Dr. Shirley O'Brien
Foundation Professor
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Contact Information
Dizney 237
Dr. Shirley O'Brien
Foundation Professor
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Education
- Ph.D., University of Kentucky
- M.S. Rush University
- B.S., Temple University
Research & Academic Interests
- Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Online learning
- Sensory integration
Publications
- Saccucci, K., O’Brien, S., & Bray, L. (2025). Administrators’ Perceptions of Alternative Service Delivery Models and the School-based Occupational Therapists’ Role. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2025.2452468
- Sheaffer, A., Skubik-Peplaski, C. & O’Brien, S. P. (2025). Equitable Access to Sports: Youth Gymnastics Coaches’ Perceptions on Promoting Inclusivity for Athletes with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2025.2456733
- Head, K., Dvorak, K., O’Brien, S. & Carpenter, R. (2024). Dissertation. In M.G. Strawser & R. Yaure (Eds). Multidisciplinary approaches to culminating student experiences. (pp. Vernon Press. https://vernonpress.com/book/1923
- O'Brien, S. P. (2024). Finding harmony in academic life: Blending the teacher-scholar model. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(3), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2378
- Edick, J., O’Brien, S., & Hardman, L. (2023). The value of collaboration with occupational therapists in schVeenendall, J., O’Brien, S.P. & Duckart, J. (2024). Assistive technology training in transition programming. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB), 18, (pp. 66-83) https://www.atia.org/atob-volume-18/
- Stimler, L., Skubik-Peplaski, C., Custer, M., O’Brien, S. (2023). Student perceptions of reading preparation and textbook use in professional allied health programs. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 21(4), Article 24. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2296&context=ijahsp
- Veenendall, J., O’Brien, S.P. & Duckart, J. (2024). Assistive technology training in transition programming. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB), 18, (pp. 66-83) https://www.atia.org/atob-volume-18/
- Carpenter, R., Gore, J., O’Brien, S., Fairchild, J. & Winslow, M. (2021). “Integrated Approaches for Supporting Academic Research: Models that Reveal the Future while Promoting Success.” In P.Blessinger and E. Sengupta (Eds.). The Future of Research: International Perspectives on Emerging Trends and Integrating Research-based Learning across the Curriculum. IHETL, V36, Emerald.
Awards & Accolades
- Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association, Distinguished Service Award, 2024
- Eastern Kentucky University, College of Health Sciences, Excellence in Scholarship Award, 2022-2023
- Inaugural Dr. Jerry Pogatshnik Graduate Faculty Award, 2022
Associations & Work History
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
- Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA)
Education
- Ph.D., University of Kentucky
- M.S. Rush University
- B.S., Temple University
Research & Academic Interests
- Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Online learning
- Sensory integration
Publications
- Saccucci, K., O’Brien, S., & Bray, L. (2025). Administrators’ Perceptions of Alternative Service Delivery Models and the School-based Occupational Therapists’ Role. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2025.2452468
- Sheaffer, A., Skubik-Peplaski, C. & O’Brien, S. P. (2025). Equitable Access to Sports: Youth Gymnastics Coaches’ Perceptions on Promoting Inclusivity for Athletes with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2025.2456733
- Head, K., Dvorak, K., O’Brien, S. & Carpenter, R. (2024). Dissertation. In M.G. Strawser & R. Yaure (Eds). Multidisciplinary approaches to culminating student experiences. (pp. Vernon Press. https://vernonpress.com/book/1923
- O'Brien, S. P. (2024). Finding harmony in academic life: Blending the teacher-scholar model. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(3), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2378
- Edick, J., O’Brien, S., & Hardman, L. (2023). The value of collaboration with occupational therapists in schVeenendall, J., O’Brien, S.P. & Duckart, J. (2024). Assistive technology training in transition programming. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB), 18, (pp. 66-83) https://www.atia.org/atob-volume-18/
- Stimler, L., Skubik-Peplaski, C., Custer, M., O’Brien, S. (2023). Student perceptions of reading preparation and textbook use in professional allied health programs. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 21(4), Article 24. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2296&context=ijahsp
- Veenendall, J., O’Brien, S.P. & Duckart, J. (2024). Assistive technology training in transition programming. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB), 18, (pp. 66-83) https://www.atia.org/atob-volume-18/
- Carpenter, R., Gore, J., O’Brien, S., Fairchild, J. & Winslow, M. (2021). “Integrated Approaches for Supporting Academic Research: Models that Reveal the Future while Promoting Success.” In P.Blessinger and E. Sengupta (Eds.). The Future of Research: International Perspectives on Emerging Trends and Integrating Research-based Learning across the Curriculum. IHETL, V36, Emerald.
Awards & Accolades
- Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association, Distinguished Service Award, 2024
- Eastern Kentucky University, College of Health Sciences, Excellence in Scholarship Award, 2022-2023
- Inaugural Dr. Jerry Pogatshnik Graduate Faculty Award, 2022
Associations & Work History
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
- Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA)