Amanda Michel
Amanda Michel (she/her) is a DPT student at Simmons University (graduating May 2025) with a passion for disability justice. She received PT and OT services as a child for developmental motor delays and was later diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Amanda uses her experiences as a patient in the medical system to relate to individuals with disabilities currently seeking care and to advocate on an individual, community, and policy level. Before beginning higher education, Amanda worked as a professional ballet dancer while leading efforts to increase the accessibility of dance education for students with disabilities. As a PT student, she worked as an adaptive sports coach and served as a student intern with the APTA of MA DEI Committee and as a member of APTA’s Disability Justice and Anti-Ableism Catalyst Group. She has presented research at APTA's Combined Sections Meeting and the APTA of MA Annual Conference, and she served as a student panelist at ACAPT's Inclusive Horizons Summitt. She was also featured in APTA Magazine's July 2024 issue. Amanda’s clinical interests include pediatrics, neurology, and acute care, and her research interests include the intersection of disability identity and therapeutic alliance. As an artist and avid reader, Amanda believes that the humanities are essential in delivering engaging, patient-centered care.
Member since 2019 | JM14274
