About
Allie Stewart is a doctoral graduate from Duquesne University's Occupational Therapy Program. A Texas native, Stewart feels immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to travel for her professional life, getting to know many individuals who are different from herself. As an advocate for diversity, she minored in Intercultural Engagement at Duquesne, and plans to use this focus on cultural humility to guide her in future research and practice.
As many stories of Occupational Therapists will tell, there is often a pivotal relationship early in one's life that urges the expression of more understanding, especially in cases where a close friend has an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). For Allie, this was embraced through a lifelong companionship with a family friend named Eric, who happens to have Down syndrome. Through Eric, Allie started to make connections in the community and learn from many others with special needs at a young age, embracing and learning to celebrate all of the differences that made these individuals unique. After Allie spent time observing a young friend of hers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their relationship with their OT, she knew she wanted to be a similar type of influence. Since then, Allie has broadened her interests to include many areas of practice, including CAM (Complementary Alternative Methods), hospice care, productive aging, trauma-informed care, and unique interventions for those in minority populations, such as those in the LGBTQIA+, those experiencing housing instability, and those who have been affected by sexual violence. Allie completed her doctoral degree in collaboration with Duquesne University's Office for Military and Veteran Students, developing programming to support civilian re-integration and self-advocacy for student veterans in the academic environment.
Allie's main focus when working with clients is to ensure that the care they are receiving is not simply task-oriented, but human-oriented. In OT language, this is called "client-centered care." Allie integrates this into her practice by holistically considering the physical, emotional, and social well-being of her clients, and supports this with a character that is deeply-rooted in connecting with those around her and promoting positivity, mindfulness, and gratitude. She anticipates that her future experiences will continue to allow her to truly understand the people that she works with and how they can best function and love the world around them.
As many stories of Occupational Therapists will tell, there is often a pivotal relationship early in one's life that urges the expression of more understanding, especially in cases where a close friend has an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). For Allie, this was embraced through a lifelong companionship with a family friend named Eric, who happens to have Down syndrome. Through Eric, Allie started to make connections in the community and learn from many others with special needs at a young age, embracing and learning to celebrate all of the differences that made these individuals unique. After Allie spent time observing a young friend of hers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their relationship with their OT, she knew she wanted to be a similar type of influence. Since then, Allie has broadened her interests to include many areas of practice, including CAM (Complementary Alternative Methods), hospice care, productive aging, trauma-informed care, and unique interventions for those in minority populations, such as those in the LGBTQIA+, those experiencing housing instability, and those who have been affected by sexual violence. Allie completed her doctoral degree in collaboration with Duquesne University's Office for Military and Veteran Students, developing programming to support civilian re-integration and self-advocacy for student veterans in the academic environment.
Allie's main focus when working with clients is to ensure that the care they are receiving is not simply task-oriented, but human-oriented. In OT language, this is called "client-centered care." Allie integrates this into her practice by holistically considering the physical, emotional, and social well-being of her clients, and supports this with a character that is deeply-rooted in connecting with those around her and promoting positivity, mindfulness, and gratitude. She anticipates that her future experiences will continue to allow her to truly understand the people that she works with and how they can best function and love the world around them.
Above: A photograph of Allie's lifelong friend and inspiration, Eric.
Curious to learn more about Allie Stewart? Please review the document attached in the link below:
A 2020 Autobiographical Statement from Allie Stewart