Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Sensory Modulation Disorder In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Through Use Of The Brain And Body Center Sensory Scales, Katelyn M. Guilfoy

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a co-diagnosis of sensory modulation disorder. The purpose of the present study was to consider this idea by exploring the sensory patterns found in children with ADHD and to examine the patterns that cause occupational performance problems. By utilizing the Brain-Body Center (BBC) Sensory Scales, it was found that children with ADHD experienced more auditory processing difficulties than that of the other sensory systems. This knowledge is valuable to occupational therapists in that it can aid in developing individually tailored intervention plans through utilizing a sensory processing frame of reference. Further …

Assessing Quality Of Life Needs In Individuals With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis And The Potential Role Of Occupational Therapy, Megan Ziff

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The trend in occupational therapy is to move toward holistic care that considers the client's quality of life. However, current practice for individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) focuses on managing joint pain and degeneration and tends not to address overall life satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to 1) analyze the quality of life of individuals with JIA and related conditions, 2) identify quality of life needs and strengths in this population and 3) discuss identified needs in light of the potential role of occupational therapy. In this quantitative study, adults with JIA and similar conditions completed the …

Possible Relationship Between Childhood Obesity And Sensory Seeking Behaviors, Alyssa Rea

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Childhood obesity is a health condition that is expanding rapidly within the United States. Children who are obese make the act of bringing food to their mouth a habit, as well as chewing and swallowing the food. This constant, unsatisfying action can be compared to the habits and actions of those children diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD). Children who live with SPD lack the neurological process within their nervous system, which is responsible for taking information from their body or the environment and organizing it within the brain (Murphy, 2012). The lack of ability to organize sensory information to …

Examining The Novel "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time" Using A Narrative Inquiry Analysis: How Do Sensory Behaviors Impact Adolescents?, Erin E. Steingraber

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

This project seeks to understand how sensory processing disorder (SPD) impacts a teenager in the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. The book tells the story of a young teenage boy named Christopher who goes on a quest to solve the murder of his neighbor’s dog. Although the novel is a work of fiction, the main character is based off of the author’s experiences working with children who have diagnoses such as SPD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Christopher experiences sensory processing difficulties, and his account of his local neighborhood mystery is …

The Impact Of The Affordable Care Act On Occupational Therapy Private Practice, Adam Amspacher, Nicole Brackman

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 marked a substantial evolution of the health care system in the United States (The Executive Office of the President of the United States, 2014). There was a considerable amount of literature speculating on the proposed effects of the Affordable Care Act on occupational therapy (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014a; Braveman & Metzler, 2012); however, little evidence exists regarding the outcomes of the ACA especially for occupational therapists in private practice. The present study aims to examine the implications of the Affordable Care Act on private practice occupational therapy.

Through interviews …

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Community-Based Falls Prevention Program, Adelyn R. Enders

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

This paper documents the program development and evaluation of a fall prevention series conducted at a local continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Previous literature has illustrated the prevalence of falls in older adults, as well as the significant impacts of fall prevention programs in community-based settings for the well elderly. The methodology that guided this program was based on the Lifestyle Redesign: Well Elderly Study (Mandel et.al, 1999). Coordinators of the CCRC assisted in conducting a needs assessment as well as in selecting well-elderly participants in the independent living community who they felt would be well suited for the program. …

The Use Of The Zones Of Regulation® In An Elementary School: Student And Teacher Perceptions, Carly Mutter

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Self-regulation is an important factor influencing school performance among elementary school students. Poor self-regulation may be the result of difficulties with sensory processing, executive functioning, and/or emotional regulation. Leah Kuypers, an occupational therapist and educator, developed The Zones of Regulation^®: A Curriculum Designed to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control (Zones) (Kuypers, 2011), which aims to improve students’ self-regulation in school. The current study examined student and teacher perceptions of self-regulation skills during participation in a pilot Zones program at an urban elementary school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The students’ and teachers’ perceptions of behavioral and emotional regulation skills were …

Occupational Therapy Considerations For International Practice, Allison Doughton

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The purpose of this study was to provide an educational resource for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners who are interested in delivering professional services internationally through volunteer work. An in-depth exploration of four faith-based organizations, emphasizing the unique perspectives of the organizations in terms of their completed missions and outcomes, and how these align with social justice was completed. This study also aimed to provide information about the various spiritual and/or lifestyle beliefs each organization uses as a philosophical basis for which they conduct their missions. These select perspectives may help practitioners make informed decisions about international volunteer work and enable …

Handwriting Development: Educating Parents At Children’S Playroom, Jaime L. Deisher, Jacalyn P. Hikes

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of How Occupational Therapy Students' And Practitioners' Experiences Studying Abroad Affect Fieldwork And Practice, Ashley Marie Cox

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The purpose of this study was to gain perspective on occupational therapy students and licensed occupational therapists’ perception of how their study abroad experiences affect their skills, specifically in regards to cultural awareness and competency. Completed research related to this topic in occupational therapy consisted of expanding cultural constructs and perspectives, understanding strategies that practitioners utilize when engaging different cultures, and practitioners’ meaning of their lived experiences working in other countries. One’s own perception of culture can change through experience and immersion into a new culture. The need for preparing occupational therapy students to attend to culture and cultural awareness …