School-Based Occupational Therapists
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Dr. Lisa Marnell presenting live
at AOTA Inspire 2026
School-based OTs are in a powerful position to help teams understand Autistic students differently. When Autistic students are struggling in school, challenges do not stem from motivational concerns, behavior, or lack of effort. What is happening is that their nervous system functioning, learning differences, sensory processing, and need for safety are not being understood.
Too often, this leads to goals, accommodations, behavior plans, and classroom expectations that do not fit the student.
Kids Master Skills offers three course options for school-based OTs:
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“Insight to Autism for School-Based OTs”
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"Push-In or Pull-Out"
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“Sensory Processing in Autism: From Understanding to Engagement”
OTs learn to use neuroaffirming and evidence-informed practice to better understand Autistic students and support IEP teams.
AOTA-Approved 8-Hour PD for OTs
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Many Autistic students are being misunderstood in school because the adults around them have not been taught how their nervous systems affect learning, regulation, communication, and participation. When we miss what is really happening, teaching approaches do not align with student learning, students become distressed, staff spend valuable time creating plans that do not work, and safety concerns occur.
This course enables parents, teachers, and school professionals to understand Autistic students so they provide support that fits the child. You’ll learn how nervous system differences shape school functioning, how to identify what a student needs in order to learn, and how to adapt goals, accommodations, and teaching approaches in ways that are practical, respectful, and neuroaffirming.
A Sensory Course for SBOTs
When sensory processing differences are not recognized or supported in school, many Autistic students are unable to access learning. Their distress may be misunderstood, and districts can lose valuable staff time and financial resources through repeated meetings, ineffective plans, meltdowns, escalation, safety risks for all, and lost instructional time.
In this professional development, school staff will learn to understand, interpret, and proactively address sensory differences in Autistic students so they can respond earlier and more accurately to student needs. This strengthens student access, learning, participation, and safety while supporting more efficient use of district staff time and resources.
This course will be available in August 2026
Making OT Treatment Decisions
When sensory processing differences are not recognized or supported in school, many Autistic students are unable to access learning. Their distress may be misunderstood, and districts can lose valuable staff time and financial resources through repeated meetings, ineffective plans, meltdowns, escalation, safety risks for all, and lost instructional time.
In this professional development, school staff will learn to understand, interpret, and proactively address sensory differences in Autistic students so they can respond earlier and more accurately to student needs. This strengthens student access, learning, participation, and safety while supporting more efficient use of district staff time and resources.
This course will be available in August 2026
Who is Dr. Lisa Marnell?
Hello! I provide specialized Autism education primarily to school districts and schools, in both the United States and Canada. Whether working with OTs or teachers and paraprofessionals, my priority is to teach strategies to support nervous system regulation, which, in turn, cultivates emotional safety, quality of life, deeper and richer engagement in learning, and self-empowerment.
My goal is to incorporate meaning, joy, and agency into the lives of Autistic children. I believe Autism is not a disorder, but rather a different neurotype with its own unique strengths and challenges.
I am an occupational therapist by training with over 20 years of experience. I completed my doctorate at Boston University (BU) where I studied executive function in autism and worked on the faculty at BU for five years. I am also a DIR Floortime Therapist, certified in Sensory Integration through USC, and trained in SOS Feeding. I am diagnosed Autistic myself.
When I am not teaching, creating courses or working with kids, you will likely find me hiking with Luna, my precious husky rescue dog. I look forward to connecting with you!
What People Say About
Dr. Lisa Marnell's Teaching?
Heather, London
The information you share is beyond appreciated. I have been looking everywhere for guidance.
Thank you so much!
Tina, Colorado
I have been an occupational therapist for two years, and I want to keep learning more. I love your videos, Dr. Lisa!
Thank you!
Jennifer, Toronto
I am learning so much from you . Your videos have helped me with my five-year old autistic son who has sensory processing disorder.