Dr. Ariel Mansholt, OTR/L, CPSI, Inclusive Play Specialist

A Leader in Inclusive Play

Dr. Ariel Mansholt brings both personal passion and clinical expertise to inclusive play. She was inspired to become an occupational therapist after growing up with an autistic brother and seeing how thoughtful environments can shape a child’s ability to connect, grow and thrive through play.

Clinical Focus

• Practicing pediatric and adolescent occupational therapist serving children and young adults ages 18 months to 21 years
• Works in both outpatient and school settings, supporting students PreK–8 and serving on IEP teams
• Partners with families, teachers and school staff to help skills transfer from therapy and classrooms into everyday life and play

Education & Landscape Structures Work

• Earned her doctorate from Baylor University in 2022
• Completed her doctoral capstone with Landscape Structures, exploring how pediatric conditions impact a child’s ability to play
• Supports inclusive design and education for designers, sales teams and communities
• Presenter at state and national conferences including National Recreation & Park Association, American Society of Landscape Architects and California Park & Recreation Society

Research & Mentorship

• Contributes to research on play behaviors and inclusive playground design
• Recognized in 2025 with Baylor University’s Outstanding Capstone Mentor Award

At the heart of Ariel’s work is a simple belief: when play is designed for everyone, it helps every child feel seen, supported and included.

Ariel's Work at Landscape Structures

Ariel has made invaluable contributions to our understanding of inclusive play, with her extensive expertise relating to children with behavioral and sensory-related disabilities. Below are some of the contributions she has made to the inclusive play field through her work at Landscape Structures.

Development of Play: How the Playground Supports Play Skill Acquisition

In this continuing education session, Ariel explores how thoughtful playground design supports child development and inclusive play. She looks at how play environments influence physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skill-building—and why some playgrounds can feel overwhelming for children with developmental differences. Attendees will gain practical insight into stages of play, common pediatric diagnoses, and how specific playground features can better support participation, connection, and meaningful play for more children.

The Many Ways We Play resource

Ariel spearheaded this collection, designed for anyone planning an inclusive playground, as a reference for learning about how various diagnoses impact children's behavior and play style on the playground. The resource discusses how certain play components appeal to children with the diagnosis at hand, making this document invaluable to designers committed to inclusive play.

The Senses at Play Handout 

A valuable reference tool for anyone looking to learn more about the impact play has on a child's sensory development, this compact handout lists the six senses and how the experience of the playground stimulates those systems.

STAR Institute Partnership 

Through her occupational therapy work and expertise in sensory development, Ariel has partnered with the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing to share resources on inclusive play with the sensory health community. Her blog post focuses on how growing up with an autistic brother led her to a career in occupational therapy. 

All In: The Inclusive Play Guide

Ariel's expertise influenced Landscape Structures' Inclusive Play Guide, which is a reference designed to help those involved in the playground design process understand and define the term "inclusive play," and apply its principles to the unique needs of their community.