Diana Goodman, CScD, OTR/L

Photo of Diana Goodman
Assistant Professor
412-365-1695
Eastside, 252

Joined Chatham: August 2020
Hometown: Westfield, NJ

BIOGRAPHY

Diana received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Union College. She later received a Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University and a Clinical Science Doctorate (CScD) in Occupational Therapy with a focus in Pediatrics from the University of Pittsburgh. Diana has worked as an occupational therapist with individuals from age 2 through 24 with various disabilities in homes, day cares, private, public, and charter schools, and residential settings throughout Boston, Washington, D.C., and the greater Pittsburgh area. Diana's primary area of interest is pediatric practice, with a focus on secondary transition and employment preparation for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).  She also specializes in play-based, nature-based, and community-focused therapeutic programming.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC INTEREST

Pediatrics, Secondary Transition, Nature-Based Occupational Therapy, Community-Focused Program Development

PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

Painting, traveling, baking, time with family and friends, and being a mom of two.

EDUCATION
  • CScD, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA), 2018
  • MS, Tufts University (Medford, MA), 2014
  • BS, Union College (Schenectady, NY), 2010
CERTIFICATIONS
  • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (initial certification 2014)
ORGANIZATIONS
  • Member, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
  • Member, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  • Goodman, D. (2026). Thinking on Their Feet: Preparing the Next Generation of Pediatric OTs [Article accepted for publication]. OT Practice.

  • Delbert, T., Stepansky, K., Bucey, J.C., and Goodman, D. (2024). Growing sustainable therapeutic third spaces – A therapeutic sensory garden’s impact on university student self-reported quality of life. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 26 (5), 1172-1190. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2024-0313

  • Goodman, D., Caldwell, A., Bodnar, D., and Stover, A. (2019). Employable: Transition program to improve employment outcomes for students with disabilities- needs assessment and current constraints. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 13, 198-218.

  • Goodman, D. (2013). Bringing seniors and kindergarten children together through Qi Gong. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 11, 199-202.

  • Chippendale, T., M. Hardison, Guttadauro, T., Goodman, D., and Flint, C. (2012). Life satisfaction among elders in senior residences: A pilot study. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 31, 12-20.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
  • [Accepted Poster Proposal] Goodman, , Delbert, T., Stepansky, K.E., and Bucey, J.C. (2026, April). A Vision for Sustainability: Effective Mechanisms for Supporting Pro-Environmental Occupational Behaviors & Attitudes through Nature-based Intervention. AOTA Inspire 2026, Anaheim, CA, USA.
  • [Accepted Poster Presentation] Stepansky, K.E., Delbert, T., Bucey, J.C., and Goodman, D. (2026, February 9-12). Occupational Therapy & Nature-based Intervention: State of the Science. WFOT 2026 Congress, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • [Poster Presentation] Goodman, D., Barricklow, M.C.K., and Schreiber, J. (2025, October 24-25). Self-Assessment Strategies for Remediation of Occupational Therapy Coursework. 2025 Annual Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) Conference, King’s College, Wilkes Barre, PA, USA.
  • [Oral Presentation] Bucey, J.C., Delbert, T., Stepansky, K.E., and Goodman, D. (2025, August 22-23). Cultivating Balance: Transforming through Participation in Nature. OSE Conference 2025, University of Essex, Colchester, England.
  • [Poster Presentation] Bucey, J.C., Delbert, T., Stepansky, K.E., and Goodman, D. (2025, August 22-23). Setting our Well-Being Intentions: Case Studies in Designing Sustainable Sensory Rich Environments. OSE Conference 2025, University of Essex, Colchester, England.
  • [Poster Presentation] J.C. Bucey, J.C., Delbert, T., Stepansky, K.E., and Goodman, D. (2025, August 22-23): A Vision for Sustainability: Effective Mechanisms for Supporting Pro-Environmental Occupational Behaviors and Attitudes through Nature-Based Intervention. OSE Conference 2025, University of Essex, Colchester, England.
  • Goodman, D. and Murphy, M. (2025, April 3-6). Building Confidence: Life Skills Training for Students with Disabilities Emerging into Adulthood [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Burkhard, D. and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). Vocational Training to Increase Self-Efficacy for Transition-Age Students with Behavioral Needs [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Van, P. and Goodman, (2025, April 3-6). Reading is an Occupation: A Client-Centered Literacy Program to Improve Reading Attitudes [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Hillenbrand, A. and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). Promoting Occupational Justice for Refugees through Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Tran, A. and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). How Does Environmental Context Affect Meaningful & Equitable Participation for Museum Visitors [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Pierre-Paul, N. and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). Empowering the African-American Community: A Comprehensive Mental Health Education Program [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Kalp, C. and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). Effects of an Education Program on Social Emotional Learning for Elementary School Teachers [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Strobel, A.M. and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). Interoception Educational Program for Caregivers [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Goodman, D., Barricklow, M.C.K., and Schreiber, J. (2025, April 3-6). Self-Assessment Strategies for Remediation of Written Exams, Skill-Based Competencies, & Fieldwork Performance [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Delbert, T., Stepansky, K.E., Bucey, J.C., and Goodman, D. (2025, April 3-6). Growing Sustainable Therapeutic Third Spaces: A Therapeutic Sensory Garden’s Impact on University Student Self-Reported Quality of Life [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Goodman, , Bucey, J.C., Delbert, T., and Stepansky, K.E. (2025, April 3-6). Setting Our Well Being Intentions: Case Studies in Designing Sensory Rich Environments [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Bucey, J.C., Delbert, T., Stepansky, K.E., and Goodman, D. (2024, October 16). ‘Unearthing’ OT’s Distinct Value: Addressing Mental Health through a Therapeutic Sensory Garden. [Oral presentation]. 1st Occupational Therapy Europe Congress, Krakow, Poland.
  • Delbert, T., Goodman, , Romaniw, A., and Stepansky, K. (2023, October). Clinical Reasoning and Reflection: Integrating Evidence Across Student and Clinician Skill Levels via an Asynchronous Journal Club.  Poster session presented at the Pennsylvania Association of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Bucey, J. and Goodman, D. (2023, May 5). Utilization of Nature as a Therapeutic Medium in the Design of Learning Spaces. Presentation at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s FlexSpace Summit, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Willig, D., Loughner, A., and Goodman, D. (2022, September 30). An Educational Series on Interoception for Pediatric Therapists.  Poster session presented at the Pennsylvania Association of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Lancaster, PA.
  • Chippendale, T., Hardison, M., Guttadauro, T., Goodman, D., and Flint, C. (2012, October). “Predictors of life satisfaction among elders residing in senior residences”, Poster session presented at the Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Waltham, MA.