About Dr. Katz
Dr. Robin F. Katz, OTD, MSW, MA, OTR (NBCOT Retired), is a co-founder of the Autism-cPTSD Research Project, where she contributes clinical, developmental, research, and trauma-informed expertise.
With more than 40 years of experience across pediatric occupational therapy, autism support, sensory processing and sensory integration, early child development, mental health, trauma-informed practice, public health, and community-based practice, Dr. Katz brings an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of how unmet needs and insufficient external support may contribute to an accumulation of trauma over time.
Dr. Katz practiced as a pediatric occupational therapist for over 30 years in multi-disciplinary settings, including hospital, NICU, early intervention, educational, and community-based settings. She also has extensive experience in higher education, research, curriculum development, and teaching graduate-level research practices.
In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Katz has served as Nicole Filippone's occupational therapy advisor for more than six years, helping shape educational content related to sensory processing, sensory integration, autism support strategies, and the Sensory Stories children's book series.
Dr. Katz contributes expertise at the intersection of autism, disability theory and advocacy, trauma-informed practice, research, and human development.
— Education and Credentials —
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, 2012
Doctoral Studies in Public Health
The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 2010
Master of Social Work (MSW), Clinical Social Work
Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, 2006
Master of Arts (MA), Community Health and Thanatology
Specialized study in death and dying, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, grief counseling, and trauma, 2003
Bachelor of Science (BS), Occupational Therapy
New York University, 1981
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
Official retired status through NBCOT
Advanced Certification in Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT)
Certified in administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests.
— Clinical and Community-Based Practice —
Pediatric Occupational Therapist, 1987–2019
Dr. Katz practiced in home, hospital, early intervention, educational, and community-based settings. Her work focused on sensory processing, child development, participation, learning, regulation, and functional performance across home, school, and community environments.
Her clinical experience included hospital and NICU settings, early intervention programs, preschool through high school educational settings, and both general and special education programs.
Coordinator, Families in Transition Program, Saint Vincent’s Services, Brooklyn, NY, 2006–2008
Served in an Early Permanency Planning program supporting children and families involved in permanency planning and related social services for parents and grandparents dying of AIDS.
— Teaching, Research, and Higher Education —
Touro College Occupational Therapy Programs, 1999–2003
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and faculty member in associate and master’s-level occupational therapy programs. Responsibilities included fieldwork coordination, master’s thesis research advising, curriculum redesign, and teaching occupational therapy practice courses.
Long Island University, MSOT Program, Brooklyn Campus, 2003–2004
Occupational Therapy Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Courses included Introduction to Occupational Therapy and an integrating practice course for graduating occupational therapy students.
CUNY Brooklyn College, Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, 2008–2010
Adjunct Professor in Community and Public Health Sciences. Courses included Personal and Community Health, Public Health Research, and Advanced Placement Personal and Community Health.
Touro University Nevada, MSOT Program, 2011
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy. Responsibilities included revising and teaching basic and advanced research courses, as well as basic and advanced occupational therapy practice courses.
Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale MSOT Bridge Program, 2014–2016
Founding accreditation faculty member, professor, and academic fieldwork program designer/coordinator for the associate-to-master’s MSOT Bridge Program.
Key contributions included collaboration on the development of a hybrid online/on-campus associate-to-master’s curriculum for COTAs advancing to OTR-level preparation, design of foundational coursework supporting initial program accreditation, co-development of Level I and Level II fieldwork programming, and teaching occupational therapy research and professional practice courses. The Keiser University Ft. Lauderdale MSOT Bridge Program was granted ACOTE accreditation in August 2017.
— Scholarship and Research —
Doctoral Project, Boston University, 2012
A Mentoring Volunteer Program for Orthodox Jewish Adults with Disabilities
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.
Master’s Thesis, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, 2006
Compassion Fatigue at a VA Hospital: Coping Strategies of Mental Health Professionals
A qualitative thesis examining the experiences and coping strategies of mental health professionals treating military veterans requiring PTSD-related care