Dr. Jennifer M. Yates

Details

Education

Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Teaching

• Pediatric Occupational Therapy
• Assistive Technology
• Wheelchair Seating and Mobility
• Community and Population Health
• Research Methods

Professional experience

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Yates, J. M., & Rice, M. S. (2026). Parental perspectives on the impact of adapted motorized ride-on toy vehicle use for children with limited mobility: A multiple case study. Occupational Therapy in Health Care. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2025.2607422
Gray, R. L., Hay, C. C., Yates, J. M., & Bliss, J. R. (2025). Power mobility driving assessments utilized in research: A scoping review. Assistive Technology, 37(4), 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2487701

Professional Publication

Yates, J. M. (2024). Power mobility through play for children with limited movements. OT Practice, 29(5), 33–36.

Recent Scholarly Presentations

• 2026: Developmental Readiness for Powered Mobility: Findings from a Scoping Review. Oral presentation at the Texas Woman's University Doctoral Research Symposium, Dallas, TX.
• 2026: Caregiver Perceptions of Adapted Motorized Ride-on Vehicle Usage for Children with Disabilities. Poster presentation at the AOTA INSPIRE Annual Conference & Expo, Anaheim, CA.
• 2026: Pediatric Age-Appropriateness for Powered Mobility: A Scoping Review. Poster presentation at the 19th World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress, Bangkok, Thailand.
• 2024: Effects of Powered Mobility Through Play for Children with Limited Movements. Oral presentation at the Texas Woman's University Doctoral Research Symposium, Dallas, TX.

Current Research

• Developmental readiness for powered mobility in early childhood
• Early powered mobility interventions for children with mobility limitations
• Modified ride-on vehicles and developmental outcomes
• Caregiver perspectives on pediatric mobility interventions
• Assistive Technology Professionals' perspectives on pediatric mobility provision

Research and professional interests

• Early powered mobility
• Pediatric wheelchair seating and mobility
• Modified ride-on vehicles (MROVs)
• Pediatric assistive technology
• Community-engaged rehabilitation
• Family-centered interventions
• Participation and developmental outcomes in children with disabilities

Awards and honors

• Missouri State University Faculty Excellence in Service-Learning Award (2024–2025)
• Recipient of $10,000 in funding for the Modified Ride-on Vehicle Project (2024)
• Missouri State University Giving Day Ambassador (2025 & 2026)
• McQueary College of Health and Human Sciences Faculty Fan Favorite (2023)