Heather Kuhaneck

Heather Kuhaneck is a Professor and Program Director of Occupational Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University’s College of Health and Human Services. With over 30 years of experience in occupational therapy and 19 years of teaching, she specializes in autism, sensory integration, and play-based interventions for children.

• Research focuses on play, sensory integration, autism, and public awareness of occupational therapy.
• Editorial roles include co-editor of Case-Smith’s Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents and editor of Making Play Just Right series.

Her recent publications emphasize play as a core therapeutic occupation, sensory integration strategies, and evidence-based frameworks for pediatric practice. She advocates for systemic changes in licensure access for underdocumented populations.

Scientific awards include

• Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Contributions to foundational textbooks in the field