Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Connecting Through Art: A Collaborative Art Program For The Deaf Community, Andrey Meg Bacal, Cristina Dumitrescu, Gary Dennis, Regina Brejda, Maija Vizvary, Jacie Schneider

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

This doctoral capstone project developed, implemented, and evaluated a Deaf-centered, ASL-accessible community art program at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts in Augusta, Georgia. The project addressed communication and environmental barriers that may limit participation in meaningful leisure and community-based occupations. Two ASL-interpreted art sessions and a community art show were completed, with evaluation using adapted PROMIS-based survey items, implementation observations, and quality improvement feedback. Because only two usable anonymous survey responses were available at each time point, findings were summarized descriptively and interpreted as feasibility and implementation information rather than evidence of effectiveness. The project supported the feasibility …

School-Based Sensory Room Education Program: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Makenzie Stiles, Bonnie Fischer-Camara, Tracie Ostrander, Elizabeth Young, Sophia Theodorou, Jacie Schneider

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

Sensory rooms are commonly used within school settings to support students' self-regulation, behavior, and participation in educational activities. However, evidence suggests that special education teachers and teacher aides often receive limited training on the appropriate use of sensory rooms, including identifying students who may benefit and selecting activities based on individual sensory needs. The purpose of this mixed-methods, pre-experimental capstone project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a school-based sensory room education program for special education teachers and teacher aides at Deposit Central School District. Guided by Ayres Sensory Integration® and Adult Learning Theory, the project included a needs assessment, …

Bridging Clinic To Home: The Development Of A Caregiver Education Program To Support Home Carryover Of Feeding Interventions, Rachel Adams

OTD Capstones

Abstract

Objective Caregivers of children with pediatric feeding disorders or difficulties face stressful emotions within the context of feeding. There is an identified gap in pediatric outpatient occupational therapy and the educational resources they provide to caregivers related to feeding. To address this, the capstone project aimed to develop and integrate an evidence-based caregiver education program into the capstone site’s feeding therapy model to make a more well-rounded and all-inclusive feeding therapy program. Methods Two caregiver surveys were sent out along with a staff survey to identify the needs of the site and the caregivers of the clients and to …

Empowering Women Through Surf Therapy: A Trauma-Informed Facilitation Toolkit, Ashlie Steppe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Women who have experienced trauma often face challenges with emotional regulation, sense of safety and daily functioning. Additionally, one in three women experience trauma throughout their lifetime and this can lead to difficulty with connection, body awareness, and engagement in meaningful activities. A local non-profit surf therapy organization was established to provide women with a supportive community and meaningful, nature-based activity to promote healing and connection. The purpose of this quality improvement capstone experience was to address and develop a sustainable trauma-informed wellness toolkit to support facilitators in delivering structured wellness activities within the program. The toolkit specifically addressed key …

A World Of Connection: Asd, Morgan M. Gayton

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a diagnosis that affects many school-aged children (CDC, 2025). Autistic children can have more difficulties engaging with both their peers and their families, which can lead to a lack of social participation. A World of Connection: ASD was a doctoral capstone project centering on social participation for autistic youth. The project blended the capstone student’s expanded knowledge in performing arts with their education in Occupational Therapy to create a 4-part capstone experience. A scoping review targeting the question “what are the most effective performing arts methods to enhance the social participation of autistic children” yielded 9 …

Little Minds, Big Emotions, Marissa Fattorusso

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Little Minds, Big Emotions is a doctoral capstone project designed to support the development of emotional regulation skills in preschool-aged children through the areas of program development, education, and clinical skills development. Emotional regulation is an essential component of children' s participation, social interactions, and overall well-being, yet many young children experience difficulties identifying emotions and using effective calming strategies. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based emotional regulation curriculum for preschool children while also providing educational resources for caregivers. This program was implemented three days a week for 14 weeks at …

The Hidden Process Of Student Placements: Perspectives From Slp, Ot, And Pt Coordinators, Almara Jane Sidney Hutchinson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This comparative multi-case study examined the unseen processes behind clinical placement planning in allied health education. Clinical placements are essential to preparing students in speech-language pathology (SLP), occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT); however, little research has explored how Directors and Coordinators of Clinical Education (DCE/CCEs) navigate the complex decision-making involved in planning these experiences. Guided by Greco and Myers’ (2024) framework conceptualizing placement planning as an interaction between process and experience, this study explored how coordinators described their planning processes and the role of student-centeredness within them.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 DCEs/CCEs representing SLP, OT, and …

Beyond Survival: Empowering Mental Health Recovery After Acquired Brain Injury, Paige Mackenzie Kozak

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) frequently experience psychosocial and cognitive challenges, including depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and identity changes which can significantly impact rehabilitation outcomes and participation in daily occupations. Despite this, outpatient rehabilitation clinicians may feel underprepared to recognize and address these concerns within their scope of practice. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an educational onboarding program to support interdisciplinary rehabilitation staff in identifying and responding to psychosocial needs of individuals with ABI, while promoting trauma-informed and patient-centered care.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted to examine common psychosocial and cognitive outcomes following …

Translating Pediatric Home Programming Into Daily Life, Anna Elizabeth Jones

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Caregivers play a critical role in a child’s overall development and are essential partners in the therapy process (Jaffe et al., 2020). Because of this, caregivers are in a unique position to support and reinforce therapeutic goals with daily routine and activities. When caregivers are equipped with appropriate strategies and guidance, they can help facilitate skill development outside of the formal therapy sessions, increasing opportunities for practice and generalization of skills (Lage et al., 2024). Current evidenced-based practice supports the use of caregiver coaching to increase caregiver autonomy and promote their ability to support their child’s developmental needs (Gmmash …

Achieving Successful Occupational Performance During Transitions In Eating Disorder Treatment, Elise Kay Ramberg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals with eating disorders experience challenges in occupational engagement that stem from contributing meaning, value, and purpose to occupations that support eating disorder behaviors rather than promote quality of life (Mack et al., 2023). Recovery is highly dependent on the transition between both levels of care and back into the patient’s natural environment. Occupational therapists play an essential role in supporting patients as they transition and learn to re-engage in their lives outside of their eating disorder (Mack et al., 2023). The purpose of this project was to create materials for the occupational therapist to employ with eating disorder …

Supporting Inclusion: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Paraprofessional Education For Sensory Processing Difference, Jalen Taylor

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Students with individualized education programs (IEPs) in rural school settings often experience challenges related to sensory processing and emotional regulation, which can impact their ability to engage in classroom routines and academic activities. Paraprofessionals play a significant role in supporting these students throughout the school day, however, many report limited access to formal training, practical strategies, and clear guidance for addressing sensory and behavioral needs. These gaps can lead to inconsistent support and decreased opportunities for student participation in educational occupations and classroom activities.

Purpose: The Paraprofessional Sensory and Regulation Training Program was developed to increase paraprofessional knowledge, confidence, …

Enhancing Interdisciplinary Care In Functional Cognition, Madison Anne Thomas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Functional cognition plays a critical role in determining a patient’s ability to safely perform daily activities, manage medications, and discharge from acute care settings. Functional cognition refers to the integration of cognitive processes and performance skills necessary for completing real-world tasks safely and independently (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2023). Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to assess functional cognition using performance-based measures and support safe discharge planning. Limited awareness and understanding of functional cognition impairments among hospitalists and interdisciplinary team members may lead to inconsistent occupational therapy referrals and potential safety concerns during discharge planning (D’Cruz et al., …

Enhancing Wheelchair Education Throough Technology, Anna Elizabeth Voegel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The World Health Organization states there are more than 65 million wheelchair users worldwide, with the number expected to grow (Gilani, 2023). Many wheelchair users face challenges with not knowing how to properly maintain their equipment or develop the skills needed to navigate their environments (Boccardi et al., 2022; Morgan et al., 2015; Smith et al., 2016; Toro et al., 2017). This product aims to provide practitioners with accessible educational materials that address commonly encountered barriers, usable in the clinic setting or for patients and caregivers to access from a distance.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted, which included …

Unfolding Recovery: An Occupational Therapy Practice Protocol Manual For Dupuytren’S Disease, Rebecca Valdez

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Dupuytren’s disease (DD) is a disease of the fibrous tissue called the fascia of the palm and fingers of the hand (Eckhaus, 2016). It develops over time, thickening the palmar fascia and leading to nodules and cords that flex the fingers (Pineda et al., 2024; Salari et al., 2020). The disease occurs mostly in men, with individuals of Northern European descent having a higher likelihood of disease development, alongside family history increasing the risk. This disease can result in disability for individuals, including difficulty performing certain activities such as picking up objects, donning and wearing gloves, putting hands in …

Supporting Reentry: An Occupation-Based Approach, Savannah B. Ullyott

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals transitioning back into the community following incarceration need holistic care to support a successful reintegration process (National Institute of Justice [NIJ], 2023). There are a variety of supports and barriers to successful reintegration that should be considered when guiding programming for this population, as these individuals often face many challenges when transitioning back into the community (Galletta et al., 2021). Specific supports facilitating successful transitions back into the community includes those of basic or daily needs, often related to housing, employment, transportation, social supports, food security, and access to mental and physical health services (Galletta et al., 2021; …

Occupational Wellness For Mother & Baby: Education For Young Mothers In Rural North Dakota, Kaelyn Talley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was for an occupational therapy doctoral student to collaborate with the staff of a maternity home in rural North Dakota. The goal of this collaboration was to provide the residents of the maternity home with education on safety and caring for their child as well as information regarding pregnancy, postpartum, and bonding with their child. This will help to support the mother in her newfound role as well as the child in their various occupations as an infant. Women face many barriers in pregnancy that may lead to them being in maternity homes. The …

Mitigating The Effects Of Technology Use In The Classroom: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Hannah E. Ibach

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The average child spends three times the recommended time on technology, which is leading to a wide range of consequences affecting education, such as fine motor, cognitive, and social deficits (Christensen, 2021; McGough, 2021; Qi et al., 2023). Parents and teachers play a crucial role in helping children be prepared for their education, yet many are not aware of the impacts of too much technology use (Srivastava, 2022). Developing strong foundational skills early in childhood is critical for setting the stage for long-term educational success. When skills are nurtured from a young age, children are better prepared to adapt …

Supporting Occupational Competence Among American Indian/ Alaska Native Students, Adam Nadeau

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students face significant systemic barriers in higher education, resulting in the lowest enrollment and graduation rates of any student cohort (Dabdoub et al., 2025; McMillan et al., 2025). Challenges such as cultural discontinuity and a lack of supportive “counterspaces” often led to occupational alienation and deprivation (Buckingham et al., 2023; Fetter et al., 2024; McMillan et al., 2025; Reitz & Graham, 2019). There is a critical need for culturally grounded interventions that address the unique needs of these students to foster a sense of belonging (Delgado-Guerrero & Gloria, 2025; Kuchynka et al., 2025). …

Early Occupational Therapy Services: Addressing Health Disparities Following Discharge From The Nicu, Ellie Maree Schumacher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background and Purpose: One out of ten infants born in the United States are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); a status that has been directly linked to ongoing infant health disparities and disabilities, requiring continued support and education following discharge (Griffith et al., 2022; National Center for Health Statistics, 2025). NICU graduates and their families work with occupational therapy to address or prevent developmental delays and ensure well-being (Craig, 2018; Riley & de Sam Lazaro 2021).

Methodology: A literature review was conducted to determine the needs of the population and context and include NICU admissions, family needs, …

The Role Of Ot In Enhancing Mental Health Outcomes For Primary Care Patients, Amorelle Upton

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose. Primary care settings often serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health concerns. However, occupation-based and function-focused interventions remain underutilized in these settings. The purpose of this Doctoral Experiential Capstone (DEC) was to implement an Occupational Therapy Mental Health Toolkit designed to support holistic and integrative mental health care in primary care settings.

Methods. This project was guided by the ecology of human performance (EHP) model. Methods included a literature synthesis, development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and structured learning objectives, contextual needs assessment through stakeholder collaboration and site observation, and a product design, …

Gamifying Occupational Therapy Education: Enhancing Student Engagement And Outcomes, Payton Alise Baumann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Occupational therapy students face high rates of burnout and attrition during graduate education due to mental health challenges, reliance on passive learning strategies, and non-learner-centered curricula. These barriers limit active learning and reduce practical readiness for independent practice. Gamification has been shown to enhance engagement and application of knowledge; however, its adoption is limited by time constraints, attitudinal barriers, and lack of implementation guidance.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop practical, evidence-based faculty training resources and gamified learning activities to incorporate gamification into occupational therapy curricula for the promotion of student well-being, engagement, and professional readiness. …

The Therapy Behind The Tractor: An Occupational Therapists’ Guide For Treating Farmers, Allison Haiby

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Historically, farming is known as a highly laborious job, placing farmers at increased risk for injury. Despite an injury, the farm must continue to be cared for. Although occupational therapy cultivates client-centered care, many therapists have limited knowledge of farming culture and best practice methods to integrate the demands of farming into therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an educational guide, Built for the Farm: An Occupation-Based Guide for Therapists Working with Farmers, to support therapists treating farmers. The guide promotes culturally informed, occupation-based strategies to strengthen therapeutic relationships and improve the healthcare experiences …

Development Of Feed In Context: A Context-Responsive Pediatric Feeding Guide For Rural Practice Guided By The Ecology Of Human Performance Model, Jatin Lee Cranmore

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Pediatric feeding participation is influenced by complex interactions among sensory processing, motor coordination, emotional regulation, caregiver routines, and environmental conditions. When feeding challenges occur, the impact extends beyond nutrition and may limit participation in family routines, school environments, and community activities (St. John et al., 2026; St. John & Ausderau, 2024). Access to specialized feeding services can be particularly limited in rural communities where healthcare workforce shortages and geographic barriers reduce the availability of pediatric rehabilitation services (Tak et al., 2022). Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to address feeding participation because occupational therapy practice examines the interaction among …

Swimming With Confidence From An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Emma M. Schultz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that impacts thousands of people and their families. Those with an ASD diagnosis demonstrate difficulty with safety awareness are at an increased risk to die due to drowning. Those with autism are often drawn to water for a multitude of reasons especially after an elopement attempt. There has been an increased awareness and development in aquatic therapy to reduce the drowning risks for those with ASD. Occupational therapists have begun to develop interventions that targets basic swimming and water safety. During these interventions, occupational therapists use their skills of activity analysis, …

The Effect Of Sensory Processing And Integration On Engagement In Occupations For Children With Sensory Processing Disorders, Ashley Schindele

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where the person is unable to process and respond to sensory information (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023). Children who are lacking sensory integration skills may have more behavior problems due to their inability to regulate their responses (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023; Pfeiffer et al., 2013). Children with SPD may have abnormal sensitivities in any or all the sensory systems which may cause the child to not participate in their occupations (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023; Parham & Mailloux, 2020).

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide parents/caregivers a handout that thoroughly …

Holistic Occupational Therapy Approach In Addressing Women’S Health Needs & Access To Care, Lilja Jurva

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: As women across the lifespan experience complex physical, emotional, and occupational challenges related to maternal transitions, mental health needs, chronic conditions, and rural healthcare disparities, occupational therapy is uniquely equipped to address the complex challenges. Services have been proven to be directly correlated to lower incidence of preterm birth, cesarean delivery, low birth weight, excessive gestational weight gain, diabetes mellitus, and hypersensitive disorders, and higher incidence of vaginal delivery. A clear gap for maternal support services was identified in the Grand Forks community through literature review, interviews, and community engagement, leading to the development of NoDak Therapy and Wellness. …

The Missing Link: Psychosocial Integration In Neuro Ot Care, Emily Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Over 1 in 3 people are affected by neurological conditions, making it the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide (World Health Organization, 2024). Patients are often referred to inpatient rehabilitation to increase independence and functional recovery. There is a need to address psychosocial factors within this setting thus, The Missing Link: Integrating Psychosocial Factors into Neuro OT was created.

Methodology : The capstone is guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), which emphasizes the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment and its influence on psychosocial factors, personal identity, and competence. A comprehensive needs review was …

Harvesting Health: Cultivating Skills For Wellness In Agricultural Workers, Katie Renee Quinley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The nature of agricultural work is physically demanding and associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury due to repetitive movements, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and prolonged physical labor. Despite the importance of agriculture as a meaningful occupation and major contributor to the workforce, limited resources address the unique physical demands of agricultural labor. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a video-based educational resource to promote safety and continued occupational participation in agricultural workers. Additionally, the project aims to assist therapy professionals in implementing ergonomic and task modifications through an accompanying resource guide.

Methodology: A literature …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Prevention Of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (Suid), Natalie Ryan Mcfarren

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Each year, 3,700 infants die from SUID; this equates to about ten infants per day. SUID is an umbrella term that covers three separate subcategories: suffocation and strangulation in bed, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and unknown (Cribs for Kids, 2026). Suffocation and strangulation in bed is the only subcategory that is 100% preventable with safe sleep practices, while the risk of SIDS can be decreased by adhering to safe sleep guidelines. While the prevalence of SUID has decreased since the 1992 Back to Sleep campaign, current data indicate a plateau, if not a slight increase, in SUID cases …

Family-Centered Programming For A Rural Midwest Emergency Shelter: An Occupational Lens, Ariel Kathryn Tix

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: After a period of decline in homelessness, a startling trend reversal occurred between 2023 and 2024; there was a 39% increase in families experiencing homelessness in the United States (de Sousa & Henry, 2024). Rural homelessness is less visible and often looks different from urban homelessness, which presents challenges that require a different approach (Brott et al., 2019). Individuals experiencing homelessness have challenges in every area of occupation and could benefit from novel strategies and resources. Challenges include parenting, accessing medical care, obtaining permanent housing, community mobility, and meaningful routine development (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020; Brott et al., …