Occupational Therapist Empowers Neurodiverse Community

In October 2024, Rachael Tucker, M.S. ’20 (she/they), a graduate of Seton Hall’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) program, celebrated a remarkable career milestone: opening a private practice, Embrace NeurodiversOT. Designed to support neurodivergent individuals, this telehealth-based practice focuses on improving mental health, executive functioning, and participation in activities of daily living from the comfort of the client’s home. Rachael defines neurodivergence as “a different way of perceiving, processing and interacting with the world around us in all aspects of life.”

For Rachael, the mission of Embrace NeurodiversOT is deeply personal. As a neurodiverse individual, she has first-hand experience with its impact on mental health and recognizes the challenges of navigating a world that is not always built for them. She notes that, “Ultimately, [I] want to use my expertise as an occupational therapist to work on self-advocacy and share my own perspective on ways to not only adapt to but flourish with the differences that we have as neurodivergent individuals.”

Rachael credits Seton Hall’s M.S.O.T. program with helping to spark the initial inspiration to start their own practice, even if the dream did not solidify until years later. At Seton Hall, she took a course on entrepreneurship in the health care field. As a student, Rachael focused on pediatric occupational therapy, including designing a sensory clinic for their business plan assignment. While she did not aspire to be a business owner at the time, she notes that this experience built a foundation that she was able to draw on later in her career.

Since graduating from Seton Hall with her M.S.O.T. degree, Rachael has worked in outpatient clinics, school-based settings and now in her own private practice. She notes that beginning her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree is one of her biggest accomplishments. She plans to become a professor one day and hopes to “share my love and knowledge of working with pediatrics, specifically the autistic population,” with future students.

At Embrace NeurodiversOT, Rachael aims to bridge a critical gap in care for neurodivergent individuals, particularly adults who often age out of services designed for children. The practice offers telehealth services that focus on executive functioning, self-advocacy, sensory processing and self-regulation. Furthermore, Rachael acknowledges the flexibility of the telehealth platform and how it widens accessibility for neurodivergent individuals. “I want my therapy to be accessible to everyone, regardless of what kind of day they are having. With my platform, my clients can get their OT session on their lap, desktop, or even phone, if getting out of bed is hard that day.”

In addition to one-on-one sessions, Rachael plans to expand their offerings to include consultative services for organizations. “I want to educate companies, agencies and even other OTs about the social model of disability and how we can reframe our work to better support people with disabilities,” they explained. Her website also states that she plans to begin group and gaming therapy very soon.

Reflecting on their journey, Rachael offers this advice to aspiring occupational therapists: “Never forget your reason for wanting to be an occupational therapist.” Regardless of any challenges or dilemmas that occur, she emphasizes that it is important that students “know that you can be self-sufficient, and you know what the right choice is — always stand for what is right for the client.”

For Rachael, the future of Embrace NeurodiversOT is full of possibility. Their ultimate goal? To create a more inclusive world where neurodivergent individuals are empowered to thrive. With a solid foundation from Seton Hall and a personal passion for advancing disability acceptance, Rachael is already making great advances in the occupational therapy field. As she continues to grow her practice and advocate for change, one thing is clear: their impact will be felt for years to come.

About Seton Hall’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program

The M.S.O.T. program is a dynamic blend of rigorous academic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences designed to prepare students for entry-level practice. In keeping with Seton Hall University’s mission, the program offers a values-centered curriculum that nurtures compassionate, innovative and evidence-informed leaders ready to meet the evolving needs of individuals, communities and populations. Recognized by U.S. News and World Report as New  Jersey’s top program of its kind, Seton Hall’s M.S.O.T. program combines state-of-the-art classroom facilities with clinical experiences in more than 300 healthcare and educational settings across the tri-state area.

Learn more about Seton Hall’s M.S.O.T. program and their 3+2 dual degree (B.A./M.S.) program.

To learn more about Embrace NeurodiversOT, visit their website here.

Categories: Health and Medicine