Dora Onwumere is a Graduate Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy and a Ph.D. candidate in Occupational Therapy at New York University, under the mentorship of Dr. Kristie Patten. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Stony Brook University and her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York Institute of Technology.
With nearly two decades of clinical experience, Dora has worked across early intervention, K–12, and higher education and has served in leadership roles, including Supervisor of Occupational Therapy in New York City Public Schools. Her work emphasizes strength-based and inclusive practices, with a particular focus on developing workshops, training programs, and evidence-based interventions that foster meaningful participation for students with diverse strengths and support needs. She has co-presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and published in respected professional outlets.
Dora’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and fellowships, including the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Cultural Diversity Research Excellence Award (2024), the AC & JC Foundation Award (2025), and the NYU Steinhardt Faculty First Look Fellowship (2025). She has also been selected as a University of Southern California Reproducible Rehabilitation (ReproRehab) Research Education Program Learner (2025), served on the Steinhardt Teaching Awards Committee (2024–2025), and received multiple state and institutional grants.
Her research explores how schools can cultivate self-advocacy and self-determination to better support autistic students. Guided by a commitment to equity, diversity, and belonging, she works to bridge research and practice while fostering educational spaces where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Selected Publications
- Patten, K. K., Murthi, K., Onwumere, D. D., Skaletski, E. C., Little, L. M., & Tomchek, S. D. (2024). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for autistic people across the lifespan. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(3), 7803397010.
- Onwumere, D. D., & Patten, K. K. (2024). Adapting cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in autistic children: A commentary. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 115, 102404.
- Patten, K., Murthi, K., Chen, Y. L., Onwumere, D., & Shore, S. (2023). Interventions for developing positive mental health in autistic individuals (2013–2021). American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
- Patten, K., Murthi, K., Chen, Y. L., Onwumere, D., & Shore, S. (2023). Interventions for developing self-determination in autistic individuals (2013–2021). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(Suppl. 1), 7710393120.
- Onwumere, D. D., Cruz, Y. M., Harris, L. I., Malfucci, K. A., Seidman, S., Boone, C., & Patten, K. (2020). The impact of an independence curriculum on self-determination and function in middle school autistic students. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, and Early Intervention.
- Akrofi, J. N. S., Murthi, K., Patten, K., Riccio, A., Martin, W., & Onwumere, D. (2023). Becoming & belonging: Experiences of middle school autistic students participating in an inclusive, interest-based maker club. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(Suppl. 2), 7711505081p1–7711505081p1.
- Onwumere, D., Seidman, S., Harris, L., & Patten Koenig, K. (2017). Developing an occupational therapy-based independence curriculum for middle school students with autism. OT Practice, 22(4), 20–23.
Book Chapters
- Onwumere, D., Patten, K., Murthi, K., Akrofi, N.S., & Ellzey, L.M. (2025). Strength-based frame of reference for autistic individuals. In P. Kramer & J. Hinojosa (Eds.), Frames of reference for pediatric occupational therapy (pp. 437–470). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Koenig, K. P., Maas, C., & Sarkodie, D. (2013). Challenges in processing sensory information. In S. Cohen & L. Hough (Eds.), The ASD Nest Model.
Course
Disability Justice and Radical Inclusion (OT-UE 1403, Section 001, Class #12899)
Credits: 2
Department: Occupational Therapy
Explores the implications and meaning of having a disability in global contexts by introducing students to experts’ voices, especially disabled activists, as they seek to advance disability justice and inclusion and demand systemic change in spheres of influence, including education, politics, healthcare, the arts, culture, social welfare, and everyday life. Examines how public (government) and private (outside of the government) policies and practices in these sectors affect the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Students explore and identify how international trends in disability and inclusion, local cultural beliefs, and biases influence inclusion.
Media & Public Scholarship
- Making Mentors Pairs Autistic High School and College Students for Mutual Benefit (2025, June 8). NYU Steinhardt. Read article.
- NYC Students Showcase STEM Projects in Celebration of the National Science Foundation's 75th Anniversary (2025, June 2). NYU News. Read article.
- High school students with autism gain college mentors in NYC program (2025, February 15). K-12 Dive. Read article.
- The SEED Program (New York City Public Schools) (2024). Watch video
- OT for Middle School Autistic Students (2024). OT Potential. Watch video
- Special education program to expand next year (2022, December 27). The Riverdale Press. Read article
- A School-Wide Movement (2012). United Federation of Teachers (UFT). Read article