Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Development Of The Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-Sea), Heather Miller-Kuhaneck, Jacqueline P. Kelleher

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

The Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-SEA) allows teachers to examine the sensory aspects of classroom tasks and environments. The purpose is to assist in determining ways to modify tasks and environments to improve engagement and reduce problem behaviors in elementary school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Technology-Supported Art As A "Way To Participation", Molly Bathje

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Brianna Vitale provided the painting featured on the cover of the Spring 2014 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. Brianna completed the painting, titled “Flamingo,” using a mouth joystick (joust) to draw the image on her computer and an assistive device to translate her computer artwork into the watercolor painting. At 12 years old, Brianna has been living for the past 9 years with tetraplegia, the result of a spinal cord injury (SCI). Through technology and with the support of family, friends, and health care professionals, Brianna energetically engages in a variety of creative, social, and philanthropic activities.

Student Advocacy And Research Regarding Employability With Women In An Addiction Recovery Center, Christine Privott

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This article presents a course project that allowed senior undergraduate occupational science students the opportunity to experience advocacy and leadership roles as they prepared to transition to entry-level occupational therapy programs. The students coordinated an on-site employment fair for women residents of one Alcoholics Anonymous-based substance abuse recovery center in Kentucky. This ultimately led to a preliminary qualitative program evaluation study of the participants’ perceptions of employability after participating in the fair. Following a semi-structured interview protocol, nine participants were interviewed by student investigators immediately following the fair. The resulting data were compared within and across transcripts, and coded for …

Establishing Normative Values For The Barnett Balance Assessment Tool: A Preliminary Study, Monica L. Cercone, Katherine M. Grulke-Kidd, Alora S. Haskin, Kyle M. Medearis, Clarissa J. Wegner, Ellen Herlache-Pretzer

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to establish normative data for the Barnett Balance Assessment (BBA) for individuals ages 18-70+ years. The BBA is a newly developed assessment tool that may address limitations present in other assessments currently used to detect balance deficits. The BBA was administered to 141 participants who had no history of medical issues that could impact balance. A review of the normative data collected indicated little variation in total assessment scores in the age categories of 18-29, 30-39, and 40-49, due to the presence of a ceiling effect. Variations existed in scores among participants in the …

Visual-Motor Skills Performance On The Beery-Vmi: A Study Of Canadian Kindergarten Children, Melissa Coallier, Natasha Rouleau, Florence Bara, Marie-France Morin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Beery VMI is one of the standardized assessment tools most widely used by occupational therapists to assess visual-motor integration. Currently, no specific norms exist for Canadian children. This study was developed to assess whether kindergarten children in Canada compared similarly to the norms established in the U.S. sample of the Beery VMI in order to validate its use with Canadian children. Possible gender differences were also examined. The Beery VMI was administered to 151 kindergarten children, aged 5 to 6 years, at the end of the school year. The data collection took place in seven schools, where the participants …

Promoting Client Goal Ownership In A Clinical Setting, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Effective goal setting involves collaboration between the client and therapist and is an important component of occupational therapy practice. However, encouraging involvement and collaboration does not necessarily guarantee that client goals are incorporated into the treatment plan. The purpose of this innovative treatment program was to determine if providing a client with a venue for goal identification, documentation, and maintenance might impact participation and satisfaction in a day rehabilitation setting. Responses to a study satisfaction survey (Ss) were taken at baseline and immediately postintervention from the experimental (N = 11) and control (N = 10) groups and attendance rates were …

Effects Of Cognitive Status On Life Participation Of Cancer Survivors, Mary F. Baxter, Theresa Smith, Jennifer Wahowski

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purposes of this study were to identify the cognitive status of cancer survivors, determine the effect of cognitive status on function and participation in daily activities, and explore how cancer survivors perceive changes in their cognition. The study used a quantitative nonexperimental cross-sectional design. The participants included 35 cancer survivors from two different sites. Instruments included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Reintegration to Normal Index-Postal Version (RNLI-P) in the measurement of cognitive impairment and functional performance respectively. Data were also collected with a supplemental questionnaire to explore participants’ perspectives on their cognitive difficulties and current function. The …

Technological Guidelines: The Relationship Between Our Expanding Knowledge And Our Philosophical Assumptions, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Fostering Active Learning Among Student Occupational Therapists Using Lonergan’S Generalized Empirical Method., Robert Faraci

Praxis Presentations

No abstract provided.

Integrating The Classroom, Clinic, And Use Of Simulation To Prepare Students For Working With Individuals With Sci, Audrey Zapletal, Ms, Otr/L, Rob Hargraves, Ba, Gina Cooke, Ms, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background Information

• Students learn best through active engagement. Although experiences vary, practicing skills in clinical situations have proven to be an effective method.
• Practicing skills in a simulated controlled environment provides opportunities for students to receive feedback on their skills.
• Standardized patient experiences provide students a safe environment to practice clinical skills in challenging situations. These experiences have been shown to have a positive impact on learning.

Revisiting Our Roots: Innovative Community-Based Psychosocial Fieldwork Programs: Classroom To Clinic, Susan Santalucia, Ms, Otr/L, Kimberly S. Mollo, Ms, Otr/L, Tina Angelis, Edd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objectives:

1. Understand the core components of a community-based level 1 psychosocial experience that bridge and enhance student classroom learning.

2. Examine strategies to identify, create, and maintain partnerships with community based sites.

3. Explore 2-3 learning activities and/or strategies that facilitate student learning during the Level 1 experience in a community based psychosocial setting.

Avoid, Accommodate, Confront Or Collaborate: Using Simulation To Teach Conflict Resolution Skills, E. Adel Herge, Otd, Otr/L, Deborah A. Hopkins, Ms, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objective:

• Interprofessional education competencies include understanding roles & responsibilities of team members, and demonstrating effective communication and team building skills (Pardue, 2013).
• Team conflict impacts patient safety and outcomes (Knickle & McNaughton, 2009; Wagner, Liston & Miller, 2011) so effective team communication and conflict resolution in an important skill for students to develop (Greer et al., 2012; Levi, 2014).
• Simulation is effective in teaching interprofessional communication skills to health profession students (Velde, 2009).

Bridging The Evidence Gap: The Role Of Fieldwork Students, Tracey Vause-Earland, Ms, Otr/L, E. Adel Herge, Otd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Introduction

Understanding and using evidence in practice improves health care delivery (Lugtenberg, Burgers, & Westert, 2009), reduces errors, and increases professional identity. Despite the call for increased use of evidence in occupational therapy decision making and positive attitudes of therapists toward use of evidence in practice), evidence based practice (EBP) is perceived by clinicians as time consuming and difficult due to lack of knowledge and/or resources (Humphries, et al, 2000; Bennett et al, 2003).

Evaluating The Effects Of Grasp Patterns And Grip Strength On Handwriting Skills, Jennifer Bebey, Ots, Kelsey Engelstad, Ots, Audrey Zapletal, Ms, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background Information

• Handwriting is a critical and complex skill that school aged children acquire over time.
• When a child demonstrates handwriting difficulties, he or she may have challenges with:

Completing written school assignments in a timely fashion,

Taking notes,

Finishing homework,

Completing exams, especially short answer.

• 80% to 85% of occupational therapy referrals in schools are due to atypical grasp pattern, fine motor and handwriting concerns that affect a child’s educational performance.

Evidence-Based Health Literacy Training Program For Occupational Therapy Professionals : Program Development And Evaluation, Cheryl Miller-Scott

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This capstone project is a training program development and evaluation project. The purpose of the project was to develop, pilot, and evaluate an

evidence-based health literacy training program for occupational therapy professionals. Occupational therapy strives to be a science-driven profession, which provides client-centered care. Health literacy is a client-centered factor for which occupational therapy professionals require additional training to best serve their clients in all settings and across the lifespan. A review of health literacy literature was used in this project to develop the training program and offers a science-driven approach to this client-centered factor for occupational therapists to better …

Occupational Therapy For The Elderly, Heung Ian, Irene Chan

International Conference: Overcoming Challenges in Active Ageing

No abstract provided.

Icf-Based Functional Components And Contextual Factors As Correlates Of Perceived Quality Of Life For Youth With Chronic Conditions, Janette Mcdougall, Virginia Wright, David Dewit, Linda Miller

Occupational Therapy Publications

Purpose: To explore International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based functional components and contextual factors associated with perceived quality of life (QOL) for youth with chronic conditions from the perspective of youth and parents.

Method: Baseline data were obtained from a longitudinal study examining predictors of changes in perceived QOL for youth with chronic conditions. 439 youth aged 11–17 (and one of their parents) completed a questionnaire. Standardized tools were used to measure youth functioning, contextual factors and perceived QOL. Multivariate linear regression analyses, controlling for socio-demographic and health information, were conducted to explore correlations among youth functioning/contextual factors …

Development Of A Model Of Participation Of Community-Based, Discretionary Activities By People Who Use Wheelchairs, Anita Perr

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This cross-sectional research analyzed an existing data set of 302 wheelchair users to identify the psychosocial predictors of participation in community-based, discretionary activities. Two defining elements of participation were studied: the extent of participation and satisfaction with participation. Descriptive analyses of the participants' demographic information and portions of four assessments were completed first. Regression analyses were then used to systematically eliminate potential covariates until the significant psychosocial covariates of the extent of and satisfaction with participation were identified. Perceived control over one's life and perceived reintegration to social function were found to predict the extent of participation. Perceived control also …

Creativity In Transitions, Molly Bathje

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Professor Sandra Edwards, MA, OTR/L, FOATA, and professor emerita at Western Michigan University (WMU), provided the cover art for the winter 2014 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. The oil painting, “Silent Witness, Cross Creek” was created over a period of two years. Professor Edwards has participated in many creative and artistic activities throughout her life, which have shaped her practice as an occupational therapist and her experience in life.

Pilot Interprofessional Education Program For Ot Student Pediatric Practice Readiness, Michelle A. Suarez, Heather K. Koole, Jerrold Jackson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This mixed methods pilot study investigated the impact of an interprofessional education program on OT student readiness for collaboration with SLP students in a pediatric teaching-clinic practice setting. OT students were randomly assigned to either the treatment group, which received the interprofessional education experience, or the control group, which received the typical educational experience. Students completed pre and post surveys and journaled about the experience. Results pointed to a ceiling effect in the measurement scales in both the treatment and control groups due to positive attitudes at baseline. This positivity was also reflected in journal entries for the treatment group …