Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Beth Pfeiffer Ph.D., OTR/L, BCP

Biography

Dr. Pfeiffer earned a B.A. in Psychology and Special Education from Arcadia University, an M.S. in Occupational Therapy with a specialization in pediatrics from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences teaching pediatric courses and mentoring research in the entry-level and post-professional occupational therapy programs. Dr. Pfeiffer coordinates the post-professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy and certificate programs in the department. Dr. Pfeiffer maintains her clinical practice in the area of pediatrics. She is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests and has completed the pediatric NDT training.

Course Involvement

Master of Occupational Therapy Program:

OT 5111 Assessment and Intervention with Children, OT 5101 Theoretical Perspectives in Children, OT 5191 Applied Research, OT 5012 Clinical Conditions II
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy: Core Courses
OT 9089 Field Study and Portfolio Development, OT 8513 Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical, OT 8512 Studies in Outcome Measures and Analysis
Post-Professional Specialty Courses
OT 8131 Assessment Tools for Pediatric OT Practice, OT 8132 Pediatric Occupational Therapy Interventions, OT 8134 Developmental Issues in the Early Years: An OT Perspective, OT 8174 Sensory Integration Practice Applications

Publications/Presentations

Publications

Pfeiffer, B. (In Press). Sensory modulation and anxiety: The chicken or the egg. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly.

Kinnealey, M., Pfeiffer, B., Miller, J, Roan, C., Shoener, R., & Ellner, M. (In Press). Effect of classroom modification on attention/engagement of students with Autism or dyspraxia. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Pfeiffer, B.(2012). Autistic spectrum disorders. In Weiss, D., Morgan, M.J., & Kinnealey, M. (Eds.), A Practitioners Guide to Clinical Occupational Therapy (2nd ed.) (pp. 61-78). Austin, TX: ProEd.

Pfeiffer, B.,Koenig, K., Sheppard, M., Henderson, L., & Kinnealey, M. (2011). The effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in children with Autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 76-85.

Kliger, D. & Pfeiffer, B. (2011). Engaging students in blended courses through increased technology transparency. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 25,11-14.

Pfeiffer, B., Henry, A., Miller, S., & Witherell, S. (2008). The effectiveness of Disco Sit cushions on attention to task in second grade students with attentional difficulties. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 274-281.

Pfeiffer, B., Kinnealey, M., Reed, C., & Herzberg, G. (2005). Sensory modulation and affective disorders in children with Asperger Syndrome, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59, 335-345.

Pfeiffer, B. (2004). Pervasive developmental disorders. In M. Kinnealey, D. Weiss, & M. Morgan (Eds.), A practitioners guide to clinical occupational therapy (pp. 33-50). San Antonio, TX: PsychCorp.

Pfeiffer, B. & Kinnealey, M. (2003). Treatment of sensory defensive adults. Occupational Therapy International, 10, 175-184.

Pfeiffer, B. (2002, March). The impact of dysfunction in sensory integration on occupations in childhood through adulthood: A case study. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 25, 1-2.

Pfeiffer, B. (1996, September/October). Sensory defensiveness in adults. Penn Point, 3.

Presentations and Interviews

Sensory Processing Patterns in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 16, 2011

Listening to the Voice of Autism: An Adult Intervention Model, Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 15, 2011

Meaningful Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Parents/ Caregivers, Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 14, 2011

Capturing Class, Temple University Technology Day, April 8, 2011

Collaborating on Education Environmental Adaptation for ASD Students. Co-Presenter with Kinnealey, M., Roan, C, & Miller, J., Annual Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association Conference, October 23, 2011

Teaching Technology, Temple University Medical School, August 18, 2010

Sensory Modulation and Affective Disorders in Children with Asperger's Disorder, Poster, International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, May 20, 2010

Social and Occupational Participation in Adults with Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Processing Differences. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Orlando, FL, May 1, 2010

Blended Learning Model. Temple University Health Sciences Campus, Philadelphia, PA, October, 2009

Randomized Control Trial of OT with Children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders. SPD Foundation 8th International Symposium, March 12-14, 2009

Occupational Therapy with a Sensory Integration Approach for Children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders: Tools for Professional and Parents. SPD Foundation 8th International Symposium, March 12-14, 2009

Intervention for Adults with SPD: The Sensory Emotional Core. Co-Presenter with Kinnealey, M.SPD Foundation 7th International Symposium, November 7-8, 2009

Creating Evidence: Sensory Integration and Children with Autism: Interview for AOTA website www.aota.org, August, 2008

Sensory Processing Disorders: Interview for WHYY Behavioral Health and Sciences http://www.whyy.org/news/healthscience.html,On air: July 4 & 7, 2008 Study of Social Skill Needs in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Strategies for Intervention. Co-Presenter with Kinnealey, M; Kauffman, N.; & Koenig, K. American Society for Autism National Conference, Orlando, FL, July, 2008

Adult Treatment Model for Sensory Processing Disorders. Co-Presenter with Kinnealey, M. American Occupational Therapy Associations Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA, April 10-13, 2008

The Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Treatment Interventions with Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. American Occupational Therapy Associations Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA, April 10-13, 2008

Adults with Sensory Processing Disorders: A Comprehensive Protocol for Intervention. Co-Presenter with Kinnealey, M.SPD Foundation International Conference, New York, NY, November, 2007

Treatment Model for Adults with Sensory Processing Disorders. Co-Presenter with Kinnealey, M. Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, Harrisburg, PA, October 12, 2007

Sensory Processing Disorders in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: Evidence to Support Intervention Thomas Jefferson University Conference, June 23, 2006

Grants & Contracts

Temple University: Interdisciplinary Research Incentive Fund: Sensory Processing Patterns in Children Diagnosed with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

June 2009 to June 2011

Autism Speaks: Effectiveness of Sensory Based Interventions for Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder

June 2007 to June 2008

Research

Dr. Pfeiffer is currently involved in both qualitative and quantitative research examining the impact on participation and quality of life of sensory modulation and affective disorders on adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and ADHD. She also researches of the effectiveness of a sensory-based treatment model in children and adults with ASD and psychosocial issues, along with the effectiveness of interventions to address sensory defensiveness in adult populations.