Jeanne R. Eichler, Ed.D., OTR/L, MT

Biography 

Dr. Jeanne Eichler is a music therapist (BMT), occupational therapist (MOT) and educator (Ed.D.) — serving as an associate professor of occupational therapy (OT) and the director of admission for the Augustana Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program. Prior to joining Augustana, she served as core faculty at St. Louis University and the University of Arkansas/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where her experiences led her to partner with underserved adolescent and young adult populations in community, high school, college and work settings — promoting health and wellness for individuals and organizations. She has also served as a therapist and consultant providing home, school and workplace programs and services for adolescents, young adults, caregivers and employers through her practice OT on campus. 

Eichler enjoys exploring innovative practice areas that expand traditional occupational therapy practice. She has extensive experience working with individuals and groups across the lifespan who have a wide range of clinical conditions. Her current practice and research interest is transition to adulthood, specifically college and career, including sensory preferences and their occupational impacts on college and career transitions related to success and retention. She presents research and practice at conferences and has published book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.

She co-founded and serves on the Board of OT-U Collaborative, an organization that works to define occupational therapy’s role for post-secondary and early career individuals around the world. 

Her innovations include the co-created "Engineering Brighter Futures for Autism," in collaboration with faculty and students at UT-Dallas Mechanical Engineering. This annual event brought occupational therapists, engineers and neurodivergent individuals together for a collaborative experience supported by the National Science Foundation and Microsoft. Through endeavors like this one, she facilitates discussion and reflection on working effectively with individuals who may be significantly different from them in working or learning styles, essentially preparing “future co-workers” from an early age to create accessible and healthy workplace practices and procedures, established cultures, and spaces for everyone.

Eichler also carries certifications in several Take Flight Learning programs. These programs, based on the DISC profile, contribute to her teaching, scholarship and service. She frequently integrates the arts into her work, creating a dynamic environment conducive to growth and development across multiple settings.