Teal Benevides

Associate Professor

Teal Benevides

Associate Professor

Academic Appointment(s)

Administration
Department of Community & Behavioral Health Sciences

School of Public Health
Department of Community & Behavioral Health Sciences

The Graduate School

Administration
Department of The Graduate School

Bio

Teal Benevides, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA has a passion for describing, understanding, and addressing disparities among individuals on the autism spectrum, including racial and ethnic minorities, and autistic adults.

Education

  • Ph.D., Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Virginia Commonwealth Universi, 2014

  • MS, Occupational Therapy/Therapist Thomas Jefferson University, 2004

  • BS, Psychology, General College of William & Mary, 2002

Certifications

  • Registered Occupational Therapist National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 2005

  • GA State Licensure Georgia Professional Licensing Board, 2016

  • Occupational Therapy Georgia State Licensure Board, 2016

  • OTL GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016

Awards & Honors

  • Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association American Occupational Therapy Association, 2022

  • Outstanding Achievement Award Georgia State University, Center for Leadership in Disability, 2021

  • Barbara E. Grant Award of Merit Georgia Occupational Therapy Association , 2019

  • Emerging Research Scientist Award Augusta University, 2019

  • Faculty Research Award College of Allied Health Sciences, Augusta University , 2019

Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year

  • MEDI 6300

    Career Paths in Med
  • OTHP 6520

    Research Seminar II

Teaching Interests

Evidence based practice
Research process

Scholarship

Selected Recent Publications

  • Human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis and care among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are publicly insured., 2024
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Prevalence of Intellectual Disability among Adults Born in the 1980s and 1990s in the United States. , 2024
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Adapting the Environment for Improved Oral Care Among Children on the Autism Spectrum, 2023
    Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New
  • Creating the Global Criminal Justice Survey: A Questionnaire Designed to Gather Perspectives from the Autism Community and Criminal Justice Professionals. , 2023
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Family-Centered Interventions for Children on the Autism Spectrum (2013–2021). , 2023
    Journal Article, Academic Journal

Research Interests

Understanding and improving health and participation outcomes for individuals on the autism spectrum, especially in subgroups who are traditionally under-served, including racial and ethnic minorities, and autistic adults.

Department Service

  • Academic Affairs 2016 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Department of Occupational Therapy Student Progression Committee 2018 - 2018

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Department Promotion & Tenure Committee 2017 - 2017

    Role: Committee Member

College Service

  • School of Public Health Faculty Council 2023 - 2026

    Role: Committee Chair
  • CAHS Research Council 2020 - 2022

    Role: Committee Member
  • CAHS Promotion and Tenure Committee 2019 - 2021

    Role: Committee Member
  • CAHS Research Council 2018 - 2020

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Senate Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee Representative 2017 - 2019

    Role: Committee Member

University Service

  • Provost's Workload Task Force 2019 - 2021

    Role: Committee Member

Professional Service

  • American Occupational Therapy Foundation 2024 - Present

    Role: Board of Directors of a Company
  • American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), Standing for Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (STRIDE) Committee 2021 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Scientific Council 2020 - Present

    Role: Board of Advisors of a Company
  • A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Policy and Analytics Center, Autism and the Criminal Justice System: Policy Brief 2020 - Present

    Role: Member
  • Autism in Adulthood, Guest Editor 2019 - Present

    Role: Editor, Journal Editor

Public Service

  • American Association of Suicidology 2018 - Present

    Role: Attendee, Meeting