Biography
Heidi Sanders earned her PhD in Family and Child Studies from the University of New Mexico. She is an assistant professor and the Division Chief in the UNM Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, where she has been a faculty member since 2004. Her clinical work includes both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with children with multiple disabilities at Carrie Tingley Hospital.
She has developed school-wide programs for children with social and self-regulation challenges, as well as providing consultation and training to improve supports for children in foster care and post-adoption throughout the state of New Mexico. Heidi has worked internationally to assist families, teachers, and medical professionals to improve the quality of life for children with a range of disabilities in Russia, Nicaragua, and Mexico. She is currently developing a program to support the academic and vocational skills of adolescents and young adults with autism through teaching opportunities in the occupational therapy program.
She received an M.A. degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of New Mexico.
Personal Statement
I am passionate about the work I do in pediatrics and with children and families with issues of substance abuse and other at-risk factors, which began when I served as the primary therapist for the FOCUS Program, an early intervention program for children with prenatal substance exposure and their families. This position ignited my interest in working with children and adolescents with adverse childhood experiences.
I currently provide consultation services for the Developmental Care Program at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, following children after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Since taking a faculty position with the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, I have developed school-wide self-regulation and social skill programs for local charter schools. In addition, I collaborated with two treatment foster care agencies providing parent-child sensory-based attachment groups, summer camps, in home, and school consultations.
Areas of Specialty
Pediatrics
Trauma and Attachment Informed Care
Mental Health and Adverse Childhood Experiences
International Collaboration and Program Development
Certifications
Certification #1: Infant Massage Instruction
Achievements & Awards
Department of Pediatrics Faculty Service Award for Outstanding Education in Occupational Therapy, 2022
Gender
Female
Languages
- English
Courses Taught
OCC TH 554 - Lifespan Development
OCC TH 614 - Applied Occupations III - Psychosocial
OCC TH 664 - Applied IV - Pediatrics
OCC TH 650 - Special Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorders
Problem-Based Learning Facilitator
Research and Scholarship
•Sanders, H., 2019, Standing for the Lost: Supporting Children with Social, Emotional and Behavioral Challenges at School. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
•Sanders, H., 2019, Family Centered Care and Motivational Interviewing, Keynote Presentation at the Conference on Modern Evidence Based Rehabilitation Programs for Children with Developmental Disabilities, Sponsored by the Naked Heart Foundation. Tula, Russia.
•Sanders, H., 2019, Team Work in Pediatric Rehabilitation, Keynote Presentation at Conference on Modern Evidence Based Rehabilitation Programs for Children with Developmental Disabilities, Sponsored by the Naked Heart Foundation. Tula, Russia.
•Leinwand, R., Sanders, H., & Cosbey, J., 2018. Mindshifts in school-based practice: Supporting teachers for student success. AOTA Children and Youth Specialty Conference, Milwaukee, WI.
•Sanders, H., Apodaca, J. & Sears, A., 2017, Sensory Processing Deficits in Children That Have Experienced Trauma or Neglect. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference.
Peer Reviewed Publications
•Leinwand, R., Cosbey, J., & Sanders, H. (2018). Better together: Team collaboration in early intervention. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(1), 7-9.
•Sanders, H., MA, Sears, A. & Apodaca, J. (2016). Sensory Focused Play and Attachment: Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Treatment Foster Care. American Journal of Occupational Therapy EI Special Interest Section.