About Us

Adaptive Solutions was conceived and developed by Linda Einis and Amy Slaughter, Occupational Therapists employed by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) at the Fernald Center.  The Fernald Center, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, is the oldest residential facility for mentally retarded citizens in the western hemisphere.

Linda Einis has a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University.  She has worked as an occupational therapist with the mentally retarded population since 1985.  Using her expertise in assistive technology, she created the Adaptive Activities Library in 1989 and continues to be its director.  Linda has extensive work experience in the areas of universal design and home accessibility.  She created and taught a course in Universal Design at a local college for 2 years.  She has also worked as an occupational therapist with individuals with vision impairments at a vision rehabilitation clinic, and adults with physical disabilities at an independent living center.

Amy Slaughter has a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University.  Since 1986, she has worked with mentally retarded adults at the Fernald Center and at several community based residences and day programs.  She has also consulted to nursing homes and public schools and completed home-based OT evaluations.   Amy has expertise and experience in wheelchair positioning, eating and swallowing issues, and in the design, fabrication and acquisition of adaptive equipment.  She has also been an instructor in a certified occupational therapy assistant program and has been the director of the Fernald occupational therapy student program since 1993.