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Office Location: 65 Bergen St. , Newark, NJ
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), New York University
Masters in Occupational Therapy (Msc), Queen Margaret University
Bachelors in Occupational Therapy, MUHS India
2024 – NYU Steinhardt Dissertation Finishing Award
2024 – Faculty First Look Scholar,
2022-23 – Doctoral Student Scholarly Work Support Fund
2019-24 – Steinhardt Fellowship
2012 – Fellow Higher Education Academy United Kingdom
2012 – Scotland Government Saltire Scholarship,
2011 – Queen Margaret University Postgraduate Scholarship,
2011 – Sir Ratan Tata Scholarship
2005-07 – Dorabji Tata Scholarship
Dr. Kavitha Murthi is an occupational therapist, researcher, and educator whose work focuses on neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and interest driven interventions to support and enhance the quality of lives of autistic individuals across the lifespan. She earned her Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy from New York University, where she worked on National Science Foundation-funded projects investigating interest-driven and strength-based opportunities for autistic youth.
Her scholarship has demonstrated how strengths-based and interest-driven approaches can foster problem-solving, executive functioning, participation, and well-being among autistic youth. Dr. Murthi also has completed Postdoctoral training in the Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies at the University of Utah. Her research aims to challenge deficit-oriented paradigms in autism research and practice by centering autistic voices and expertise in knowledge generation and intervention development.
Dr. Murthi has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on strengths-based practice, autism, mental health, STEM education, self-determination, and an occupational therapy practice guidelines for autism across the lifespan.
Title |
Sponsor |
Effective Dates |
Role |
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Participatory Research for Suicide Prevention in Autism (#K23MH123934) |
National Institute of Mental Health |
2024-25 |
Post-doctoral Research Associate | |||
Making Mentors: Enhancing Access to STEM Careers for Autistic Youth through Mentorship Programs in Makerspaces (NSF #2241350) |
National Science Foundation |
2024 |
Research Associate | |||
Developing Abilities and Knowledge for Careers in Design and Engineering for Students on the Autism Spectrum by Scaling Up Making Experiences (NSF#1850289) |
National Science Foundation |
2020-23 |
Research Associate | |||
IDEAS: Inventing, Designing, and Engineering on the Autism Spectrum (NSF#1614436) |
National Science Foundation |
2019-20 |
Research Associate |
Kirby, A. V ., Feldman, K., Duncan-Ishcomer, B., Kripke-Ludwig, R., Joyce, A., Lee, W., Rodriguez, K., Siddeek, Z., Wexler, L., Atisme, A., Darlington, A., Murthi, K., Clark, W., & Nicolaidis, C. (2025). Participatory development of a suicide prevention program for autism community organizations. OTJR: Occupation, Participation, and Health. Early online. doi: 10.1177/15394492251391675.
Kirby, A., Feldman, K., Clark, W., Darlington, A., Atisme, A., Duncan-Ishcomer, B., Kripke-Ludwig, R., Joyce, A., Lee, W., Rodriguez, K., Siddeek, Z., Vales, F., Murthi, K., Keeshin, B., Coon, H., & Nicolaidis, C. (2025). Influences on suicidality and suicide prevention need for the autistic community: Qualitative insights from multiple perspectives. Autism. Early online. doi: 10.1177/13623613251368019
Murthi, K., Hurst, A., Robles-Fernandez, R. & Patten, K. (2025). An Exploration of Students’ Experiences of Participating in a Photovoice Project. Research in Autism, 128. 202693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202693
Kim, H*., Murthi, K*. & Howe, T. (2024). Stress And Burnout Management: Management Of Stress And Burnout Resulting From Inter-Role, Work-Family Role Conflicts In An Interdependent Family Context: A Guideline For Intervention. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2024.2437779
Patten, K., Murthi, K., Onwumere, D., Skaletski, E., Tomchek, S., & Little, L. (2024). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines: Autistic Individuals Across the Lifespan. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(3), https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.078301
Murthi, K., & Arista, A. R., & Martin, W. B., & Patten, K. K. (2024). Exploring Problem-Solving Experiences in Autism-Inclusion Schools Using Photovoice: Collaborative Data Collection Process. Paper presented at the 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/46848
Murthi, K., Chen, Y .L., Martin, W., Ricco, A. & Patten, K. (2024). Understanding STEM Outcomes for Autistic Middle-schoolers in an Interest-based, Afterschool Program: A Qualitative Study. Research in Science Education. https://doi-10.1007/s11165-024-10158-5
Patten, K., Murthi, K., Chen, Y .L., Onwumere, D. & Shore, S. (2023). Interventions for developing positive mental health in autistic individuals (2013-2021). American Occupational Therapy Association. American Journal of Occupational Therapy,77(Supplement 1), 7710393130. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.77S10013
Patten, K., Murthi, K., Chen, Y .L., Onwumere, D. & Shore, S. (2023). Interventions for Developing Self-Determination in Autistic Individuals (2013-2021). American Occupational Therapy Association. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(Supplement 1), 7710393120. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.77S10012
Murthi, K. & Patten, K. (2023). Improving executive functions using the Engineering Design Process: Apeer-mediated problem-solving approach for autistic adolescents. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2), 7702347010 https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050166
Murthi, K., Chen, Y .L., Shore, S.M., & Patten, K. (2023). Strength-Based Practice To Enhance Mental-Health For Autistic Individuals: A Scoping Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2), 7702185060. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050074.
Chen, YL., Murthi, K., Martin, W., Vidiksis, R., Riccio, A., & Patten, K. (2022). Experiences of Students, Teachers, and Parents Participating in an Inclusive, School-Based Informal Engineering Education Program. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52, 3574–3585 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05230-2
Murthi, K., Hammell, K.W. (2021). “Choice” in occupational therapy theory: A critique from the situation of patriarchy in India. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 28(1), 1-12, 10.1080/11038128.2020.1769182
Murthi, K. (2019). The Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice- An Overview Of Historical Foundations and Current Practice In India. Annals of International Occupational Therapy. 2(3), 141-148. 10.3928/24761222-20190314-01