Digital Commons Network^™

Assistive Technology To Increase Occupational Participation For Individuals With Sci, Emma M. Sauger

Capstone Projects

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) typically experience a disruption to their involvement in meaningful daily activities, or occupational participation, which can harm their quality of life. Occupational therapists are equipped to confront this obstacle, often through the use of assistive technology (AT). Various AT devices can be utilized to aid in performing daily occupations and have been shown as an effective way to compensate for functional limitations. With the improved ability to participate in activities, AT can help to restore quality of life among the SCI population. Even with this knowledge, significant barriers to accessing AT still exist, particularly …

Implementing Occupational Therapy Services To Enhance Reentry For Justice Involved Individuals In The Kalamazoo Region, Lexis Rich

Capstone Projects

Within the criminal justice system, there are difficulties and concerns regarding the high rates of recidivism involving the transition from incarceration to community. Formerly incarcerated individuals enter the reentry process with possible mental health conditions, increased social isolation, low self efficacy and difficulties navigating a new way of life. Occupational therapy can help address the difficulties and mental health concerns with incorporating meaningful occupations, however, services are not offered in many regions due to limited awareness of its value. The purpose of this project was to implement occupational therapy services for Region 8 of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) …

Autism Spectrum Disorder And Neurodiversity: Sensory, Behavior, Trauma-Informed And Interdisciplinary Considerations, Sawyer Hodgkins

Capstone Projects

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a diagnosis that commonly receives occupational therapy (OT) services for sensory and behavioral intervention to promote participation and performance in daily activities. Additionally, individuals with ASD typically receive applied behavior therapy (ABA) to work on similar goal areas while benefiting from a trauma-informed approach. Many resources offer education and advocacy for the ASD population, but they lack a comprehensive and engaging format suitable for a wide range of audiences. This capstone project focused on developing an hour-long video providing an overview of ASD and neurodiversity, education regarding interdisciplinary, sensory, behavioral, and trauma-informed approaches, and concluded …

Promoting Self-Regulation In Children: A Weekly Group Intervention Integrating Sensory, Movement, And Art-Based Activities, Emily Zion

Capstone Projects

Self-regulation, or the ability to control one’s mind and body in response to changes in the environment, is a prevalent challenge for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), among other neurodevelopmental conditions. Research shows that evidenced-based interventions rooted in sensory integration, movement, social-emotional learning, and artistic expression all contribute to improved self-regulation. The aim of this project was to develop a group program to promote self-regulation for clients at the Sensory Connections outpatient pediatric clinic in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two evidence-based, six-week programs for preschool and elementary aged children were developed. The …

Trauma-Responsive Sensory Integration Approaches & Compassion Fatigue Prevention: Enhancing Clinical Practice Skills And Clinician Wellbeing, Emily Vachon

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience consisted of two concentration areas to address healthcare needs outlined in current research. The first concentration area was “advanced clinical practice skills” to develop enhanced trauma-responsive sensory integrative approaches in occupational therapy practice. Healthcare professionals and facilities are often ill-equipped to provide comprehensive care for individuals who have experienced traumatic events; therefore, it is imperative to receive advanced training in this area. The second concentration area was “program development” to create and implement a compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout prevention program for occupational therapists working with complex trauma cases. Current research displays a need …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Older Adults With Low Vision, Claire Sinacori

Capstone Projects

This Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) focused on gaining advanced clinical practice skills in the field of low vision occupational therapy (OT) and developing accessible educational handouts for clients receiving low vision services through VisABLE Solutions in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The project addressed the gap in awareness and education within low vision rehabilitation which is an underrepresented area of OT practice.

The DCE’s objectives were met and implemented by the end of 14 weeks. This included increasing clinical knowledge in low vision conditions and OT evaluation and intervention while also addressing the needs of the site. These included creating accessible handouts for …

Applying Occupational Therapy Principles To An Adaptive Ski Program: Strategies For Education, Advocacy, And Development, Alyssa Klaver

Capstone Projects

Adaptive skiing is a subset of adaptive sports and recreation that refers to any modification to downhill ski equipment to allow people with disabilities to participate. Adaptive skiing falls into the realm of occupational therapy (OT) because of its focus on meaningful participation in leisure and sport occupation. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was to use occupational therapy-based principles and knowledge to promote leadership and program development within an established adaptive ski program at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) in Breckenridge, Colorado. Objectives addressed during this DCE include addressing burnout prevention for program staff, updating training …

Enhancing Staff Training And Safety For Campers With Disabilities At An Accessible Outdoor Camp, Dalla Wong

Capstone Projects

There’s a practice gap surrounding training for young camp staff, such as counselors, on needs specific to safe transfers, ergonomic approaches, and inclusive participation. Public recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities are limited, and significant research is required. Initially, the literature review focused on establishing structured training materials, skill resources, and a manual for using adaptive equipment and safe lifting processes. The purpose of this capstone project was to address these gaps in research and clinical practice to ensure camper safety at an accessible camp for individuals with disabilities from an occupational therapy (OT) perspective. In this capstone experience, an …

Sensory Processing At Bethany Christian Services: Education And Implementation Of Sensory Needs For Adolescent Males Through A Trauma Responsive Lens, Tatum L. Johnson

Capstone Projects

This capstone project addressed a critical gap in sensory processing support and understanding among adolescent males with sexual behavior problems at Bethany Christian Services’ Ridgeview Residential Program. The project aimed to enhance awareness of Occupational Therapy (OT) among staff and residents, improve inter-organizational communication, support classroom sensory regulation, and promote mindfulness practices within the facility. These objectives were achieved through a range of learning activities, including “What is OT?” educational videos, OT communication binders for each resident, a training binder for incoming OT students pertaining to Bethany Christian Services, sensory kits for classroom use with corresponding educational videos, scheduled classroom …

Enhancing Nbcot® Exam Readiness In An Entry-Level Otd Program, Kallen Wolfer

Capstone Projects

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam is extremely important for both occupational therapy (OT) students and academic programs. However, the exam and its accompanying study resources are often expensive and thus inaccessible to many students. Western Michigan University (WMU) offers an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program with limited exam preparatory material offerings for its students. This capstone project aimed to increase student access to NBCOT® exam resources to enhance readiness to sit for and pass the exam. Project objectives and outcomes included the development of an eLearning course covering general NBCOT® exam topics, department purchase …

The Sensational Eight: Education On The Sensory System Within A Center Based Multi-Sensory Environment, Jenna Gottschalk

Capstone Projects

The sensory system plays an essential role for individuals in how they interact with their environment, engage in activities of daily living (ADLs), engage in meaningful learning, and access to higher levels of thinking. The role of occupational therapy is to promote these skills for students within the school system to promote access to their educational environment and support meaningful learning. The ACOTE concentration areas for this capstone include education on the sensory system and sensory processing disorder as well as program development through the application and obtainment for a grant to promote financial resources for Lincoln school for students …

Immersive Mixed-Reality Anatomy Lab, Cassidy Norkett

Honors Theses

The Mixed Reality Heart Anatomy Lesson was created to address the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine’s need for an interactive and dynamic laboratory lesson. The application allows for a more efficient way for medical students to learn and comprehend the material. The design and development of a mixed reality application running on smart glasses provides students with a situation aware, fully engaged, and immersive learning experience. The Apple Vision Pro device allows medical students to complete their labs by merging physiology and anatomy concepts through 3D models, object detection, self-assessments, and an artificial intelligence chatbot. There can be …

Understanding Competition Among Doctoral-Level Psychology Students, Marykate T. Godinez, Dallann A. Johnson

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Health service psychology doctoral students face competition for admission, funding, resources, and clinical placements. However, competition remains an understudied component of these programs. This roundtable discussion will examine the possible factors influencing competition among doctoral psychology students, as well as the possible pros and cons of competition within program environments.

Ce Eligible Workshop: New Thinking In Ethical Decision-Making, Mark Leach Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Dr. Leach's talk is one of two pre-conference CE workshops for the Great Lakes Conference. Please note that the CE workshops require a separate registration process that can found by visiting the main conference webpage.

Artificial Intelligence For Better In-Game Nfl Performance, Christopher Mcmanus

Honors Theses

In this thesis I examined the use of AI modeling for the use in the modern-day NFL, both for improving in-game play calling, and creating better recovery plans for players all around the league. When finding articles detailing these models, I only focused on works involving the current day NFL, and models used widely around the league to this day. The literature detailed in this thesis mainly describes modeling used by Amazon Web Services (AWS, 2024, The NFL’s partner for all things analytics, and data modeling. My main objective for this literature review was to show the impact AI modeling …

A Translation Of John Gower's Cronica Tripertita, Robert J. Meindl, Mark T. Riley

Accessus

John Gower's account of the last years of Richard II presents an uncompromised condemnation of the king's reign.

From Theory To Practice: Integrating Safe Patient Handling And Mobility Into Occupational Therapy Curriculum (Part 2/2), Kimberly Santorufo, Asha Roy

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy academic institutions continue to teach manual patient handling as the standard of practice despite recent evidence, legislation, and guidelines from the American Occupational Therapy Association on hazards of manual approaches. A paradigm shift is necessary in occupational therapy academic curriculums to include didactic education and hands-on training of safe patient handling and mobility informed approaches. There is currently no standard of practice available in occupational therapy education on how to incorporate safe patient handling and mobility into preexisting curriculum, which emphasizes manual patient handling as the standard of care. The guidelines presented offer academic institutions recommendations on how …

Professional Behaviors As Forced Assimilation: A Critical Reflection On The U.S. History Of Education And Beyond, Quinn P. Tyminski, Karla Reese, Linn Wakeford

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Historically, education has been used as a mechanism of assimilation for marginalized identities in the United States, demanding conformity to the dominant culture and society. The occupational therapy (OT) profession is not immune and must examine and understand how our educational systems have erected and maintained barriers designed to exclude people from historically minoritized communities through the lens of professional behaviors. Professionalism and professional behaviors are not well-defined constructs in OT, and there is significant variability among educational institutions in how professional behavior standards are written, communicated, and applied. There is significant inconsistency across OT educational programs in the US …

The Lived Experience Of Therapists During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Using Photovoice Methodology, Alison De La Montaigne, Catana Brown, Sarah A. Anderson, Tamara Turner

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A qualitative phenomenological design using photovoice methodology for collecting data was used (Wang & Burris, 1997). The study participants included twelve therapists. Using photovoice methodology, the participants used a picture to represent their experience and wrote an accompanying narrative to address the question, “How has COVID-19 impacted your life?” Thematic analysis was used to code and develop themes for the participant photovoices and the virtual focus group transcripts (Braun & Clark, 2006). Zoom was used as the virtual platform for the virtual …

An Occupational Therapy Work-Self-Efficacy Intervention For Lgbtq+ Young People In Transitional Housing, Emily K. Simpson, Monika I. Robinson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young people who are unhoused experience barriers transitioning into adult roles and responsibilities which negatively impacts workforce participation.

Methods: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the impact of a work self-efficacy intervention on self-efficacy and goal attainment in LGBTQ+ young people at a transitional living facility (TLF). Nine residents and three staff participated in this convergent mixed methods design investigating a work intervention.

Results: The total median score on the General Self-Efficacy Scale (p = 0.042) and the Work Self-Efficacy Scale (p = 0.043) …

A Multisensory, Interdisciplinary Approach To Visual Neglect For Enhancement Of Visual Attention Following Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage: A Case Report, Leah G. Allan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This case report provides a review of the medical background and inpatient rehabilitation course of a 41-year-old female presenting with right basal ganglia hematoma in the setting of hypertension and polysubstance use. Emphasis is placed on analysis and discussion of the interdisciplinary, multisensory therapy approaches used to address her visual neglect and homonymous hemianopia.

Method: Single-patient case report

Results: On the Disability Rating Scale, the patient’s score improved from a Day 16 score of 10 to a Day 58 score of 7. On the Modified Barthel Index, her performance improved from a Day 16 score of …

Premodern Masculinities In Transition Edited By Konrad Eisenbichler And Jacqueline Murray, Hilary Rhodes

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Resistance To Love In Medieval English Romance By Hannah Piercy, Amy N. Vines

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Beyond Average Effects In Education Research Syntheses: Explaining Heterogeneity Of Concept Mapping Research In Science Education Through Meta-Regression Modeling, Aaron Wenger

Dissertations

Contemporary education research seeks causal inferences in order to guide policy and practice. Often well-controlled quasi-experimental and experimental designs are used as they are very useful for supporting and contextualizing causal inferences. Nevertheless, individual studies, even high-quality, resource-intensive randomized controlled trials, are not able to establish generalized claims. Because primary studies vary over dozens of variables (e.g., grade, subject, duration) simply conducting additional primary studies cannot change this. Furthermore, the informal assessments of primary studies common in literature reviews are unable to resolve certain challenges (e.g., publication bias) that are described in the emerging field of meta-research. These challenges require …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session December 12, 2024, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes (September 26, 2024 and October 16, 2024 Meetings)

Remarks by the Chair of the Board

Remarks by the President

Updates by the Faculty Senate President

Updates by the Western Student Association President

Updates by the Graduate Student Association President

Presentation: Advancing EV Technology through Education

Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

Policy and Procedures for Periodic Assessment of the University President

Presidential Assessment

Consent Item

A. Personnel Report

B. Curriculum Proposals

C. Commercial Lease Agreement - 603 Ransom, Kalamazoo, MI

D. Natural Gas Pipeline Easement at West Hills

E. Membership Change …

Neurodivergent Experiences In Communication Sciences And Disorders Programs As Reflected In Reddit, Shadha Al Kalbani

Honors Theses

By definition, neurodivergent students are those whose brain function differs significantly from societal expectations (Walker, 2014). The term ‘neurodivergent’ is associated with the Neurodiversity Movement. Although the Neurodiversity Movement was spearheaded by the Autistic1 community, the term commonly includes other forms of neurodivergence such as ADHD and dyslexia. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of neurodivergent students in Communication Sciences Disorders (CSD) programs, where systematic data on their demographics and experience is relatively limited. Specifically, this study analysed posts from the online social media platform Reddit that are dedicated to the college experience of neurodivergent students …

Phonological Awareness: A Unit Plan For Kindergarten, Allison Beasley

Honors Theses

This Kindergarten phonological awareness unit plan provides a clear, structured approach to developing essential early literacy skills by helping children recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. Through systematic, explicit, and differentiated instruction, students engage in multiple practice opportunities using varied examples of sounds, including beginning and ending sounds, rhymes, medial vowels, blending, segmenting, syllables, and sound manipulation. The plan incorporates flexible group sizes, from whole-class instruction to small groups and partner activities, allowing for personalized support tailored to diverse learners. Engaging, hands-on activities such as tongue twisters, sound clap games, rhyming circles, Elkonin boxes, and movement-based lessons make abstract …

The Benefits Of Using Children's Books In Lesson Planning, Katie Bethel

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the many benefits that children’s books provide for children. The purpose of this thesis was to create lesson plans for teachers to use that specifically incorporate children’s books into their teaching. This thesis begins with my rationale for this topic as my rationale pulled together both my career and personal connections to some of my life experiences. Then this rationale is followed by a research paper that looks into the many benefits that children’s books provide. With this research and background information, I was able to gather a list of children's books that exemplified many of the …

Bridging The Gap: Examining The Discrepancies In Communication Skills Between University Education And Employer Expectations, Valerie Chan

Honors Theses

Effective communication is a critical skill in the workplace, yet a persistent gap exists between the communication abilities of university graduates and the expectations of employers. This study explores the alignment between the communication skills taught in the Western Essential Studies (WES) general education curriculum at Western Michigan University (WMU) and the communication needs identified by employers. By examining four communication types—oral, written, interpersonal, and digital—this research investigates the similarities and differences in how faculty and employers define and emphasize communication skills.

Findings reveal a misalignment between the skills emphasized in university curricula and those prioritized in the workplace. Faculty …

Fostering The Forum: Examining The Progress And Challenges In Cultivating A Free Speech Campus At Western Michigan University, Kalloli Bhatt

Honors Theses

The First Amendment’s breadth has narrowed on college and university campuses. Students, once staunch defenders of free speech, have become the censors themselves. In fact, there have been so many incidents of speaker disinvitations and scholars under scrutiny that the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, otherwise known as FIRE, has amassed years’ worth of data documenting these occurrences. This phenomenon has been so widespread for so long that scholars have been sounding the warning bells since 1987 (Bloom, 1987). While it may seem as if these problems occur at bigger universities, events that have violated First Amendment rights of …