58 min
Autism Friendly Venues in Dallas- Dr. Tina Fletcher OT for Inclusive Occupations: Stories of Not Just Being Invited to the Party but Dancing
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- Education
Dr. Tina Flecher worked as a small-town school OT for 25 years. While working as an OT in schools in rural Texas, she pursued her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts and sculpture. She then went on to get her educational doctorate. She is a Texas Woman’s University professor on the verge of retirement.
Dr. Fletcher understood the lived experiences of her students with disabilities in her community. This, in addition to her family ties with disability and her love for art and education, lead her to initiate autism-friendly events in the community so kids with disabilities can enjoy museums, zoos, and other venues in a friendly and accessible environment. What began at the Dallas Museum of Arts soon spread to other sites, including the Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Zoo, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Frontiers of Flight Museum, and the Erik Johnson Library. She attributes the success of her work to her many OT students who plan the activities and take the lead in educating parents about managing autism-related challenges.
In 2020, her second initiative, Planning for Autism in Communities and Schools, was funded by the Innovative Autism Treatment Models grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Researchers from Texas Woman’s University School of Occupational Therapy worked alongside community organizations and stakeholders to create, build, pilot, implement, and revise the many components of this project.
The Programs Discussed in This Episode
Sensory Days Dallas- https://sensorydaysdallas.com/
Planning for Autism- https://planningforautism.com/about/
Publications by Dr. Fletcher Related to This Episode
The sensory totes programme: sensory-friendly autism program innovations designed to meet COVID-19 challenges
Strategies and Guidelines for Sensory Havens in Sensory and Autism-Friendly Events
Sensory spaces on wheels: Meeting neurodiverse community members where they are.
Dr. Fletcher's Book- Success on the Spectrum: Practical Strategies for Engaging Neurodiverse Audiences in Arts and Cultural Organizations Paperback – February 6, 2024
Check out the Inclusive Occupations website- www.inclusiveoccupations.com
Podcast transcript with audio available at Otter. ai- https://otter.ai/u/So6ndnV3wnJ82pn2tF_9qrLCY4E?utm_source=copy_url
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusiveoccupations/message
Dr. Tina Flecher worked as a small-town school OT for 25 years. While working as an OT in schools in rural Texas, she pursued her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts and sculpture. She then went on to get her educational doctorate. She is a Texas Woman’s University professor on the verge of retirement.
Dr. Fletcher understood the lived experiences of her students with disabilities in her community. This, in addition to her family ties with disability and her love for art and education, lead her to initiate autism-friendly events in the community so kids with disabilities can enjoy museums, zoos, and other venues in a friendly and accessible environment. What began at the Dallas Museum of Arts soon spread to other sites, including the Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Zoo, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Frontiers of Flight Museum, and the Erik Johnson Library. She attributes the success of her work to her many OT students who plan the activities and take the lead in educating parents about managing autism-related challenges.
In 2020, her second initiative, Planning for Autism in Communities and Schools, was funded by the Innovative Autism Treatment Models grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Researchers from Texas Woman’s University School of Occupational Therapy worked alongside community organizations and stakeholders to create, build, pilot, implement, and revise the many components of this project.
The Programs Discussed in This Episode
Sensory Days Dallas- https://sensorydaysdallas.com/
Planning for Autism- https://planningforautism.com/about/
Publications by Dr. Fletcher Related to This Episode
The sensory totes programme: sensory-friendly autism program innovations designed to meet COVID-19 challenges
Strategies and Guidelines for Sensory Havens in Sensory and Autism-Friendly Events
Sensory spaces on wheels: Meeting neurodiverse community members where they are.
Dr. Fletcher's Book- Success on the Spectrum: Practical Strategies for Engaging Neurodiverse Audiences in Arts and Cultural Organizations Paperback – February 6, 2024
Check out the Inclusive Occupations website- www.inclusiveoccupations.com
Podcast transcript with audio available at Otter. ai- https://otter.ai/u/So6ndnV3wnJ82pn2tF_9qrLCY4E?utm_source=copy_url
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusiveoccupations/message
58 min