معرفی
Zahava L. Friedman is a full-time Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Kean University's College of Health Professions and Human Services. With extensive clinical experience since 2007, she specializes in pediatric occupational therapy across public/private school settings and early intervention programs for children aged 0-3. Her research focuses on interprofessional collaboration, OT-ABA integration, and trauma-informed pedagogy for neurodivergent learners.
- Collaborates with researchers at Western New England University, Monmouth University, and University of Kansas-Medical Center
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014
- Recipient of Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey grant for community therapy programs
Research interests emphasize creating rigorous learning experiences for neurodivergent students, analyzing therapeutic drumming interventions for autistic individuals, and improving interprofessional education frameworks. Her recent publications in journals like Open Journal of Occupational Therapy and Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice explore collaborative therapy models and sensory-behavioral integration.
Scientific contributions include 4 peer-reviewed articles in 2023 and 4 in 2022, covering topics from tele-therapy adaptation during the pandemic to interprofessional mental health support. These works reflect her commitment to bridging occupational therapy with behavior analysis, special education, and mental health promotion through methodological rigor and community engagement.
Awards & grants:
- 2023: Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Grant for 'Raising Families' interprofessional therapy program
