Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Workload Model In School-Based Occupational Therapy Practice: Administrators' Perspective, Rachel K. Boileau, Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Background: School-based occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) experience alarming levels of burnout and poor work satisfaction related to excessive caseload (Garfinkel & Seruya, 2018; Stephenson, 2019). The workload model has the potential for positive results (AOTA, 2014), as it compensates an OTP for all tasks performed, not just student-facing time (Garfinkel & Seruya, 2018; Corley et al., 2023). However, this model, has been promoted by the American Occupational Therapy Association for more than a decade, is not widely used (Garfinkel & Seruya, 2018; Corley et al., 2023). The reasons for the slow espousal of the model are not yet understood, but …

Home Health “Start Of Care” Policy Change: Examining Occupational Therapist Engagement In New Responsibilities, Megan Atkinson, Otd, Ma, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

A 2022 federal policy change allowed occupational therapists (OTs) to open home health cases in a process known as the Start of Care or SOC, a responsibility previously limited to nurses, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) recognizes the opportunity for increased professional value and service utilization and called upon practitioners to advocate such and to educate home health agencies about the change. Since clinicians’ practice patterns are directly impacted by such policy changes, because current OT participation in and perspective on new responsibilities were unknown, it was important to hear directly from these therapists. …

Exploring The Benefits Of Blazepod Technology Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Carson Bryan, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

BlazePod technology is an intervention used successfully in Physical Therapy (PT) to address motor coordination deficits, however, there is limited evidence that OTs can successfully use it as a preparatory intervention with individuals who have motor coordination and cognitive deficits and are unable to independently complete everyday occupations such as dressing, bathing, toileting, etc.

The focus of this project was to provide evidence that supports how the occupational therapy profession can utilize BlazePod technology as a preparatory intervention tool to address motor coordination and cognitive deficits that in turn will enhance ADLs and IADLs.

The Role Of Ot In Accessible Air Travel For Individuals With Disabilities, Jezaray Clark-Casto, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project addressed the critical issue of limited accessibility in air travel for individuals with disabilities, in collaboration with All Wheels Up. The project aimed to enhance awareness and provide practical resources to support inclusive air travel practices. Key objectives included developing educational materials, engaging healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders, and integrating accessible air travel concepts into occupational therapy practice.

A Glance Into The Roles Of Higher-Level Academia, Camye White

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project looks at the multiple roles of a full-time faculty member in higher-level academia while looking at implications for best practices to pass the NBCOT certification exam.

Summer Vacation: An Ot Program To Address Social Participation, Ashley Jacobs, Lakeisa Boykin

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project aimed to develop asix-week program that addresses the development of social skills during summer vacation for children and adolescents who demonstrate difficulties with social engagement. The program will focus on initiating, building, and maintaining friendships with peers to encourage increased social engagement.

Flow: An Ot-Based Yoga Program, Na'talia Orebeau, Keisa Boykin, Sadé Barnswell

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

At-risk youth are at risk for decreased mental wellness and occupational engagement. There are limited programs available from an occupational therapist standpoint for the population. Flow: An OT-Based Yoga Program focused on bridging this gap by providing a 10-week program focusing on emotional regulation skills, social skills, and occupational engagement.

Aquatics As A Therapeutic Intervention And Its Effects On The Quality Of Life Of People Diagnosed With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Brianna Barcelo, Lakesia Boykin, Helen Carey

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

: Interventions in the form of aquatics have been utilized with the profession of occupational therapy as the aquatic environment is a model setting for addressing occupational therapy interests (Becker, 2009). Although aquatic interventions are utilized within profession, there is limited research discussing how aquatics as a therapeutic intervention effects the quality of life (QoL) of people diagnosed with ALS. Therefore, the purpose of the research project was to explore the effects of aquatics as a therapeutic intervention on the QoL of those diagnosed with ALS.

Karate For Adolescent’S Mental Health, Brooke Albertson, Lakeisa Boykin, Amanda Piepgras

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Description: Mental health is essential for overall health because it affects emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which affects how individuals feel, act, and think (Center for Disease [CDC], 2022). Everyone can react differently to the same issue, which can cause diverse health risks (Gopalkrishnan, 2018). Mental health affects how people handle stress, interact with others, make choices, and participate in occupations that are important to them (CDC, 2022). Mental health issues are most prevalent in young adult, teen, and pre-teen populations.

By promoting based karate program, occupational therapy can prevent and/or reduce mental health issues (Bird, et al., 2019; Jurewicz, …

Ot Lens: Un Paso A La Vez Program For Children With Asd, Ailyn Menas, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The capstone project, OT Lens: Un Paso A La Vez, was delivered through a culturally- tailored online platform to educate occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) and Latinx caregivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children. The online platform, OT Lens: Un Paso A La Vez, consisted of educational modules on various topics, such as ASD, sensory-based, autoregulation strategies, and interventions on basic activities of daily living. This project aimed to bridge the gap by educating OTPs and Latinx caregivers through an educational approach consisting of resources provided in various digital mediums to expand on accessibility, such as digital handouts, modules, videos, and …

Implementation Of Reintegration Program Before Discharge For Veteran Population, Abigail Ross, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

A poster about creating and implementing a Reintegration program for War Veterans so they can possess the skills to be reintegrated into the community after they are discharged from the long-term care facility.

Development Of A Sensory-Based Intervention Manual For Educators, Bralie Dent, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project focused on the development of an educational manual on sensory processing disorder (SPD) for educators. The manual was created as a resource to enhance teachers' understanding of SPD and confidence in implementing sensory-based interventions and accommodations in the classroom for students who have sensory processing difficulties.

Occupational Therapy’S Role In The Success And Positive Outcomes Of Youth Within The Foster System, Cassidy Solomon

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone paper will discuss the development of an occupational therapy program to support the needs of youth within the foster system and prepare this population to live independently. Background information including statistics, the need for occupational therapy, and the program specifics such as rationale, significance, and objective are discussed. The development of an occupational therapy program to aid in the success of children within the foster care system helps close a gap in research that will contribute to this population's success and positive outcomes. The purpose of this capstone was to develop a program for children in the foster …

Advocacy And Education For Children With Low Vision: Cortical Visual Impairment, Logan Coleman, Cynthia Haynes

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project addresses the gap in research and advocacy for children with low vision, particularly those diagnosed with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), the leading cause of visual impairment in children. Through a needs assessment and educational intervention, the project aimed to enhance occupational therapy (OT) students' understanding of low vision in children and their role in addressing it. Pre- and post-surveys revealed a significant increase in knowledge among students, highlighting the need for specialized education in OT curricula. The findings underscore the importance of integrating targeted interventions for children with low vision into OT practice.

Multidisciplinary Sensory Recommendations For Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, Rachael Rice

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone experience was to serve the patients and therapists of the Tampa General Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation at Westshore. Due to the increasing number of referrals to the clinic for Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD), there was a need for education and recommendations for the multidisciplinary team, specifically related to sensory related interventions. There was a need for informational resources for patient education, collaboration between the interdisciplinary team to encourage carryover, and sensory recommendations. FNSD patients may experience a variety of symptoms best treated through a multidisciplinary approach that addresses physical and psychological aspects. Aside from clinical …

National Institutes Of Health: Clinical Research & Clinical Practice Skills In Occupational Therapy, Arianna Z. Cook

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Dance For Sensory Regulation To Increase Positive Classroom Behaviors, Breland Paline, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Children have a primary occupation of play; however, children who are of elementary school age, 5-11 years old, also have a primary occupation of education. Through literature reviews, it has been found that dance can increase positive classroom behaviors such as creativity, classroom participation, and emotional regulation. A needs assessment was completed to gather a baseline of classroom behavior and information regarding the target population. Based on responses from the needs assessment, this program was curated for first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade classes. Classroom teachers completed a pre-survey related to student behaviors in the classroom, such as before and after physical …

Understanding Athletes’ Experience When Transitioning To Life Beyond Sport: A Pilot Study, Alyssa L. Moore

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Education And Management Of Lymphedema, Alison Gillard, Rebecca King

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive condition whose incidence is increasing each year. This underserved population demonstrates frustration and confusion with self-managing symptoms.

This program aimed to compile evidence-based resources into an easily accessible format for the population to use as needed.

Occupational Therapy And Self-Awareness For Adolescents With Mental Health Concerns, Deriyon Johnson, Rebecca King

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The project created an occupation-based program to address the unique needs of adolescents at risk of mental health concerns and promote improved occupational success. The problem presented is the lack of support available to assist adolescents experiencing profound emotional and behavioral challenges, triggering negative impacts on social participation, academics, self-care, and leisure. In addition, the program will introduce coping strategies and improve daily functions to increase motivation for engagement in desired activities. The purpose of the program was to improve these areas through a series of structured activities focusing on mental health awareness, emotional regulation, and personal development. The results …

Occupational Therapy And Expressive Strategies For Youth Trauma Recovery, Darin Lewis, Rebecca King

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a program to address youth mental health concerns through expressive strategies and interventions.

Enablement Of Fishing Among Those With Physical Impairments, Tony Lozada, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The poster explains the capstone process for the development and implementation of a fishing-based program for people with upper extremity impairments.

Developing A Summer Enrichment Program For School-Aged Children: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Summer Experiences, Morgann Lonczak

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Participation in summertime experience for youth have become increasingly popular in most recent years. With the growth in summer experiences including summer camp participation, there is a need to determine the role of occupational therapy in this emerging practice area to best serve the community. A 16-week capstone experience was completed under the supervision of Great Strides Rehabilitation occupational therapy staff. The capstone project aimed to fill a gap in summertime experiences by designing and implementing an occupational therapy led enrichment program to achieve the best outcomes for children and youth. A six-week enrichment program was successfully developed, and two-weeks …

Occupational Therapy's Role For Individuals With Long-Term Neurological Conditions, Courtney Ahle

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Long Covid Rehabilitation, Lisa H. Hamilton

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the integration of Occupational Therapy (OT) into primary care settings, focusing on chronic conditions such as long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). These conditions are often misunderstood by both healthcare providers and the broader community due to their complex and multifaceted symptoms, which necessitate specialized care. The project aimed to create resources and educational materials tailored to the needs of patients and rehabilitation professionals, to enhance the management of these challenging conditions. Additionally, the project placed a strong emphasis on advocacy for individuals with "invisible disabilities," aiming to raise awareness and improve accessibility to …

Remote Work Ergonomics: A Doctoral Capstone Experience, Kaynath Bhamani

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent, ensuring effective ergonomic practices in home-based work environments has emerged as a critical concern. This paper attempts to explore challenges that are associated with remote work and proposes solutions for creating healthier home office environments.

Increasing Parent Participation In Nicu Care And Preparation For Discharge, Biancah A. Derival

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

My capstone project aimed to understand the current evidence that examines the benefits of NICU parental participation to increase preparedness for discharge and provide educational resources to parents and professionals. The first half of my project entailed a revision of hospital provided material to create a weekly developmental timeline that parents can understand. During the second half, educational materials were collected to address parental concerns including early intervention resources, sensory activities/strategies, and age-appropriate toys, safe sleep, and tummy time. Families can incorporate this information in the NICU and the home environment. The resources were revised into physical handouts to take …

Understanding Occupational Therapy’S Role In Injury Prevention For Pickleball Players And Communities, Kelly Lambert

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

An Anxiety And Coping Mechanism Educational Program For Children And Adolescents, Amanda Garrett

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The following capstone project encompassed creating and implementing an educational program focusing on anxiety and coping mechanisms for adolescents 12-15 years of age at the YMCA in Largo, Florida. The academic program focuses on six different types of anxiety, which are generalized anxiety, social anxiety, test anxiety, feelings of panic, feelings of stress, and health anxiety, all in a PowerPoint format. Each of these topics also included a coping mechanism that the teens completed after learning about each different type of anxiety. These coping mechanisms included journaling, creating a stress ball, participating in a yoga class, completing a scavenger hunt …

Development Of An Intensive Outpatient Program (Iop) For Adolescents Of American Military Members Deployed Overseas To Support Mental Health, Aaron N. Brion, Tyler J. Russo

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.