Kathryn Oriel

Dr. Kathryn Oriel serves as Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Provost of Health Sciences at Lebanon Valley College, where she integrates clinical expertise in pediatric physical therapy with administrative leadership. With extensive experience spanning early intervention, preschool, and outpatient settings, she directs health sciences initiatives while maintaining an active research profile focused on therapeutic exercise for children with disabilities.

Education:

• B.S. and M.P.T. from University of the Sciences, Philadelphia
• Ed.D. from Idaho State University

Her research centers on evidence-based exercise interventions for children with disabilities, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through aquatic therapy, adapted climbing, and school-based running programs, she investigates physical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes with emphasis on practical implementation in community and educational settings. This work bridges clinical practice and academic scholarship to address critical gaps in pediatric rehabilitation.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent methodological approaches using quasi-experimental designs and mixed-methods to evaluate interventions across diverse disability populations. Key thematic clusters include aquatic therapy for ASD (40% of recent work), school-based physical activity programs (30%), and adapted sports modalities (20%), demonstrating strategic focus on scalable, community-integrated solutions.

Dr. Oriel actively mentors students through community-based research projects, as evidenced by her publication on student research participation outcomes. Her collaborative approach extends to interdisciplinary teams including special educators and occupational therapists, particularly in developing inclusive programming for children with disabilities. Current initiatives include the 2025 school-based running program evaluation and ASD-focused aquatic interventions.

She leads research teams implementing school-based running programs and aquatic therapy initiatives, frequently partnering with local school districts to develop sustainable models for therapeutic exercise integration within educational environments. These programs emphasize family involvement and ecological validity through real-world implementation settings.