Contact Info: 

Email: jeanne.ross.eichler@gmail.com or jeanne@otoncampus.com

Web: otoncampus.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-eichler-95936019

Jeanne has over 30 years' experience as both a music therapist an an occupational therapist and has been creating innovative programs for multiple populations across the lifespan for her entire career. While serving as an OT faculty member and seeing a need, she pioneered OTonCampus, a program started at Saint Louis University in 2012 where she provided OT services for college students through University Counseling Center as well as the Student Health Clinic. In 2018 while on faculty at the University of Arkansas/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, she started an ongoing  collaboration with Student Success to create and research programs and initiatives that focus on student retention and development. She is currently the owner/practitioner of Tempeaux, LLC where she provides occupational therapy services and consultation for older adolescents and young adults transitioning into college/career. She has chapters in Comprehensive Advisor Training and Development (NACADA) and Primary Care Occupational Therapy (Springer).

Jeanne's innovative endeavors utilize skills and tools gained across many therapeutic, community and educational settings. Her campus offerings included a video module "Pack for College Success" and an accompanying survey that are embedded into Destination Arkansas Blackboard Activities (DABA) as one of eight modules addressing student success measures that can be taken prior to the move to campus. These modules were completed by over 7000 entering students every year. Additionally as an OTD faculty member, she taught multiple courses including wellness, clinical conditions, and pharmacology. She is available on a consulative basis for faculty, staff, and students as needed.

Jeanne's current research includes the current state of practice for occupational therapists on campus. She enjoys being a resource and helping others as they explore non-traditional OT practice areas including post-secondary OT. 

Favorite Topic Areas:

• Pioneering innovative practice

• Roles for OT in post-secondary settings

• Identifying existing tools that work beautifully across multiple settings

• Sensory Integration after childhood

• Transition to adulthood

• Insights on autism and transitions across the lifespan: Student Development Theory

• OT applications in non-traditional settings and roles

Relevant Publications:

Eichler, J. and Keptner, K. (2023) Transitions across the lifespan. In S. Dahl-Popolizio, K. Smith, M. Day, S. Muir, W. Manard, (Eds.) Primary care occupational therapy: A quick reference guide (pp. 69-78). Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20882-9_18

Dean-Kyncl, R., Eichler, J., Francis, T., Ali, M., (2022), Self-Care as A Tool for Advisor Development. In K. Archambault and R. Hapes (Eds.) Comprehensive Advisor Training and Development: Practices that Deliver (3rd ed.) (pp.182-199) Stylus Publishing, Sterling, VA. ISBN 978-1-64267-284-8Eichler, J.(June 2023). Packing for College Success. Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine. 

Eichler JR, Keptner KM. Defining occupational therapy practice for students in higher education: A census from practitioners. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/03080226231168008

Eichler, J. (June 2023). Packing for College Success. Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine. 

Eichler, J. and Troillett, A. (October 2022) A Day at the Stadium. Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine. 

Statton-Brooks, T. & Eichler, J. (2020). Residence hall design and sensory integration, Part 2. Talking Stick, July/August 2020. https://read.nxtbook.com/acuhoi/talking_stick/july2020/sense.html

Eichler, J. & Statton-Brooks, T. (2020). Comfort Spaces: Student customization of residence hall spaces means much more than aesthetics, Part 1. Talking Stick, May/June, 2020. http://read.nxtbook.com/acuhoi/talking_stick/may_june_2020/comfort.html

Eichler, J. (2018). Pack for your profile: Sensory strategies for success. Proquest. 

Eichler, J. & Royeen, L. (2016). Occupational therapy in the primary health care clinic: Experiences of two clinicians, Families, Systems and Health: The Journal of Collaborative Family Healthcare, 34(3), 289-291.

Eichler, J., Hoevet, R., and Royeen, C. (2015) OTonCampus: A partnership between occupational therapy and the university counseling center, Mental health Special Interest Quarterly of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 38(4).

Muir, S., Kalb, J., Eichler, J., Serfas, K., Jennison, C. Occupational therapy in primary care: An emerging area of practice. OTPractice, 19, CE 1-12.  

Selected Presentations/Workshops:

Thurman, M., Kaufman, R., Eichler, J., Panel discussion on neurocrashes and sensory challenges. US Autism Association Summit: Meltdowns and Neurocrashes, webinar, US Autism and Asperger’s Association (invited, virtual), April 3, 2022.

Thurman, M., Shore, S., Bernstein, R., Eichler, J., Birnbaum, J. Approaches to Autism: Music Therapy, Webinar, US Autism and Asperger’s Association (invited, virtual), November 3, 2021.

Eichler, J., What About Teens and Young Adults? Sensory Needs, Independence, and Transitions: A Conversation with an Occupational Therapist, World Autism Conference, US Autism and Asperger’s Association (invited, virtual), September 24, 2021.

Eichler, J.R., Planning spaces for success... from a sensory standpoint! 40th National Resource Center for the First Year Experience Conference, National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, Virtual. (February 15-19, 2021).

Eichler, J. R., Sensory Based Packing List for Student Success, 39th National Resource Center for the First Year Experience Conference, National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, Washington, DC. (February 24, 2020).

Keptner, K., Eichler, JR., Medical transitions:  From clinic to classroom II, 39th Annual Conference National Resource Center of the First Year Experience, National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC. (February 22, 2020).

Eichler, J. R., Habits and Routines in the Life of a College Student: How Occupational Therapy Fosters Student Success, Let’s get HIP Conference, University of Arkansas, Reynolds Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, United States. (July 31, 2019).

Eichler, J. Academic Advising and Occupational Therapy: Collaborating for Student Success, AAC Spring Workshop, University of Arkansas, March 4, 2019

Eichler, J. R. & Keptner, K. Collaborating for successful transition: Occupational Therapy and Student Success, 26th National Conference on Students in Transition, National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, Rosen Convention Center, Orlando, FL. (October 13, 2019).

Eichler, J. R. & Keptner, K., Medical transitions:  From clinic to classroom I, 26th National Conference on Students in Transition National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, Rosen Convention Center, Orlando, FL. (October 12, 2019).

Eichler, J. R., Engineering Brighter Futures for Autism: Facilitating Social Competency for EVERYONE in the Neurodiverse Work Environment, American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, American Occupational Therapy Association, New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans. (April 5, 2019).

Eichler, J. R., The Sensory-Based Packing List: Packing for College Success, American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, American Occupational Therapy Association, New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans, LA. (April 5, 2019).

Muir, S. L., Eichler, J. R., Doll, J., Mirza, M., Hansen, A., Royeen, L., Goldstein, D., Gecht-Silver, M. OT in Primary Care: coming Together to Move Forward, American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, " American Occupational Therapy Association, New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans, LA.,April 2, 2019.

Eichler, J. Using innovation challenges to foster teamwork and increase accessibility of STEM professions for neurodiverse groups. Workshop/Lecture presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) Annual Conference, Clearwater, FL January 18, 2018.

Eichler, J. Developing curriculum through a sensory lens. Invited lecture for the Saint Louis University School of Education, March 21, 2018.

Eichler, J. Transition to Adulthood: Strategies for facilitating college success for students with Autism Spectrum and related challenges. Invited workshop for Washington University Counselors and Advisors. Saint Louis, MO, January 25, 2017.

Eichler, J. Connecting by disconnecting for teens and young adults. Invited workshop for the Midwest Symposium for Therapeutic Recreation, Saint Louis, MO, April 19, 2016.

Panelist: Thinking positive about the future for young adults with Autism and LD.  Hosted by College Internship Program (CIP) and Saint Louis University, February 18, 2016.

Eichler, J. Understanding the needs of students who have autism spectrum and related challenges on the college campus. Invited presentation Pro Devo Series, Saint Louis University, December 1, 2016.

Eichler, J., Fitzgerald, J., Berger, C., Rhythm with a purpose STL: Drumming to communicate, relate, and learn; A week of drumming in Saint Louis. Workshop/Seminar presented at the Percussion Arts Society International Conference (PASIC), Indianapolis, IN., November 10, 2016.

Eichler, J., Muir, S. OTonCampus: Opportunities for OT on college campuses. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Baltimore, MD. April 4, 2014.

Eichler, J., Huffman, J., Lewis, D. , & Moore, L. Preparing for College and Career: An Innovative Program Addressing Social Competency for Adolescents and Young Adults Who Have Asperger Syndrome. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, San Diego, CA. April 26, 2013.

Marks, T., Hoevet, R., Barney, K., Eichler, J. Project Identity. Poster presentation at the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Lake of the Ozarks, MO. November 14, 2014.  

Eichler, J., Jefferson, M., Karpel, A. Fay, S., & Cooper, M. College Student and Teen Experiences with OT Social Competency Program.  Workshop presentation at the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association, Saint Louis, MO. (November 4, 2011).