Biography
Ms. Sanders received a B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy (1997) and a M.A. degree in Early Childhood Special Education (2006) from the University of New Mexico. She is currently working on obtaining her Ph.D. in Family and Child Studies.
Personal Statement
Ms. Sanders has focused her work in pediatrics. Upon graduating with her degree in occupational therapy, she worked in the pediatric inpatient rehabilitation department at Carrie Tingley Hospital for several years before accepting a position with the FOCUS program. The FOCUS program is an early intervention program working with children and families with issues of substance abuse and other at-risk factors. This position ignited her interest in working with children and adolescents with adverse childhood experiences. Since taking her faculty position with the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, she has developed school-wide self regulation and social skill programs for local charter schools. In addition, Ms. Sanders collaborated with two treatment foster care agencies providing parent-child sensory-based attachment groups, summer camps, in home and school consultations.
Areas of Specialty
Specialization #1: Pediatrics
Specialization #2: Trauma and Attachment Informed Care
Specialization #3: Mental Health and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Specialization #4: International Collaboration and Program Development
Certifications
Certification #1: Infant Massage Instruction
Achievements & Awards
Completing Ph.D. in Family and Child Studies in 2024
2022 Dept.of Pediatrics Faculty Service Award for Outstanding Education in Occupational Therapy
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.