Donna A. Wooster, Ph.D., OTR
A ssociate P ro f e s s o r
Education
2011
University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Ph.D. in Instructional Design & Development
1994
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Master of Science in Allied Health
1989
Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
1979
Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA
Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy
Practice Specialties
Specialty Certifications Earned
October 2010
Integrated Listening Systems
Practitioner Training Completed
February 2003
Therapeutic Listening
Listening with the Whole Body Course Completion
April 1995-2006
Board Certification in Pediatric Occupational Therapy
American Occupational Therapy Association
Nov. 1997
Sensory Integration Praxis Test Certification
from Sensory Integration International
Practice
Dr. Wooster continues to maintain clinical practice. She provides occupational therapy evaluations at
the University of South Alabama Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics with Dr.
Swingle, Dr. Anderson, and Dr. Trimm. She also consults to area schools and hospitals regarding
occupational therapy interventions.
Research Interests
A variety of pediatric topics related to children with disabilities. Currently she is engaged in
research related to potty training children with autism. She is the author of the Occupational
Therapy Parent Potty Training Technique which she will soon be piloting with families of children
with autism. She also is involved in a research project regarding comparing reaching and grasping
abilities of children with typical development and children with autism. Another current project is
focusing on the use of social media to promote development of early intervention staff. Other
interests include feeding interventions, treatments for children with sensory processing issues,
parent perspectives, and promoting engagement of children in active meaningful occupations for
quality of life.
Recent Publications
Dissertation
Wooster, D. (2011) Do learning style dimensions and types of design structure affect learning and
students’ opinions in online case-based instruction? Doctoral Dissertation. University of South
Alabama, Mobile, AL.
State Guidelines
Wooster,D. (2008) Contributing author. Guidelines for Occupational Therapy and
Physical Therapy for Students Receiving Special Education Services in Alabama.
Alabama Department of Education, Division of Instructional Services, Special
Education Services.
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Wooster, D. (2004). Web-based mentoring supports for OT students on level II fieldwork:
An exploratory study. Occupational Therapy in Health Care,18,(1/2), 21-30.
Wooster, D. & Lemcool, K. (2004). Webquest. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 18,(1/2), 127135.
Scaffa, M. & Wooster, D. (2004). Brief Report-Effects of Problem-Based Learning on
Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 3, 333-336.
Wooster, D. (2002). Using web-based supports to transition students to professional roles.
Teaching, Learning & Technology: The Connected Classroom. Proceedings of the Annual MidSouth Instructional Technology Conference (7th, Murfreesboro, TN, April 7-9, 2002).
Scaffa, M., Van Slyke, N., Wooster, D. (2000). A Community Service Learning Approach to Level
I Fieldwork: An Investment in the Future. Innovations in Occupational Therapy Education, 2 (1),
1-6.
Wooster, D. (2000) Intervention for Non-organic Failure to Thrive. Infant-Toddler Intervention: The
Transdisciplinary Journal,10 (1) , 37-46.
Hunt, L., Lewis,D., Reisel,S., Waldrup,R.,& Wooster,D. (2000). Establishing Age Norms for Straw
Drinking
Ability. Infant-Toddler Intervention: The Transdisciplinary Journal,10 (1), 1-8.
Wooster, D. (1999). Assessment of Nonorganic Failure to Thrive. Infant-Toddler Intervention: The
Transdisciplinary Journal, 9 (4), 353-371.
Wooster, D., Brady,N., Mitchell,A., Grizzle,M. & Barnes, M. (1998). Pediatric Feeding: A
Transdisciplinary Team’s Perspective. Topics in Language Disorders,18 (3), 34-49.
Book Chapters
Wooster, D. & Baxter, A. Early Intervention Programs. In M. Scaffa (Ed.)
Occupational Therapy in Community Based Practice Settings- Second
Edition. ( in press, 2013). Gaithersburg, MD: F.A. Davis
Estes, R., O’Connor, T., and Wooster, D. (2013, in press) Functional
Activity Intervention: Upper Extremity Tasks (reach, grasp, manipulation,
feeding), Chpt. 33. In D. W. Fell, Lunnen, Y & Rauk, R. (Eds.)
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation: A patient-centered approach for
examination to interventions and outcomes. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall.
Wooster, D. (2001). Early Intervention Programs. In M. Scaffa (Ed.)
Occupational Therapy in Community Based Practice Settings.
Gaithersburg, MD: F.A. Davis.
Wooster, D., Gray, L., & Gifford, K. (2001). Specialized Practice in Home
Health. In M. Scaffa (Ed.) Occupational Therapy in Community Based
Practice Settings. Gaithersburg, MD: F.A. Davis.
Gifford, K., Wooster, D., Gray, L.& Chromiak, B. (2001) Home Health. In
M. Scaffa (Ed.) Occupational Therapy in Community Based Practice
Settings. Gaithersburg, MD: F.A. Davis.
Book Reviews
Wooster, D. (2010) Book Review. Diagnosis and Treatment of Feeding Disorders in Infants, Toddlers,
and
Young Children. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 30(3): 259-60.
doi: 10.3109/01942638.2010.482018
Abstracts
O’Connor, T. & Wooster, D. (2009) Portfolio Development in OT Programs.
University of South Alabama Annual Research Forum, Office of Graduate Studies and Research
Program and Abstracts.
Wooster, D. & O’Connor, T. (2008) Student Portfolio Development, Are they worth the effort?
University of South Alabama 14th Annual Research Forum, Office of Graduate Studies and Research
Program and Abstracts.
O’Connor, T. & Wooster, D. (2007). Website Resources for OT Fieldwork Supervisors.
University of South Alabama 14th Annual Research Forum, Office of Graduate Studies and Research
Program and Abstracts.
Honors
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
2011-Service Recommendation
2008-Service Recommendation
2005-Service Recommendation
Alabama Occupational Therapy Association (ALOTA)
2007-Service Commendation
2003-Certificate of Appreciation
2002-Elsie McKibbin Lectureship Award
2002-Certificate of Achievement
2001-Certificate of Appreciation
2000-Certificate of Appreciation
1999-OTR Award of Excellence
1998-Certificate of Appreciation
Membership in Professional Associations
American Occupational Therapy Association
Alabama Occupational Therapy Association
Contact Information
Office: HAHN 2031
Telephone: (251) 445-9231
Fax: (251) 445-9211
Email: dawooster@southalabama.edu