Tina Fletcher, Ed.D., M.F.A., O.T.R.

Contact

tfletcher1@twu.edu
214-689-7750
IHSD 8802

Biography

Dr. Fletcher focuses on the impact of art making on clients and caregivers receiving occupational therapy, and on improving participation in community cultural arts and entertainment venues for visitors with special needs. Using sensory strategies, environmental supports, and curriculum development to achieve these goals, she is guided by the belief that participation in the creative process, whether experienced through art making or by being in cultural arts and entertainment venues, has a direct impact on a person's well-being and quality of life. 1. Impact of art making, and improving participation 2. Sensory strategies to improve participation 3. Curriculum design to enhance program effectiveness

Education

Ed.D., Educational Design and Curriculum Instruction, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas
M.F.A., Fine Arts-Sculpture, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas
B.F.A., Fine Arts-Experimental Studies, East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas
M.A., Education-Allied Health Sciences, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
B.S., Occupational Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

Expertise

Pediatrics; Accessibility; Activity Analysis; Creative and Cultural Arts; Qualitative Research; Professional Writing; Pedagogy; Autism

Latest Articles

Vintage Weavers: Conquering Vision Challenges
Handwoven Magazine (2024)
Tina Fletcher, Cynthia Evetts

Vintage Weavers: Movement Challenges
Handwoven Magazine (2024)
Tina Fletcher, Cynthia Evetts

Vintage Weavers: Staying Sharp
Handwoven Magazine (2024)
Tina Fletcher, Cynthia Evetts

A COVID-19 Memoir: Using the Co-Occupation of Crafting and Spirituality to Promote Health and Wellness in the United States of America
Journal of Religion and Health (2024)
Linda Barnett, Tina Fletcher

Teacher's Perspectives of Integrated Therapy Service Deliveries: A Case Study
American Academy of Special Education Professionals. Journal (2023)
Vidya Pingale, Tina Fletcher

Vintage Weavers: Staying Connected and Upbeat
Handwoven Magazine (2023)
Tina Fletcher, Cynthia Evetts

Promoting Positive Mental Health: Calming Neurodiverse Children's Summer Camp Jitters
American Occupational Therapy Association SIS Quarterly Practice Connections (2023)
Tina S Fletcher, Alicia Chen, Edgar Pizarro

Strategies and Guidelines for Sensory Havens in Sensory and Autism-Friendly Events
Teaching Exceptional Children (2023)
Tina Fletcher, Alicia Chen, Ashlee Norris, Edgar Pizarro, Jason Tran

Healthy Weavers: Helping eyes and hands find their weaving sweet spot
Handwoven Magazine (2023)
Cynthia Evetts, Tina Fletcher

Healthy Weavers: Strategies for the Mind and Spirit
Handwoven Magazine (2023)
Cynthia Evetts, Tina Fletcher

Enhancing Community Participation with Autism Accessibility Audits
Autism Parenting Magazine (2022)
Megan Tripp, Tina Fletcher

You've Got to Do Something: Developing occupational therapists' role in end-of-life care.
OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health: Latest Trends and Research in Occupational Therapy (2022)
Janice Kishi Chow, Noralyn D Pickens, Tina Fletcher, Mary Thompson, Patricia Bowyer

Healthy Weavers: Using Ergonomics for Comfortable Weaving
Handwoven Magazine (2022)
Cynthia Evetts, Tina Fletcher

Meeting Neurodiverse Children Wherever They Are with Mobile Sensory Havens
OT Practice Magazine (2022)
Tina S Fletcher, Alicia Chen, Edgar O Pizarro, Jason Tran, Megan Tripp

Missed Opportunities to Ease Suffering: An Explanatory Model of Occupational Therapy Utilization in End-of-Life Care
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (2022)
Janice Kishi Chow, Noralyn Pickens, Tina Fletcher, Patricia Bowyer, Mary Thompson

Healthy Weavers: Helping Eyes and Hands Find Their Happy Place
Handwoven Magazine (2022)
Cynthia Evetts, Tina Fletcher

Teachers' Experiences with Occupational Therapy Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention: Innovations in Practice, Theory, and Research (2022)
Lou Ann Hintz, Tina Fletcher, Susan Cahill, Gail Poskey

Promoting Occupation Through Universal Design for Learning and Lexile Measurements
Occupational Therapy Practice (2021)
Angela Marlin, Tina S. Fletcher, Natalie Garcia

A Grounded Theory Study of End-of-Life Care Occupational Therapy Utilization
Qualitative Health Research (2021)
Janice K Chow, Noralyn D Pickens, Tina S Fletcher, Patricia Bowyer, Mary Thomson

Kente-Style Liturgical Stole
Handwoven Magazine (2021)
Tina S. Fletcher

Effects of Sensory Diets: A Single Subject Study
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention: Innovations in Practice, Theory, and Research (2021)
Vidya Pingale, Tina S Fletcher, Catherine Candler, Noralyn D Pickens, Karen Dunlap

The Sensory Totes Program: Sensory-Friendly Autism Program Innovations Designed to Meet COVID-19 Challenges
WFOT Bulletin (2021)
Tina S Fletcher, Emily S Wiskera, Lynda H Wilbur, Natalie M Garza

Kente-style Liturgical Stoles: Colors, Patterns, and Messages
Handwoven Magazine (2021)
Tina Fletcher, Linda Barnett

Self-Reflection and its Relationship to Occupational Competence and Clinical Performance in level II fieldwork
Internet Journal of Allied Health sciences and Practice (2020)
Susan L Iliff, Gaylene M Tool, Patricia Bowyer, Tina S Fletcher, Wyona M Freysteinson

The Effects of Sensory Diets on Children's Classroom Behaviors
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention: Innovations in Practice, Theory, and Research (2019)
Vidya Pingale, Tina Fletcher, Catherine Candler

Occupational Therapy Student Conceptions of Self-Reflection in Level II Fieldwork
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education (2019)
Susan L Iliff, Gaylene Tool, Patricia Bower, Diane Parham, Tina Fletcher

Occupational therapy students' perceived value of simulated learning experiences
Journal of Allied Health (2019)
D J Walls, Tina Fletcher, D P Brown

Serving Theatregoing Children with Special Needs: Implications for Inter-Professional Collaboration
Youth Theatre Journal (2019)
Tina Fletcher, Michelle L. Sherman, Jessica M. Lawrence, Jennifer L. Parrish

Sculpting Hand-in-Hand
Arts and Activities (2019)
Tina Fletcher, Maria King

Celebrating Chinese New Year Occupational Therapy Style: A Cultural Spin on Teaching Handwriting
Independent School Magazine (2019)
Tina Fletcher, Maria King

Caregivers' Perceptions of Barriers and Supports for Children with Sensory Processing Disorders
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (2019)
Tina Fletcher, Julie Anderson-Seidens, Hope Wagner, Martha Linyard, Elyse Nicolette

A Show of Hands: Using a Multimodal Teaching Activity to Foster Self-Reflection
Education Special Interest Section Quarterly (2019)
Tina Fletcher

Fine Arts Museums and Occupational Therapy Collaborations Promote Inclusion for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
CultureWork (2018)
Tina Fletcher, Jon Eckberg, Amanda B. Blake

Factors influencing adherence to an app-based exercise program in adolescents with painful hyperkyphosis
Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders. (2018)
Karina A. Zapata, Sharon S. Wang-Price, Tina Fletcher, Charles E. Johnston

Construct Validity of the Participation and Sensory Environment Questionnaire – Teacher Version
Assessment for Effective Intervention (2018)
Aimee Pillar, Tina Fletcher, Beth Pfieffer, Noralyn Pickens

Contributing to Sensory-Friendly Events From A to Z
OT Practice Magazine (2018)
Tina Fletcher

Can Sensory Gallery Guides for Children with Sensory Processing Challenges Improve Their Museum Experience?
Journal of Museum Education (2017)
Tina S. Fletcher, Amanda B. Blake, Kathleen E. Shelffo

Art Making and Identity Formation in Children and Adolescents with Differing Social Behaviors
Journal of Creativity in Mental Health (2017)
Tina Fletcher, Shelby S. Lawrence

Does Explicit Handwriting Instruction Have a Place in the Instructional Day? Exploring the Relationship Between Handwriting Quality and Academic Success in Elementary Students
Cogent Education (2017)
Hope McCarroll, Tina Fletcher

Exploring How Live Theaters Provide Access to Children with Special Needs: Quantitative Analysis
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics: A Quarterly Journal of Developmental Therapy (2017)
Tina Fletcher, Jennifer Parrish, Michelle L. Sherman

Reliability of the Participation and Sensory Environment Questionnaire: Teacher Version
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2017)
Aimee Piller, Tina Fletcher, Beth Pfeiffer, Karen Dunlap, Noralyn Pickens

The Pink Binder
Survivor's Review (2016)
Tina Fletcher

Factors that bring meaning to mementos created by elders
Aging and Mental Health (2016)
Tina Fletcher

Considering the museum experience of children with autism
Curator: The Museum Experience (2016)
Taylor Kelsey Kulik, Tina Sue Fletcher

How to keep the holidays from overloading the senses of autistic children
Dallas News (2016)
Tina Fletcher

How parents perceive participation in museum activities: A comparison between parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorders.
Inclusion (2016)
Ana Antonetti, Tina S. Fletcher

How To Manage Sensory Overload During The Holidays
The Art of Autism (2016)
Tina Fletcher

Veteran's Week Reflection
TWU Lasso (2015)
Tina Fletcher

Books

Success on the Spectrum: Practical Strategies for Engaging Neurodiverse and Autistic Museum Audiences
Rowman and Littlefield Publishers (2024)
Emily Wiskera, Anna Smith, Tina Fletcher, Lynda Wilbur, Francis Chen

Planning for Autism: Promoting Community Participation for Autistic Learners
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (2022)
Kelly Wanzer, Tina Fletcher

Chapters

Action Research
in An Introductory Guide to Qualitative Research in Art Museums | Routledge (2024)
Mary Mattingly, Amanda Blake, Tina Fletcher

Assessing and Intervening with Children with Sensory-Motor Impairment
in Best Practices in School Neuropsychology: Guidelines for Effective Practice, Assessment, and Evidence-Based Intervention – Second Edition | Wiley (2022)
Vidya Pingale, Tina S. Fletcher

Creativity Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives
in Creative Engagement in Occupation: Building Professional Skills | SLACK Inc (2015)
Tina Fletcher

Recent Presentations

Perceptions of Individuals with and without Autism Regarding Social Participation
Bridging the Gap, School of Occupational Therapy, Denton (2021)
Virtual | Tina Fletcher

Using Sensory Consortiums to Promote the Occupation of Community Participation
Texas Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference (2020)
Podium | Tina Fletcher, Emily Wiskera, Lynda Wilbur

The Museum Experience for Children with Autism
2019 Taiwan International Forum on Children and Museums (2019)
Podium | Tina Fletcher

Practitioner's Assessment Closet
24th Annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship and Community Building Workshop (2017)
Paper | Tina Fletcher

Applying Creativity Theories to Occupational Therapy Practice
American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference (2017)
Paper | Tina Fletcher

Tracing the History of the Constructs of Creativity in Occupational Therapy Practice and Education
AOTA 2017 Annual Conference & Centennial Celebration (2017)
Paper | Tina Fletcher

Sensory Whoa or Sensory Go?
24th Annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship and Community Building Workshop (2017)
Faculty Workshop | Tina Fletcher

Sensory Profiles, Diets, and Environments: How Occupational Therapists Help Individuals with Sensory Challenges Participate in Community Events
2017 TPA Sound Sensitivity Conference (2017)
Podium | Tina Fletcher

Applying Creativity Principles to Occupational Therapy
TOTA 2017 Mountain Central Conference (2017)
Paper | Francie Baxter, Tina Fletcher, Adele Brunson, Britany Burton

International Museums' Perceived Accessibility, Support, and Desired Improvement for Children with Disabilities
TOTA 2017 Mountain Central Conference (2017)
Podium | Ashley C. Eisele, Tina Fletcher

A Feasibility Study to Explore the Relationship Between the Quality of Handwriting and Academic Performance
AOTA Education Summit (2017)
Podium | Hope McCarroll, Tina Fletcher

Should it Stay or Should it Go? Reviewing Old Favorites and New Additions to Pediatric Therapy Practitioner's Assessment Closet
24th Annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship and Community Building Workshop (2017)
Faculty Workshop | Tina Fletcher

Understanding the Knowledge, Confidence, and Ability of Cultural Arts and Entertainment Venues to Serve Visitors With Special Needs
AOTA Autism Specialty Conference (2016)
Paper | Tina Fletcher

Understanding How Cultural Arts and Entertainment Venues Can Serve Children with Special Needs
TOTA (2016)
Podium | Tina Fletcher

Updates on Apps in Practice
23rd Annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship and Community Building Workshops (2016)
Podium | Tina Fletcher, Deborah Buckingham

A proposal to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of universal design for learning curriculums at the Dallas Museum of Art
Texas Woman's University Building Research Collaboration (2015)
Poster | Tina Fletcher

Expressive Arts as a Palliative Care Intervention
Texas Tumor Registrars Annual Conference (2015)
Paper | Tina Fletche

Professional Affiliations

• American Occupational Therapy Association
• Dallas Sensory Consortium
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Texas Occupational Therapy Association

Honors & Awards

• 2023 AOTA Retired Educator's Commendation, American Occupational Therapy Association (2023)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Texas Woman's University (2020)
• College of Health Sciences Service Award, Texas Woman's University (2018)
• Brick Ceremony - Commerce Honor, Commerce Public Library (2018)
• Academic Educator of the Year, Texas OT Association (2017)
• This I Believe II Book-in-Common publication top faculty essay award winner, Texas Woman's University (2016)
• Summer Research Initiative Award Recipient, Texas Woman's University (2016)