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Contextual Aspects Influencing Mothers' Placement Considerations For Their Children With Autism, Margaret E. Moffett Boyd

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

"Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Occupational Therapy Department, College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University."

Abstract Background: In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized autism as an urgent public health concern understanding families would need supports services at many levels. Parents are the most prominent caregivers of children with disabilities and inadequacy of support services often influences the placement outside of the home. Federal mandates require that states actively avoid placements based on costs, community connections, and least restrictive environments; however, unsustainable family life potentially …

Planning For The Future : A Grounded Theory Study Of Well Older Adults' Decision-Making Regarding Home Modifications, Kathleen Subasic

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this dissertation research was to understand the decision-making process that well older adults use when deciding whether to make a home modification. The researcher also sought to understand the views of well older adults concerning the use of home modification to prevent injury and declines in occupational performance. The researcher used the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model (Law et al., 1996) from occupational therapy and occupational science as the orienting framework.

A qualitative grounded theory approach based on that proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1998) was used to structure data collection and analysis. Participants were obtained using purposive and …

Sensory Intervention To Improve Sleep Behaviors And Social Participation Of Children In Israel With Sensory Modulation Disorder, Geela Spira

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The aim of this study was to investigate a sensory intervention of moderate pressure touch on children with sensory modulation disorder on the outcomes of sleep behaviors and social participation. 50 children, aged 6-11 years, with both sensory modulation disorder and sleep difficulties were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group participants received three weeks of nightly massage by their parents. The parents filled out questionnaires reporting on sleep behaviors, sensory modulation, and social participation, as well as recording a sleep log, and determining goal attainment scaling goals. The questionnaires used were the Short …