Bobbi Carrlson

My research interests are focused toward development in early childhood, working with families/caregivers, literacy through the lifespan, sensory based interventions, and teaching and learning processes.

Initial National Board of Certification in OT- 2010. Most recent certification 2025
North Dakota State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice Licensure- 2012/2028
State of Wyoming Board of Occupational Therapy Practice Licensure – 2017/2026

2000 B.S. Physical Education
Northern State University

2010 MOT, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Occupational Therapy
University of North Dakota

2021 PhD, Teaching & Learning with emphasis in Higher Education,
University of North Dakota

Teaching Activity 2026-2027

OT 200            Introduction to Occupational Therapy, on Campus (2 credits per section)

One section, Fall and Spring Semesters

                        Course Director: Oversee Kearyn Nelson

OT 200           Introduction to Occupational Therapy (2 credits per section)

One online, Fall and Spring Semester using Blackboard Ultra technology.

Course Director: Oversee Sarah Lovelace

OT 200            Introduction to Occupational Therapy (2 credits)

                        Self-paced, enroll anytime – online using Blackboard Ultra Technology

                        Course Director

OT 504            Occupation and Analysis (3 credits)

                        Co-taught, Grand Forks Sections, Fall Semester

                        Course Director

OT 540            Evaluation of Occupational Performance (5 credits)

                        Co-taught, Grand Forks Sections, Spring Semester

                        Course Director: Professor Sara Gussas

OT 543           Movement & Occupational Performance (6 credits)

Co-teach Anatomy Portion

                        Course Directors: Dr. Anne Haskins, Dr. Mandy Meyer

OT 601            Interventions for Neuromusculoskeletal Functions to Support Occupation (5 credits)

                        Co-taught, Grand Forks Sections, Fall Semester

                        Course Director: Dr. Jane Loeschieder

OT 612            Interventions for Sensory Functions to Support Occupation (4 credits)

                        Co-Taught One Section – Grand Forks, Spring Semester

                        Course Director: Dr. Kelly Dornbier

OT 689            Readings in Occupational Therapy

                        2 Advisees - Fall

                        Course Director: Dr. Anne Haskins

OT 995            Scholarly Project

                        2 Advisees – Spring Semester

                        Couse Director: Dr. Anne Haskins

2010-2011 OTR, Pediatric Therapy Clinic
Billings, MT
Responsibilities: Evaluate and treat children with occupational deficits stemming from autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, dyspraxia, and other physical and mental health diagnosis; communicate effectively with clients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and medical personnel; lead and develop programming for child and adolescent social skills and self-regulation groups.

2011-2012 OTR, Nelson Rehabilitation Center
Perham, MN

Responsibilities: Evaluate clients and implement client-centered therapy for individuals, of varying diagnosis, across the lifespan in outpatient (pediatric and adult), acute care, transitional care, and long-term care settings; communicate effectively with clients, families and interdisciplinary team members including but not limited to; physician, physical therapists, speech therapists, nursing, and social workers.

2012-2015 Developmental Therapist, Early Intervention
Anne Carlsen – Grand Forks
Grand Forks, ND

Responsibilities: Participate in multidisciplinary evaluations for children birth to 5 years of age; assist families to develop and implement Individual Family Service Plans; work in a transdisciplinary team to provide routine-based services to children birth to five years of age; collaborate with medical personnel and families to provide best practice interventions.

Academic:
2012 - 2014 Community Faculty, Occupational Therapy Department, University of North Dakota

2014 - 2023 Instructor, Occupational Therapy Department, University of North Dakota

2023 - Present Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, University of North Dakota

Publications

*Kozak, Paige, “Beyond Survival: Empowering Mental Health Recovery after Acquired Brain Injury” (2026). Occupational Therapy Capstones.725. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/725/

*McFarren, Natalie, “The Role of OT in the Prevention of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)” (2026). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 722. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/722/

*Filiason, Cassidy, “Specialized Knowledge of Sensory Interventions for Sensory Function” (2025). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 683. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/683/

*Gapp, Elise, “OT Role in Staff Development in Schools to Promote Continuation of Care” (2025). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 681. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/681/

*Levinson Aly “A Guide for Tier One Supports in the General Education Classroom” (2025). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 671. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/671/

*Ekre, Kaitlyn, “Peer to Peer: Implementing an Inclusive Program at a Midwestern School” (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstones.

*DeBoer, Katie, “Specialized Knowledge of Feeding and Eating Best Practices” (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstones.

*Fussy, Caitlyn, “Implementation of a recreational Program for those with Visual Impairments” (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstones.

*Koopmeiners, Taylor, “Sensory Home Programming Handouts” (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstones.

*Lehman, Alexis, “Childhood Feeding and Eating: Evaluation and Home Programming” (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstones.

Nielsen, S., Jedlicka, J.S., & Carrlson, B. (2023). Tier 2 Elementary school case #1:Annie. In B.E Egan, C. Sears, A. Keener (Eds.), Occupational therapy groups for addressing mental health challenges in school-aged populations: A Tier-2 resource (pp.4-5). Slack Incorporated.

Carrlson, B., Nielsen, S., & Jedlicka, J.S. (2023). Tier 2 Middle School Case #4: Jason. In B.E Egan, C. Sears, A. Keener (Eds.), Occupational therapy groups for addressing mental health challenges in school-aged populations: A Tier-2 resource (pp. 30-31). Slack Incorporated.

Carrlson, R. (2021). Literacy development in early intervention: Confidence and knowledge of occupational therapists. Theses and Dissertations. 4162. https://commons.und.edu/theses/4162

*Peters, Malea, and Wittenberg, Shelby, “Improving School Readiness in home-based Care Settings” (2021). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 480. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/480

*Romsdal, Macie and Wavra, Gabrielle, “Empowering Grand-Families Through Occupation: An Occupational Therapy intervention Program for Grandchildren and Custodial Grandparents” (2021). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 489. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/489

*Gayton, Sydney and Merges, Hannah, “The Role of Occupational Therapy with the Foster Care System: Implementation of Routine Screening Procedures” (2020). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 432. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/432

*Hoey, Parker, and Rahlf, Marissa, “Filling the Gap: A Caregiver Guide for Children Transitioning out of Early Intervention” (2020). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 443. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/443

Presentations

Fussy, C. & Carrlson, R. (2025, April 5). Development of a Recreational Program for Those with Visual Impairments [Juried Poster Session]. AOTA Inspire Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Carrlson, R. (2022, November 15). Literacy in Early Intervention: Satisfaction, Knowledge, and Confidence of Occupational Therapists [Paper Presentation]. AOTA Literacy Community of Practice, Virtual.

Carrlson, R., & Ozaki, C., (2022, March 29). Literacy in Early Intervention: Satisfaction, Knowledge, and Confidence of Occupational Therapists [Juried Poster Session]. AOTA Inspire Conference, San Antonio TX.

*Hoey, P., Rahlf, M., & Carrlson, R. (2021, April). Filling the Gap: A Caregiver Guide for Children Transitioning Out of Early Intervention [Juried Poster Session]. AOTA Inspire Conference, Virtual.

Graves, C., Grabanski, J., Carrlson, R., Hulteng J., & Young, A. (2019, October). Use of concept-based teaching to develop a multi-conceptual intervention course [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Education Summit, Las Vegas, NV.

National
American Occupational Therapy Association Literacy Community
of Practice, Member 2021 – Present

American Occupational Therapy Association Early Childhood Community 2021 – Present
of Practice, Member

American Occupational Therapy Association Conference Team – invited
Reviewer for Children & Youth Specialty Conference Abstracts 2020-21; 2024

Departmental

Departmental Student Affairs Committee, Chair, 2026

Departmental Strategic Planning and Assessment Committee, Member , 2026

Departmental Tech Coordinator, 2026

Departmental AI Statements Development: Co-Developed                  

Departmental Policy, Syllabus Statement, Assignment Statements. 2026

SMHS Open House, 2025

Guest Lecture OT 599: OT ICPC Microcredential Introduction, 2025

Guest Lecture OT 599: eMEDLEY, 2024-Present

OT ICPC Microcredential Development, 2024-26

Leader SCRUBs Academy OT presentation, 2024 -2026

Co-Advisor for Student Occupational Therapy Association, 2025- Present

Advisor for Student Occupational Therapy Association, 2023-2024

Departmental Search Committee, Member, 2023-24

TRIO/Upward Bound Health Science Day OT Lead,  2023

Co-Leader SCRUBs Academy OT presentation, 2023

Co-Advisor for Student Occupational Therapy Association, 2022

Guest Lecturer OT 439 (4 hours), 2021- 2024

Guest Lecturer OT 501 (4 hours), Fall 2020, 2022

Technology Committee, Chair, 2019 – Present

Department Student Affairs Committee, Member, 2016 – 2026

Department Fieldwork Committee, Member, 2014 – 2022

OTD Course Development. Co-wrote assigned: OT 400, OT 440, OT 501,

OT 512, 2017 – 2020

Health Sciences Admissions Day, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024

High School Tour - OT Presentation (1-2 per semester), 2017 - 2019

INMED OT Session, 2016-2018; 2023-2024

Med – Law Admissions Day, 2018

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

SMHS AI Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee, 2026

SMHS AI Discussion Group/Committee, 2024 - Present

Lake Agassiz Suite (Learning Community) Supervisor, 2020 – 2024

Wheatgrass Learning Community Supervisor, 2016 - 2020

State
Community of Practice on Social-Emotional-Behavioral Disorders
ND Department of Public Instruction/Office of Special Education 2021- Present

Occupational & Physical Therapy Task Force – North Dakota
Department of Public Instruction 2019

Community
Alternate Member: Anne Carlsen Autism Services Human Rights Committee 2016 - Present

Coordinator, UND and Anne Carlsen Sensory Santa Day 2014-2020:
2022-Present

Pre-school Teacher: Anne Carlsen Social Skills Camp- Grand Forks 2016

Lead Teacher: Anne Carlsen Social Skills Camp – Grand Forks 2013-2015