Books by Karen Sladyk

Karen Sladyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA has been an occupational therapy educator in New England for 18 years--first at Quinnipiac University and currently at Bay Path College. She "accidentally" fell into writing when she was a substitute at a focus group at an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) annual meeting and conference, offering suggestions of what she thought students wanted to know. Since that time, she has edited or authored 9 textbooks targeted specifically at occupational therapy/occupational therapy assistant students' specific needs. Known as a "hard and demanding" teacher, she cares very deeply about students getting an intense and meaningful education.

Like every occupational therapist/occupational therapy assistant, she has a difficult time balancing her life, but she enjoys travel, quilting, crafts, and writing. She recently visited all 50 states before turning 50 herself. Karen spends time with her sisters and nephews in Connecticut and Utah and continues to collect vintage jewelry at flea markets. Lately, she has been hunting for Disney Lanyard pins. When developing this newest book, she had the good fortune of teaming up with Karen and Nancy.

Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CPE, FAOTA is a past president and vice president of the AOTA and a 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Akuryeri in Akuryeri, Iceland. Dr. Jacobs is a clinical professor and the program director of distance education post-professional programs in occupational therapy at Boston University, Boston, MA. She earned a doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts, a master of science degree in occupational therapy at Boston University, and a bachelor of arts degree at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Dr. Jacobs' research examines the interface between the environment and human capabilities. In particular, she examines the individual factors and environmental demands associated with increased risk of functional limitations among populations of university- and middle school-aged students, particularly in notebook computing and backpack use (http: //people.bu.edu/kjacobs/index.shtml).

In addition to being an occupational therapist, Dr. Jacobs is also a certified professional ergonomist (CPE) and the founding editor of the international journal WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation (IOS Press, The Netherlands).
Dr. Jacobs is a faculty-in-residence and lives in an apartment in one of the dormitories at Boston University. She is the mother of 3 childre-Laela, Joshua, and Ariel; and the amma (grandma in Icelandic) to Sophie Redd. She balances work with occupations such as cross country skiing, kayaking, photography, yoga, and travel.

Nancy MacRae, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA is an associate professor, graduate coordinator, and academic fieldwork coordinator at the University of New England (UNE) in Portland, ME, where she has taught for nearly 20 years. She is a past president of the Maine Occupational Therapy Association.

Nancy's work experience has been within the field of developmental disabilities, primarily mental retardation, across the lifespan. Her graduate degree is in adult education, with a minor in educational gerontology. Involvement in the Interprofessional Geriatric Education Program at UNE allows her to mentor and learn from future health care practitioners.

Ms. MacRae is the proud mother of 2 sons and a 10-year-old granddaughter. Occupational balance is maintained through participation in reading, yoga, walking, baking, and basket-making.