Kimberly Bryze, PhD, OTR/L is Program Director and Professor of Occupational Therapy at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. In her faculty role, she teaches courses focused on occupation, intellectual disability, and professional development. She mentors students through their qualitative research studies as well as their doctoral capstone projects. She earned a baccalaureate degree in Special Education from Bradley University in Peoria Illinois, bachelor and master of science degrees in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a doctor of philosophy degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition to her academic teaching in university settings, Dr. Bryze taught children with special education needs for several years before earning a second baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy. As an occupational therapist since 1982, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults who have intellectual, developmental, and social-emotional disabilities in a variety of practice arenas, including public and therapeutic day schools, outpatient pediatric clinics, early intervention, home health, and residential settings. Her 1991 master's thesis focused on functional assessment of adults with developmental disabilities, and her 2006 doctoral dissertation addressed collaboration between special educators and occupational therapists who serve students with autism. Dr. Bryze began her service to adults with intellectual disability as a volunteer while still in high school and has never veered far from this first professional love. She now serves as a member of the Board of Directors for L'Arche Chicago. In addition to her academic life, she continues to consult to various agencies, teach workshops and seminars, and practice occupational therapy with adults with intellectual disability. In her personal life, she enjoys being a wife, mother, "cat mom," gardener, and, especially, "Grammy" to three precious grandchildren.
