Karen Turner, OT MS OTR is the Patient Navigator for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). In this unique role, she serves individuals on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families by providing care planning and coordination of accommodations. Through individualized interventions tailored for the patient, their caregiver(s), and their healthcare team, she supports equitable access to healthcare across the continuum of care at MGH. As a result, she reduces barriers to care, optimizes patient safety, improves patient and family satisfaction, and increases provider knowledge and comfort in the delivery of health services.

Ms. Turner also educates practitioners on caring for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with I/DD, including on virtual platforms such as serving as a clinical advisory board member for Adult Autism Health Resources and faculty for the companion continuing education training, Clinical Care for Autistic Adults at Harvard Medical School. She also works with MGH departments and services to implement process improvements, and helps lead efforts to improve accessibility, disability data collection, and disability competent care system-wide at Mass General Brigham and in nationwide groups, such as the Disability Equity Collaborative. Ms. Turner received a BS from Boston University’s College of Communication in communication studies, and an MS from Boston University’s Sargent College in occupational therapy.

Publications:

Culler, A., Henry, M. E., Smith, J. R., Turner, K., Horvath, R., & Luccarelli, J. (2025, May 19) Strategies to facilitate intravenous access for electroconvulsive therapy procedures in pediatric and neurodivergent patients: A case series. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, doi: 10.1089/cap.2025.0031. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40387601/

Turner, K., Cohn, E., & Koomar, J. (2012). Mothering when mothers and children both have sensory processing challenges. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(10), 449-455. https://doi.org/10.4276/030802212X13496921049626

Chu, Y.K.G., Kaldenberg, J., & Huefner, K. (2009). The elder’s right to sight collaborative: A new model of eye care delivery for the elderly. Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association, 80(11), 651-656. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19861222/