The Price Of “Normal”: Masking In The Autistic Community, Phyllis Elizabeth Holloway

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Autistic community has a rich history that often includes poor mental health outcomes due to the increased stress and anxiety surrounding the push to have “normal” social skills. On Twitter, many autistic people utilize a hashtag to connect with others in the online Autistic community. This qualitative study analyzes the Twitter hashtag, #ActuallyAutistic, to understand masking and camouflaging from the autistic point of view. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to perform this analysis. The themes found emphasize the need for professionals to increase their understanding of the Autistic community’s value and contributions. By improving the ability of non-autistic …

Effectiveness Of Collaborative Handwriting Curriculum: Handwriting Without Tears And Orton-Gillingham, In Kindergarten Classroom Setting., Merry G. Harper

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Formal handwriting instruction, using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate handwriting programming, in school based occupational therapy is necessary to support the role of a student. Handwriting is an occupation of children in the school environment. Without formal handwriting instruction in place there is evidence to support occupational therapy intervention providing a handwriting program can improve handwriting success.

Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to determine the clinical efficacy of a hybrid approach to handwriting instruction pairing the Handwriting Without Tears and Orton-Gillingham instructional programming for prewriting and handwriting skills in the kindergarten population. The research question addressed is: Will …

Does Pre-Operative Education Increase Activity Participation And Decrease Perceived Arm Dysfunction In Breast Cancer Patients?, Stephanie R. Rexing

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: Currently there is sufficient evidence indicating safety with upper extremity resistive exercise among those at risk for developing breast cancer related lymphedema. However, there is insufficient evidence of the benefits of pre-operative lymphedema prevention education, upper body strengthening exercises, and strategies to continue or resume physically demanding activities that breast cancer survivors need to do, want to do, or are expected to do.

Purpose: This project described the impact pre-operative education has on activity participation, and perceived upper extremity function among individuals diagnosed with breast cancer compared to those who do not receive pre-operative education. The capstone …

A Case Study Of Children's Programming In Transitional Housing, Crystal L. Coffman

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Female-headed households with children makeup nearly 30% of the homeless population, and are challenged to become self-sufficient while embodying multiple roles with inadequate supports (Bassuk, 2010; Crncec, 2008; Fisher, 2000; Schultz-Krohn & Tyminski, 2018). While there is growing literature to support the social-cultural and occupational needs of adults in this population, few programs and research efforts have explored the life skill and developmental needs of children (Fleary et al., 2019).

Purpose: The purpose and objectives of this capstone project were to examine the planning, execution, follow-up, and contextual adaptation of the programs provided to children and youth at a …

The Impact Of Volunteer Transportation On Older Adult’S Engagement In Meaningful Activities, Belinda Alexander

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Without accessible transportation alternatives, many older adults experience declined activity levels, social isolation, and decreased occupational engagement resulting from their lack of community mobility and access. Volunteer transportation programs have been successfully used as an additional community mobility option for many older adults, especially those unable to access the traditional public transportation options, such as buses or taxis, found in many communities.

Purpose: While numerous transportation options, or alternatives, may exist in a community, no studies to date have examined or compared engagement levels related to a specific form of alternative transportation. Therefore, the purpose of this …

Understanding Parent Beliefs And Attitudes Regarding Healthy Relationships And Sexuality Education: Bridging The Inclusivity Gap, Marie C. Zarrilli

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Children, adolescents, and young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are often excluded from receiving Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), even though they are at increased vulnerability for sexual abuse and exploitation. Although some curricula are emerging that are adapted for individuals with IDD, rigorous effectiveness studies are sparse. The purpose of this capstone project was to empirically explore the beliefs, attitudes, and comfort level of parents with sexuality education program types and content regarding their own parent/child communication and the need for training and resources. This capstone project used a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive survey design. The survey consisted of …

Therapists’ Perceptions Of Student Preparedness Regarding Hand Therapy And The Use Of Occupation-Based Interventions, Stephanie Ye

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Current literature suggests OT Level II students may not be sufficiently prepared to begin a Level II fieldwork hand therapy placement. ACOTE standards are generalized for the orthopedic content in curriculum for occupational therapy programs. OT students, faculty, and practitioners recognize there may be additional specific demands for upper extremity rehabilitation practice not included in the ACOTE standards. Biomechanical assessments are more likely to be used rather than occupation-based assessments in hand therapy clinics. In addition, previous research found that occupation-based interventions within hand therapy practice have declined due to a primarily biomechanical approach.

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Two Handwriting Programs On Legibility In First Grade Students, Whitney Cook

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Handwriting is one of the most utilized forms of written communication and there is a lack of research comparing the effectiveness of two different handwriting programs in elementary aged students.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Capstone project was to compare the efficacy of two handwriting programs implemented in first grade classes at one elementary school in Kentucky. The research question that guided this Capstone Project was: Which of the following handwriting programs were more effective in achieving handwriting legibility in first grade students: Handwriting Without Tears or Write Start?

Theoretical Framework: …

Occupational Therapists’ Consideration Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity When Working With Adolescents: An Exploratory Study, Kristin Willey

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: A review of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (AOTA, 2020) and scholarly literature within healthcare fields, including occupational therapy, discuss the contextual issues of occupational justice and health disparities in situations when sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are not considered as part of the occupational therapy process.

Purpose: This study explored if occupational therapists (OTs) considered a client’s SOGI when providing services to an adolescent. Subsequent research questions were: do OTs perceive that SOGI influences adolescents’ occupations, and do OTs perceive gaps in their knowledge related to SOGI?

Theoretical Framework: This research project was based on …

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of The Value Of Collaboration With School-Based Occupational Therapists, Jennifer Edick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Literature review coupled with needs assessment data indicated that collaborative practices between teachers and occupational therapists might not be happening consistently and may be in need of improvement. Further research is needed to determine elementary teachers’ perceptions of the value of collaboration with occupational therapists in order to ensure maximum benefit for the students.

Purpose: This Capstone Project focused on identifying elementary teachers’ perceptions of the value of collaboration with occupational therapists and validating the need for improved occupational therapy supports in the school environment.

Theoretical Framework: This Capstone Project was guided by the National Interprofessional Competency Framework (NICF), …

Get The Wiggles Out: Sensory Paths A Motor-Based Intervention To Decrease Out-Of-Seat Events In Preschool Children With Special Needs., Teresa Ludwig

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sensory Paths are sensory motor-based interventions that will provide opportunities for teachers to incorporate structured movement into the natural classroom routine, such as before circle time, to help the children in their classes be ready for learning by increasing attention and decreasing out of seat events.

This single subject A-B-A design project, rooted in the Ecology of Human Performance framework, explored providing structured sensory motor-based opportunities prior to circle time throughout the classroom day to decrease interfering behaviors in the classroom, such as out of seat behaviors and improve attention during circle time.

The results indicate that the Sensory Paths …

How Does Intraprofessional And Interprofessional Collaboration Impact The Use Of Occupation-Based Practice In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Stedmon D. Hopkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Research shows that there are many barriers to the implementation of occupation-based practice amongst occupational therapy practitioners. One barrier that requires a more in-depth review is the process of interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration amongst staff in skilled nursing facilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to examine how interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration influence occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistant’s ability to provide occupation-based practice in skilled nursing facilities.

Theoretical Framework: The frameworks utilized throughout this study included the National Interprofessional Competency Framework and the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model (OTIPM).

Methods: This study utilized a …

Parental Educational And Engagement Through Positioning And Play, Gaile E. Seay

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This project is to increase the confidence of parents/caregivers via education about their infants that may not otherwise be provided by other health care professionals. This project also provides early intervention to the infants in efforts to facilitate their maximum development through proper positioning for sleeping and play. Purpose: The purpose of this project was a parental education class for parents/primary caregivers of babies ages 0-6 months. They were educated about their child’s development, and how to engage their baby through play and positioning for optimal cognitive, communication, and social-emotional development. This class and project sought to enhance parents’ …

An Interprofessional Learning Experience With Occupational Therapy Assistant And Physical Therapist Assistant Students Through A Simulated Educational Environment, Brooke Gentry

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study is to explore if occupational therapy assistant students demonstrate increased perceived confidence and communication skills. This was completed through interprofessional interactions during a simulated lab-based case with physical therapist assistant students. The perceived confidence and communication are measured through a pre and post survey using the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS). Each student completed the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) pretest prior to the event. The students underwent an educational lecture, lab demonstrations, and training for the performance of the practical application. The students participated in a simulated patient experience of …

Assistive Technology In Transition Programming For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Jennifer L. Veenendall

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are employed at lower rates than those without disabilities and evidence supports the use of assistive technology (AT) to improve vocational outcomes for this population. This preliminary study investigated the impact of AT training among special educators in secondary transition programming. The results provide useful information that can be used to guide decisions regarding additional training and interventions to build capacity in quality AT service delivery for young adults transitioning into work roles within this program. Successful implementation of person-centered AT problem-solving and decision-making could positively impact the integrated employment options and opportunities for young adults …

Examining Cognitive, Social And Teaching Presence In A Virtual Professional Continuing Education Workshop, Christina Bretz

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Due to COVID 19, there has been an increase in opportunities for online learning due to the reduction of in-person trainings. As occupational therapist practitioners, we have a responsibility to complete our professional continuing education and maintain our skills proficiently, whether those trainings are in-person or virtually. Therefore, the effectiveness and quality of professional training should not decrease when the delivery system is switched from in person to online.

Purpose: This study addressed professional continuing education for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and Pre-K thru 5th grade teachers in a virtual environment. The primary purpose of this study was …

The Role Of Rehabilitation Services In Managing Delirium In The Icu: A Retrospective Chart Review, Veronique Munier

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: The onset of delirium during a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) is considered a sign of complication and is associated with increased risk of mortality and longer stays. Monitoring for delirium and incorporating early rehabilitation services (occupational therapy and physical therapy) are considered promising, evidence-based strategies to manage delirium.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess current practices for 1) delirium monitoring and 2) rehabilitation intervention as part of delirium management. The study verified the rate of delirium monitoring using standardized assessments, prevalence of delirium, the interval between admission to the ICU and …

Interdisciplinary Collaboration In The Homecare Setting, Erica J. Arndt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Communication among interdisciplinary team members is a key component in providing quality care to patients. In the homecare setting, there are unique challenges to ensure effective communication occurs.

Purpose: To compare perceived interdisciplinary collaboration and work engagement between a team of homecare clinicians who were involved with identifying why critical clinical and social information is not communicated with a team of homecare clinicians who were not involved

Theoretical Framework. The Person Environment Occupation Performance (PEOP) model provided the theoretical framework for this project.

Methods. A quasi-experimental interrupted time series design with an intervention and control group was used. The …

Implications For Occupational Therapy Student Stress, Well-Being, And Coping: A Scoping Review, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Leah S. Dunn, Amanda M. Carpenter

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Scholarly literature and non-scholarly news sources have highlighted stressors in higher education. The rigor of occupational therapy education can compound student stress. Although the profession recognizes these stressors, insufficient literature exists regarding strategies to cope with and manage these sources of stress. This scoping review explored the literature examining stress and the implications for occupational therapy student well-being and coping, and also identified strategies for faculty to support student well-being. Using PRISMA Scoping Review guidelines, a systematic, multi-phase process was used to identify relevant literature. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, MEDLINE Complete, Web of Science, ERIC, and Education Database. …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Experiences Of Team-Based Learning: A Multi-Year Study, Bhing-Leet Tan, I-Ling Yeh, Phyllis Liang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many health sciences disciplines have adopted team-based learning (TBL) as part of their education pedagogy, with studies showing increased classroom participation and learner satisfaction. However, it will be beneficial to explore the learning experiences of occupational therapy students in TBL using a mixed methods approach. In an undergraduate occupational therapy program, students undertook three clinical modules using TBL in years two and three. This study explored their perceptions and experiences of TBL. This was a mixed methods prospective cohort study, during which two cohorts of students from Academic Year (AY) 2016 and AY2017 completed the Team-Based Learning Student Assessment Instrument …

Exploring Occupational Therapy Student Stress: Professor And Student Perspectives, Jessica Grab, Meghan Green, Julianna Norris, Kristen Pilchik, Grace S. Fisher

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to identify occupational therapy student stress levels and determine factors influencing this emotional response. The study also sought to obtain the perspective of occupational therapy professors on this issue. This mixed-methods study utilized an online quantitative descriptive survey and a telephone or face-to-face qualitative open-ended interview. Online survey respondents included a nationwide sample of 340 occupational therapy professors and 459 occupational therapy students. Additionally, nine professors and five students served as the interviewees. All professors were certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and employed either full or part time …

Book Review: The Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone: A Framework For The Experience And Project, Linda R. Struckmeyer, Paula J. Costello

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This paper is a book review of The Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone: A Framework for the Experience and Project (DeIuliis & Bednarski, 2019). This review includes a description of the book, content summary, and critical analysis of its educational value. Overall, this book is recommended as a resource for doctoral capstone coordinators.

Exploring How Integrative Seminars Contribute To Students’ Readiness For Level Ii Fieldwork, Robyn Wu, Chi-Kwan Shea

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The integrative seminar is an evidence-based teaching-learning approach that has recently been used to help prepare occupational therapy students for Level II fieldwork. Integrative seminars provide a dedicated context for students to synthesize their learning across various subjects in a professional curriculum. The seminars also focus on practical application of didactic learning. To explore the students’ self-perceived effectiveness of this innovation in occupational therapy education, post-fieldwork survey feedback was collected from a recent cohort of students who participated in a four-course integrative seminar series. Most students indicated that the integrative seminars contributed to their critical thinking, communication/reporting skills, interpersonal skills, …

Considerations In The Use Of Podcasts For Teaching And Learning In Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Study, Sarah Briand, Ingrid Malo-Leclerc, Michaël Beaudoin, Étienne Croisetière, Alexandre Tremblay, Mariane Côté-Boulanger, Annie Carrier

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Evidence-based practice integrates and supports the best interventions in clinical practice. However, a gap of about ten years may elapse between the production of evidence and integration of best practices in clinical settings. Some technologies, such as podcasting, have become increasingly popular and are emerging as an innovative teaching modality that can support knowledge acquisition and integration. This scoping study gathered and synthesized the information in the literature regarding the use of podcasts by occupational therapy clinicians and students as a means for teaching and learning evidence-based knowledge. A scoping study approach was used following the five stages defined by …

Is Compressed And Limited Synchronous Delivery Of Anatomy Content In A Hybrid Delivery Format Effective In Transitional Ot Student Learning?, Reivian Berrios Barillas, Kathy J. Lemley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Hybrid occupational therapy (OT) students transitioning from certified OT assistants (COTAs) to OTs can successfully learn graduate-level anatomy in a compressed format with limited synchronous instruction time. The effectiveness of a human anatomy course with limited synchronous instruction time for transitional hybrid occupational therapy students was investigated. A retrospective, non-randomized study was used. A university graduate level human anatomy course for transitional OT students used prosected (previously dissected) cadavers. Students (n=46, 32 instruction hours over 16 weeks) final anatomy course grades for three cohorts were measured retrospectively. There was a 98% first-time pass rate and 100% second time …

Evaluation Of A Simulation-Based Training Program On Childhood Trauma With Occupational Therapy Students, Julie Miller-Cribbs, Jedediah E. Bragg, Mary Isaacson, Eden D. E. Nay, Daniel Howell, Kristin Rodriguez, Frances Wen, Martina Jelley, Kim Coon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An educational and simulation-based training model, the Professional ACEs-Informed Training for Health Professionals designed for allied health students was evaluated using a pre-and-post design. The training model emphasizes trauma-informed care and uses social simulation to educate and train students with skills to address adverse childhood experiences. This study evaluated occupational therapy students’ (N=70) levels of self-efficacy and knowledge of trauma-informed care at both pre- and post-training. Analysis of variance results indicated a statistically significant improvement in students’ levels of general self-efficacy and knowledge from pre- to post-assessment (p < .01). These results are suggestive of the usefulness of brief …

Evaluation Of An On-Campus Program Bridging The Theory-Practice Gap In Occupational Therapy Education: Student Perspective, Homa Zahedi, Sarah-Jayne Rowe

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The transfer of learning from an academic setting to fieldwork and vice versa is not straightforward and occupational therapy students often report this as challenging. In acknowledgement of this, the fieldwork placement learning structure within the Bachelor and Master occupational therapy entry-level programs at a higher education institute was redesigned to enhance links between taught content at university and fieldwork placement. The aim of this study was to explore occupational therapy students’ perspectives of this new educational initiative. The students attended university for a set number of days over the course of their first and second fieldwork placements. The sessions …

All Work Or All Play? The Impact Of Cultural And Clinical Activities On Perceived Cultural Sensitivity Development During An Occupational Therapy Service Learning Experience, Monique C. Chabot, Adair Sanchez, Said Nafai, Elizabeth Stevens-Nafai

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

International service learning experiences provide invaluable opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners and students to practice clinical skills while also being exposed to different cultures and experiences not available in their home country. Studies have shown that clinical activities during international service learning experiences increase students’ cultural awareness and sensitivity, however the effect of cultural activities on students’ development is not known. Over the span of two years, multiple groups of American occupational therapy students traveled to Morocco for a ten day service learning experience and served in a variety of clinical activities across the lifespan and population. Students also participated …

Outcomes Of International Service Learning (Isl): Alumni Perspectives, Karen Schnedl, Lauren E. Milton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Service learning is an active method that combines academic knowledge and hands-on experience while serving a community. Service learning is well established within occupational therapy (OT) and allied health education, as many institutions have organized both domestic and international service learning experiences. Literature supports student benefits of participation in international service learning (ISL), but limited literature exists on the long-term impact of participation in ISL throughout allied health education. Many OT students participate in ISL during their education, but there is limited literature on the impact of an ISL experience on participants’ careers in OT. In this qualitative study, an …

Occupation-Focused Learning And Personal Development Through Service-Learning, Sarah Quinn, Katie Cremin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Experiential learning is not without its challenges. Following a pilot examination of student feedback on practical and learning difficulties they encountered, students’ experiences of their occupation-focused, service-learning module was systematically explored using a case study design. Concurrent mixed methods were employed to collect data with emphasis on qualitative data gathered through weekly, guided reflective journals and online forums. Students were also surveyed pre and post module to validate data on their experiences regarding their concerns, perceived learning, and evaluation of the module. Four themes were identified. These related to students’ increased understanding of the use and value of occupation; their …