Episode 35 - Autism at NYU, with Kristie Patten Koenig, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA

In this episode, hosts Katherine Cody, Psy.D. and Becca Lory, CAS, BCCS speak with Kristie Patten Koenig, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA. She is Associate Professor and Chair at New York University, Department of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Patten Koenig is an occupational therapist, with a PhD in Educational Psychology who examines the efficacy of interventions utilized in public schools for autistic students. Her research focuses on utilizing a strength based paradigm and the autistic individual’s perspective to understand the impact of these issues on quality of life and well-being in order to guide person centered interventions utilizing strengths in inclusive settings. Dr. Koenig is the Principal Investigator of the NYU Steinhardt's ASD Nest Program, an inclusive program for autistic students in the New York City Department of Education. She is currently Co-PI of a NSF grant entitled "IDEAS: Inventing, Designing and Engineering on the Autism Spectrum" that leverages STEM interests of ASD middle school students to develop social competence and potential career pathways. The three discuss what NYU is doing for people on the spectrum, Dr. Patten Koenig’s collaboration with Dr. Stephen Shore, the importance of professionals interacting with the autistic, and why occupational therapy is so valuable for the neurodiverse. To contact Dr. Patten Koenig, email her at [email protected] or visit her twitter: https://twitter.com/kpk3p ----------------- Spectrumly Speaking is the podcast dedicated to women on the autism spectrum, produced by Different Brains®. Each week, join our hosts Becca Lory, CAS, BCCS (a Life Coach, Certified Autism Specialist, and Autism advocate that is herself on the spectrum) and Katherine Cody, Psy.D. (a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in people on the autism spectrum) as they discuss topics and news stories, share personal stories, and interview some of the most fascinating voices from the autism community. Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ http://differentbrains.org/category/spectrumlyspeaking/