Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Promoting Safety And Reducing Fall Risk In Adults With Parkinson's Disease, Kennedie Hudson

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Bridges for Parkinson’s, a local non-profit organization that supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Bridges for Parkinson’s helps to reduce financial barriers and provide exercise and fitness programs that promote functional mobility, a sense of community, and overall well-being. Fall prevention is increasingly important in older adults, especially those with Parkinson’s disease. The primary goal of this project was to gain insight into individuals with Parkinson’s disease experiences and develop research-informed community and home fall prevention and safety educational materials. An educational seminar was conducted that included a pre-survey, presentation of …

Flip For Function: Professional Development And Family Education Resources, Hayley E. Fuller

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Flip for Function, a therapeutic gymnastics program that promotes confidence, inclusion, and participation through adaptive athletics and child-led occupational therapy. The purpose of this project was to develop professional development and family education resources to enhance caregiver understanding, staff consistency, and community outreach. To address identified needs, a comprehensive parent- and school-friendly guidebook was created, including diagnosis-specific information (ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), explanations of how movement supports regulation and development, and strategies to support skill carryover into home and school environments. Additional deliverables included diagnosis-based handouts, activity …

Development Of A Cvi Early Learning Kit For Clients Of Blind Early Services Tennessee, Emma Ruggles

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), a nonprofit organization focused on providing early intervention services for children with visual impairments. BEST currently supports more than 300 families throughout Tennessee, utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach that includes Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), Orientation & Mobility (O&M) specialists, Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Developmental Therapists (DTs). This project focused on developing kits that offered educational resources for families while also providing materials designed to support early learning in children with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Deliverables included a sensory processing guide with activity ideas, QR …

Promotion And Advocation For Naveg Integration In Nicu Practices To Advance Early Intervention Vision Health, Lily A. Simmons

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), a nonprofit organization that provides early intervention services to children ages 0–5 with visual impairments and their families across the state. Serving more than 300 children and families in Tennessee, BEST offers early intervention (BEST Start), parent empowerment (BEST Advocate), and family support (BEST Together) programming. The primary goal of this project was to promote and advocate for the implementation of an early identification screening tool, the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG), a validated, non-invasive newborn vision screening tool designed to identify neurological risk for …

From Admission To Readiness: Evaluating School Admissions And Supporting Early Childhood Development At Middle Tennessee Christian School, Tessa B. Barto

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project evaluated the admissions criteria and processes at Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS) to better support early childhood development and school readiness. Methods included reviewing current protocols, conducting stakeholder interviews, analyzing kindergarten-readiness trends, and comparing practices to evidence-based standards. Findings revealed variability in academic skills and highlighted social-emotional development, self-regulation, and functional independence as key areas of need. Results also emphasized the importance of a holistic admissions approach and strong family engagement in student success. In response, evidence-based recommendations were developed to enhance the admissions process. Additionally, the Early Learning Center (ELC) Classroom Support Strategies resource was created …

Developing Inclusive, Evidence-Based Curriculum And Educational Resources For Neurodiverse Learners, Cristina N. Cinca

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Wildflower Learning Center in Nolensville, Tennessee, a non-traditional educational program offering group academic classes within an inclusive and supportive learning environment for children with disabilities, neurodiverse learners, and neurotypical peers in grades 3–8. Wildflower Learning Center utilizes an interdisciplinary model that supports academic, social, language, and functional skill development through group-based instruction. The primary goal of this project was to develop an inclusive, evidence-based curriculum aimed at enhancing students’ interoceptive awareness through structured lesson plans, engaging activities, and supportive educational resources. A comprehensive 14-week brain class curriculum was created in both digital …

Life Skills Workshops For Young Adults With Histories Of Trauma At Crossroads Campus, Perrin G. Shuler

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Crossroads Campus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides career training in animal-related fields, offers affordable housing, and gives comprehensive support services to help young adults overcome housing and employment challenges. The purpose of this project was to address gaps in daily life skills among young adults with a history of trauma. Key outcomes included facilitating life skills workshops, developing a comprehensive workshop manual for future participants, and designing pre- and post-assessments to evaluate changes in life skills competency.

Exploring Illuminate Academy’S House Of Growth Framework: An Immersive Capstone Experience And Literature Review, Claire Grobe

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Illuminate Academy in Nashville, an educational program providing a homeschool-based alternative for children with autism and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this project was to address the agency’s need for improved understanding and communication of the House of Growth Framework among educators, families, and community partners. The primary goal of this project was to improve understanding and consistent use of the House of Growth Framework to support student engagement, regulation, and overall development. The project included a needs assessment, a comprehensive literature review, and immersive participation within the learning environment to …

Using An Administrative Lens To Facilitate Improvement Of Long-Term Acute Care Patient Outcomes Following The Continuum Of Care, Elizabeth M. Eisenga

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Select Specialty Hospital Nashville West, a local critical illness recovery hospital. Select Specialty Hospital Nashville West provides care to individuals with a range of diagnoses who require extended hospital stays, including those needing ventilator weaning. The overarching goal of this project was to improve patient outcomes using an administrative lens. To accomplish this goal, patient education materials were developed for clinical liaisons and other staff to help delineate patients' locations along the continuum of care. In addition, staff in services and a collection of resources on best practices were provided, with …

Advancing Caregiver Support In Community-Based Care: Advocacy, Resources, And Education Supporting Nicu Transition And Families With Complex Needs, Leah G. Rickard-Breeden

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in partnership with Nurses for Newborns (NFN), a nonprofit organization that is seeking to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Middle Tennessee through free, in-home nursing visits. They provide education, health assessments, and connections to community resources for prenatal and postpartum mothers and their infants; specifically, those facing medical, emotional, or social barriers. The focus of this project was to create a comprehensive resource to support caregivers of infants through their transition from the NICU to home. A needs assessment revealed that families would benefit from additional support and resources to help bridge the …

Nutrition And Meal Preparation Programming And Development At E.L.I.'S House, Kara E. Nienhaus

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with E.L.I.’s House in Franklin, Tennessee. E.L.I.’s House is a nonprofit organization that exists to help women and their children thrive after trauma. The desired outcome of this project was to create programming to provide education and life skills training to participants, and to develop manageable systems for grocery shopping and nutrition in the site handbook. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as meal preparation, nutrition management, cognitive flexibility, and task sequencing. The project involved creating a house recipe book with balanced meals, accessible information on basic nutritional needs for adults …

Flip For Function: Strengthening School Participation And Parent Understanding, Ashley Caceres

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that integrates occupational therapy principles to support children with and without developmental differences. The purpose of this project was to support program growth through improved school collaboration, program evaluation, and community awareness. A literature review was conducted to examine the impact of movement-based and adaptive programming on participation and school-related outcomes for children with and without disabilities. Based on these findings, several resources were developed, including pre–post outcome measures, a caregiver survey, a student take-home flyer, and a school partnership implementation guide. These tools …

Promoting Optimal Bowel And Bladder Function Through Diet And Fluid Education At Bridges For Parkinson's, Emma R. Floum

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Bridges for Parkinson’s, RockSteady Boxing, a local nonprofit organization offering group fitness classes for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders in Nashville and surrounding areas. The goal of this project was to educate individuals and their caregivers on the optimization of healthy bowel and bladder function, specifically in the Parkinson’s Disease population. Participants and their caregivers were given the opportunity to attend an educational seminar, including receiving an informational pamphlet. Pre and posttest survey ratings suggested that the participants’ knowledge about the topic increased. The educational pamphlet was also …

Promoting Emotional Regulation And Rest For The Parkinson's Disease Population At Bridges For Parkinson's, Charlotte Palmer

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Bridges for Parkinson’s, a local nonprofit offering specialized exercise programs for those living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The goal of this project was to develop educational resources to provide participants and care partners with practical strategies for managing sleep and emotional changes. An inservice, including handouts, was provided focusing on practical emotional regulation and sleep strategies to use during and outside of boxing classes. These resources were designed to be sustainable for agency staff and future participants. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge of the effects of Parkinson’s disease on emotional …

Flip For Function Professional Development Workshop Curriculum & Staff Education Resource, Danielle R. Olsen

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that promotes confidence, participation, and inclusion for children with diverse developmental needs. A needs assessment identified a gap in consistent, evidence-informed training resources to support instructors in understanding how various diagnoses impact movement, regulation, sensory processing, and participation. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive professional development guidebook and staff training resource grounded in occupational therapy principles. Deliverables included diagnosis-specific content (e.g. ADHD, Autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), activity adaptations, coaching strategies, and family education handouts to support home …

Pain Into Purpose Through Reboot Recovery, Kristin R. Barnes

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with REBOOT Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing trauma healing through faith-based, peer-led courses. The purpose of this project was to develop a qualitative survey methodology to evaluate and analyze issues/successes that arise for participants and leaders of the 12-week courses. Additionally, educational content was developed for the justice impacted/justice involved communities on how to rebuild relationships post incarceration and how to stay connected during incarceration. To obtain more information and data on the experience of previous leaders of REBOOT courses and potentially how to improve their experience, a survey was …

Expanding Maternal Support Beyond The Studio: Implementation Of A Postpartum Email Series And Community Open House Initiative, Madison Campbell

OTD Capstone Projects

The transition to motherhood presents significant physical, emotional, and occupational challenges, with many postpartum individuals experiencing unmet needs related to mental health, role adjustment, and access to supportive resources. This capstone project, completed at Nurture Nashville Yoga, aimed to expand maternal support through the development of a four-week postpartum email education series and the implementation of a community maternal wellness open house. A needs assessment identified priorities including normalization of postpartum experiences, emotional regulation, confidence in daily routines and infant care, and access to community resources. In response, an evidence-informed email series was created to provide education on postpartum recovery, …

Promoting Occupational Skills For Safe And Independent Aging, Alandry Vise

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with BrightStone, a nonprofit organization in Franklin, Tennessee, that provides vocational, social, and residential programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this project was to address the increasing needs of the organization’s aging student population by promoting safety, independence, and occupational engagement across day and residential settings. A needs assessment guided the development and implementation of an 8-week educational curriculum addressing aging-related topics, including physical changes, nutrition, mental health, cognitive changes, fall prevention, home safety, and healthy routines. Additional deliverables included staff training to support long-term sustainability of aging-related …

Program Development To Support Executive Functioning Skills For Adults With Down Syndrome At Gigi's Playhouse, Madison M. Wasylewski

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on the development and implementation of adult education integrating occupational therapy principles to support executive functioning skills in adults with Down syndrome at GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville. Executive functioning skills learned include planning, organization, attention, and problem-solving which are essential for independent living but are often areas of challenge for this population.

The project involved designing and delivering a 12-week curriculum for the GiGi U program along with encouraged participation in career readiness, life skills, and individualized tutoring sessions. Interventions emphasized self-advocacy, communication, time management, and daily living skills through interactive, real-world activities.

Outcomes included increased participant …

Program Development In Special Needs Ministry For Individuals With Disabilities, Kasey Sobek

OTD Capstone Projects

The Embrace Ministry is a special-needs ministry at Brentwood Baptist that serves individuals of all ages, creating a safe and supportive environment to meet the unique needs of individuals and families impacted by disability. This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Embrace, with the shared objective of developing targeted curriculum and training to enhance participation and engagement in the day program and ministry service settings. This project addressed the identified need for enhanced volunteer and staff training curriculum, as well as day program curriculum development and evidence-informed strategies to address diverse sensory, behavioral, and functional needs. Key outcomes …

Supporting Self-Regulation In Early Childhood Through Parent–Child Movement And Sensory Play, Meris Gilliam

OTD Capstone Projects

The focus of this capstone was to develop a parent–child movement and sensory play program for Nurture Nashville, a local yoga and wellness studio focused on promoting holistic well-being and community connection. The program consisted of a four-week movement and music-based class for preschool-aged children and their caregivers, designed to support self-regulation, motor development, and social interaction through play-based activities. The program also emphasized caregiver education to promote co-regulation strategies and strengthen parent–child connection beyond the class setting.

Empowering Dancers At Move Inclusive Dance, Matthew Gunn

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Franklin and Bellevue, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to create video content for both internal and external audiences, as well as spread the mission and vision of the agency to surrounding areas of Nasvhille. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as play, work, education, and social participation. Projects were created with sustainable content to promote the longevity of use within the agency. De-escalation strategies …

Patient Facing Physical Therapy Clinicians’ Experience Of Leader Development Across Their Professional Span: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Judith R. Gelber

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

While healthcare professions call for leadership among its practitioners as a key function of practice, hospital systems typically employ a top town leadership structure. In physical therapy, leadership is centered around managers and educators. This leaves a gap in understanding about leadership at the level of the patient facing clinician. This study explored the experience of leader development across the career span of experienced patient facing physical therapists in the United States. The study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach undergirded with leader development, experiential learning, and distributed leadership theories. Participant recruitment focused on patient facing physical therapists with ten or …

Navigating Screens For Neurodivergent Individuals, Avery Wilson

Honors Theses

As technology becomes more prevalent in everyday life, it is important to consider the implications that this may have for one's mind and well-being. These implications are particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as neurodivergent individuals, who may have unique sensitivities to technology consumption. This paper reviews current literature to provide an overview of the implications of using media on the neurodivergent population, such as individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who often possess unique brain sensitivities that influence technology consumption.

To begin, the paper examines the changes in brain structure and functioning in children …

From Classroom To Career: Developing A Vocational Training And Job Coaching Program For Individuals With Down Syndrome At Gigi's Playhouse, Mason Freiburger

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville. GiGi’s Playhouse is a non-profit with 61+ locations across the United States and Mexico, that offers free educational and therapeutic programming for individuals of all ages with Down Syndrome. The primary goal of this project was to develop and implement an evidence-based vocational training program for adults with Down Syndrome to promote work readiness, independence, and community participation. A secondary focus of this project was to support skill generalization through real-world application and individualized job coaching within a community-based internship. Program development included classroom-based instruction targeting communication, executive …

Creating Engaging Activities To Improve Overall Group Participation Within Centennial Adultcare Center, Ava Woessner

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was conducted in collaboration with Centennial Adultcare Center, an adult day program that is dedicated to providing a stimulating and supportive environment for personal growth and independence through professional care within a reasonable fee. The center serves a variety of diagnosis including but not limited to: dementia, cerebral palsy, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), stroke, and autism. The primary objectives of this project were to develop engaging, member-focused activities through the use of graded interventions and adaptive equipment, provide staff members with effective resources, and enhance the visibility and promotion of adult day services through social …

Building Resilience Through Doing: A Strengths-Based, Family-Centered Program For Military-Connected Families And Parents With Disabilities, Angelina Campbell, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Resilience is often conceptualized as an individual trait that someone is born with or an outcome; however, this capstone project examined resilience as a dynamic process developed through participation in meaningful occupations within family contexts. This project explored the experiences of military-connected families and parents with disabilities to understand how contextual factors influence participation and adaptive capacity. A participation- and strength-based, family-centered intervention was developed and implemented with the school’s pro bono clinic, integrating principles of occupational therapy, including occupational adaptation and client-centered practice.

Findings indicated that resilience emerged through repeated engagement in meaningful activities, supported by relational safety, identity …

Changes In Activity Levels Observed In Elementary Grade Levels., Kelsie R. Harvey

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Physical activity is important for children, recess is a great opportunity for physical activity, however, little is known how physical activity during recess changes throughout a school year, which is important for identifying key potential intervention points.  Purpose: To determine how physical activity of elementary students changes throughout the school year. Methodology: This is a research-based, longitudinal, observational study design. Through local observations at a nearby elementary school, we can analyze the activity levels of elementary students. Trained research assistants conducted systematic research observation using SOPLAY (System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth) method. SOPLAY measures the …

Advocacy For Access: Ot's Role In School-Based Assistive Technology, Kalena Wedemeyer-Abney, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed-methods exploratory research study analyzes the experiences of school-based occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in the implementation of assistive technology (AT). The research examines their perceptions regarding their role and the responsibilities that come with it. This study is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and seeks to understand the skill level and knowledge of practitioners, motivators to advocacy efforts, and the overall systemic environment, such as supports and barriers, that impact OTP's ability to acquire and implement assistive technology solutions. A mixed-method research survey was completed by 25 participants, with 3 participants also completing a 1-hour, optional …

Incorporating Occupational Therapy Programming In An Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (Ipse) Program At The University Of Georgia, Kathleen S. Chitty

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focuses on incorporating occupational therapy in an inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) program at the University of Georgia. The Destination Dawgs program is an IPSE program at The University of Georgia for young adults with intellectual disabilities. This capstone project identifies how an occupational therapist can assist with wellness, independent living, social skills, and emotional regulation skills in IPSE programs.