Dr. Julia Sterman

Dr. Julia Sterman (PhD, OTR/L) is a lecturer in occupational therapy at Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland. She has clinical experience providing family-centered, strengths-based therapy in schools, inpatient rehabilitation, clinics, and home-based early intervention. In her teaching and research, she seeks to increase inclusion and well-being of children with disabilities, especially neurodivergent children, by changing environments, including addressing ableism and racism within occupational therapy practice and education.

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Her current research includes qualitative work with autistic co-investigators to identify ways that occupational therapy can practice in a neurodiversity friendly, identity affirming manner with autistic children. She is also conducting research on family-centered emergency preparedness for children with disabilities, including actions that families can do, and advocacy that they need to support unmet needs. Julia is continually questioning her current practice and learning ways she can do better to clinically practice, teach, and research to support neurodivergent populations.

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