Anne Escher, OTD, OTR, OT

Scholarly, Research, and/or Practice Interests

Dr. Escher’s academic and scholarly interests focus on ensuring that all people can engage as fully as they desire in important occupations. This includes consideration of academic, clinical, and scholarship contexts. Her clinical OT practice spans the life course from NICU and pediatric units at an acute care hospital, inpatient rehabilitation with older adults, home-based care for older adults with low vision, and community-based practice for adults with communication challenges. Her primary scholarly interests are with adults in community-based settings and teaching and learning for adults.  Her most recent scholarly work promotes best practices – including evaluation, goal setting, and intervention – when working with adults with communication impairments.  In the area of teaching and learning she spearheaded a project in collaboration with students and other faculty to create a resource guide entitled: Inclusive Teaching and Learning for Occupational Therapy Experiential Education. Her teaching philosophy includes commitment to inclusive teaching practices and supporting students’ development into reflective practitioners who integrate knowledge for clinical decision making.

Courses Taught

Level I Fieldwork (LIFW) coordinator for (C1 sections)

Publications

• Berger, S., Escher, A., Mengle, E., & Sullivan, N. (2018).  Effectiveness of health promotion, management, and maintenance interventions for community dwelling older adults: A systematic review.  American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
• Escher, A., Amlani, A. M., Viani, A. M., & Berger, S. (2018). Occupational therapy within an intensive comprehensive aphasia program: Performance and satisfaction outcomes. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
• Berger, S., Escher, A., Hildebrand, M., & Connor, L.T. (2017). Modifying outcome measures to support participation for people with aphasia. OT Practice. 22(10), 10-13.

Research Activities

• 2013-2015
  Boston University, Sargent College, Boston, MA
  Co-PI; Title: Intensive Interdisciplinary Treatment Program for Individuals with Stroke-Induced Aphasia
• 2012-2013
  MAB Community Services and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
  Interventionist; Title: Assessing the Impact of Low Vision Rehabilitation on Geriatric Outcomes
• 2006-2007
  New England Eye Commonwealth, Boston, MA
  Research assistant; Title: Elder’s Right to Sight

Presentations

• Berger, S. & Escher, A. (2018, May). Collaborative goal setting with individuals post-stroke with aphasia. Poster session at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress 2018, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Escher, A. & Berger, S. (2018, May). Intervention effectiveness of health promotion, management, and maintenance interventions on occupational performance, quality of life, and health-care utilization for community dwelling older adults: A systematic review. Presentation at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress 2018, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Berger, S., Escher, A., Zawacki, S., & Ferraro O’Brien, L. (2018, April). Collaboration between Occupational Therapists and Registered Dieticians to Maximize Participation for People Living Poststroke with Aphasia. Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Escher, A., Berger, S., & Hildebrand, M. (2018, April). Collaborative goal setting with adults post stroke, including those with communication challenges. Conversations that Matter at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Escher, A. (2017, November). Photovoice and leisure: A group intervention for adults with aphasia. Poster session presented at the Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Norwood, MA.
• Escher, A. & Cohn, E. (2017, October). “What do you see that makes you say that?” Using visual thinking strategies to develop habits for reflective inquiry in an occupational therapy curriculum. Presentation at the AOTA Education Summit, Fort Worth, TX.
• Escher, A. & Slater, C. (2017, October). Occupational therapy and speech therapy students learning about, with, and from each other: Results of an interprofessional module. Poster session presented at the AOTA Education Summit, Fort Worth, TX.
• Kaldenberg, J. & Escher, A. (2017, October). Interprofessional falls clinic: Socializing students to OTs role in primary care. Poster session presented at the AOTA Education Summit, Fort Worth, TX.
• Escher, A. (2017, April). Photovoice and leisure: A group intervention for adults with aphasia. Poster session presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Philadelphia, PA.
• Escher, A., Amlani, A., Viani, A., & Berger, S. (2017, April). Occupational therapy within an intensive comprehensive aphasia program: Outcomes for people living with chronic stroke. Poster session presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Philadelphia, PA.
• Escher, A., Berger, S., Mengle, E., & Sullivan, A. (2017, April). What is the evidence for the effect of health promotion, management, and maintenance interventions within the scope of occupational therapy on the occupational performance, quality of life, and health-care utilization for community dwelling older adults?  Presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Philadelphia, PA.
• Berger, S. & Escher, A. (2017, March). Modifying outcome measures for use with persons post-stroke with aphasia. Webinar presentation Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Boston, MA.
• Escher, A. (2016, December). Photovoice and leisure: Intervention for adults with aphasia. Poster presentation at Chatham University (in partial fulfillment of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree), Pittsburgh, PA.
• Berger, S. & Escher, A. (2016, April). Outcome Measures for People with Aphasia.  Presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Chicago, IL
• Escher, A. & Berger, S. (2015, April).  An interdisciplinary program for persons post-stroke with aphasia: Increasing community participation. Presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Nashville, TN.
• Escher, A. (2014, March).  A vision to address low vision.  Presentation at Boston University Lead the Way Symposium, Boston, MA.
• Berger, S. & Escher, A. (2013, October).  Professor and clinician collaboration: A dynamic classroom environment.  Poster presentation at the AOTA Education Summit, Atlanta, GA.
• Kaldenberg, J., Berger, S., Chu, G., Huefner, K., & Escher, A.  (2010, May).  Lighting and its relationship to visual function of older adults: A pilot study.  Poster presentation at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress, Santiago, Chile.
• Kaldenberg, J., Berger, S., Escher, A., & Huefner, K.  (2008, September). Lighting and contrast: Environmental issues for older adults.  Presentation at the Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Westford, MA.
• Escher, A. & Berger, S. (2007, May).  Low vision: Strategies to improve function.  Presentation at Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, Brighton, MA.
• Kaldenberg, J., Berger, S., & Escher, A. (2007, April). Lighting and its relationship to visual function in older adults: A pilot study.  Presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association’s 87th Annual Conference & Expo, St. Louis, MO.

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Occupational Therapist, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
• Licensed Occupational Therapist, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Awards and Honors

• Named to the American Occupational Therapy Association Roster of Fellows (2024)
• Whitney Powers Excellence in Teaching Award, Sargent College (2020)