TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITYFaculty Home
Dr. Erik Johnson – Assistant Clinical Professor

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Education

OT Professional Education

  • 2023
    Doctor of Occupational Therapy
    Assistive Technology and Universal Design
    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • 2005
    Master of Science
    Occupational Therapy
    University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas

Additional Training

  • 2003
    Bachelor of Science
    Health Sciences
    University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas

Licensure & Certifications

  • Occupational Therapy License
    State of Texas
    License Number: 117550
  • Occupational Therapist Registry
    Initial Certification: 17 January 2006

Any other Certifications Format:

  • Assistive Technology and Accessible Design
    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Memberships Accordion

  • 2006 – Current: American Occupational Therapy Association
  • 2019 – Current: Texas Occupational Therapy Association
  • 2015 – Current: World Federation of Occupational Therapy

Research & Clinical Expertise

Clinical Expertise

  • Military Occupational Therapy: Over 15 years of experience as an Army Occupational Therapist specializing in the care of service members with physical, cognitive, and mental health injuries.
  • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: Expertise in the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
  • Assistive Technology: Skilled in integrating assistive technology into therapeutic interventions, including consulting with the video game industry for accessible gaming solutions.
  • Burn Rehabilitation: Directed burn care services, specializing in comprehensive rehabilitation for burn survivors.
  • Amputee Rehabilitation: Developed and led amputee occupational therapy programs, focusing on prosthetic training and adaptive techniques for functional independence.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Extensive experience in developing and managing occupational therapy programs for mild traumatic brain injuries in military settings.
  • Acute Care and Inpatient Rehabilitation: Provided comprehensive assessments, personalized treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions in inpatient and acute care settings.
  • Video Game Therapy: Pioneered the use of video games as therapeutic tools for over 15 years to enhance treatment outcomes.
  • Adaptive Gaming Consultation: Worked with Microsoft on the Xbox Adaptive Controller and 343 Industries on accessible gaming representation.

Teaching & Learning Expertise

  • Expertise in teaching and integrating inclusive design principles, with a focus on assistive technology and accessible content creation.
  • Emphasizes experiential learning techniques in the classroom, integrating hands-on and real-world applications into teaching.
  • Extensive experience incorporating technology, including video games and adaptive technology, into teaching practices to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
  • Specialized instruction in the therapeutic implications of prosthetics and orthotics for Occupational Therapy students.
  • Proficient in managing diverse classroom environments, promoting equity and inclusivity in learning settings.
  • Experience teaching graduate courses in occupational therapy, including subjects like musculoskeletal conditions, therapeutic processes, and professional writing.
  • Facilitates interdisciplinary learning and collaboration among students from different health science programs.
  • Provides mentorship and guidance for doctoral capstone projects, especially those focused on accessible gaming and adaptive technologies.
  • Actively participates in professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest teaching methodologies and trends in occupational therapy education.

Scholarly Focus

  • Therapeutic Use of Video Games in Rehabilitation: Investigating the use of digital media and video games as therapeutic tools to enhance treatment outcomes.
  • Accessibility in Gaming: Researching adaptive gaming technologies and accessible design to promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.
  • Occupational Therapy for Military Populations: Exploring occupational therapy interventions and outcomes for service members and veterans, including those with traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and burns.
  • Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation: Focusing on the development and integration of assistive technology in clinical practice to enhance patient engagement and independence.
  • Burn and Amputee Rehabilitation: Advancing evidence-based approaches for the rehabilitation of burn survivors and individuals with limb loss.
  • Interprofessional Education and Collaboration: Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare education to improve student learning and patient care outcomes.
  • Equity and Inclusion in OT Practice and Education: Committed to enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in both clinical practice and educational settings.

Presentations

2024

  • Johnson, E. (2024). A Master of None: Lessons Learned When Compassion and Imagination Supersede Intelligence. 24th Annual John J. Bazyk Distinguished Speaker Day. Keynote Presentation, Cleveland State University
  • Johnson, E. (2024). Where’s the Start Button? An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Assessing and Addressing Accessible Gaming. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Platform Presentation, Orlando, FL.
  • Johnson, E. (2024). Cultivating Kindness: An OTs Guide to Civility, Appreciative Inquiry, and Collaborative Communication. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Platform Presentation, Orlando, FL.

2023

  • Johnson, E. (2023). Empowerment Without Extensions: Supporting Veterans with Upper Limb Loss. National Congress on Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Short Course Presentation, Ukraine.
  • Johnson, E. (2023). Exploring the Rewarding Career in Providing Occupational Therapy Services for our Nation’s Heroes. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Panel Presentation, Pasadena, California.
  • Johnson, E. (2023). After the Storm: OT Implications for Service Members After Discharge. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation,Pasadena, California.
  • Johnson, E. (2023). The Prevalence of Fictitious Citations in Hand Therapy Protocols Generated by ChatGPT. American Society of Hand Therapy Annual Conference. Scientific Session Lecture, San Antonio, Texas
  • Johnson, E. (2023). Your Next Call of Duty: How to Craft Your Treatment Approaches to Include Technology and Gaming. Invited Platform Presentation, Dallas, Texas
  • Johnson, E. (2023). A Master of None: Lessons Learned When Compassion and Imagination Superseded Intelligence. 5th Annual Interprofessional Symposium. Keynote Presentation, Birmingham, Alabama
  • Johnson, E. (2023). High Tech, Low Tech, What the Heck? RESNA Annual Conference. Poster Presentation, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Johnson, E. (2023). Technology Inclusion and Accessible Design. Technology Inclusion and Accessibility Summit. Invited Panel Discussion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2022

  • Johnson, E. (2022). Aftermath: The Complex Journey to Independence After Suffering Polytraumatic Injuries. National Congress on Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Short Course Presentation, Ukraine.
  • Johnson, E. (2022). Occupational relevance: The importance of harnessing technology for use as a therapeutic medium. The OT Show. Platform Presentation, Birmingham, England.
  • Johnson, E. (2022). The Switzer Lecture – A Master of None: Lessons Learned When Compassion and Imagination Superseded Intelligence. Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions Annual Conference. Keynote Presentation, Long Beach, CA
  • Johnson, E. (2022). After the Storm OT Implications for Service Members after Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Platform Presentation, San Antonio, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2022). How Occupational Therapists Can Use Social Media Platforms to Support Online Peer Participation Among Young Adults with Disabilities. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Poster Presentation, San Antonio, TX.

2021

  • Johnson, E. (2021). Healing Humanity: Occupational Therapy Addressing Individual and Historical Trauma. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference: Inspire. Virtual Panel Discussion.
  • Johnson, E. (2021). Ready Player One: Harnessing the power of activity and fun using a digital medium. US Play Coalition’s Annual Conference. Virtual Platform Presentation. Clemson, SC.

2020

  • Johnson, E. (2020). After the Storm: OT Implications on Mental Health for Veterans after Discharge. Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference. Platform Presentation (Virtual). Texas.
  • Johnson, E. (2020). After the Storm: OT Implications for Wounded Warriors and Veterans After Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Virtual Conference Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2020). Innovative Immersion: What’s Next? Healing through immersion & Entertainment. South By Southwest. Panel Presentation. Austin, TX.

2019

  • Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Inclusive Considerations for Gamers with Disabilities. Hanger Clinic’s EmpowerFest Podium Presentation and Workshop, Dallas, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Therapeutic Implications for Gamers with Disabilities. Brooks Rehabilitation and Microsoft’s Adaptive Gaming Event and Workshop. Podium Presentations and Workshop, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Inclusive Considerations for Gamers with Disabilities. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Inclusive Considerations for Gamers with Disabilities. Halo: Outpost Discovery, Podium Presentation,Houston, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Ready Player One: Accessibility Strategies to Enable the Single or Bilateral Upper-Limb Amputee to Engage in Gaming. Amputee Coalition’s Annual Conference and Expo, Podium Presentation and Workshop, San Antonio, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Re-Engage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Application of Technology in Treatment. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference and Expo, Podium Presentation, New Orleans, LA.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Respawn: A Gaming Based Approach to Play That Optimizes Therapeutic Success Through Adaptive Engagement. US Play Coalition’s Annual Conference, Podium Presentation and Workshop, Clemson, SC.
  • Johnson, E. (2019). Reengage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Applications of Gaming in Occupational Therapy. Game Accessibility Conference, Podium Presentation, San Francisco, CA.

2018

  • Johnson, E. (2018). Reengage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Application of Technology in Treatment. Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Mountain Central Conference, Podium Presentation, Sugarland, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2018). Ready Player One: Accessibility Strategies to Enable The Bilateral Upper Limb Amputee to Engage in Gaming. Skills For Life 5: Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Workshop, Podium Presentation, Houston, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2018). Using Video Games in Clinical Practice. Operation HEAL: Suicide Prevention Conference, Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2018). Respawn: Optimizing The Healing Power of Video Games in a Therapeutic Setting. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Johnson, E. (2018). After the Storm: OT Implications for Wounded Warriors and Veterans After Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Johnson, E. (2018). The Use of Technology in Therapy. Glocal Impacts – Health Care and Education: Innovations, Opportunities, and Challenges Podium Presentation, Fez, Morocco.

2017

  • Johnson, E. (2017). Don’t Not Be Great. New York State Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference, Keynote Presentation, Albany, NY.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). Reengage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Application of Technology in Treatment. New York State Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference, Podium Presentation, Albany, NY.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). The Role of Occupational Therapy Within Military Settings. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). The Unseen Injuries: Mental Health and Cognition Implications for Service Members During and After Their Time in Service. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). Future OT treatment lies in the Virtual World. Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Mountain Central Conference, Podium Presentation, Austin, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). After the Storm: OT Implications for Wounded Warriors and Veterans After Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). Respawn: Applying Applicable & Relevant Technology-Focused Treatment to Our Current Generation of Veterans. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Johnson, E. (2017). Virtual Reality Therapy: Treatment for the World. South By Southwest, Panel Presentation, Austin, TX.

2016 and Later

  • Johnson, E. (2016). Respawn: Optimizing Therapeutic Potential Through the Healing Power of Video Games. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). Respawn: Optimizing Therapeutic Potential Through the Healing Power of Video Games. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Pasadena, California.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). Seize Your Existence and Don’t Not Be Great. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Pasadena, California.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). Seize Your Existence and Don’t Not Be Great. GeorgiaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation,Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). Optimizing the Healing Power of Video Games in a Therapeutic Setting. GeorgiaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). Occupational Therapy for the Wounded Military. Congreso Internacional De Estudiantes De Terapia Ocupacional (IV CIETO) Keynote Presentation, Alicante, Spain.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). The Wounded Warrior and The Art of Independence. Congreso Internacional De Estudiantes De Terapia Ocupacional (IV CIETO) Workshop,Alicante, Spain.
  • Johnson, E. (2016). Video Gaming The Health Care System. South By Southwest, Podium Presentation, Austin, TX.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). Seize Your Existence and Don’t Not Be Great. IllinoisOccupational Therapy Association Keynote Presentation, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). Occupy Yourself: Don’t Not Be Great. Columbia University Occupational Therapy Commencement Keynote Presentation, New York, NY.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). Innovative Apps for Rehabilitation and Community Reintegration of the Wounded Warrior. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Nashville, TN.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). The Emergence of Technology Within the Shifting Paradigm of Occupational Therapy. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Nashville, TN.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Nashville, TN.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. Occupational Therapy Student Research Conference Keynote Presentation, Peabody, MA.
  • Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. Reba L. Anderson Memorial Lecture, Nova Southeastern University Keynote Presentation, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). Adult Neural Stem Cells and OT Practice. Bridging The Gap, Texas Women’s University Panel Presentation, Denton, Texas.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). Occupational Therapy’s Role in Polytrauma Treatment in a Military Treatment Facility: The Spectrum of Care. International Congress World Federation of Occupational Therapists Workshop Presentation, Yokohama, Japan.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). An Interdisciplinary Approach to Medication Management for Persons with Cognitive Deficits. International Congress World Federation of Occupational Therapists Platform Presentation, Yokohama, Japan.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). Concussed: Reconditioning the mTBI when Business is Booming.  Brain Injury Symposium of Mid-Michigan Keynote Presentation, East Lancing MI.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). The Wounded Warrior and the Emergence of Treatment Based Technology. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Baltimore, MD.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Baltimore, MD.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). Occupational Therapy and the Battle for Independence.  Saginaw Valley State Student Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Saginaw, MI.

Professional Service

  • 2023 – Present: Member, Board of Trustees, American Occupational Therapy Foundation
  • 2021 – 2023: Member, Nominations Committee, Texas Occupational Therapy Association
  • 2022 – 2023: Faculty Advisor, League Cru Student Organization, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
  • 2017 – Present: Chief Medical Officer/Occupational Therapist, Warfighter Engaged, Wayne, NJ
  • 2016 – Present: Consultant/Occupational Therapist, Microsoft/Xbox Accessibility Team, Seattle, WA
  • 2016 – 2021: Medical Director/Occupational Therapist, Operation Supply Drop, Austin, TX
  • 2016 – 2018: Chief Medical Officer/Occupational Therapist, Idego Virtual Engagement

Teaching

Tarleton State University

  • N/A

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

  • Foundations of Occupation: Movement
  • Therapeutic Processes in Occupational Therapy
  • Occupational Performance: Musculoskeletal Conditions
  • Adult Practice: Community Context
  • Integrative Project I, II, III
  • Professional Writing in Occupational Therapy
  • Occupational Engagement Using Technology
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics in Occupational Therapy
  • Introduction to Occupational Therapy and its Connection to Psychology

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

  • Intro to Assistive and Rehab Technology