Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Developmental Programming At Early Childhood Education And Childcare Centers: A Qualitative Study, Alexis N. Foehrkolb, Jenna Lenhart, Hayley Woods, Madison Wetzel, Breanna Adkins, Sueann R. Woods

Graduate Student Scholarship

This research study aimed to discover what strategies of developmental programming are integrated into early childhood curriculum, whether occupational therapy had a role in the formation of the guidelines, and the importance of early intervention on child development. A case study with ethnographic methods was used, including observations and interviews, to gain an understanding of how sociocultural phenomena affect rural childcare centers in Morgantown, West Virginia. Data was collected and coded into 14 themes, and then analyzed by student researchers. Results from interview data found that daycare teachers are given the choice to follow provided lesson plans or individualize their …

New Jersey’S Web-Based Parent-Engaged Developmental Monitoring Information: Mapping And Critical Appraisal, Danielle Catalano, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Caregivers use web-based information to make decisions about their children’s health and development. Due to the state’s high prevalence of developmental delays, New Jersey has developed numerous web-based early childhood initiatives to promote parent engagement. However, the quality of those resources is unknown. This critical appraisal evaluated the quality, readability, and accessibility of New Jersey’s commonly used web-based information on parent-engaged developmental monitoring in children aged 0-3. A systematic web search yielded 112 results. Thirty-six webpages were reviewed by three independent reviewers using four standardized assessment tools. Reviewers found that most information was written at a twelfth-grade reading level, two …

Incorporating Poi As A Therapeutic Modality For Preschool Aged Children In The Care Clinic, Danielle Zirkle

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy In Family Education: Fourth Trimester Wellness To Kindergarten Readiness, Gabrielle Madeline Hagen

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Early intervention programs provide unique opportunities for children to develop cognitive, socioemotional, behavioral, and executive functioning skills which are necessary for success in the school environment. The purpose of this 14-week capstone experience was to integrate trauma-informed occupational therapy principles into an early childhood family education course and to advocate for the role of occupational therapy in postpartum and postnatal wellness. Methods included facilitating play-based interactions between caregivers and children, preparing and presenting educational materials, completing an annotated bibliography, and developing a freely accessible webpage with information about fourth trimester support. The outcomes of this project demonstrate that implementation of …

Supporting The Paternal Role And Transition Home From The Nicu: A Mixed Method Study, Bryana L. Salazar

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Limited research has focused solely on fathers’ experiences following a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay. The study aimed to identify occupational therapy’s role in supporting paternal wellness and mental health through routines and occupations following discharge.

Methods: Online surveys (n = 32) and virtual interviews (n = 11) were collected to complete a mixed method design study. Interviews were manually transcribed and coded to perform thematic analysis.

Results: Five themes were identified: adjusting expectations, changes in priorities, the unexpected toll of the NICU, coping and healing, and fathers and health care providers. This study …

Early Intervention Occupational Therapy Program Development Abroad, Hattie Fleming, Karen Park

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This program aimed to address the disparity in access to early intervention (EI) occupational therapy (OT) services which exists in certain communities abroad. This project worked with The Inspiration Center (TIC) in Belize, a community identified through needs assessment as having limited access to OT services, to expand current programming to include EI OT services, to increase understanding of the role of OT, to advocate for the OT profession within Belize, and to increase access to EI services for families with children with disability and/or developmental delay within the country. An emphasis was placed on caregiver coaching and culturally responsive …

Impact Of The Level Of Parental Involvement In Occupational Therapy Services On Patient Outcomes For Children Ages 0-3 In The Outpatient Setting, Lauren Hackl

OT Student Capstones

This project aims to analyze the relationship between parent involvement in OT services and patient outcomes for children ages 0-3 in the outpatient setting. This project involves both therapist and parent interactions with the administration of surveys over the span of a 14-week period to measure parental involvement. Standardized assessment scores were used throughout the project to measure patient outcomes. The implementation of this project can help parents understand the importance of their involvement in occupational therapy services both inside the clinic and at home and how it can increase patient outcomes and child development.

Use Of A Caregiver Coaching Model For Implementation Of Intensive Motor Training For Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study, Sheryl Eckberg Zylstra, Aimee Sidhu

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is extensive literature to support the efficacy of both pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy (pCIMT) and hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. In addition, there is increasing evidence to support the training of caregivers (parents and other care providers) to carry out therapy interventions in the home. The Family Activity Adaptation Model (FAAM) presents guidelines for parent and caregiver coaching for intensive therapies used in occupational therapy practice.

Method: In this descriptive case study the FAAM was used to frame caregiver training to answer the question: Is a coaching model, using a …

Occupational Therapists’ Perceptions Of Intraprofessional Collaboration When Working With Young Children Aged Birth To 3 Years, Christine Rocchio Mueller, Mindy Garfinkel

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Birth to 3 years of age is a critical period in a child’s development, and occupational therapy intervention during this period can serve many purposes. While pediatric occupational therapists may be working in different settings with different specialties, the foundational knowledge all occupational therapists possess provides a common lens through which they approach treatment. Intraprofessional collaboration is considered best practice, as it is not uncommon for young children to receive occupational therapy services by more than one therapist, and in more than one practice setting at the same time.

Method: This study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach. …

Adaptations To Early Intervention Service Delivery During Covid-19, Lauren Little, Ashley Stoffel

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Early Intervention (EI) systems made a rapid shift to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the limited preparation of EI providers in the telehealth service delivery model, it is unclear how providers implemented adaptations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of the Service Delivery Adaptations Questionnaire and examine the influence of provider type, years of EI experience, and willingness to return to in-person services on the questionnaire’s subscales.

Method: We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to examine the structure of the Service Delivery Adaptations Questionnaire among n = 704 EI providers. We …

Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives On Family-Centered Practices In Early Intervention, Irma J. Pereira, Francine M. Seruya

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Early intervention (EI) requires service provision in natural settings while incorporating interventions based on family-centered practice (FCP). This study sought to understand (a) how occupational therapists define and implement FCP in their daily interventions and (b) therapists’ perspectives on using this model of practice in EI.

Method: This study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Nine licensed occupational therapists from six states with a minimum of 3 years of working experience in the area of EI participated. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subsequently coded and analyzed for emergent themes.

Results: The therapists had an average of …

They Said: Preparing Future Ei Providers Across Disciplines Through An Academic Partnership, Beth K. Elenko

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Withdrawing Without Withholding: A Quantitative Report Of Factors Indicative Of The Need For Early Rehabilitation Services After Intrauterine Drug Exposure, Brooke G. Bohanan

OTD Capstone Projects

Maternal opioid use is a proliferative epidemic leading to a widespread increase in cases of Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and intrauterine drug exposure (IUDE). Much information has yet to be discovered regarding best practice in treatment and the long-term effects of these diagnoses. This retrospective chart review was conducted to increase awareness and achieve a greater understanding of early developmental deficits and intervention in this population. The researchers hypothesized that there are predictive factors of a later need for therapy services. Potentially influential factors and the prevalence of rehabilitation services provided after discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) …

Exploring The Use Of Occupational Therapy Telehealth Services In Early Intervention During Covid-19, Aiyana Tietze-Di Toro

Occupational Therapy: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telehealth has increased significantly, including for occupational therapy (OT) services provided in the early intervention (EI) setting. While preliminary research evaluates the effectiveness and benefits of telehealth services in early intervention occupational therapy (EI OT), few studies compare telehealth to traditional in-person services. The purpose of this research study is to understand experiences with telehealth for EI OT services during COVID-19 as compared to experiences with previous in-person services from the perspective of OTs and parents. Using a qualitative case study design, interviews were conducted with one EI OT practitioner and two of …

Occupational Therapy’S Needs Assessment For Service Navigation For Children With Autism, Kristina Lauren Paula

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. This capstone project brings to our attention the importance of occupational therapy’s role in meeting the continued needs of children with autism. As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to increase, so does the disparity in the accessibility of services for children and their families. Therefore, it is imperative to facilitate a diagnostic process and identify the child’s specific needs, to implement early intervention strategies. The medical model of disability, an internationally recognized approach in diagnosing children withautism, views autism as a problem that individually belongs to the child. Although the current medical model is preferred by …

The Power To Transform Development: Benefits Of Power Mobility Devices For Children 0-3 Years, Madeleine Clements, Ots, Chalia Bellis, Ots, Audrey Zapletal, Otd, Otr/L, Cla

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

The purpose of this poster is to describe the benefits of PMD for children 0-3 years old and to provide evidence-based recommendations for prescription and usage.

Early Intervention, Documentation, And Service Delivery: A Review Of Ifsps And Service Notes, Allison N. Krieger, Megan M. Rodgers, Elaine R. Starkey-Ingalls

Pediatrics

This abstract will be available for download after an embargo period

Emerging Opportunities: Lymphedema Management And The Potential For Surveillance Methods In A Primary Care Model, Claire Brummet, Nicole Chang, Kayleigh Odgear

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Capstone Projects (2016-2021)

Heidi Shaffer, OTR/L, MSM, CLT-LANA at MultiCare-Gig Harbor was interested in how early intervention, namely intervening at Stage 0, related to better outcomes for oncology patients at risk of lymphedema. This question was developed from a desire to follow-up prior student research relating to the usefulness of the LDEX in lymphedema management, however current literature did not indicate the LDEX as an early intervention method. Although the authors did not exclude other types of cancer, the research only reflected breast cancer outcomes. Overall, strong evidence was found that exercise is not contraindicated for clients at risk of breast cancer related …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of Web-Based Modules Reinforcing Therapy Topics For Caregivers Involved In Early Intervention, Terri L. Beard Ms, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Research questions answered in this capstone pilot study project were two-fold: 1) determine if web-based tutorials are effective for caregivers of children in early intervention (EI) programs to reinforce general topic information and 2) examine caregiver attitudes towards using online training modules.The scientific underpinnings used were the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) (AOTA, 2014) and the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework (Brown & Green, 2011).

The study was created on CourseSites website powered by Blackboard, using technology to reinforce occupation-based EI topics, through tutorial presentations and videos. Quantitative data was collected from caregivers using pre-and post-testing measures including …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of Web-Based Recommended Practice Tutorials For Caregivers Of Children In Early Intervention Programs, Terri L. Beard

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this mixed-method investigational pilot study is two-fold: are web-based tutorials effective for caregivers of children in early intervention programs to learn recommended practice content and 2) examine caregiver attitudes towards using online training tutorials. The problem addressed will be “Is using an online learning platform an effective adjunct way for caregivers of young children in early intervention programs to learn recommended practice information?” In early intervention programs, practitioner time, resources, and availability is often limited. Frequently, children in early intervention programs are taken care of by multiple caregivers. To improve carryover, this study focuses on determining if …

The Secret Ingredient For Improving Infant/Child Mental Health: Teaching Parents To Play, Geraldine Healy Marini

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Disorders in mental health are the highest of all disorders and results in the most common form of disability. Since 2011, mental health disorders have increased at alarming rates. It is estimated that 9.5 to 14.2% of children between the ages of 0 to 5 years have and emotional or behavioral problem. The mental health of parents or caregivers can affect and impact the development of young children (Nelson & Mann, 2011, Zero to Three, 2004).

The over arching goal of this research is to explore issues of mental health within parent-child interactions. Coaching parents during the co-occupation of play …

Enriching Occupational Therapy In Early Intervention: Using And Documenting The Evidence, Shelli Dry, Christine Myers

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapists working in Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (First Steps) are required to use evidence-based practice within their treatment sessions. Evidence-based practice incorporates information from scientific research, the clinician’s expertise and the family’s values in an all-encompassing treatment approach. Implementing evidence-based practice into treatment sessions promotes efficiency in treatment by improving clinical outcomes in a shorter period of time. This capstone project was developed as a first step in identifying methods to promote the implementation and documentation of evidence-based practice into early intervention services. This project included developing an online continuing education course and exploring changes in occupational therapists perceptions …

Measuring The Playfulness Of Children With Special Needs In Occupational Therapist Led, Caregiver-Included Community Playgroups, Sarah Fabrizi

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of community playgroups on the playfulness of children ages 15 months to 3 years with special needs. In addition to playfulness of the child, the sensitivity and responsiveness of the caregiver were examined. A quasi-experimental, pretest-and-posttest, repeated measures design was used to follow eight children and their caregivers receiving early intervention services and taking part in a community playgroup. The children and their caregivers were measured during a 4-week standard-of-care baseline, before and after an 8-week intervention period, and 4 week post-intervention. The Test of Playfulness (ToP) was utilized to …

Early Intervention Provider Use Of Child Caregiver-Teaching Strategies, Philippa Campbell, Phd, Catherine Ehret-Coletti, Ms

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Most current early intervention approaches emphasize the importance of a provider role as teacher or coach, a role in which providers give parents or other caregivers information about how to optimize children’s growth and development (Stremel & Campbell, 2007). However, few studies have examined the information that should be provided for caregivers or how this information is best delivered to caregivers although a number of rating scales are able to distinguish between roles of direct service provider for the child (e.g., traditional) and triadic interaction among provider, caregiver, and child (Campbell & Sawyer, 2007; Salisbury & Cushing, 2013). Related factors …

Parent And Therapist Perceptions Of Sensory Based Strategies Used By Occupational Therapists In Family-Centered Early Intervention Practice, Juliet Bertaut Copeland

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative approach was used to explore the perceptions of parents and therapists in early intervention regarding sensory diets and their efficacy, particularly their goodness of fit within family routines and occupations. Open-ended interviews were conducted with therapist and parent participants and analysis of the data resulted in a model depicting how sensory diets became a "way of life" for families. The Sensory Diet "Way of Life" Model revealed seven themes that illustrated how occupational therapists in early intervention enter the homes of the families they serve and establish a "partnership" with parents to address a child's needs. Once this …