The major goal of ongoing research in the Accessible Leisure Lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center is to promote the health of individuals with disability and chronic illness through leisure and physical activity.
Researchers in this lab investigate factors impeding or facilitating leisure participation and effects of physical activity on health behaviors and body composition.
The director of this lab is KU occupational therapy faculty member Lisa Mische Lawson, Ph.D., CTRS, FDRT. She also serves as director of Sensory Enhanced Aquatics, a swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Her research specifically focuses on the effects of water-based physical activity on health outcomes of children with ASD.
Graduate students training with Mische Lawson obtain clinical and research experiences with physical activity measurement, program development and evaluation, one-on-one client services, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. They will also acquire significant presentation and writing experience for professional and general audiences.
Lauren Foster, OTD, OTR/L
Co-Investigator
Manager, Sensory Enhanced Aquatics Program
Caitlin Lisk, Ph.D., LCSW
Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical Assistant Professor and Doctoral Research Student
Research Assistant
Graduate Research Assistant
Student Director and Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Developing Global Capacity of Recreation Providers to Teach Swimming and Water Safety to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)-Funded by World Leisure Organization
This project is developing Sensory Enhanced Aquatics Instructor Training videos for online and international dissemination.
PD: Mische Lawson
Effectiveness of Pressure Garments for Improving Participation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Decreasing Stress of Caregivers-Funded by Knit Rite Inc.
Two projects investigating the effects of pressure garments on participation in everyday life activities of children with autism spectrum disorders. One project investigates participation generally and the other specifically investigates the effects of pressure garments on sleep.
PI: Mische Lawson
Sensory Processing and Motor Skills in Children with Developmental Conditions and Children with Typical Development-Funded by Jordan Institute of Technology
This study investigates sensory processing preferences and motor skills of children with disabilities compared to typically developing children.
PI: Ismael, Co-I: Mische Lawson
Swim Training and Quality of Life of Children with Autism-Funded by Recreational Therapy Foundation
This study investigates the feasibility of the Children’s Health Questionnaire for measuring children’s quality of life after the Sensory Enhanced Aquatics Intervention.
PI: Mische Lawson
University of Kansas Medical Center
Department of Occupational Therapy Education
3901 Rainbow Blvd MS2003
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-7195 • 711 TTY