Contact
Positions
Professor and Chairperson
- Organization:
- West Virginia University School of Medicine
- Department:
- Human Performance - Occupational Therapy
- Classification:
- Faculty
Education
- PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2004
- MEd, University of Toronto, 1996
- BS, University of Western Ontario, 1992
- BA, Carleton University, 1991
Publications
Wheeler, S. & Acord-Vira, A. (2023). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 77(4), 7704397010. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.077401
Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Goal- and Client-Directed Interventions for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury (2013–2020). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76, 1–3.
Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury (2013-2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Suppl 2).
Wheeler, S., Davis, D., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Occupational therapy’s role in return to work and substance abuse disorder in a general practice setting. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(1), 30-33.
Wheeler, S., Acord-Vira, A., Woods, S., & Nesley, C. (2022). Neurodiversity and client centered occupational therapy to support meaningful employment for autistic persons. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(3).
Scaife, B., Kurowski-Burt, Wheeler, S., & Levander, H. (2022). Long-term care and autism: A neurodiversity approach. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(3).
Acord-Vira, A., Curtis, R., Davis, D., & Wheeler, S. (2019). Returning to the Classroom following sport-related concussion: Perspectives of college student athletes. Journal of Post-Secondary Education and Disability, 32(1), 35-48.
Wheeler, S. (2019). Providing occupational therapy for individuals with traumatic brain injury: Intensive care to community re-entry. In: Schell, B., Gillen, G., & Scaffa, M (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy. Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.
Wheeler, S., Acord-Vira, A., Arbesman, M., & Lieberman, D. (2017). Occupational therapy interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(3).
Wheeler, S. & Acord-Vira, A. (2016). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury. AOTA: Bethesda, MD.
Wheeler, S. & Acord-Vira, A. (2016). Effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance for people with psychosocial, behavioral, and emotional impairments after brain injury: a systematic review. AJOT: American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(3).
About Steven Wheeler
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Steven Wheeler, PhD., OTR/L, FAOTA is a professor and occupational therapy division chairperson at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. Dr. Wheeler is also principal investigator on the West Virginia TBI State Project which seeks to monitor, expand, and improve the lives of TBI survivors and caregivers through education, advocacy, and community outreach. Dr. Wheeler received occupational therapy training at the University of Western Ontario and his PhD in Health-Related Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has conducted TBI related presentations nationally and internationally over the past 25 years and has numerous publications on the topic including co-authoring the American Occupational Therapy Association's “Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury.” He is a past recipient of the Elizabeth Devereaux Service Award by the West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association, the Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award by the West Virginia University Injury Control Research Center, and the American Occupational Therapy Association Outstanding Mentor Award.
Research Program
Occupational Therapy
Research Interests
Research Statement:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Our TBI research activities focus on understanding factors impacting successful and satisfying community participation for individuals who have experienced a TBI and their caregivers. Particular areas of research interest include TBI related employment issues, executive cognitive functions, rural health influences, drug and alcohol use, and caregiver stress. Research includes persons with mild (including concussion), moderate, and severe injuries.
Grants and Research
Recent Research and Service Grants:
Principal Investigator, “West Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury State Project,” WV DHHR/BHHF Project #10010280, $700,000, 7/1/2023-6/30/2024, 15% FTE.
Principal Investigator, “West Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury State Project,” WV DHHR/BHHF Project #10010280, $700,000, 7/1/2022-6/30/2023, 15% FTE.
Collaborator / Subject Matter Expert, “Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care,” WV DHHR/BMS Project #2200000013, $8,907, 4/1/2022-6/30/2023, 4.5% FTE.
Collaborator / Subject Matter Expert, “Medicaid Home and Community Based Service-Learning Management System Update Study (Phase 1)”, DHHR/BMS Project #2200000013, $8,000, 11-15-2021-4/1/2022, 4.5% FTE.
Principal Investigator, “West Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury State Project,” WV DHHR/BHHF Project #10010280, $700,000, 7/1/2021-6/30/2022, 15% FTE.
Principal Investigator, (Ohio State University Sub-Award) “Dissemination of Effective Rehabilitation Strategies for Traumatic Brain Injury”, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, $14,900, 7/1/2020-12/31/2021, 5% FTE
Patient Care Information
Medical Specialties
- Rehabilitation
Additional Info
Patient Care Information
Medical Specialties:
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Industrial Rehabilitation
Specialized Training and Certifications:
- Certfied Brain Injury Specialist; Rapid Cycle Improvement Collaborative Training (CCHMC)
- Arnatoddir OT-ADL Neurobehavioral Assessment; Brain Train Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Impact Trained Occupational Therapist (Concussion)
- Penn State University Academic Leadership Academy