Heather Kuhaneck

Heather Kuhaneck, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, is a Professor of Occupational Therapy in the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Kuhaneck is the co- editor of Case-Smith’s Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents and editor / co-editor of 3 editions of Autism: A Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Approach and 2 editions of Making Play Just Right. She is the co-author of the Sensory Processing Measure and the Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment. She is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association and has practiced as an occupational therapist for over 30 years, specializing in autism and sensory integration, working in urban, suburban, and rural public schools as well as private clinics in CT, WV, and OH.

Name and Contact

• Heather Miller Kuhaneck

• email: hmillerot@yahoo.com

Training and Advanced Certifications

• Ph.D. in Public Health, UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

• M.S. in Occupational Therapy with Pediatric Specialization in School Based Practice, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

• B.S. in Occupational Therapy, BOSTON UNIVERSITY

• Advanced certifications:

  • ASI Fidelity Measure

  • Sensory Integration and Praxis Test

  • Board certified in pediatrics via AOTA examination, Bethesda MD 1998- 2006

Area(s) of Expertise

• Autism

• Play

• Sensory Integration

• Test Development

Awards and Honors

• Faculty Scholarship Award, Sacred Heart University

• Virginia Scardina Award of Excellence, American Occupational Therapy Foundation

• Alice S. Bachmann Clinician Award, Pediatric Therapy Network

• Award of Service, Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association

• Fellow, American Occupational Therapy Association

• Award of Merit, Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association

• Recognition of Achievement, American Occupational Therapy Association

• LEND Fellow

• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

• Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society

• Golden Key National Honor Society

Leadership Accomplishments and Passions

• Strategic Planning Committee, Guidelines for Occupational Therapy in Connecticut Schools (2017)

• Board Member for Professional Development, Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (2012-2013)

• Vice President, The Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (2009)

• Chair, Conference Committee, The Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (2008-2009)

• Secretary, The Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (2004-2007)

• Editor, Sensory Integration Special Interest Section of the American Occupational Therapy Association (2005-2007)

• Editor, School System Special Interest Section of the American Occupational Therapy Association (1997-2000)

• Passions include hiking, biking, quilting, knitting, scrapbooking, reading, and caring for the planet and animals

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