Colleen C Whiting
Associate Professor College of Health & Wellness Department of Occupational Therapy Providence
Biography
Colleen Cameron Whiting, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA has worked as an occupational therapist for over twenty-five years. Her expertise lies in holistically supporting children, particularly those with sensory integration and processing challenges, autism, and who have experienced trauma, using theoretically based, evidence-informed interventions, and advanced professional reasoning.
Throughout her career spanning early intervention, mental health, school-based practice, private practice, and academia, Whiting has demonstrated a strong commitment to lifelong learning, innovation, scholarship, and professional service. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters focused on trauma, public health, sensory processing, social-emotional development, and interprofessional practice, and has led numerous research initiatives. Whiting has presented internationally at professional development trainings for practitioners, parents, and educators, and has contributed extensively through service on state and national organizational boards and committees. Prior to joining Johnson & Wales University, she taught in occupational therapy doctoral programs at several universities.
Education
OTD, Boston University
Occupational Therapy
MS, Boston University
Occupational Therapy
BA, Boston College
Psychology
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
Massachusetts
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
NBCOT
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
Rhode Island
AOTA Service Commendation
AOTA
AOTA’s Roster of Fellows Award
AOTA
Service Commendation Award
American Occupational Therapy
“AJOT Authors & Issues Session 35: SI in Schools.” Whiting, C. (February, 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74bjBARjwiQ
“OTS 163: Making Sensory Integration Work in School Environments.” Whiting, C. (December, 2024)
OTS 163: Making Sensory Integration Work in School Environments
“E93: Dr. Colleen Whiting on Sensory Integration Intervention in the Schools.” Whiting, C. (September 12, 2022)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e93-dr-colleen-whiting-on-sensory-integration-intervention/id1495983952?i=1000579262538
Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy
American Occupational Therapy Association
Whiting, C. (September 19, 2025). Use of a Trauma-Informed Approach in Occupational Therapy Programs. (Journal Article).
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, has not been assigned(has not been assigned), 1-19.
https://www-tandfonline-com.jwupvdz.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1080/0164212X.2025.2562150#abstract
Whiting, C. (June, 2025). Social Emotional Learning: Case-Smith’s Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents, 9th Edition. (Book Chapter).
Elsevier, none(none), 469-486.
none
Whiting, C. (June 17, 2025). Expanding roles: Engaging in interprofessional collaboration to support social and emotional learning in classrooms. (Journal Article).
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, none(none), 1-21.
https://www-tandfonline-com.jwupvdz.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1080/19411243.2025.2519656?src=recsys
Whiting, C. (May 28, 2025). Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration® in School-Based Practice: A Validation Study. (Journal Article).
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79, 7904205190.
https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/79/4/7904205190/27183/Guidelines-for-Occupational-Therapy-Using-Ayres?searchresult=1
Whiting, C. (May 10, 2025). Integrating Trauma-Informed Approaches in Higher Education: Development and Validation of a New Questionnaire. (Journal Article).
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, none given(none given), 1-21.
https://www-tandfonline-com.jwupvdz.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1080/0164212X.2025.2498965?src=recsys#abstract
Whiting, C. (December, 2024). Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration® in School-Based Practice: A Call to Action. (Journal Article).
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(1), 7901347020.
https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/79/1/7901347020/26009/Occupational-Therapy-Using-Ayres-Sensory
Stephenson, P. & Whiting, C. (November, 2024). Autism: Foundations of Pediatric Practice. (Book Chapter).
Routledge, 353-370.
Whiting, C. (November, 2024). Trauma-Responsive Practice: Foundations of Pediatric Practice. (Book Chapter).
Routledge, 391-402.
Whiting, C. (April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 13, 2023). A Sensory Integration Intervention in the School Setting to Support Performance and Participation: A Multiple-Baseline Study: no. (Journal Article).
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2), 7702205060.
https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/77/2/7702205060/24084/A-Sensory-Integration-Intervention-in-the-School?searchresult=1
AOTA Inspire 2025, “Addressing the Needs of Adults with Sensory Differences: All You Need in a Comprehensive Intervention Program,” AOTA, Philadelphia, PA, United States. (April, 2025).
AOTA Inspire 2025, “Beyond Mindfulness: Using Trauma-Informed Pedagogy to Help Students Feel Safe and Ready to Learn,” AOTA, Phildelphia, PA, United States. (April, 2025).
AOTA Inspire 2025, “Yes I Can! A Road Map for Incorporating Ayres Sensory Integration in the Schools,” AOTA, Philadelphia, PA, United States. (April, 2025).
MAOT/RIOTA 2024 Annual Conference, “Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Role in Social-Emotional Learning,” MAOT/RIOTA, Norwood, MA, United States. (November, 2024).
MAOT/RIOTA 2024 Annual Conference, “School-Based Occupational Therapy Using Sensory Integration Intervention,” MAOT/RIOTA, Norwood, MA, United States. (November, 2024).
AOTA Inspire 2024, “Designing Sensory-Informed Trauma Responsive Interventions in Pediatric Settings,” American Occupational Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, United States. (March 22, 2024).
AOTA Inspire 2024, “Supporting Sensory Health and Wellness in a School Setting with a Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach,” American Occupational Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, United States. (March 21, 2024).
AOTA Inspire 2024, “Why & How to Implement School-Based Sensory Integration Intervention,” American Occupational Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, United States. (March 21, 2024).