Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Contact Dr. Schaaf

901 Walnut Street
Suite 605
Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 503-9609
(215) 503-3499 fax

Education
BS in Occupational Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
MEd in Motor Development, Temple University Philadelphia, PA
PhD in Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA

Certification
Sensory Integration and Praxis Test & Southern California Sensory Integration Tests AOTA Neuroscience Certificate: Neuroscience Foundations of Human Performance

Fellowship
Alpha Eta Honor Society, Member and President
Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association
Switzer Fellowship - National Institute on Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research

University Appointment
Professor & Vice Chair (Department of Occupational Therapy); Faculty, Farber Institute for Neuroscience

Research and Clinical Interests
Sensory Integration Research Program
Principal Investigator, National Institute of Health, NICHD: "RO3 - Physiological and Behavioral Characterization of Sensory Dysfunction in Autism."Project Period September 2009 - August 2012.
Principal Investigator, Autism Speaks: "Effectiveness of Sensory Based Strategies for Improving Adaptive Behaviors in Children With Autism."Project Period September 1, 2008-August 30, 2011.
Principal Investigator, Wallace Research Foundation: "Parasympathetic Functions in Children with Sensory Processing Disorders"
Principal Investigator, Thomas Jefferson University Medical School Intramural Research Award: "Sensory Responsivity in Children with Autism"
Consultant, National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development "Outcome of Sensory-Based Intervention after Birth Trauma"
Principal Investigator, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Switzer Fellowship: "Functional Behaviors and Parasympathetic Nervous System Functions in Children with Sensory Modulation Dysfunction"
Principal Investigator, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association: "Neural and Behavioral Correlates of Sensory Modulation Dysfunction"
Co-Principal Investigator, Developmental Psychobiology Research Group: Denver, CO: "Parasympathetic functions in children with sensory modulation dysfunction"
Project Faculty, Department of Education, City of Philadelphia: Teaching and Learning Collaborative

Other Professional Experience
Acting Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy Thomas Jefferson University, 1999-2000
Faculty - Farber Institute for Neuroscience. Dec 2004 -Present.
Occupational Therapist, Private Practice, Collegeville, PA
Consultant, Northern Chester County Community & Nursing Services.
Occupational Therapist, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, Preschool Program
School-Based Therapist, New Castle County Public School System, Wilmington, DE

Professional Memberships
Chair, College Faculty Advisory Committee
President, Alpha Eta Honor Society, Jefferson College of Health Professions
Faculty, American Occupational Therapy Association, Evidence Based Practice Review of Sensory Integration
Editorial Board, Journal of Occupation, Participation and Health
Member: State of Pennsylvania - Autism Assessment Task Force
Member: Society for Neuroscience, Philadelphia Chapter
Member: Pennsylvania's Autism Diagnosis and Assessment Expert Working Group
Member: Sensory Processing Disorders Research Workgroup
Member: International Society for Psychophysiological Research
Research Advisory Council for Pediatric Therapy Network, Torrance, CA
Education & Research Representative: American Occupational Therapy Association, Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section
Editor: American Occupational Therapy Association, Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section, Standing Committee

Course Development
Neurorehabilitation Certificate Program
Autism Certificate Program
Neuroscience Course

Awards And Honors
A. Jean Ayres, Research Award, The American Occupational Therapy Foundation
Dean's Faculty Achievement Award
Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching
Service Award - American Occupational Therapy Association
Abrams award for Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Teaching
Master Clinician Award - Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association

Publications

Most recent Peer-reviewed Publications

1. Occupational therapy using sensory integration to improve participation of a child with autism: A case report
2. Cross-cultural comparison of sensory behaviors in children with autism
3. Emerging as leaders in autism research and practi Using the data-driven intervention process
4. Occupational therapy and sensory integration for children with autism: A feasibility, safety, acceptability and fidelity study
5. Use of robotics in spinal cord injury: A case report
6. Phenotypes within sensory modulation dysfunction
7. Comparison of behavioral intervention and sensory-integration therapy in the treatment of challenging behavior
8. The everyday routines of families of children with autism: Examining the impact of sensory processing difficulties on the family
9. Development of a fidelity measure for research on the effectiveness of the ayres sensory integration® intervention
10. Evolution of the sensory integration frame of reference
11. Examining the neuroscience evidence for sensory driven neuroplasticity: Implications for sensory-based occupational therapy for children and adolescents
12. Parasympathetic functions in children with sensory processing disorder
13. Neuroscience foundations of vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory strategies
14. Occupational therapy using a sensory integrative approach: A case study of effectiveness
15. Fidelity in sensory integration intervention research
16. Goal attainment scaling as a measure of meaningful outcomes for children with sensory integration disorders
17. Lessons learned: A pilot study on occupational therapy effectiveness for children with sensory modulation disorder
18. Occupational therapy using a sensory integrative approach for children with developmental disabilities
19. Children with disturbances in sensory processing: A pilot study examining the role of the parasympathetic nervous system
20. An interdisciplinary, environmentally-based model of care for children with HIV infection and their caregivers

View All Publications