Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Impact Of Disability On Celebration Of Wedding Anniversaries, Emily Lemaster

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how married couples observe their wedding anniversaries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 couples (four of which one partner has a disability) to determine how they celebrate their wedding anniversaries. This data was compared to how having a disability within the couple affects anniversary celebrations. Several themes emerged that were common among all participants including: an exchange of items, participants, reminiscing about the past, change within the marriage and celebration (which encompasses ritual and tradition). Few differences were noted in the couples who are living with disability. The most prominent is being …

Children With Asd And Their Experience Of Friendship And Co-Occupation, Joshua Eric Line

Online Theses and Dissertations

This study set out to answer four questions regarding the friendships of children with ASD: 1) what elements of friendship are most important, 2) what elements of friendship are most common, 3) do these elements change with peer exposure, and 4) how do these children experience co-occupations? Phenomenological methods were used to analyze interviews of three children with ASD (age 10). Literature review included discussion of definitions of friendship, and definitions of co-occupation, as relevant to the study. Identified themes include the lunchroom as a social context, reciprocity through co-occupations, trust, keeping friends means being a good friend, engagement in …

The Sensory Processing Patterns And Activity Choices Of A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mixed-Methods Case Study, Valerie Miller

Online Theses and Dissertations

It is estimated that up to 95% of children with autism spectrum disorder experience sensory processing problems. Minimal research is available on the relationship between specific sensory processing patterns, activity preference and behavior patterns in children. It is hypothesized that if children participate in play activities that support their sensory needs, they will experience less behavioral problems, more self-regulating behavior and a higher quality of life. This mixed-methods case study examines how a child with autism spectrum disorder participates in activities and looks at if those activities support sensory needs, thus reinforcing self-regulatory behaviors.

Does Fall Risk Education Tailored By Motivation Increase Fall Risk Identification And Fall Prevention Behaviors In Community-Dwelling Older Adults When Compared To Fall Risk Education Tailored By Authenticity?, Jonathan William Alonso, Brittnee Jane Witham, Cournety Brooke Mcintosh, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

To determine whether multimedia fall prevention education using different instructional strategies increases older adults’ ability to identify fall risks and implement fall prevention behaviors into their daily activities.

Are Physical, Cognitive, And Perceptual Exercises Effective At Improving Abilities Associated With Driving (Such As Behavioral Speed, Visual Attention, Psychomotor Performance, Speed Of Perception, And Executive Functioning) In Older Adults Compared To A Control Group Of Older Adults Not Participating In An Exercise Group?, Caitlin Danae Mcintyre, Regina Okun, Josue Julian Zamora, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

To study the effect of a specific exercise program on changes in performance in the areas of behavioral speed, visual attention, psychomotor performance, speed of perception, and executive functioning in older adult drivers.

Driving Characteristics Of Teens With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity And Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sherrilene Classen, Miriam Monahan, Yanning Wang

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among teens. Teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or both (ADHD–ASD) may have a greater crash risk. We examined the between-groups demographic, clinical, and predriving performance differences of 22 teens with ADHD– ASD (mean age 5 15.05, standard deviation [SD] 5 0.95) and 22 healthy control (HC) teens (mean age 5 14.32, SD 5 0.72). Compared with HC teens, the teens with ADHD–ASD performed more poorly on righteye visual acuity, selective attention, visual–motor integration, cognition, and motor performance and made more errors on the driving simulator pertaining …

Does Dance-Based Therapy Improve Balance And Mobility In Older Adults?, Emily Ann Dodge, Florina Mendoza-Battle, Tanya Elesia Orgill, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

This study explores the effects of dance-based therapy on balance and mobility in older adults living in an AIP facility.

For Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Functional Limitations, Does An Occupational Therapy Home Modification Intervention Program That Includes The Provision Of Adaptive Equipment And/Or Architectural Renovations To The Home Help Improve Occupational Performance And Satisfaction With The Ability To Perform Everyday Activities?, Sarah Jane Dequis Calub, Matthew Jordan Carlson, Monica Fernandez, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Determine the effect of an occupational therapy home modification intervention program on occupational performance and self-reported levels of satisfaction of occupational performance.

The Impact Of Baby Sign On Motor Development In Typically Developing Infants And Toddlers, Melissa Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

"Baby Sign is an augmentative communication approach that teaches babies keyword signing that they can use to communicate before they talk." (Sneddon 2003). Baby sign has become popular among parents of infants as a means to communicate before the child can verbally express wants and needs. Programs and classes are now becoming available in many areas of the country to help teach parents basic signs to use with their children. This study aimed to assess the impact of baby

sign on motor development in typically developing infants. The study found that the impact of baby sign language on motor development …

Improving Functional Outcomes For Children And Adolescents With Anxiety Related Disorders Through Occupational Thrapy : A Narrative Review ; Perceptions Of The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Community Child And Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs), Paula J. Anderson

Theses : Honours

Background/Aim: Children and adolescents experiencing anxiety find it challenging to maintain optimal occupational performance, thus the specific role of occupational therapy in the management of anxiety requires investigation. This narrative review examines the current available literature surrounding the use of occupational therapy approaches for children and adolescents experiencing anxiety.

Methods: Academic journals as well as a variety of sources were considered, due to the paucity of literature surrounding this topic. Articles were included if they discussed the occupational therapy role in treatment of children experiencing anxiety symptoms, including anxiety related disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive …

A Model Of Management Learning For Occupational Therapists In Small Business In Australia, Jeannine Millsteed

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research sought to identify factors that contribute to occupational therapists developing management competencies when they become small business owners providing professional clinical services. This is an important for several reasons and precipitated by the Australian government’s introduction of incentives that encourage health professions to move from employment in public hospitals into the private sector, coupled with a recognition that occupational therapists receive no formal business training in their professional education, and the reported high levels of business failure in the small business sector. A review of the literature established the value of small business to the Australian economy, growth …

Progressive Extra-Oral Static/Dynamic Splint, Lisa Lepage Otr/L, Brian Graeff Ms, Otr/L

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Level Of Cultural Responsiveness And Its Preparation Among Grand Valley State University’S Occupational Therapy Graduates, Kathleen Kovach, Rebecca Palmitier, Robyn Ward

Education

Background: In a field that aims to be holistic and client-centered, occupational therapists need to consider their client's culture. Culture is comprised of values, beliefs, and lifestyles and will affect the therapy process (Cheung, Shah, & Muncer, 2002; Cole, Stevenson, & Rogers, 2009). To truly treat clients holistically, therapists need to be culturally responsive in their practice, considering factors which influence therapy and its outcomes. Occupational therapy education programs, therefore, need to prepare its students to be culturally responsive practitioners. This research examined whether Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Occupational Therapy (OT) graduates are culturally responsive and how the program …

Protecting The Hand: .Quantifying Pressures Involved In Daily Living Activities With Tools, Kelly Cotter, Trisha Thompson, Amanda Ward

Hand and Upper Extremity

This study utilized individuals with no known hand joint pathologies and analyzed the pressure exerted on varying spoon handle diameters during a simulated self-feeding exercise. This was done in an effort to determine which spoon handle diameter required the least amount of pressme. Individuals with no known hand joint pathologies were selected in order to prevent any inaccuracy of results due to underlying co-morbidities. Methods: The Novel Pliance-X hand sensor was wrapped around 15 mm, 25 IDDl, and 40 mm spoon handles. The participants were asked to complete a self-feeding exercise. The self-feeding exercise was simulated by scooping quarters from …

Art In Occupational Therapy: An Introduction To Occupation And The Artist, Molly Bathje

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 Changes To The Autism Diagnostic Criteria: A Critical Moment For Occupational Therapists, Rondalyn Varney Whitney, Heather Miller-Kuhaneck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Changes in the soon to be released Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) – 5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2012) bring new opportunities for occupational therapy, but the profession must prepare for the impact these changes forecast. While well positioned to capitalize on newly defined specifications of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and the elevation of sensory processing difficulties to a core feature of the disorder, the profession must be alert to the potential downside of the pending changes. The more stringent diagnostic rubric will likely exclude a significant number of individuals currently eligible for therapeutic and academic services. Autism will be defined as …

Ot-Pep: Development Of A Professional Education Paradigm For Occupational Therapy, Christine E. Wright

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This study aims to determine the fundamental tenets that define the occupational therapy education process, and to develop a professional education paradigm that corresponds to those principles. Interpretive phenomenology with Heideggerian hermeneutic philosophy was used to explicate the paradigmatic themes embedded in the occupational therapy body of knowledge. The results yielded the Occupational Therapy Professional Education Paradigm (OT-PEP), which is organized around three core concepts: Adaptive thinking, reflection, and creation of meaning. The OT-PEP is important to occupational therapy because it addresses the elements of the education process that are reflective of the philosophical underpinnings of the profession and brings …

Examining The Sensory Profiles Of At-Risk Youth Participating In A Pre-Employment Program, Chi-Kwan Shea, Robyn Wu

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study is to use Dunn’s model of sensory processing to investigate the sensory profiles of youth participating in a community-based occupational therapy pre-employment program. The youth participants had been involved in the juvenile justice system and were placed on probation. The study analyzed data from the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) questionnaires (Brown & Dunn, 2002) completed by 79 youth participants. Analysis of the participants’ scores on the AASP showed statistically significant differences from the norm in two quadrants; the delinquent youth scored lower in Sensation Seeking and higher in Sensation Avoiding. The delinquent youth participants demonstrated …

Enhancing Social Skills In Adolescents With High Functioning Autism Using Motor-Based Role-Play Intervention, Sharon A. Gutman, Emily I. Raphael-Greenfield, Neal Carlson, Rachel Friedman, Amanda Iger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this pilot study was to collect pilot data evaluating whether a motor-based role-play intervention using a canine animal assistant can enhance social skill use in two adolescents with HFA. A single subject ABA design across two participants was used. The intervention consisted of four 1-hour sessions over 4 weeks. The quality of social interaction was measured by the Evaluation of Social Interaction (ESI) administered at baseline and the 3-month probe. Frequency of targeted social skill use was measured during baseline, intervention, and probe phases. Participant 1 experienced statistically significant increases in both ESI scores (p = …

Associations Of Physiological Factors, Age, And Sensory Over-Responsivity With Food Selectivity In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Michelle A. Suarez, Nickola W. Nelson, Amy B. Curtis

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among physiological factors, age, sensory over-responsivity (SOR) and food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

METHODS: One hundred forty-one parents of children with ASD were recruited through a national autism organization, Autism Speaks, to fill out a survey regarding their child’s mealtime behavior. Survey contained items to measure the severity of food selectivity behavior, the presence of physiological factors (i.e., reflux, constipation, food allergies and the need for a specialized diet) and sensory over-responsivity (SOR). Results were analyzed using Chi Square, ANOVA and logistic regression.

RESULTS: No …