Sharon A. Ray

ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

photograph of Dr. Sharon Ray.

Sharon A. Ray

ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Sharon A. Ray

ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Clinical Associate Professor
Director, Rehabilitation Science PhD program
Co-Director, Rehabilitation Science MS program
Department of Rehabilitation Science
School of Public Health and Health Professions

Research Interests

School-Based Practice for Related Service providers; Translating policy to practice for occupational therapy and physical therapy practitioners; Implementing Multi-tiered systems of Support; Translational Science; Supporting children and families with special needs; Addressing the comprehensive feeding needs of children with special needs; Supporting the use of Assistive Technology in Schools

Overview Scholarship Awards

Selected Publications

  • Zhang, X. Q., Ray, S, A., Liu, X, Smith, D. M, &  Hou, W. (2023). What Makes Left-behind Children Resilient? And How? The Role of Hope on the Resilience of Left-behind Children in Rural China. Children and Youth Services Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107092
  • Ray, S. A., Brunelle, E., Grosche, K, Lam, J., Meade, C. & Nolan, M (2022). Teachers’ sustained utilization of technology. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2023.2168826
  • Ray, S. A., Diaz, I. , Doyle, S., Kim, D., Renieris, A., Scardino, A. & Torres, O. (2022) Examining the practice patterns of school-based occupational therapy in western New York. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2022.2114571
  • Ray, S. A., Brunelle, E., Naus, K., Lane, J. & Stapley, B. (2022) The development and implementation of an assistive technology training for teachers in an underserved school district. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. doi 10.1080/19411243.2022.2112360
  • Squillace, M., Krupp, L., Ray, S., & Muratori, L. (July, 2022). Pinch strength measurements of adolescents with pediatric multiple sclerosis. International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2021-046
  • Zhang, X. Q., Ray, S, A., Hou, W., & Liu, X. (2021). Environmental risk factors and their different effects in depressive symptoms of left-behind children in rural China compared with non-left-behind children. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 18 (20), 1-12. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010873
  • McGoldrick, K., Zelizer, D., & Ray, S. A. (2018). Shifting Perspectives: Enhancing Healthcare Professionals’ Awareness Through a Disability Studies Undergraduate Curriculum. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies. Accepted for Publication January 2018.
  • Rabinowicz, S. & Ray, S. A. (2018). Knowledge Translation and physical therapy in the field of Early Intervention: An opportunity for change. Infants & Young Children. Accepted for publication for 2018.
  • Ray, S. A., Hollenbeck, J., Blengs, D., Flatley, M. J., Nathan, J., & Bunch, J. (in process). Guidelines for Provision of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services in Massachusetts Public Schools, 2nd edition. Waltham, MA: Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy.and Massachusetts Pediatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.
  • Squillace, M., Ray, S. A., & Milazzo, M., Charvet, L & Krupp. L (in process). Pinch strength measurements of adolescents with Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal: Experimental, Translational and Clinical. Ray, S. A. (2015, March). Addressing the relation-based feeding needs of young children.
  • Early Intervention and Schools Special Interest Quarterly,22 (1),1-4. Squillace, M., Ray, S. A., & Milazzo, M. (2015). Changes in gross grasp strength and fine motor skills in adolescents with Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, D O I:10.3109/07380577.2014.967441.
  • Rochman, D. L., Ray, S. A., Kulich, R. J., Mehta, N. R., & Driscoll, S. (2008). Validity and utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure as an outcome measure in a craniofacial pain center. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 28, 1- 11.
  • Swenson-Miller, K., Herzberg, G., & Ray, S. A. (Eds.)(2006). Homelessness in America: Perspectives, Characterizations, and Considerations for Occupational Therapy. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.
  • Ray, S. A. (2006). Videotaped interactions of mothers and toddlers in shelters during child-focused activities. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, special edition on homelessness, 20(3-4) 81-97.
  • Herzberg, G., Ray, S. A., & Swenson-Miller, K. (2006). The status of Occupational Therapy: Addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, Special edition on homelessness, 20 (3-4), 1-8.
  • Swenson-Miller, K., Herzberg, G., & Ray, S. A. (Eds.)(2006). Homelessness in America: Perspectives, Characterizations, and Considerations for Occupational Therapy. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, Special edition on homelessness, 20 (3-4)

Recent Presentations

  • Hollenbeck, J. K. & Ray, S. A. (April, 2022). Perceived Competence of School-based Occupational Therapists in Massachusetts: A 10-year Retrospective. Poster will be presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Laverdure, P., Gallagher, V., Hollenbeck, J., Swinth, Y., Ray, S., Tallury, V., Feinsilver, R. & Ponsolle, M.  (December, 2021) Knowledge Translation Pathway: Enhancing Decision Making Through the Synthesis of Evidence . Keynote Address presented at the American Occupational Therapy Children and Youth Annual Conference, Orlando, FL Virtual.
  • Ray, S. A., Groshe, K., Nolan, M., Meade, C., Lam, J. & Brunnelle, E. (November, 2021). The Teachers' Sustained Utilization of Technology: A One-Year Follow-Up Study. Poster presented at the New York State Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Virtual.
  • Brunnelle, E. & Ray, S. A. (November, 2021). The Development of a Training Program Designed to Support Teacher Use of Assistive Technology in an Underserved School. Poster presented at the New York State Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Virtual.
  • Ray, S.A., Hollenbeck, J. Harvey, S. & Flatley, M. J.  (July 2019-March 2020). Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy: Advanced Practice through Evidence and     Collaboration.  Two Professional Development Institutes sponsored by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Norwood, MA & Springfield MA.
  • Ray, S. A.  (October 2019). Increasing classroom and social engagement through sensory strategies. Poster at the 24nd Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health, sponsored by the Center for School Mental Health.  Austin, TX.
  • Ray, S.A., Hollenbeck, J., & Bunch, J, Flatley, M. J.  (July-November 2019). Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Educational Settings. Two Professional Development Institutes sponsored by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Norwood, MA & Springfield, MA.
  • Ray, S. A. & Zhang, X. (April 2019). Moving from Policy to Practice: Creating Systems Change in New York State Public Schools. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.
  • Blengs, D., Ray, S. A., Hollenbeck, J., & Bunch, J. (November 2018).  The Process of Developing State Guidelines for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Massachusetts Public Schools. A poster presented at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference. Norwood MA.
  • Blengs, D., Ray, S. A., Hollenbeck, J., & Bunch, J. (April 2018).  The Process of Developing State Guidelines for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Massachusetts Public Schools. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • Ray, S. A. (October, 2017). Self-regulation in the classroom using sensory strategies. Session in the 22nd Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health, sponsored by the Center for School Mental Health.  Washington, DC.
  • Ray, S.A., Hollenbeck, J., Bunch, J., Harvey, S. & Flatley, M. J.  (July-November 2017). Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Educational Settings. Two Professional Development Institutes sponsored by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Devens, MA & Springfield, MA
  • Ray, S. A, Hollenbeck, J., Bunch, J., & Harvey, S. (July-November 2017). Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy: Advanced Practice through Evidence and     Collaboration. Professional Development Institute sponsored by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Devens, MA.
  • Ray, S. A. & Rabinowicz, S. (March 2017). Therapists’ perceptions of facilitators and barriers of policy informed practices in the school setting. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA
  • Ray, S. A., Hollenbeck, J., Blengs, Diane & Bunch, J. (November 2016). School best practice strategies and service delivery models. Session presented at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy (MAOT) Annual Conference. Norwood, MA.
  • Ray, S. A. (September 2016). Empowering students to support self-regulation through classroom sensory strategies. Session presented at the 21th Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health, sponsored by the Center for School Mental Health.  San Diego, CA.
  • Ray, S.A., Hollenbeck, J., & Bunch, J, Flatley, M. J.  (July-November 2016). Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Educational Settings. Professional Development Institute sponsored by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Devens, MA.
  • Ray, S. A. (May, 2016). Creating a Village: Related Services and the Preschool Curriculum. Conference for Teachers, Related Services, Paraprofessionals and Administrators at Alternatives for Children. East Setauket, NY.
  • Ray, S. A. (April, 2016). Transitioning Young Children from Non-oral to Oral Feeding. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
  • Ray, S.A., Hollenbeck, J., & Bunch, J, Flatley, M. J.  (July-November 2015). Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Educational Settings. Professional Development Institute sponsored by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Devens, MA.