Michelle Thompson

Ph.D. in Special Education Leadership & Disability Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, (2022)

Graduate Certificate in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Virginia Commonwealth University, (2018)

Graduate Certificate in Autism, Virginia Commonwealth University, (2010)

M.S. in Occupational Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, (1988)

B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature, Indiana University, (1986)

Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A)

Sponsoring Organization: Virginia Board of Counseling

Date Obtained: 2021-01-20

Occupational Therapist: 00119000339

Sponsoring Organization: Virginia Board of Medicine

Date Obtained: 1991-09-20

Occupational Therapy, Registered (OTR): 085757

Sponsoring Organization: National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Date Obtained: 1998-03-31

Research Interests

My research interests include studying play and creativity across the lifespan as well as how universal design for learning (UDL) promotes access and equity. My current research studies:

1) Empowering parents to support their child's early literacy (pre-reading and pre-writing through engagement and play)

2) Reducing interfering classroom behaviors through emotion-regulation supports

3) Utilizing the principles of UDL to foster equity and creativity for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities