Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Creating Supportive Environments For Children To Bloom: A Trauma-Informed Occupational Therapy Approach, Morgan Benson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

A significant number of children receiving occupational therapy services have histories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including neglect, abuse, frequent changes in caregiving environments, and exposure to chronic stressors. These experiences can strongly affect sensory processing, emotional regulation, behavior, and participation in meaningful daily occupations. These challenges are often made more complex by limited caregiver education, inconsistent access to trauma-informed resources, and differences in therapist confidence when addressing trauma in pediatric practice. Occupational therapy practitioners are well-positioned to support these needs through holistic, occupation-based, and client-centered care that considers sensory, emotional, environmental, and developmental factors. The purpose of this capstone …

Enhancing Child Development In A Daycare Setting Using An Ot Perspective, Autumn F. Glaser

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this capstone project was to implement a program within a daycare setting using an occupational therapy perspective. The project explored the impact of staff education combined with guided, hands-on activities in supporting child development. Seven developmental areas served as a focus for two weeks each during the capstone experience. Main components of the program included presentations and debrief sessions for staff, hands-on, developmentally supportive activities with the children, handouts for caregivers, and the creation of a resource with activity ideas for daycare staff to utilize after program implementation. Pre and post-test surveys were used to assess the …

Blooming Beginnings: An Occupational Therapy Approach To Helping Families Grow, Grace L. Mcconnell

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The transition to parenthood is accompanied by monumental changes in health, wellness, roles, and routines. These changes impact an individual's ability to participate in their daily activities and particularly for mothers, this experience impacts her entire life. Through this transition, parents must not only participate in their own occupations but also learn how to advocate and care for their child(ren). However, families are provided very limited educational resources to prepare them for this transition. Occupational therapy can bridge the gap in family preparedness by utilizing evidence-based education to address physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Occupational therapy education can advise parents …

Empowering Children Through Self-Regulation: A Multi-Setting Occupational Therapy Initiative, Aarika Denae De Jong

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Self-regulation skills are essential for well-being during childhood and are associated with academic performance and positive psychosocial outcomes. Children with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience sensory differences that impact occupational performance and self-regulation. Rural populations face additional barriers to accessing early childhood opportunities and occupational therapy services. This doctoral capstone project aimed to support the development of self-regulation skills among children in both clinical and community settings. Through partnership with a rural public library, a Sensory Storytime Program was implemented using inclusive design principles to promote regulation skills. Additional resources, including a Sensory Regulation Kit …

Integrating Trauma-Informed Care Into Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Kylie H. Rodig

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project examined how trauma-informed care (TIC) and Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) can be integrated into pediatric occupational therapy to better support children impacted by trauma. The project was guided by the question of how structured trauma-informed strategies, clinical tools, and caregiver education influence therapist understanding and application in practice.

A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating TIC- and TBRI-informed interventions during pediatric treatment sessions, trauma-informed evaluations, and ongoing reflective practice. Data were gathered through pre- and post-surveys, informal staff feedback, and reflective logs to capture changes in knowledge, confidence, and clinical application over time.

Results showed clear improvements in …

Occupational Therapy For Caregiver Support And General Clinical Practice In Rural Settings, Madysen M. Handel

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project aimed to develop advanced clinical practice skills and implement a structured caregiver intervention program within a rural outpatient pediatric occupational therapy setting at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley, Iowa. Guided by the Model of Human Occupation, the Occupational Adaptation model, and the cognitive behavioral frame of reference, the project emphasized caregiver participation, routine-based strategy use, and support for sensory-emotional regulation across daily environments. Caregiver stress and perceptions of strategy use were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and a caregiver follow-up survey developed to evaluate confidence supporting regulation strategies and participation within home routines. Results …

Optimizing Occupational Therapy In Inpatient Behavioral Health Settings, Haley J. Conrad

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project aimed to strengthen occupational therapy practice in inpatient behavioral health by creating theory‑aligned, trauma‑informed, and evidence‑supported resources. A needs assessment revealed gaps in resource organization, translation of theory to practice, engagement strategies, and access to behavioral‑health‑specific tools. Guided by MOHO, the CORE approach, the Recovery Model, and trauma‑informed care, a comprehensive OneNote system was developed to offer organized, accessible practice supports. Practitioners completed pre‑ and post‑implementation surveys, and summed domain scores were calculated for each participant. Results showed meaningful improvements in Adequacy & Organization, Knowledge & Theory, Effectiveness, and especially Quality & Usability, where all practitioners demonstrated …

The Scoop On Feeding Therapy: Where Occupational Therapy Fits In, Katherine G. Epperson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed at Horn and Associates in Rehabilitation in Lexington, Ky. The primary ACOTE areas of focus included education, advocacy, and clinical practice skills. The goals of this project were to identify and fill gaps in knowledge related to the role of occupational therapy in feeding therapy in the pediatric population, support interdisciplinary collaboration, and create educational handouts to advocate and highlight the importance of occupational therapy in the realm of feeding.

A needs assessment was completed prior to completion of this capstone project in order to identify a need. For this needs assessment, I completed a …

Professional Advocacy: Designing And Implementing Resources For The Kota Website, Jaden Johnson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) focused on advocacy, leadership, and virtual program development within the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA). The project addressed a gap, bridging conversations surrounding advocacy to active engagement in professional advocacy through an 'Advocacy' webpage for the KOTA website. The goal of this capstone project is to make advocacy resources more accessible and increase participation in professional organizations for the benefit and unification of occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students and practitioners.

Virginia Stoffel's Presidential Address, Engagement, Exploration, and Empowerment (2015), served as the primary framework guiding this project. The framework …

Applying Evidence-Based Practice To Guide Occupational Therapy In The Nicu And Outpatient-Based Early Intervention Settings, Brooke A. Wilson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at increased risk for feeding difficulties, developmental delays, and sensory processing challenges due to prematurity and complex medical needs. These effects often persist into the first years of a child’s life, and many receive early intervention or outpatient therapies. Occupational therapy plays a critical role in addressing these concerns while supporting caregivers in building knowledge and confidence. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop in-depth clinical skills in the NICU and outpatient early intervention settings, educate caregivers, and complete continuing education courses related to neonatal and pediatric therapeutic …

Addressing The Motor And Non-Motor Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease Through Integration Of Clinical Skills And Community Educational Resources, Alison C. Lee

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) face many challenges to their daily life including various motor and non-motor symptoms that affects their participation in meaningful occupations. Non-motor symptoms like decreased social participation, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and decline in cognition often go unnoticed and undertreated. Limited resources are available to clinicians and individuals with PD regarding tangible ways to address these concerns. Occupational therapy (OT) has a unique role in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms through evidence-based resources, education, and general awareness. This project bridged this gap in care regarding non-motor symptoms of PD through the creation of easily accessible handouts, …

Improving Occupational Performance In Vision Neurorehabilitation, Catherine Lentsch

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Visual dysfunction affects up to 90% of individuals with traumatic brain injuries and up to half of stroke survivors, significantly impacting independence in daily occupations. This capstone project, conducted at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, aimed to improve clients’ occupational performance and enhance occupational therapy vision neurorehabilitation through advanced clinical skill development and the development of resources. The project involved the evaluation and treatment of eleven neurological patients across inpatient and outpatient settings. Guided by Warren’s Hierarchy of Visual Perceptual Skills and Toglia’s Dynamic Interactional Approach, the project emphasized stabilizing foundational visual skills before progressing to higher‑level visual-perceptual tasks and used near …

Fragile Patients, Intentional Care: Nonpharmacological Pain Management Treatment Approaches In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Kristie A. Moeller

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The aim of this project was to increase clinical skills in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and explore how nonpharmacological occupational therapy (OT) interventions impact pain management in the NICU for a variety of patients. Due to the increasing rates of admissions to the NICU and the impact that pain has on child development there was a clear need to gain skills to create interventions that would minimize the effect on infant development (Martin & Osterman, 2025; Pineda et al., 2025). The needs assessment revealed the need for occupational therapists (OTs) role in nonpharmacological pain management to …

Play To Win: A Randomized Controlled Trial To Assess The Effects Of Play-Based Training On Upper Extremity Function In Children With Hemiplegia, Vivian London

Honors Scholar Theses

Hemiplegia, or paralysis of one side of the body, is the primary symptom of unilateral cerebral palsy, a subtype of cerebral palsy, the most common movement disorder in children. Standard of care is regular physical and occupational therapy to improve performance in bimanual activities, but conventional therapy can be expensive and draining for caregivers and children, so a need exists for a novel intervention that can take place at home and that is economical for families while being engaging for children. This thesis reports data from a subset of ten children seen as part of a randomized controlled clinical trial …

Exploring Clinical Reasoning In Occupational Therapy Students Using Think Aloud During Computerized Patient Simulation, Candra Selene Talylor

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The objective of this research was to explore the effects of the think aloud (TA) method on the development of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy students completing an online simulation assignment. The study aimed to determine if thinking aloud develops clinical reasoning in occupational therapy students as evidenced by a change in clinical reasoning skill scores and investigates the relationship between students' overall clinical simulation competency scores.

This study used a mixed methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative data to explore and measure the use of the TA strategy on the development of clinical reasoning skills. The sample from this …

The Intersection Of Occupational Therapy And Optometry In The Treatment Of Visual Impairments: Addressing An Unmet Need, Grace Bannon

Capstone Projects

The prevalence of visual impairments in the United States is substantial and anticipated to increase in severity over the coming decades. These impairments have wide-reaching consequences on an individual’s occupational performance in daily living. While both occupational therapists and optometrists focus on the relationship between visual function and engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupations across the lifespan, only a limited number of optometrists offer specialized vision therapy services. This gap emphasizes a growing demand for vision services to manage the needs of individuals with visual deficits. Therefore, this Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) sought to bridge this gap by exploring the …

Identifying The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Suicide Prevention, Grey Buchheit

Capstone Projects

Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to identify and support individuals experiencing suicidal ideation; however, suicide prevention education remains limited within occupational therapy curricula despite its relevance across diverse practice settings. This doctoral capstone experience sought to address this educational gap by developing evidence-based suicide prevention resources for Western Michigan University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program while promoting student wellness and burnout prevention as complementary components of suicide prevention. Guided by a literature review, SWOT analysis, faculty interviews, and a needs assessment that included a survey of Level I fieldwork educators, this project identified opportunities to strengthen occupational therapy education related …

Supporting Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice For Young Adults: Resource Development For A Level I Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Clinic, Grace Campbell

Capstone Projects

Neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practices are a growing area of focus within occupational therapy, viewing neurological differences as natural variations of human diversity rather than deficits to be corrected. This Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) focused on applying these perspectives within the Work-to-Work Clinic, a Level I occupational therapy fieldwork clinic that serves young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability. Commonly-used assessments and treatment materials at the clinic were outdated, deficit-focused, and poorly suited to this population’s developmental stage, leaving many clients with unmet needs. Additionally, Level I fieldwork students are still developing clinical reasoning skills and …

Interprofessional Palliative Care: Implementation Of What Matters Most, Nicole Moran, Madeleine A. Keppel, Madison E. Markey, Alicia Naccarato, Kristen Cumming, Lori Boright

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Palliative care (PC) is defined as specialized care plans for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses, emphasizing comfort care and management of complex symptoms. Rehabilitation professionals such as physical and occupational therapists have unique skills and perspectives towards managing and contributing to this population though are often under-represented on interprofessional palliative care teams. The Guide to What Matters (The Guide) was created upon recognition of the need for an increased presence of rehabilitation services in PC.

Severe Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Presenting With Paraplegic Symptoms: A Rehabilitation Case Report, Cecilia Hammond, Elizabeth Campione

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is characterized by sensory and/or motor symptoms in distal extremities starting within 24 hours of receiving chemotherapy and can potentially last for years. Management of CIPN may include medication (i.e. Duloxetine) and physical therapy (PT). The purpose of this case report is to describe the rehabilitation process and adjustments to the plan of care for a patient with severe CIPN. This case underscores the importance of a proper diagnosis and the need for research to develop evidence-based guidelines for PT interventions for non-ambulatory patients with severe CIPN.

Case description: The patient was a 53-year-old female …