Elizabeth Sherman, PhD, OTR/L

She/Her/Hers & They/Them/Theirs

Elizabeth is a licensed occupational therapist (MOT, OTR/L) and owner of Stimmy Autistic Garden Fairy OT. She specializes in supporting Autistic and neurodivergent community members across the lifespan.

Elizabeth is especially interested in disability justice & advocacy, emotional-relational development, sensory health and wellness, collaborative, transdisciplinary support for family systems, and trauma-sensitivity.

Elizabeth is an active, life-long learner and completed her PhD in Fielding Graduate University’s Infant and Early Childhood Development program, with an emphasis in Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, as well as Reflective Practice/Supervision and the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based (D.I.R.) Model. Elizabeth received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at West Chester University and graduated with Honors in 2014. They received their master’s in occupational therapy (MOT) degree from Chatham University in 2016. They have experience practicing occupational therapy in early intervention, school-based settings, and specialty pediatric outpatient clinics as well as small community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health.

In addition to her clinical work, Elizabeth is core faculty in the OT department at Carlow University. Elizabeth teaches courses on mental health occupational therapy practice, environmental modifications and community-based work, and the doctoral capstone series.

Along with her professional work, Elizabeth is an Autistic adult and super thrilled to be informed by her lived experience of navigating rest, play, work, school, and healthcare spaces as both a neurodivergent and chronically-ill person. Elizabeth is Autistic and ADHD (or AuDHD), and is currently a no evidence of disease, stage 4/metastatic breast cancer patient (not as thrilled about the cancer). Elizabeth also lives with a vision misalignment and type 1 chiari malformation, both common health impairments for neurodivergent individuals. These lived experiences contribute to her understanding of both the strengths and challenges faced by other neurodivergent individuals.

Elizabeth is committed to increasing access to trauma-informed and identity-affirming healthcare for the Autistic, Neurodivergent, and Disability community across the lifespan. When she is not practicing, Elizabeth is happiest being with her dog Hunny, exploring her favorite Pittsburgh parks & neighborhoods together, gardening, cooking, canning, or cozied up together under a blanket with a cup of tea.