOTA, serving as Quarterly Editor for both, and is the current Vice President of the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Susan L. Spitzer is a pediatric occupational therapist who has practiced for 15 years in early intervention programs, public and private schools, hospitals, and private practice. A play-based approach, informed by occupational science, is the cornerstone of her practice. Dr. Spitzer also specializes in using Ayres sensory integration approach. Her doctoral research focused on understanding individual meaning in activities for young children with autism. She has been published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, the Journal of Occupational Science, and the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy as well as written other articles and book chapters. Dr. Spitzer presents frequently both within and outside occupational therapy and has taught pediatric occupational therapy courses at the University of Southern California.