Jeryl D. Benson, Ed.D., OTR/L

Dr. Benson received a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and an M.S. in Motor Development from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her doctoral degree from Duquesne University in the School of Education. Her research focus is on school based practice, sensory processing disorders and occupation. She is interested in the integration of occupation in pediatric practice and the occupational performance of children with sensory processing disorders. 

 Dr. Benson is one of the original founders of the -Good Beginnings Clinic- located on campus as a part of the Duquesne University Speech Language Hearing Clinic. She consults with families and schools offering support for including children with disabilities into an educational environment. She continues a part time practice through the clinic, using it as a training tool for students interested in a career in pediatrics. She has extensive clinical experience in the area of pediatrics, working with a variety of disabilities including autism/PDD, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and developmental disabilities. She also has advanced training in the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Approach, certification to administer the Sensory Integration & Praxis Test, and is a certified infant massage instructor. 

My research focus is in school based practice, sensory processing disorders and occupation. Specifically I am interested in the integration of occupation in pediatric practice and the occupational performance of children with sensory processing disorders. 

OCCT 305                  Foundations & Concepts of Occupational Therapy

OCCT 310                  Occupational Performance Across the Lifespan

OCCT 519                  Neurological & Sensorimotor Function I

OCCT 522                  Intervention Seminar

OCCT 553                  Occupational Performance Perspectives

Benson, J.D. (2012-ACCEPTED) An Assessment of Experiential Teaching Methods in an Occupational Therapy Intervention Course, Refereed Conference Proceedings, Lilly Conference on College & University Teaching

Benson, J.D., Carignan, E., Smitsky, D. & Provident, I. (2011) The deep pressure and proprioceptive technique (DPPT) versus non-specific child-guided brushing: A case study Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 4, 204-214

            Benson, J.D., Salls, J., Perry, C. (2010)  A Pilot Study of Teachers' Perceptions of Handwriting Curriculums: A Comparison of Handwriting Without Tears and the Peterson Directed Handwriting Method. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 3 (4), 319-330.

            Benson, J. (2008) Learning to write-.is your child ready? Pittsburgh Parent, pp. 26

            Benson, J.D. & Hansen A.M.  (2007) The Experiences of Occupational Therapy Students during a community based learning assignment.  Occupational Therapy in Healthcare, 21(3)

Benson, J. Nicka, M., Stern, P. (2006) How does a child with sensory processing problems play? The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 4 (4)

            Schepers, M. & Benson, J. (August, 2006) Understanding Sensory Integration, OT Practice, pp.  17-21.

            Crist, P., Munoz, J.P., Hansen, A.M., Benson, J., & Provident, I. (2005) The Practice-Scholar Program: An Academic-Practice Partnership to Promote the Scholarship of -Best Practices', Occupational Therapy in Healthcare, 19 (1/2), 71-93.

            Benson, J. D., Williams, D., & Stern, P. (2002) The Good Beginnings Clinic:  An Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Occupational Therapy in Healthcare, 16(2/3), 21-37.

            Benson, J., Haynes, C., & Sarracino, T. (2001) Guidelines for the Provision of Occupational Therapy Services in Pennsylvania's Public Schools (2nd Ed).  Philadelphia, PA:  The Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association.

2012

Benson, J.D. An Assessment of Experiential Teaching Methods in an

Occupational Therapy Intervention Course, Research Poster, Lilly Conference

on College & University Teaching, May 2012

2011      

 Benson, J.D., Munoz, D., Gannon, C. & Parke, C.  An Investigation of the Outcomes of the Sequential-Oral-Sensory Feeding Program with Children with Neurological Impairment Research Poster, POTA, October 2011

 Benson, J.D., An Exploration of the Role of Occupation in School-based Occupational Therapy Practice
Research Poster, AOTA, April 2011

2009      

 Benson, J, Smitsky, D., & Ferrare, E. (Accepted) Sensory Integration: Current Trends and              Evidence, Workshop, POTA, October 2009

 Salls, J., Benson, J., Cole, K. and Piekielek, A. (Accepted) The Effectiveness of Handwriting Curriculums in Typically Developing First Grade Students: A Pilot Study Research Poster, POTA, October 2009

 Benson, J., Salls, J., and Perry, C. (2009) Teacher's Perceptions of Handwriting Curriculums: A Comparison of Handwriting without Tears and the Peterson Directed Handwriting Method: A Qualitative Analysis Research Poster, AOTA, April 2009

 Salls, J., Benson, J., Cole, K. and Piekielek, A. (2009) A Comparison of the Handwriting without    Tears Program and the Peterson Directed Handwriting Program on Handwriting Performance in Typically Developing First Grade Students, Research Poster, AOTA, April 2009

 Crist, P., Munoz, J., Hansen, A.M., Reichenbach, D., Benson, J., Provident, I. (2009) Transforming Practitioner, Student & Faculty into a Practice-Scholar: Learning Strategies and Outcomes Workshop, AOTA, April 2009

2008      

 Cole, K., Perry, C., Piekielek, A., and Benson, J.  What's Hot in Handwriting: The Print Tool, Institute at POTA 2008 Philadelphia

 Benson, J., Salls, J., and Perry, C.  Teachers Perceptions of Handwriting without Tears and the Peterson Directed Teaching Method Research Poster at POTA 2008 Philadelphia

 Crist, P., Benson, J., Hansen, A., Mu-oz, J.P., Provident, I., & Reichenbach, D. Becoming a Practice-Scholar:  Transforming ones's professional development vision into rewarding habits and successful outcomes. Co-presenter of a 3 hour educational workshop presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA, April, 2008.

2007      

 Crist, P., Mu-oz, J.P., Hansen, A. Provident, I., & Benson, J. Practice-Scholars:  Enriching occupation-based, practice-relevant scholarship. Co-presenter of a 1- hour educational workshop presented at the Society for the Study of Occupation Research Conference, Albuquerque, NM, October, 2007.

 Crist, P., Mu-oz, J.P., Hansen, A. Provident, I., & Benson, J. The practice-scholar transformation: From concept to professional engagement.  Contributor to a 1- hour educational workshop presented at the Canadian Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, St. John's, Newfoundland, CA, July, 2007.

 Crist, P., Mu-oz, J.P., Hansen, A. Provident, I., & Benson, J. On becoming a practice-scholar: A   new approach to the practitioner role a 3- hour educational workshop presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO. April, 2007.