Employment in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Intervention Strategies for the Whole Team 4210

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Location: ROOM: Continental C Ballroom >>> DIRECTIONS: Lobby Level >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed right toward the FedEx Office. Continue past ACRM Registration and into the Continental Foyer. Continental C Lobby is located near the far end of the ballroom complex.

Presenter(s)

Miriam Rafferty, DPT, PhD

Director of Implementation Science
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Slides Slides
Mitra Rouhani, PhD, MSPT, BSPT

Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Northwestern University
Chicago, IL, United States

Slides Slides
Dawn M. Ehde, PhD (she/her/hers)

Professor and Vice Chair
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States

Slides Slides

Non-presenting Contributor(s)

Paulo Aco, MS

Research Project Coordinator
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, United States

Presenter(s)

Pamela M. Capraro, MS CRC

Consultant
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
LaGrange Park, IL, United States

Non-presenting Contributor(s)

Cole R. Hougo (he/him/his)

Research Assistant
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Allen W. Heinemann, PhD FACRM (he/him/his)

Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States
KJ

Kurt L. Johnson, PhD

professor emeritus
University of Washington
seattle, Washington, United States

This symposium will discuss transdisciplinary strategies to address employment issues in people with neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Speakers will present findings from a longitudinal study on early transdisciplinary interventions focused on retaining employment in people with PD. In addition, the use of cognitive and behavioral interventions at the intersection of chronic pain and employment in people with MS will be discussed. The findings of this symposium will be of interest to all professionals working with people with neurodegenerative diseases, including those from employment backgrounds such as vocational rehabilitation counselors, social workers, and occupational therapists to those with general health backgrounds such as physical therapists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and physicians.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss employment-related outcomes in people with PD.
Explain the use of cognitive-behavioral interventions at the intersection of chronic pain and employment in people with MS.
Describe transdisciplinary strategies for supporting employment in people with neurodegenerative diseases.
Understand the complexities involved with working with Parkinson's Disease.
Gain insights into the vocational rehabilitation process.