Roseann C. Schaaf

Roseann C. Schaaf is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, and Faculty at the Farber Institute of Neuroscience in Philadelphia, PA. Her research program focuses on sensory processing differences in autism spectrum disorder, investigating neural mechanisms and functional impacts on daily living skills.

Her NIH-funded clinical trial examines occupational therapy using sensory integration principles for autistic children, measuring functional improvements and brain connectivity changes via EEG and neuroimaging. Collaborations include Albert Einstein Medical Center and Jefferson researchers (Drs. Mohammed, Krisa, Newberg, Conklin) alongside clinicians Roan and Dumont. Current projects involve developing a validated clinical assessment for sensory functions with international occupational therapy cohorts led by Dr. Zoe Mailloux.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Schaaf directs an active research lab with National Institute of Child Health and Human Development funding, focusing on culturally adapting interventions for Hispanic/Latino and Black American autistic communities while addressing sensory challenges in autistic athletes. Her work spans clinical trials, assessment development, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Labs and Teams: She leads the Jefferson Autism Lab and is affiliated with the Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence, coordinating multidisciplinary teams for sensory integration research and clinical translation.