Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Sanctuary: Counter-Oppressive Relationships With Farmed Animals As An Ecopsychological Imperative, Kelsey Bomboy

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

Consumers are intentionally shielded from and often misled about the process of breeding, raising, and slaughtering animals for consumption. By confining most farmed animals to warehouses in rural areas while the majority of humans are sequestered in urban areas, we have effectively created a world where humans do not have to contend with the sense of interconnectedness that arises when witnessing and being witnessed by a farmed animal. Within industrial slaughterhouses, the physical act of killing is minimized to just a fraction of the workers, so that even those who are responsible for rendering a once living being will never …

Cultivating The Growing Self, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Khanna Blithe O. Cortes-Amores, MAOT, OTRP, clinician, assistant professor at Cebu Doctors’ University, and co-founder of The Growing Self, a mental health occupational therapy clinic in Cebu, Philippines, provided the cover art for the fall issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The watercolor painting, titled Peace (2017), features a dreamlike image of a serene female figure with hair that merges into the limbs and branches of a tree. A leafy green vine winds upward around her torso, becomes transparent as it partly overlays her face, and defines the crown of her head. Colorful abstract petal and earthen …

The Importance Of The New Caregiver Codes In Occupational Therapy, Jayna Niblock, Elizabeth G. Hunter, Carli Dimeo, Jackson Miller, Manali George, Allison M. Martin, Samantha M. Barefoot

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists play a critical role in supporting caregivers, a role that continues to grow with the rising number of unpaid family caregivers. Evidence shows that occupational therapists-led caregiver interventions, ranging from skills training to problem-solving and environmental modifications, significantly improve both caregiver and client outcomes. In 2024 and 2025, new Caregiver Training Services (CTS) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were introduced, enabling occupational therapists to bill and allowing for reimbursement of caregiver education directly tied to client goals. While these codes offer a transformative opportunity to formalize and fund caregiver support, their adoption has been limited because of …

An Occupational Revolution: Reclaiming What Matters, Carol Lambdin-Pattavina, Wendy B. Stav, Nicole Quint, Sandee M. Dunbar

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Intentional use of the word occupation to describe why, what, and how we do as occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants is central to maintaining our professional identity and to centering occupation in everyday practice. Throughout occupational therapy's history, using occupation, as opposed to words such as task or activity, has fallen both in and out of favor in practice and education in the United States. Some argue that task and activity, while not reflective of the nuances of the word occupation, including meaning and purpose, are more accessible to external audiences than occupation, which is often confused with …

Policy Solutions For Traumatic Brain Injury: Advancing New York State's First Tbi Special Needs Assisted Living Program, Dianne Schwarz, Natalie F. Douglas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) presents long-term challenges that are poorly addressed by traditional assisted living and nursing home models. In New York State, individuals with moderate to severe TBI are often placed in settings unequipped to provide cognitive, behavioral, and neurorehabilitative care. This policy and advocacy paper proposes the establishment of a Special Needs Assisted Living Program (SNALP) specifically for individuals with TBI. Drawing from clinical expertise, stakeholder engagement, and a discontinued but promising pilot program, this manuscript outlines the systemic barriers to TBI-specific care, including regulatory gaps, lack of Medicaid reimbursement, and limited public awareness. The proposed model integrates …

Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions Of Sexuality And Intimacy Education: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jennifer H. Barnett, Amanda K. Giles

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Sexuality and intimacy are meaningful activities within the scope of occupational therapy (OT), encompassing valued roles and occupations that contribute significantly to a person’s health, well-being, and identity. Despite acknowledgement of their importance, many occupational therapists overlook these areas during routine assessment and intervention because of feelings of insufficient knowledge, comfort, and confidence. This study used a cross-sectional design to electronically survey 149 occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students across their first, second, or third year of education to determine their perceptions of sexuality and intimacy education. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed via codebook …

Integrating Behavioral Health Practice Approaches And Occupational Therapy: Curricular Considerations, Kaylynn M. Garrison, Susan C. Burwash

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy programs preparing occupational therapists to work in the field need to enhance students' education surrounding mental/behavioral health (MH/BH) needs. Thus, a curricular approach is needed that not only includes OT conceptual practice models but also those practice approaches used in MH/BH care. Creating educational experiences that include knowledge from inside and outside OT establishes theoretical foundations that better equip students entering practice to address mental health needs of their clients. Further, educators can assist students to appraise the fit between specific practice approaches and OT practice. A review of current MH/BH literature found three common practice approaches used …

Exploring Career Pathways Of The Occupational Therapy Afwc Role: A Review Of Push, Pull, And Stay Factors, Kimberley Persons, Patricia Laverdure, Elizabeth Lequieu, Elizabeth D. Deiuliis

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Academic Fieldwork Coordinators (AFWCs) are essential to occupational therapy (OT) education, yet little is known about the career pathways, retention, and attrition associated with this role. With increasing faculty turnover, understanding the factors that influence AFWC career decisions is critical. This mixed-methods study surveyed 187 OT educators across the US, including current, former, and never-serving AFWCs. A researcher-designed Qualtrics survey gathered demographic, quantitative, and open-ended qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square tests; qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. Respondents reported psychological (e.g., burnout, satisfaction), job (e.g., mentoring, administrative burden), organizational (e.g., support, workload), and leadership/team (e.g., recognition, collaboration) factors …

Optimizing Academic Success For Otd Students: A Lassi-Based Pre/Posttest Study On Intervention Effectiveness, Mica Rutschke, Dailen Castillo, Lauren Peyton

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Graduate students frequently experience heightened anxiety that can interfere with academic performance, well-being, and persistence in graduate programs. This pilot study explored the effectiveness of a targeted academic intervention for Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students using the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) as a pre/post assessment tool. Ten first-year OTD students completed the LASSI at program entry and again after participating in a faculty-led intervention focused on growth mindset and anxiety management strategies. The intervention included a lunch-hour educational session on evidence-based techniques, such as mindfulness, test-taking skills, cognitive reframing, and stress regulation. Faculty advisors also used individualized LASSI …

Deliberate Practice In Occupational Therapy Education: A Conceptual Model For Professional Growth, Suzanne Marasco, Matthew A. Witenstein

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In response to national calls for a more representative health care workforce, this conceptual paper proposes the Model of Deliberate Occupational Therapy Practice (MDOTP), which aims to enhance pedagogical strategies related to supporting, engaging, and leveraging students’ unique cultural and experiential assets. Grounded in the scholarship of integration, authors draw from three theoretical frameworks, Funds of Knowledge, Therapeutic Use of Self, and Street-Level Bureaucracy, to provide a robust foundation for refining psychosociocultural approaches in occupational therapy education. After describing the MDOTP, a subsequent set of Guiding Principles (encourage reflective practice, development of the professional self, incorporate community-based learning, and promote …

School-Based Executive Function Guideline (Sb-Efg): A Practice Guideline For Executive Function Assessment And Intervention In School-Based Practice, Ida Koraitem, Amanda Sarafian, Lenin Grajo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Executive functioning (EF) is comprised of various cognitive skills, such as working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, which monitor and guide goal-directed behavior and set a foundation on which healthy development may occur. Although the impact of EF skills on school participation has increasingly been recognized over the years, there are limited occupational therapy models that help occupational therapists integrate EF intervention into school-based practice. Children with limitations in EF have unique needs and challenges that impact school participation; therefore, it is imperative that occupational therapists address EF in school-based practice. This author- developed practice guideline discusses essential elements …

The Empower Model: A Framework For Fostering Neurodivergent Occupational Participation And Supporting Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy Practice, Bryden Carlson-Giving

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Neurodivergent occupations are ways of embodying life and experiencing the world that speak true to their neurotype; they are vivid, complex, and need to be fostered by the occupational therapy profession. Though the neurodiversity movement is garnering increased attention in the profession, the medical model of disability remains the dominating lens influencing occupational therapy services. Neuronormativity remains the ideal form of participation, which can lead to occupational therapists manifesting occupational marginalization with their neurodivergent clients. To date, there is a lack of practical frameworks supporting occupational therapists in integrating neurodiversity-affirming and anti-ableist principles into everyday occupational therapy practice. This paper …

Occupational Therapy For Ostomy Patients In Acute Care: A Case Series, Carolina Orozco, John V. Rider, Pamela Morales

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Ostomy surgery, which diverts stool or urine through an abdominal stoma, significantly impacts individuals’ physical and psychosocial functioning. Skilled education and training are required to promote independence in ostomy self-care. Occupational therapists are uniquely equipped to address these needs through holistic, person-centered approaches.

Method: This retrospective descriptive case series examines the integration of occupational therapy services, including ostomy-specific evaluation and intervention, for three patients in an acute care hospital.

Results: Three cases, varying in age, diagnosis, and functional status, demonstrate individualized occupational therapy interventions targeting activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and health management, emphasizing ostomy …

Interventions For Lgbtq+ Youth: A Scoping Review To Support Occupational Therapy Practice In The United States, Ricardo D. Ramirez, Iris Nosek, Alexandrea Guiritan, Annalise Valente, Francinne Fotopoulos, Jennifer Westrick

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Youth in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other dissident genders and sexualities (LGBTQ+) community face extensive health disparities and dynamic political landscapes. Occupational therapy (OT) has potential to support LGBTQ+ youth; however, there is limited guidance for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants seeking to implement evidence-based interventions with this population. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to examine interventions within the scope of OT to support LGBTQ+ youth.

Method: We used Arksey and O'Malley’s framework to guide this scoping review and searched five databases: PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Using …

Autism And Air Travel, Joceline Rodriguez, Riley Rynders, Mckenzie Guth, Divya Sood

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Autistic children frequently encounter several difficulties during travel, especially in airport environments. This research study aimed to investigate the perceptions of parents of autistic children, as well as airport and airline staff, regarding the support available and barriers these children encounter during air travel.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used, involving data collection through interviews with two distinct groups of participants: airport and airline staff (n = 4) and caregivers of autistic children (n = 5).

Results: Caregiver participants shared that having access to quiet spaces, sensory rooms, and more readily available information on accommodation …

Group Occupational Therapy Sessions Using Hippotherapy: Growth Of Resilience And Leadership In Youth Facing Adversity, Marra I. Robert, Julie Jacob, Gerry Conti, Laura Alegre

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Youth experiencing adversity face significant challenges and are more likely to experience mental health concerns, low self-confidence, and difficulty with leadership skills, impacting their future occupational potential. This study examined the impact of using hippotherapy in a group occupational therapy intervention on the resilience, mental health, and leadership of youth facing adversity.

Method: Twenty-one youth experiencing adversity participated in a 10-week group occupational therapy intervention. Using a single-group pretest/posttest mixed-methods design, the Resilience Scale for Children and Adolescents (RSCA) was administered pr and postintervention alongside structured interviews.

Results: Quantitative results indicated statistically significant improvements in emotional …

Experiences Of Parents Of Children Diagnosed With Eating Disorders, Elizabeth C. Larson Traver, Crystal C. Barchacky

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Eating disorders are diagnoses found throughout the world regardless of race, gender, and age. Recovery for these diagnoses are typically demanding and on-going, leading parents and caregivers of those diagnosed to face substantial stress throughout the process. While many treatments use caregivers as agents of change, these are established with the client in mind and do little to aid the families through their own stress and decline in well-being.

Method: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 10 caregivers during their children's recovery through in-depth interviews regarding that time of their lives. Participants were recruited via …

Promoting The Well-Being Of Refugee Students Through A Kawa-Guided Occupational Therapy Intervention: A Mixed-Methods Study, Suzanne Brederson, Heidi Baist, Jennifer E. Lape

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Refugee students newly enrolled in U.S. schools encounter academic, socialization, and mental health challenges because of trauma, language barriers, and cultural differences. Many have had limited or interrupted access to formal education in their home country. This study aimed to gain the perspectives of refugee students on their lived experiences and explore the impact of an occupational therapy intervention guided by the Kawa model on the well-being of this student population.

Methods: The researchers employed a convergent mixed-methods design. Refugee students (n = 8) created Kawa models, which provided rich, qualitative data. Participants completed pre and posttest surveys. Quantitative …

Effects Of The Lsvt Big® On Occupational Performance And Functional Skills In Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Study, Sandra J. Allen, Madison Gumm, Donald Stapleton, Lexee Trainer, Lydia Workman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) leads to motor decline and reduced occupational performance. Limited evidence addresses if gains from the LSVT BIG® are sustained, particularly in occupation-focused outcomes.

Objective: This single-subject study evaluated the effects of the LSVT BIG® on occupational performance and functional skill outcomes in a 69-year-old woman with PD, and whether improvements were sustained 8 weeks postintervention.

Methods: The participant completed 16 1-hr LSVT BIG® sessions over 4 weeks. Outcomes included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (PASS), the Five Times Sit to Stand (FTSTS), and the Functional Reach Test (FRT). …

Solving The Problem Of Non-Linear Data In The Health Care Professions Using Spline Regression, Heather Staal, Rob Lyerla, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Turkish Translation And Cultural Adaptation Of The Evaluation In Ayres Sensory Integration (Easi), Aymen Balikci, Ayse Firdevs Aracikul Balikci, Isabelle Beaudry-Bellefeuille, Gamze Cagla Sirma, Fatos Kirteke, Zoe Mailloux, L. Diane Parham, Susanne Smith Roley, Roseann C. Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Cultural sensitivity and relevance are critical components for best practice in occupational therapy assessment. The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) is a performance-based assessment designed to evaluate sensory perception, sensory reactivity, postural control, ocular control, bilateral integration, and praxis abilities in children aged 3-12 years. Before the development of this tool, no standardized performance-based assessment of sensory integration functions had included a normative Turkish sample. The objective of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the EASI for Türkiye.

METHOD: A seven-step process for translation and cross-cultural adaptation, grounded in established methodology, was applied. The steps included …

Joy To The Rehabilitation World: A Call To Incorporate Enjoyment Into Clinical Practice, Cristina Colón-Semenza, Raymond Jones, Winston Kennedy

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Although multiple academic disciplines recognize the motivational power of joy, rehabilitation professionals have, historically, underemphasized this construct in clinical practice. In addition, many clinicians report persistent challenges in motivating patients to adhere to prescribed exercise regimens. In response, there is growing advocacy for integrating affective-based interventions into practice. This overview aims to 1) raise awareness among rehabilitation professionals about the role of joy in physical rehabilitation, 2) illustrate how joy influences physical activity engagement and recovery outcomes, 3) outline evidence-based strategies for enhancing joy in clinical settings, and 4) introduce validated measures of joy suitable for use in practice. By …

Reimagining Clinical Education: Interprofessional Simulation And Clinical Skill Readiness In Nursing And Occupational Therapy Curricula, Gretchen Johnson, Linda Barnett, Lori Aaron-Brija, Emily Berkowitz

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: As the healthcare landscape evolves, education for health professionals must prepare future practitioners to meet emerging challenges and navigate diverse care settings. Integrating interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities within healthcare curricula supports the development of essential clinical skill competencies and collaboration across multiple disciplines. The Clinical Skill Readiness interprofessional model prepares students for successful clinical rotations by integrating assessment and skill development. Students develop vital interprofessional skills, with specific emphasis on communication, professionalism, and role clarity, all of which are essential for effective practice in a collaborative clinical setting. Methods: Nursing and occupational therapy students participated in timed treatment sessions …

Enhancing Interprofessional Collaboration Through Occupational Therapy-Led Stress Reduction Intervention During Post Mass Casualty Simulation Debriefing Process, Benjamin Gross, Katherine Jones, Jennifer Radziak, Ralph C. Bay, Sue Dahl-Popolizio

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether an occupational therapist (OT) led stress reduction intervention, implemented as part of an interprofessional education initiative, could be integrated into a mass casualty simulation and whether it was effective in reducing self-reported stress among healthcare students. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods design was used following an interdisciplinary mass casualty simulation involving first-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Physician Assistant (PA) students (N=190). After a standard educational debriefing, participants engaged in a 25-minute OT-led stress reduction session consisting of structured, activity-based strategies. A retrospective pretest survey administered …

Knowledge Of Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Dementia In Down Syndrome: A Cross-Section Survey Of Rehabilitation Graduate Students, Alan F. Smith, Abigail R. Donaway

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Adults with Down syndrome have an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease–related dementia, often presenting with behavioral and functional changes rather than early memory impairment. Rehabilitation professionals may observe these changes across the lifespan; however, preparedness during professional training is unclear. This study examined graduate student knowledge of dementia in individuals with Down syndrome across rehabilitation disciplines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to graduate students in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs in the United States (N = 322). Outcomes included factual knowledge, recognition of stage-related characteristics, and familiarity with diagnostic and care considerations. …

Beyond Walking: Exploring Functional Use Of Exoskeletons In The Home Environment, Sue D. Dahl-Popolizio, Adam M. Story, Thomas Hartman, Lacee Andrews, Jennifer Radziak, Angela Zhu, Joelly Lobato De Faria Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This pilot study was completed to determine whether individuals with paraplegia can perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in their homes using a personal exoskeleton. The physiological effects of using an exoskeleton for these tasks were investigated as well. Methods: In this mixed-methods observational study, participants with paraplegia were observed using an exoskeleton to complete ADLs and IADLs in their homes. Performance and satisfaction with performance were measured before and after home exoskeleton use with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The level of importance of completing ADLs and IADLs to the …

Best Practices For Supporting Occupational Therapy Students With Disabilities During Clinical Education: Results From A Three-Round Delphi Study, Courtney Gohean, Katie Mclaughlin, Aster Harrison

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Disabled occupational therapy students face systemic barriers in clinical education. Although legal mandates require reasonable accommodations, implementation is often inconsistent, and few standardized guidelines exist for fieldwork education. This study is aimed at establishing best practices for supporting occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students with disabilities during fieldwork.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 30 experts, including disabled occupational therapy students, disabled occupational therapy practitioners, academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs), fieldwork educators (FWEs), disability services staff, and researchers. In Round 1, participants answered open-ended questions about challenges, accommodations, and environmental supports. Responses …

The Forgotten Adl: An Educational Program Addressing Personal Hygiene And Grooming For Older Adults​, Ashlee D. Moten, Becky King

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Some older adults have difficulty completing personal hygiene and grooming tasks independently and require assistance from an informal caregiver. However, informal caregivers often become stressed and overwhelmed due to limited educational resources and support available. These tasks include all oral, skin, nail, and hair care, such as brushing hair, applying deodorant, clipping nails, or brushing teeth (AOTA, 2020). OTs can help develop interventions to enhance participation in personal hygiene and grooming tasks. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an educational program to equip older adults and their informal caregivers with strategies for participating in personal hygiene and …

Expressive Arts For Women Experiencing Homelessness, Theresa G. Karman, Susan Macdermott, Amy Lyons-Brown

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Women experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence face significant occupational disruptions, including challenges related to emotional regulation, identity, social participation, and engagement in meaningful occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) can support recovery by addressing these occupational needs through trauma-informed and occupation-centered interventions.

Purpose: This doctoral capstone project developed and implemented Express & Empower Studio, a six-week expressive arts program designed to promote emotional expression, self-efficacy, social participation, and engagement in meaningful occupations among women residing in a domestic violence shelter.

Methods: Program development was guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) within …

Cultivating Participation: Developing An Evidence-Based Farm-Based Sensory Integration Protocol For A Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinic, Katelyn Childers

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop a comprehensive, evidence-informed farm-based sensory integration framework that translates current evidence into practical clinical resources to support therapist education, caregiver engagement, and consistent implementation of occupation centered intervention at Zion Therapy Services.