Education
BS in Parks, Recreation & Tourism with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, University of Missouri-Columbia;
MEd in Therapeutic Recreation, Temple University;
PhD in Therapeutic Science, University of Kansas Medical Center
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Mische Lawson was lead author of the first text guiding therapeutic recreation in school-based settings and led revision of the 2nd edition when legislation changed. Recreational therapy in schools has experienced tremendous growth since 2001 when the first text was published. Currently she is advancing the role of recreational therapy in aquatics, specifically swimming and water-safety for autistic children through peer reviewed research and publications for lay audiences. She has authored over 85 publications, including 53 peer-reviewed research articles, to promote evidence-based recreational therapy.
Featured Publications
These manuscripts describe the development of an adapted aquatics program for children with autism, the validation of measurement tools to research the program, and the essential role of recreational therapy in sustaining the program.
Mische Lawson, L., Foster, L., Surber, C., & Hamner, K. (2025) The Essential Role of Recreational Therapy in Aquatics Programming for Children with Autism. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 59(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I1-12558
Mische Lawson, L., Hamner, K., & Oligbo, M. (2021) Feasibility of the Children's Health Questionnaire for Measuring Outcomes of Recreational Therapy Interventions in Autism Populations. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 55(3), https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2021-V55-I3-10867 NART Scholarly Manuscript Award
Mische Lawson, L., Foster, L., Harrington, M., & Oxley, C. (2014). Effects of a swim program for children with autism spectrum disorder on skills, interest, and participation in swimming. American Journal of Recreational Therapy, 13(2), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2014.0069
Leadership & Professional Service
Dr. Mische has contributed extensively to advancing therapeutic recreation. She chaired and served on multiple committees for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Credentialing, including exam management and job analysis. Her longstanding involvement with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association includes roles as Research Institute Co-Chair, Research Team Leader, Publication Task Force member, and conference planner. She is a long-time associate editor of the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and Annual in Therapeutic Recreation of which she also served as co-editor.
Professional Awards & Recognition
As faculty in an occupational therapy education program at University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Dr. Mische Lawson educates future health professionals from diverse disciplines (e.g., OT, PT, SLP) about recreational therapy. She has been acknowledged for her expertise in teaching with the Stata Norton Distinguished Teaching Award, the KU Center for civic and Social Responsibility Service-Learning Award, and most notedly, A Fulbright Specialist Award to teach and build research capacity at a university in Kyrgyzstan. She has received Temple University’s Therapeutic Recreation Distinguished Alumni Award and KUMC’s Early Career Achievement Alumni Award. The American Therapeutic Recreation Association has recognized Dr. Mische Lawson’s contributions to the profession with two of its highest awards, the Scholarly Achievement Award and the Distinguished Fellow Award.