Alumni Awards and Recognitions

Lisa Mische-Lawson, PhD, CTRS is a 1996 graduate of Temple's master's program in Therapeutic Recreation.  She currently teaches in the Occcupational Therapy Education Program at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  Dr. Mische-Lawson has recieved funding from Autism Speaks in January, 2012 to develop a Sensory Supported Swimming Program for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.  Dr. Lawson, the PI on the grant, will collaborate with OT colleagues, Jane Cox, MS, OTR/L; Lauren Foster, OTD, OTR/L on this project which is aimed at enriching the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by decreasing the risk of drowning, promoting participation in a life-long sport and increasing the capacity of general recreation providers to offer specialized and inclusive recreation programs for individuals with ASD. The purpose of this program is to provide a sustainable, low cost recreational swim program for children with ASD. As these colleagues collaborate on this program, they expect to accomplish these objectives:

1.Provide more opportunities for families of children with ASD to access a recreational swim program at low cost.
2.Increase the capacity of swim instructors working with children with ASD.
3.Increase physical activity for children with ASD in a way that is a good match for their individual sensory needs.
4.Increase safety among children with ASD in and around the water so they and their families can swim safely.
5.Transition swimmers with ASD from a learn-to-swim program to an inclusive swim team.

Congratulations Lisa !