Kate Barlow, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Kate Barlow, OTD, OTR/L, IMH-E® is an Associate Professor at American International College. She is also the current ambassador for the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program for the state of Massachusetts. Dr. Barlow received her BS in Occupational Therapy from Boston University, and her MS and OTD from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over 20 years of clinical experience that includes public school practice, early intervention, a pediatric hospital-based outpatient clinic and management. Dr. Barlow’s areas of clinical expertise are early identification of delays pediatric feeding.
Since May 2019, she has been acting as the MA CDC Act Early Ambassador, providing training across the state on developmental monitoring. In addition to the formal state-wide trainings, she has also provided local and online trainings to state agencies such as Head Start, Early Intervention, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Dr. Barlow has supported Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellows to promote early identification in delay through advocacy. Dr. Barlow as chair to the MA Act Earl board and serves on the national WIC Developmental Monitoring Advisory Board. Dr. Barlow has been the principal investigator to two CDC grants and has presented her work on developmental monitoring at local, state, national and international conferences.
In the area of pediatric feeding, Dr. Barlow is a member of the Feeding Matters Research pillar and AOTA Community of Practice. She received the 2020 Feeding Matters Grant with Dr. Rabaey and that research will be published in the AJOT in the summer of 2023. Dr. Barlow was also lead author for the AOTA CEU article (2021) on pediatric feeding, “Evaluation of Feeding, Eating and Swallowing for Children with Cerebral Palsy”. Dr. Barlow was described as an “internationally renowned feeding expert” by Feeding Matters (2021). She has presented her research on pediatric feeding for Feeding Matters, WFOT, AOTA, ASHA and more. By Invitation, she has also presented twice for Therapro® on oral motor strategies for intervention.
For volunteer work, Dr. Barlow founded the International Interprofessional Mentorship Program that provides monthly mentorship to therapists in low- and middle-income countries across the globe (https://libguides.aic.edu/OT_Resources). She received the 2022 Innovation Award from NBCOT for this work. She is currently working on an OT ECHO® and researching pediatric education in WFOT approved programs across the globe.
COURSES:
Post- Professional Doctorate Curriculum:
OTR8300 Occupational Therapy and Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues
Professional Masters Curriculum:
OTR 2900 International Interprofessional Service Learning to Peru
OTR 5120 Evidence Based Practice
OTR 5231 Pediatric Physical Occupations
OTR 5433 Pediatric Fieldwork Service Delivery
OTR 5531 Supervision/Management
OTR 6030 Occupational Therapy Process: Pediatrics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
- Early Identification of delay
- Pediatric feeding and swallowing
- Therapeutic use of self
- Interprofessional education
- Level I Fieldwork
GRANT AWARDS:
2021 Title: Enhance Support for Early Childhood State Systems Through the Act Early Ambassador Program to Support COVID-19 Recovery
Funding Agency: CDC/AUCD ($94,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
2021 Title: Building Resiliency in Springfield
Funding Agency: Springfield-Chicopee-Holyoke Head Start Inc. ($19,440)
Role: Principal Investigator
2020 Title: Support for Early Childhood State Systems Through the Act Early Network
Funding Agency: CDC/AUCD ($94,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
2020 Title: Investigation of Assessment Tools in the area of Pediatric Feeding Evaluation
Funding Agency: Feeding Matters Grant ($3150)
Role: Co- Principal Investigator with Paula Rabaey, PhD, OTR/L
2018 Title: Does the Use of Social Stories Improve Mealtime Behavior?
Funding Agency: Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship American International College Grant ($1500)
Role: Principal Investigator
2017 Title: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Transition Services in the Community with Students with Disabilities
Funding Agency: Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship American International College Grant ($500)
Role: Principal Investigator
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION/ AWARDS:
2022 National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Innovation Award
2022 American International College Excellence in Teaching Award
2022 American Occupational Therapy Association Service Commendation Award
Ambassador-MA, American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee 2020-2021
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS
Barlow, K. & Sullivan, K. (2022.) An international interprofessional tele-mentorship programme: a mixed-methods study, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, DOI: 10.1080/14473828.2021.2018173
Szymcyk, A., & Barlow, K. (2021). Occupational therapy in Africa. International Journal of Nursing and Health Care Science, 1(1). https://columbuspublishers.com/uploads/articles/202109121257116052240_ijnhcs_2021_05.pdf
Barlow, K. & Gile, N. (2021). Post-secondary transitional services and the role of the occupational therapist. Global Journal of Pediatrics, 1(1), 1002. https://www.corpuspublishers.com/assets/articles/article-pdf-169.pdf
Barlow, K. & Sepulveda, A. (2020). The promotion of positive mental health for new mothers during Covid-19. World Federation of Occupational Therapy Bulletin, 76(2), 86-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/14473828.2020.1822577
Barlow, K., Lehr, T., Kenney, D., & Salemi, M. (2020). Examining the 2:1 Model of Fieldwork for Occupational and Physical Therapy Students. COJ Nursing and Healthcare. 6(5). 685-689. https://crimsonpublishers.com/cojnh/pdf/COJNH.000646.pdf
Barlow, K., Salemi, M., & Taylor, C. (2020). Implementing the Same Site Model in Occupational Therapy Fieldwork: Student and Fieldwork Educator Perspectives. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 4 (3). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol4/iss3/7
Barlow, K. & Reynolds, S. (2018). A mixed-methods study examining developmental milestones and parental experiences in Ghana. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 6(2), Article 5. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1407&context=ojot
NON-EMPIRICAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Szymczyk, A., Barlow, K., with Alochi, V. (2021, July). Occupational therapy in Africa. Occupational Therapy African Regional Group Newsletter, 7-9. https://www.otarg.org.za/Newsletters/OTARG%20Newsletter%20July%202021.pdf
Barlow, K. & Sullivan, K. (2021, March). Evaluation of Feeding, Eating and Swallowing for Children with Cerebral Palsy. American Occupational Therapy Association OT Practice, 26(3), https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Publications/CE-Articles/CE_March_2021.pdf
Barlow, K. (2020, September 29). “Utilizing Therapy Students to Educate Families on the Milestone Tracker App at Local WIC Centers”. Act Early Network News, Fall 2020 Issue. https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=15020&id=17
Sepulveda, A, Barlow, K., Demchick, B. & Flanagan, J. (2020). Children’s mental health: Promoting mental health through early screening and detection. American Occupational Therapy Association OT Practice, 25(4), 10-14.
Barlow, K., Pizur-Barnekow, K., Hughes, R., & Webber, D. (2019, November). Occupational therapists as ambassadors for the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program. American Occupational Therapy Association OT Practice, 24(12), 30-31, 30-31.
Barlow, K. (2019, Summer). Act early. Know the signs. The Voice, Massachusetts Speech- Language Hearing Association, p.9
Nafai, S., Barlow, K., & Stevens-Nafai, E. (2017, February). OT in Morocco: Sustaining service learning trips through telehealth. American Occupational Therapy Association OT Practice, 22(2), 20-22.
Barlow. K. (2013, January). SAGE: A clinician’s perspective. The LifeWorks Post: Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Monthly. Essential Equipment Spotlight, p.3.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS WITH PEER-REVIEWED, PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS:
Barlow, K., Taylor, C., Newman, N., & Lehr, V. (2022). Comparing Models of fieldwork through student performance. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement_1), 7610510235p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO235
Barlow, K., Sullivan, K. & Scott, L. (2022). OT in public health: Educating Head Start on early identification of delays. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement _1),
7610510207p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO207
Scott, L. & Barlow, K. (2022). Taking a community approach to developmental monitoring and screening for early identification of developmental delays and disabilities. International Journal of Integrated Care, 22(S1). doi.org/10.5334/ijic.ICIC21147 https://www.ijic.org/articles/abstract/10.5334/ijic.ICIC21147/
Barlow, K. (2021). An interdisciplinary approach to pediatric feeding using a decision tree. International Journal of Integrated Care, 21(S1): A169. https://www.ijic.org/articles/abstract/10.5334/ijic.ICIC2023/
Barlow, K., & Thomforde, D. (2021). International interprofessional mentorship for new clinicians. International Journal of Integrated Care, 21(S1): A 343. https://www.ijic.org/articles/abstract/10.5334/ijic.ICIC20585/
Barlow, K. (2021). Efficacy of using interprofessional WIC community visits to increase cultural competence. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7512500006. https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/75/Supplement_2/7512500006p1/12681/Efficacy-of-Using-Interprofessional-WIC-Community
Barlow, K. & Rabaey, R. (2021). Investigation of Assessment Tools in the Area of Pediatric Feeding Evaluation. 8th International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference. Virtual. Conference Program. https://presentations.akamaized.net/FileLibrary/3718/19/2021_FM_Conference_Guide-04252021_v2.pdf
Barlow, K. & Salemi, M. (2019). Childhood occupations: The prevalence of childhood engagement in chores. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73, 7311500058. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.73S1-PO8025
Sullivan, A. & Barlow, K. (2018, May). A proposal for a therapeutic intervention for ARFID. In Connected by Diversity Positioned for Impact: WFOT Congress 2018 Conference Programme. World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Cape Town, South Africa. https://congress2018.wfot.org/downloads/abstracts/SE%2087/A%20Proposal%20for%20a%20Therapeutic%20Intervention%20for%20ARFID.pdf
MEDIA/PUBLICITY:
2022 Lucent, American International College Alumni Magazine (Fall), “Globe Trotter”, pp. 14-19. https://www.aic.edu/lucent/2022/12/21/globe-trotter/
2022 The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners. “Why the CDC Updated the Developmental Milestones Checklist” (Episode 112). https://www.otschoolhouse.com/single-post/ots-112
2022 NBCOT “OTR Creates International Interprofessional Mentorship Program for New Clinicians” https://otcertificationmatters.com/2022/09/26/otr-creates-international-interprofessional-mentorship-program-for-new-clinicians/
2022 American Occupational Therapy Association OT Practice Magazine.”SpOTlight on OT” (September 2022). https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/secure/publications/otp/2022/otp-volume-27-issue-9-2022-home-based-mcimt.pdf
2022 USA Today. “Worried your child is delayed from the pandemic? Here’s what experts say to do” (June 15, 2022). Alia Wong. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/education/2022/06/15/worried-delays-your-kid-early-intervention-important/9660431002/
2022 American Occupational Therapy Association Podcast Everyday Evidence. “Updated CDC Developmental Milestone Checklists” (March 2, 2022) Barlow, K. & Barnekow, K. https://www.aota.org/publications/podcasts/everyday-evidence-podcast and
2022 Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Act Early Network News, (Winter 2022). “Boston LEND Program Working with MA Act Early Project”. https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=15799&parent=547&parent_title=Act%20Early&url=/template/page.cfm?id%3D547
2021 YouTube Interviews with Reena Singh, “Pre-requisites for Feeding and Chewing in Children” https://youtu.be/jhJF3DfbYpY “The Importance of Brushing Teeth in Neurodiverse Children” https://youtu.be/pO8oZCGmsiA “Verbal Dyspraxia and Picky Eating” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKF8ZuzPb4o “Discussing Gag Reflex and Feeding Disorders in Children” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCz1dogMTEQ “Understanding Suck Swallow Breathe Synchrony and Providing Opportunities for Oral Motor System” https://youtu.be/r_ioSEhtbO0
2021 Lucent, American International College Alumni Magazine (Spring), “Professor Barlow Secures Sizeable Grant for OT Training Program”, p. 3. https://www.aic.edu/lucent-magazine/2021-spring-lucent/
2021 Association of State Public Health Nutritionist (ASPHN) WIC Developmental Monitoring Project Newsletter, March. State Updates: Massachusetts. https://asphn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WIC-Developmental-Monitoring-Project-March-2021-Newsletter.pdf
2020 Autism in Real Life Podcast. August 26, 2020. “Early Identification with Kate Barlow, CDC Act Early Ambassador”. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1143392/5148487-episode-17-early-identification-with-kate-barlow-cdc-act-early-ambassador
2020 Therapro®, Review: February 22, 2020. Pediatric Treatment Strategies for Oral Motor Deficits. https://www.therapro.com/Review-Feb-22-2020-Pediatric-Treatment-Strategies-for-Oral-Motor-Deficits.html
2020 Feeding Matters. February 14, 2020. Feeding Matters Funds Clinical Tool Research Project. https://www.feedingmatters.org/feeding-matters-funds-clinical-tool-research-project/
2020 Therapro®, Oral Motor Treatment Strategies Blog. Part 1: https://blog.therapro.com/oral-motor-part-1/ Part 2: https://blog.therapro.com/oral-motor-treatment-strategies-2/ Part 3: https://blog.therapro.com/oral-motor-treatment-strategies-part-3/
2020 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health Early Intervention Newsletter, March 20. Improving Parental Monitoring of Developmental Milestones. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1103447981997&ca=85b272f9-abbe-441d-80f1-185fab05559b
2020 Feeding Matters, February Newsletter, Feeding Matters Funds Clinical Research Tool. https://www.feedingmatters.org/feeding-matters-funds-clinical-tool-research-project/?utm_source=01.+All+Subscribers&utm_campaign=29c7d25979-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_08_03_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c1c814daa3-29c7d25979-74249099
2018 Lucent, American International College Alumni Magazine, Spring, “Peru”, p. 10-11. https://www.aic.edu/lucent-magazine/peru/