Jeryl Benson

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Hometown: Gibsonia, PA
Joined Chatham: 2026

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Benson’s research focuses on school-based practice, specifically the participation and occupational performance of children with developmental disabilities. Her goal is to make an impact by researching best practices in an educational setting, ensuring that children have the tools to fully participate in their educational, social, and community environments. As a scholar, her work investigates best practices in school-based occupational therapy and illuminates the culture of school-based practice, including the challenges, rewards, and relationship dynamics in these complex educational contexts. She has examined outcomes related to educational team intervention/collaboration and application of strategies in an educational environment to support participation in the school and to have an immediate impact on the lives of the children and the teams.

ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST

My research is focused on 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 and developmental disabilities.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

In occupational therapy, the historical definition of occupation is defined as "doing" (Nelson, 1988). My teaching philosophy is based on the core beliefs of occupational therapy.....we find meaning and purpose in the act of doing or engagement. Courses are delivered via interactive lectures and discussions and the opportunity for experiential learning or "doing" whenever possible.

EDUCATION
  • Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Duquesne University
  • M.S., Motor Development, University of Pittsburgh
  • B.S., Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh
CERTIFICATIONS
  • Certified in Administration of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test
  • Certified Infant Massage Instructor
  • Trained-Treatment and Education of Autistic and other Communication handicapped Children (TEACCH)
  • Board certified in pediatrics through the AOTA (1993-2007)

  • NDT/Bobath certification course in the Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy

ORGANIZATIONS
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • AOTA Children & Youth Special Interest Section
  • Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
  • National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy
ACHIEVEMENTS
  • Presidential Faculty Summer Writing Award, Duquesne University, 2025
  • Roster of Fellows, American Occupational Therapy Association, 2023
  • Research Award, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, 2022
  • Rangos School of Health Sciences, Deans Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2022
  • Presidential Scholarship Award, Duquesne University, 2020
  • J. Warren Perry Distinguished Author Award, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, 2018
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: RESEARCH PAPERS
  • Hu, B. & Benson, J.D. (2026-under review) Burdens of Autism Spectrum Disorder among adolescents and young adults from 1990 to 2023 and a Projection to 2050 in the USA: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Medicina
  • Hu, B. & Benson, J.D. (2026) The Burdens of Idiopathic Developmental Intellectual Disability Attributable to Lead Exposure from 1990 to 2023 and Projection to 2050 in the USA: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Healthcare, 14 (4)
  • Benson, J.D. & Simpson, R.C. (2025) Chinese graduate health science students’ perceptions of teaching pedagogies on their educational experience, Occupational Therapy International, https://doi.org/10.1155/oti/5961077
  • Benson, J.D., Cartwright, A., Szucs, K., Smitsky, D., Chippich, E, & Roebuck, L. (2024) The Effectiveness of Video Prompting vs. Picture Prompting for Improving Daily Living Skills of Children with Autism, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78 (3) https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050514
  • de Castro, K.N., Benson, J.D., Thomas, H., Manual, V., & Mitra, S. (2023) Feasibility of Implementing a Modified SENSE Program to Increase Positive Sensory Experiences for Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A Pilot Study, Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 43 (1), 109-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2022.2104150
  • Benson. J.D., Blaskowitz, M.G., Collins, A., Smitsky, D., Chippich, E., & Connell, C. (2022) The effect of a Sensory Activity Schedule (SAS) on the on-task behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 15 (4), 439-454. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2021.2003734
  • Benson, J.D., Tokarski, R., Blaskowitz, M., & *Geubtner, A. (2021) A Phenomenological Study of the Transition Process for Adolescents and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(3), https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.044289
  • Benson, J.D., Donoso-Brown, E., Blough, A. & Smitsky, D. (2020) The Effects of Sensorimotor Strategies on Attention and In-Seat Behavior in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention,  https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2020.1732262
  • Wallace, S. E. & Benson, J. D. (2018) Bringing Interprofessional Case-Based Learning into the Classroom for Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology Students, Occupational Therapy in Health Care, https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2017.1414975
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: ABSTRACTS
  • Benson, J.D. Simpson, R., Clark, H., Stark, P, Voelker, J., and Wesley, A. (2026) The Effect of an Alternate Seating System on the Educational Participation of a Child with Developmental Disabilities: A Case Study, American Journal of Occupational Therapy
  • Benson, J.D., Estep, J., Gregoire, K., & Mayfield, H. (2025) Exploring the experiences of parents navigating the transition from early intervention to the educational system: A qualitative study, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2025, Vol. 79(Supplement_2), 7911500120p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.79S2-PO116
  • Cartwright, A., Benson, J.D., Szucs, K., & Smitsky, D. (2023) The Effectiveness of Video Prompting vs. Picture Prompting for Improving Daily Living Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 77(Supplement_2), 7711510336p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.77S2-PO336
  • Benson, J.D. & Blaskowitz, M. (2022) The Effect of a Sensory Activity Schedule (SAS) on the on-task behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
  • Tokarski, R., Benson, J.D., & Geubtner, A.(2020) A Qualitative Study of the Transition from an Educational Setting to Adulthood for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 7411515339, https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S1-PO3203
  • Layer, L. & Benson, J.D. (2020) Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Outcomes from the Application of an Adapted Alert Program, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 7411515359. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S1-PO2126
  • Blough, A., Benson, J.D., Donoso-Brown, E., & Smitsky, D. (2019) The Effect of Sensorimotor Strategies on Attention and In-Seat Behavior in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(4), Supplement_1:7311520401 https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.73S1-PO2042
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: BOOK CHAPTERS
  • Benson, J.D. & Taylor, R.R. (2024) Chapter 14: Ensuring Ethical Research in R. Taylor (Ed), Kielhofner’s Research in Occupational Therapy: Methods of Inquiry for Enhancing Practice, Philadelphia: FA Davis
  • Crist, P., Munoz, J.P. Hansen, A.M.W., Benson, J., and Provident, I. (2012), The practice-scholar program: An academic-practice partnership to promote the scholarship of “best practices”, In P. Crist & G. Kielhofner (Eds.), The Scholarship of Practice: Academic collaborations for promoting occupational therapy (pp.71-94). New York: Routledge.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
  • Krebs, K., Oberle, S., Benson, J.D., Caldwell, A., Corro, N., Elenko, B., Lopez, R., Shierk, A., & Ulie, A., The ABCs of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Breaking Down the Basics for Pediatric Clinical Care Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Boston, MA, April 2027
  • Surdy, A., Benson, J.D., & Simpson, R. Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation in Children with ASD: Vestibular Therapy vs. Virtual Reality
    Elizabethtown, PA, September 2026
  • Benson, J.D., Simpson, R., Clark, H., Stark, P., Voelker, J. & Wesley, A. The Effect of an Alternate Seating System on the Educational Participation of a Child with Developmental Disabilities: A Case Study Research Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Anaheim, CA, April 2026
  • Elenko, B., Benson, J.D., & Lopez, R. CYSIS Mentorship Program: A Model for Professional Development in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice, Accepted Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Anaheim, CA, April 2026      
  • Benson, J.D. Bridging the Gap: Cognitive Strategies for Effective Learning Presentation, AOTA Children & Youth Specialty Conference
    Charlotte, North Carolina, December 2025
  • Benson, J.D., Estep, J., Gregiore, K., & Mayfield, H. Exploring the experiences of parents navigating the transition from early intervention to the educational system: A qualitative study Research Poster, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
    Wilkes Barre, PA, September 2025
  • Benson, J.D., Estep, J., Gregiore, K., & Mayfield, H. Exploring the experiences of parents navigating the transition from early intervention to the educational system: A qualitative study. Research Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Philadelphia, PA, April 2025    
  • Benson, J.D., Lopez, R., Shierk, A. & Heintz, T. Ready, Set, Transition: Paving Your Path in Pediatric OT Careers! Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Philadelphia, PA, April 2025    
  • Waros, K, & Benson, J. (contributing author) Power Play: The Feasibility of a Therapeutic Playgroup Program to Promote Developmental Skill Acquisition & Social Interaction Among Inpatient Children. Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Philadelphia, PA April, 2025
  • Benson, J.D. Video Prompting vs. Picture Prompting: Evidence to support the Development of Daily Living Skills of Autistic Children & Youth. Research Poster, Children & Youth Specialty Conference (AOTA)
    Seattle, WA, December 2024
  • McHugh, J., Benson, J., Ram, S. & Alfawez, S. Why OT? Occupational Therapies Unique Role in Pediatric Specialty Areas. Conversations that Matter, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Orlando, FL, March 2024                                                         
  • Ram, S., McHugh, J., Baker, S. Parker, T, & Benson, J. Promoting education and evidenced based practice in pediatric setting: The Children & Youth Special Interest Sectio. Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Orlando, FL, March 2024      
  • Cartwright, A., Benson, J.D., Szucs, K., & Smitsky, D. The Effectiveness of Video Prompting vs. Picture Prompting for Improving Daily Living Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    Kansas City, MO, April 2023
  • Cartwright, A. & Benson, J.D., Improving Participation in ADL’s: Video vs. Picture Prompts and Autism Research Poster, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
    Lancaster, PA October 2022                                                     
  • Benson, J.D. An Experiential Learning Lab Embedded in a Didactic Course Poster Innovation Summit for Health Professions Educators
    Virtual, June 2022
  • deCastro, K., Benson, J.D., Thomas, H., Manuel, V., & Mitra, S. Feasibility of Implementing the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) Program in the NICU. Research Poster, National Association of Neonatal Therapists Conference
    Cincinnati, OH, April 2022
  • Benson, J.D. The AOTA Experience: Ask the Expert Conference Presentation/Engagement. American Occupational Therapy Association
    San Antonio, TX, March, 2022
  • Benson, J.D. & Blaskowitz, M. The Effect of a Sensory Activity Schedule (SAS) on the on-task behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Research Poster, American Occupational Therapy Association
    San Antonio, TX, March, 2022
  • deCastro, K., Benson, J.D., Thomas, H., Manuel, V., & Mitra, S. Implementing the SENSE Program to Increase Positive Sensory Exposure in the NICU. Research Poster, Hot topics in Neonatology
    Virtual, December 2021
  • Benson, J.D., Collins, A, Blaskowitz, M., Smitsky, D., Chippich, E., & Connell, C. The effect of a Sensory Activity Schedule (SAS) on the on-task behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Poster, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
    Virtual, October 2021
  • Tokarski, R. & Benson J.D. A Qualitative Study of the Transition from an Educational Setting to Adulthood for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Webinar, AOTA Conference Alternate Presentations
    Virtual, Spring/Summer 2020