Elinor “Ellie” Taylor MA, OTR
Faculty Mentor:
Amber Angell PhD, OTR/L
Research Lab: Disparity Reduction and Equity in Autism Services (DREAmS) Lab
Year of Entry: 2020
I am passionate about increasing neurodiverse representation and recognition of lived expertise in autism research. In addition to my work in the DREAmS lab, I am privileged to be a member of the Autistic Researchers Committee in the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR). I am interested in exploring the phenomenon of autistic masking and how the ableist marginalization intersects with sexism, transphobia, racism, and heterosexism for autistic populations. I hope to also eventually inform evidence-based clinical practice for autistic adults through the feedback and recommendations of diverse autistic communities and allies.
Education
Master of Arts (MA)
in Occupational Therapy
2020 | Washington University in St. Louis
Master of Science (MS)
in Counseling
2015 | Portland State University
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
in History
2011 | Willamette University
Selected Publications
Book Chapters
Melton, R., & Taylor, E. (2017). Feedback-informed treatment for adolescents and young adults with early onset psychotic disorders. In D. S. Prescott, C. L. Maeschalck, & S. D. Miller (Eds.), Feedback-informed treatment in clinical practice: Reaching for excellence (pp. 201-234). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Journal Articles
Angell, A. M., Carreon, E. D., Akrofi, J. N., Franklin, M. D., Taylor, E. E., Miller, J., Crowley, C., & Maher, S. O. (2023). Challenges and facilitators to telehealth occupational therapy for autistic children during COVID-19. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492221142597 Show abstract
Pre-pandemic, telehealth occupational therapy (OT) for autistic children appeared promising, but research was limited. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to investigate how clinics transitioned to telehealth. The purpose of this study was to examine barriers and facilitators that influenced delivery of OT services through telehealth for autistic children during the pandemic. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 13 participants (three administrators, six OTs, and four parents of autistic children) at three Los Angeles area clinics over a 7-month period. We used narrative and thematic analysis to identify four themes. We identified (a) Challenges and (b) Facilitators to Conducting Telehealth OT, including practical strategies for successful facilitation, and (c) Negative and (d) Positive Outcomes of Conducting Telehealth OT. As telehealth will likely remain a viable means of OT service delivery in the future, our findings provide insight into ways that it can be improved and sustained.
Taylor, E. (2022). Beyond ‘bad’ behaviors: A call for occupational scientists to rethink autism. Journal of Occupational Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2022.2136231 Show abstract
In this paper, I explore how autistic behaviors are rendered Othered transgressive acts in general research and in the figured world of occupation. I assess how the normalization agenda, which aims to condition autistic people into appearing abled, is associated with endemic disparities. I contend that occupational science has often countered anti-autistic stigma. However, I analyze how the field has perpetuated ableism by replicating normalization ideology and through its silence on the occupational significance of autistic behaviors. To contrast dominant assumptions, I examine autistic ways of being within occupational frameworks. I propose that the field can foster inclusion, rethink its figured worlds, and recognize autistic behaviors to promote social responsiveness. I argue these steps are ethically imperative as evidence on the harms of normalization accumulates.
Keywords. Occupational science; Autism; Intersectionality; Occupational justice; Social justice; Ableism
Conference Presentations/Proceedings
Taylor, E., & Foster, E. (2020). Effects of intention formation demands and encoding strategies on prospective memory (PM) performance in Parkinson’s disease (PD). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(4, Suppl. 1), 7411515359. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S1-PO5608 Show abstract
We assessed the effects of forming multiple intentions, task switching, and encoding strategies during intention formation on PM performance in PD. We found that PD participants were preferentially impaired in forming multiple intentions at once and that encoding strategies were particularly effective for addressing this deficit. These findings identify a novel PM deficit in PD and support clinical use of encoding strategies.
Gill, P., Melton, R., & Taylor, E. (2016). Sensory integrated approaches for treating young adults with first episode psychosis. Oral session presented at Annual American Mental Health Counselors Association Conference, Seattle, WA.
Taylor, E. (2015). Social media: Ethics and considerations for engaging young adults in mental health outreach. Oral session presented at Early Assessment and Support Alliance 20th Anniversary Conference, Hood River, OR.
Awards
Autistic Researcher Award | 2023
International Society for Autism Research
Lisa A. Test Scholarship | 2022
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Excellence in Student Research Award | 2019
Washington University in St. Louis Department of Occupational Therapy
Founding Member of the Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA) Center for Excellence Award | 2015
Regional Research Institute at Portland State University
In Chan News
⋯