Meghan Blaskowitz

Much as I believe in holistic occupational therapy (OT) and public health practice, my teaching philosophy applies these same principles. I believe an ecological approach to student learning is critical - one that challenges students to think beyond individual-level practice to communities, the diverse needs and pillars within a community, and the larger sociopolitical schema. This micro-/macro-approach encourages students to reflect on their future role as occupational therapist within a broader context. I use interactive, experiential learning, evidence-based examples and stories of people and the social issues impacting them to inspire and prepare students for real-world practice.

Current Teaching:

OCCT 620 Applying Evidence to Practice I

OCCT 621 Applying Evidence to Practice II

OCCT 522 Intervention Seminar

OCCT 560 Community and Population Health

OCCT 565 Community and Population Programming

OCCT 610/611/612 Research Project I/II/III

OCCT 635/645/655 Capstone I/II/III

Research Focus: My research aims to support quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by helping them gain equal access to life's opportunities. My research interests focus on IDD-related health policies; the identification of health, education, employment, and social capital disparities among people with IDD; and outcomes research on interventions aimed at closing disparity gaps for this population.

Current Work: My recent research revolves around my work on developing an inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) program at Duquesne University (the Compass Program) in which students with IDD can go to college and have the same opportunities as peers without disabilities. I am working with faculty from across the state to research student outcomes in response to IPSE particularly in the areas of social capital, life skills, self-determination, and employment.

Grants:

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2021-2022). Inspiring Students' Potential by Fostering Inclusion Across and Beyond Duquesne University. Gaultier Fellowship. Budget: $4000. Status: Funded from September 2021 to May 2022.

Pustorino-Clevenger, A., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2020-2025). Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID). U.S. Department of Education. Annual Budget: $46,000/Year 1; Total Budget = $205,000. Funded over a 5-year period.

Blaskowitz, M.G., Stuart, A., Appelt, C., Calhoun, B., Covvey, J.R., Devido, J., Hughes, T., Kallem-Whitman, R., Simpson, A., & Sizemore, T. (2019). Interprofessional roundtables: Innovating solutions to contemporary mental health challenges and social injustices. John G. Rangos, Sr. Prize. Budget: $1,000. Status: Funded from June 2019 to May 2020.

Benson, J., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2019). Charles Henry Leach II Fund. Budget: $8,240. Status: Funded from July 2019 to July 2020.

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2018). Measuring Vocational Outcomes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Submitted to the Duquesne University Faculty Development Fund Research Committee. Budget: $10,000. Status: Funded from May 2018 to April 2020.

Cook, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., Mattila, A., & Stuart, A. (2017). Community Engaged Pathways Grant. Submitted to the Duquesne University Center for Community-Engaged Teaching and Research (CETR). Budget: $12,000 ($3,000 each year for 3 years). Status: Funded from January 2017 to June 2017.

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2017). Identifying Disparities and Predictors of Quality of Life for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Submitted to the Duquesne University Paluse Faculty Research Award Committee. Budget: $6,000. Status: Funded from January 2017 to June 2017.

Peer-Reviewed Articles:

Blaskowitz, M.G., Pustorino-Clevenger, A.M., Licata, A.M., *Killion, M., *Becker, C.E., *Borovich, O., *Naegler, E.S., & Scott, P.W. (2022). A comparison of student attitudes on inclusive post-secondary education at two Mid-Atlantic universities. Journal of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, 3(2).

Castagnino, A., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2022). EMPOWER: A staff training module focused on improving the confidence and competence of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1824

Benson, J., 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. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2021.2003734

Benson, J., *Tokarski, R., Blaskowitz, M.G., & *Geubtner, A. (2021). A phenomenological study of the transition process for adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7503180040. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.044289

Mahoney, W., Blaskowitz, M.G., & Johnson, K.R. (2021). Scoping review of occupational therapy related assessments for adults with intellectual disability. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7503180100. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.046342

Blaskowitz, M.G., Johnson, K., Bergfelt, T., & Mahoney, W.J. (2021). Evidence to inform occupational therapy intervention with adults with intellectual disability: A scoping review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7503180010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.043562

Blaskowitz, M.G., Mattila, A., Stuart, A., & Cook, A. (2021). Meeting Vision 2025: Enhancing civic competency, attitudes, and participation among occupational therapy students. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 35(1), 25-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2020.1849888

Blaskowitz, M.G., Scott, P.W., *Randall, L., *Zelenko, M., Green, B.M., *McGrady, E., *Famularo, E., & *Lonergan, M. (2020). Closing the gap: Identifying self-reported quality of life differences between youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inclusion, 8(3), 241-254. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-8.3.241

Blaskowitz, M.G., Hernandez, B., & Scott, P.W. (2019). Predictors of emergency room and hospital utilization among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 57(2), 127-145. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-57.2.127

Johnson, K. R., Blaskowitz, M., & Mahoney, W. J. (2019). Occupational therapy practice with adults with intellectual disability: What more can we do?. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1573

Hansen, A.M.W., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2018). From dependence to interdependence: A holistic vocational training program for people with disabilities. Annals of International Occupational Therapy, 1(3), 157-168. https://doi.org/10.3928/24761222-20180926-01

Book Chapters:

Blaskowitz, M.G., & Mahaffey, L. (2018). Health Policy and Funding for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In K. Bryze (Ed.), Occupational Therapy for Adults with Intellectual Disability. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated.

Muñoz, J.P., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2018). Mental Health Practice in Social and Multicultural Contexts. In V.C. Stoffel & J.P. Muñoz (Eds.), Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Vision for Participation. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

Mattila, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., & Donoso-Brown, E.V. (2018). Measuring Outcomes and Achieving Sustainability in Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Programs. In E.D. Deluliis & J. Bednarski (Eds.), The Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone: A Framework for The Experience and Project. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated.

 *Denotes publications with Duquesne University students

International

Blaskowitz, M.G., Pustorino-Clevenger, A.M., *Killion, M., *Naegler, E., & *Borovich, O. (2022). The Impact of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education on the Social Participation and Life Skills of Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Short oral presentation accepted to World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress, Paris, France.

Johnson, K.R., Blaskowitz, M.G., Mahoney, W. (2022). Evidence to Inform Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention with Adults with Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review. Research poster accepted to World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress, Paris, France.

National

Burke, K., Amaya, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., Licata, A.M., Miller, N., Moore, E., & Pustorino-Clevenger, A. (2022). Self-Determination and Inclusive Postsecondary Education: Emerging Research and Practices. Research panel at American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Annual Meeting (Virtual Conference).

Blaskowitz, M.G., Amaya, A., Pustorino-Clevenger, A., Burke, K., *Glaneman, E., & *Seidel, L. (2022). Building Self-Determination: Occupational Therapy's Role in Supporting Students with Intellectual Disability in Higher Education and Beyond. Short Course presented at American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.

Benson, J., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2022). Effect of a Sensory Activity Schedule on the On-Task Behaviors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Research Poster at AOTA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.

*Cargiulo, M., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2022). Training Peer Mentors to Support Students with IDD in Higher Education. Research Poster at AOTA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.

*Van Dyke, O., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2022). Operation Occupation: A Client-Centered Life Skills Training Program for Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals Experiencing Homelessness. Research Poster at AOTA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.

Pustorino-Clevenger, A., & Blaskowitz, M.G., Guthrie, J.B., Hauff, J., & Vazquez, C. (2021). Technology Supporting Student Success During a Pandemic: Reflections from an IPSE Pilot. Short course at State of the Art Conference on Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (Virtual Conference).

Licata A.M., Burke, K.M., Pustorino-Clevenger, A., Blaskowitz, M.G. & Amaya, A. (2021). Technology for Workforce Solutions in Postsecondary Education. 3-part research panel presented at AAIDD Annual Meeting (Virtual Conference).

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Caretta, R., Pustorino-Clevenger, A.M., *Cargiulo, M., *Borovich, O., *Killion, M., & *Naegler, E. (2021). Welcome to College! Occupational Therapy's Role in Developing Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs for Students with IDD. Short Course presented at AOTA Annual Conference (Virtual Conference).

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Howard, S., & *Martin, T. (2020). Following your Hopes and Dreams: A Longitudinal Study of Adults with Intellectual Disability in Transition to Community-Based Supports. Research poster presented at AOTA Annual Conference (Virtual Conference).

Blaskowitz, M.G., Pustorino-Clevenger, A.M., *Cargiulo, M., & *Kraft, J. (2020). Developing Inclusive Higher Education Programs for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the Intersection of Research and Practice. Research poster presented at AOTA Annual Conference (Virtual Conference).

Pustorino-Clevenger, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., & Licata A.M. (2019). Designing and Implementing Assessment to Support Development of Post-Secondary Inclusive Education Programs on Pennsylvania Campuses. Rise and Shine Session presented at IUPUI's Assessment Conference, Indianapolis, IN

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2019). Emergency Room and Hospital Utilization Among Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD): OT's Role in Prevention. Short course presented at AOTA Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2019). Emergency Room and Hospital Utilization Among Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD): OT's Role in Prevention. Scientific research panel presented at AOTA Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Layer, L., *Scalero, S., *Gore, A., *Castagnino, A., & *McNally, K. (2019). Use of a person-centered planning approach to encourage vocational goal setting among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research poster presented at AOTA Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Pustorino-Clevenger, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., & Licata, A.M. (2019). Developing Post-Secondary Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities for Young Adults with IDD at the Intersection of Research and Practice. Research poster symposium presented at AAIDD Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN.

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Gore, A., *Castagnino, A., *McNally, K, *Layer, L., & *Scalero, S. (2019). Use of a Person-Centered Planning Approach to Guide Community-Based Vocational Supports for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Research poster symposium presented at AAIDD Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN.

Blaskowitz, M.G., Cook, A.B., Deluliis, E.D., & Mattila, A. (2018). Population Health & Occupational Therapy: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Student's Perceptions of Self-Efficacy through Community Engaged Learning. Research poster to be presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit Conference (Accepted Proposal), Louisville, KY.

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Randall, L., & *Zelenko, M. (2018). Closing the Gap: Identifying Quality of Life Disparities for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Research poster presented at American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Randall, L., *Zelenko, M., *Famularo, E., *Lonergan, M., *McGrady, E., & *Layer, L. (2018). Closing the Gap: Identifying Quality of Life Disparities for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Research poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2017). Predictors of Emergency Room and Hospital Utilization among Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in New York City. ‘Understanding Health Risk Data' research panel presenter at American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Annual Conference, Hartford, CT.

Regional

Amaya, A., & Blaskowitz, M.G., Burke, K.M., *Cargiulo, M., *Hauff, J., Licata A.M., & Pustorino-Clevenger, A. (2021). Student Technology Experiences in Inclusive Higher Education. Panel presented at Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Transition Conference (Virtual Conference).

Amaya, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., & Erdling, K. (Upcoming - October 2021). Developing Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from an Occupational Therapist Perspective. 50-minute session accepted to POTA Conference (Virtual Conference).

Benson, J., Collins, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., Smitsky, D., Chippich, E., & Connell, C. (Upcoming - October 2021). The Effect of a Sensory Activity Schedule (SAS) on the On-Task Behaviors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Research poster accepted to POTA Conference (Virtual Conference).

Blaskowitz, M.G., *Randall, L., & *Zelenko, M. (2018). Closing the Gap: Identifying Quality of Life Disparities for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 1-hour short course to be presented at Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association Conference (Accepted Proposal), Pittsburgh, PA.

Blaskowitz, M.G., Mattila, A., & Muñoz, J. (2018). Teaching Social Justice in a Health Sciences Curriculum. 1-hour short course presented at Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA.

Blaskowitz, M.G., Colarusso, C., & Swartwout, A. (2015). The Current State of Self-Direction. Co-presenter of a 1.5-hour panel discussion at the New York State Fiscal Intermediary Self-Direction Summit, Troy, NY.

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2014). Predictors of Emergency Room and Hospital Utilization Among Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Presenter of a 2-hour workshop at the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council, New York, NY.

Blaskowitz, M.G., & Wang, A. (2014). Is My Program Making a Difference? Program Evaluation: How-to and Best Practices. Co-presenter of a 2-hour workshop at Young Adult Institute (YAI) International Conference, New York, NY.

Blaskowitz, M.G., Holden, S., Opazo, G., & Strumph, T. (2014). My Self, My World, My Dreams: Identifying Outcomes that Really Matter. Co-presenter of a 1.5-hour workshop at YAI International Conference, New York, NY.

Blaskowitz, M.G. (2013). New York State Coordinated Assessment System (CAS). Presenter of 2-hour workshop at NYC Interagency Council (IAC), New York, NY.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Mattila, A., Deluliis, E.D., Blaskowitz, M.G., & Cook, A.B., (2019). Perceptions of OTD Students Participating in the Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE): An Exploration of Self-Efficacy and Transformative Learning. Research poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Education Summit Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Blaskowitz, M.G., & Stuart, A. (2019). Sparking Legislative Advocacy and Community Action in Generation Z Learners: A Guided Discovery. Interactive workshop presented at Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA.

 Blaskowitz, M.G., Mattila, A., & Muñoz, J.P. (2018). Teaching Social Justice in a Health Sciences Curriculum. Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA.

Stuart, A., Cook, A., Mattila, A., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2019). Community-Engaged Learning: Enrichment of Curricular Threads for Optimal Student Civic Awareness and Impact. General poster presented at AOTA Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Grajo, L., Piernik-Yoder, B., Jensen, M., Muñoz, J., Blaskowitz, M.G., Smith, L., Henderson-Kalb, J., & Krug, G. (2018). AOTA Educational Special Interest Section (EDSIS) Program - Teaching Occupational Justice in the Curriculum: Models for Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning. EDSIS Program at AOTA Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.

Mattila, A., Blaskowitz, M.G., Deluliis, E.D., & Cook, A.B. (2018). Population Health & Occupational Therapy: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Students' Perceptions of Self-Efficacy through Community Engaged Learning. Research poster presented at AOTA Education Summit Conference, Louisville, KY.

Donoso-Brown, E.V., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2017). Reliability, Validity, & Clinical Utility. Class session presented in OCCT 535: Occupational Performance Evaluation at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.

Cook, A., Stuart, A., & Blaskowitz, M.G. (2017). Multigenerational Views in Academia: Generational Characteristics Aid in Transition from Clinic to Classroom and Contribute Richness to Faculty Team. General poster presented at AOTA Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

*Denotes presentations with Duquesne University students

• Delta Omega National Honor Society Membership for Scholarship and Excellence in Public Health
• 2019 Rangos School of Health Sciences, Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching