Aaron Dallman, Ph.D., OTR/L
My lab is a community-engaged, neurodiversity‑affirming research program that develops and tests mobile health (mHealth) and learning health system approaches to reduce healthcare inequities for autistic individuals, people with Down syndrome, and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Research Overview
Empowering Neurodiverse Communities Through Research
We focus on translating occupational therapy and implementation science into real-world digital tools and care models that improve everyday participation, emotional wellbeing, and access to high quality healthcare.
We design and rigorously evaluate mHealth platforms, care pathways, and service models that are grounded in Learning Health Systems and neurodiversity affirming practice, with the explicit goal of improving everyday function, quality of life, and long term health outcomes.
Our long term vision is to build learning health systems that continuously integrate community input, sensor and mHealth data, and clinical evidence to refine interventions in real time, ensuring that care remains responsive, equitable, and person centered.
Research Team
The people behind the science
Jennifer Gutterman
Postdoctoral Fellow
jeg201@shp.rutgers.edu
Jessica Shulack
Research Assistant
jes482@shp.rutgers.edu
Dezirae Gilliard
Research Assistant
dg1337@shp.rutgers.edu
Caroline Welch
Co-investigator
cew172@shp.rutgers.edu
Funding & Grants
Supported Research Programs
Federal, foundation, and institutional funding advancing predictive modeling of treatment responses
NICHD/NIH
$431,750
Leveraging Mobile and Wearable Technology to Facilitate Healthy Behaviors in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome
Learn More
Brief Overview of Aims: This research aims to develop and beta-test ThriveDS, a wellness-based application for children and adolescents with DS. The ThriveDS application will include two components, (1) education which will include evidence-based information about nutrition and healthy physical routines, and (2) a child-focused component that will include videos and activities to promote physical activity.
Total Dollar Amount: $431,750
Funding Period: 8/19/2025-8/18/2027
Role: Principal Investigator
- 8/19/2025 - 8/18/2027
Publications & Impact
Selected Research Publications
2025
Unmasking Transition Inequalities: Why Belonging is Key to Transitioning Well in Autism
Dallman, A. R. & Wright, M.
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. Online ahead of print, 2025
2025
Predicting Early Mortality in the Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Population Using Admission Performance Status Score
McNair, K., Dallman, A. R., Stubblefield, M., & Kirshblum, S.
American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Online ahead of print, 2025
2024
Subjective experiences of occupational participation in autistic adolescents: A multiple-case study using experience sampling methodology
Dallman, A. R. & Baillaird, A.
Journal of Occupational Science, 31(3): 516-529, 2024
2024
Affective contact in autism: A phenomenological study of the emotional experiences of autistic adults
Dallman, A. R.
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(4): 7804205070, 2024
2024
Refining our understanding of anxiety in autistic youth: Examining the role of behavioral inflexibility
Harrop, C., Bodfish, J., Lecavalier, L, Dallman, A. R., Jones, D., Pritchett, J., Whitten, A., & Riz, B. A.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder, 54: 3620-3629; 2024
Achievements
Awards & Honors
Cordelia Myers American Journal of Occupational Therapy Best Article Award
Awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association
2025
LHS STAR Fellow
Awarded by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (AHRQ P30HS029759)
2024-2026
Teaching Excellence Award
Awarded by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
2024
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Fellow
Awarded By Towson University
2022
Diversity International Society for Autism Research Travel Award
Awarded By International Society for Autism Research
2021
Diversity International Society for Autism Research Travel Award
Awarded By International Society for Autism Research
2020
Graduate and Professional Student Federation Travel Award
Awarded By The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2019
Graduate Student Research Grant
Awarded By The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2018
Translational Research Science Fellow
Awarded By The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2016-2020
Get Involved
Join our Research
We welcome people with developmental disabilities, caregivers, clinicians, and community partners to get involved in our research. We are seeking both community-based research collaborators and research participants to help shape, develop, and evaluate neurodiversity-affirming programs and tools. By working together, we aim to ensure that our research reflects lived experience, responds to community priorities, and improves health and participation in everyday life.
Reach out to Dr. Dallman to learn more about opportunities to get involved.
