Assistant Professor
Department: Rehabilitation And Movement Sciences
Email: abc148@rutgers.edu

Office location:
200 College Drive
Blackwood, NJ 08012

About

Ashley Conklin, PT, DPT, PCS received a Baccalaureate degree in Science, Master of Physical Therapy, and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton. Ashley has earned her Board Certification as a Pediatric Clinical Specialist from the American Physical Therapy Association’s Board of Specialties having extensive clinical experience working with children of all ages with varied diagnoses across multiple settings. Ashley is an Assistant Professor in the Rutgers Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She teaches in the foundational sciences and the pediatrics curriculum.

Her clinical career includes employment at New York University’s Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and New Jersey’s Children’s Specialized Hospital. She is an APTA Academy of Pediatrics and Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy section member who has conducted and presented various research studies at the national level. She currently serves on the nominating committee for the Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy.

Her research interests include best practice interventions including aquatic interventions for children with neuromuscular disorders and is part of the team developing a clinical practice guideline for physical therapy interventions for youth with Down syndrome. Ashley continues to provide clinical services to children via her business, Ther-Abilities Pediatric Therapy Services, LLC, where she has been awarded NJ Best Kids Doc by New Jersey Family Magazine for the past 5 years.

She serves as a coach for the Special Olympics Young Athlete Program in New Jersey, and sits on the Board at Club Dreams, The Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey. Ashley is currently pursuing a Doctor of Health Science Degree at the University of Indianapolis. Her dissertation aims to investigate the safety and feasibility of a group-based aquatic exercise program for adolescents with Down syndrome. Ashley hopes that her research will provide evidence to support alternative avenues for group physical activity programs for youth with Down syndrome and other similar diagnosis.

Education

B.S., University of Scranton
MPT, University of Scranton
DPT, University of Scranton
Doctor of Health Science, University of Indianapolis

Professional Achievements

Marquis Who’s Who in America, 2023
“New Jersey Best Kids Docs” Awarded by New Jersey Family Magazine for excellence in pediatric physical therapy, 2023
St. Ursula Award, presented by The Ursuline School, for outstanding career accomplishments, 2022
“New Jersey Best Kids Docs” Awarded by New Jersey Family Magazine for excellence in pediatric physical therapy., 2022
“New Jersey Best Kids Docs” Awarded by New Jersey ,Family Magazine for excellence in pediatric physical therapy,  2021
“New Jersey Best Kids Docs” Awarded by NJ Family Magazine for excellence in pediatric physical therapy, 2020
“New Jersey Best Kids Docs” Awarded by NJ Family Magazine for excellence in pediatric physical therapy, 2019
“Best in Patient Care 2018” for outstanding contributions and dedication in the field of Pediatric Physical Therapy by the American Health Council, 2018
“Unit Team Award” in Pediatric Physical Therapy Department NYU Medical Center, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010
“Unit Team Award” in Pediatric Physical Therapy Department NYU Medical Center, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2009

Research

My over arching scholarly agenda aims to investigate the efficacy of best practice interventions for children with common pediatric diagnoses, including aquatic therapy. I secondarily am interested to explore the student experience related to pediatric clinical affiliations and pediatric volunteer experiences.

Publications