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Browsing by Author "Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences"
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Item Academic Achievement & Parent Engagement in Latinx Families(2022-05-02) Ortega Monge, Diana; Garcia-Wilburn, Victoria; Sego, Daniel; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Fuller, TracyThe purpose of this project was to increase understanding of the needs of Latinx parents when engaging in their children’s academics. Moreover, it was important to provide the community center with recommendations based on the study’s results so that the center may better serve Latinx parents. Five mothers from Lafayette, IN discussed their strengths, challenges, and desired resources when being involved in their children’s learning and school activities. Five major themes were identified in the interviews. Theme 1: Ensuring that their children were at school on time was identified by most participants as the primary responsibility of parents. Theme 2: Having good communication was described as the main responsibility of teachers. Theme 3: Most mothers said that making sure their children were completing their homework was their biggest strength. Theme 4: Most participants revealed the language barrier was the biggest challenge to being involved in their child’s academics. The language barrier made it difficult to communicate with teachers, help with homework, and often made them feel uncomfortable in the school setting. Theme 5: A couple of the mothers stated that they desired more tutoring resources because they did not have the knowledge needed to understand and help with assignments. Based on these themes and the poor enrollment of Latinx students at the community center’s youth program, it is recommended that the center implement a marketing plan to reach the Latinx community who is not utilizing the center’s tutoring and other resources.Item Accessibility Guidelines for Increasing Independence in Daily Life for Children with Disabilities(2023-04-30) Prentice, Alex; Hull, Kristin; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Chase, TonyThere is often a gap between how the environment is designed and what individuals with disabilities are able to do (Solvang & Haualand, 2014). I analyzed the limitations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it applies to all areas of disability. Universal design is a good alternative to design recommendations from ADA as it strives to design for all people regardless of ability level. Universal design concepts and recommendations from an architect and disabled self-advocates were combined to create accessibility guidelines that surpass the limitations of the ADA. These guidelines were presented to a group of caregivers of children who use wheelchairs. Feedback received from the caregivers indicated that the guidelines will be used to assist them in making home modifications. The guidelines will continue to be updated and annually given to caregivers of participants in a community-based wheelchair skills program.Item Achieving ADL Independence Post-Stroke Through Occupational Therapy Interventions(2024-04-24) Wonnell, Cassie; Gulyas, Belle; DeGeorge, August; Knoy, Morgan; Warrick, Emilee; Fowler, Avery; Chase, Anthony; Lee, Chang Dae; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human SciencesThis rapid systematic review evaluates the current literature on occupational therapy interventions aimed at improving ADL independence in post-stroke individuals. 28 studies were evaluated and 6 categories (task-oriented training, virtual reality and video games, technology, constraint-induced movement therapy, electrical stimulation, and other) of interventions were identified. The 28 articles used in this rapid systematic review were retrieved from PubMed and CINAHL using Covidence. Literature included are publications from the past 10 years, studies with participants 60+ years of age that have experienced a stroke, and studies with interventions focused on ADL independence. Level IV and V studies were excluded. TOT, CIMT/mCIMT, technology, E-stim, VR and virtual reality, sensory interventions, ankle-foot orthoses, and strategy training are evidence-based stroke interventions that have been showing improvement in ADL participation when compared to the standard of care. Findings reveal overall moderately strong evidence for the impact of the identified occupational therapy interventions on ADL performance for adults 60+ post-stroke. The current review supports six categories of interventions that improve ADL independence, which informs occupational therapy practice for older adult stroke patients.Item Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom: A Manual to Enhance Teachers’ Understanding of Challenging Behavior, Causes, and Evidence-Based Behavioral Management(2023-05-02) Howell, Kylee A.; Petrenchik, Terry M.; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Anderson, BenChallenging behavior is frequently seen in classrooms across the United States, and schools are in a unique position to support students beyond that of academic achievement through fostering safe, welcoming, and positive learning environments conducive to all students. In a school-based setting, occupational therapy plays a role in helping to create positive learning environments for all students and using holistic, whole-child approach to care. This means advocating for the understanding that in order to optimally learn and be successful academically, a child’s personal needs beyond that of the classroom setting should be considered. The purpose of the project was to encourage the use of a contextual, whole-child lens that accounts for a child’s stage of development, environmental, sociocultural, physical, emotional, and cognitive factors that should be taken into consideration in order to compassionately and supportively guide a student through times of adversity. This study was a 14-week experience and used both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess and evaluate the need for and the value of a behavior management manual. The capstone student created a research and evidence based behavior management manual that was distributed at the end of the capstone experience. The results of this study propose that the behavior management manual that was created has value, will leave long-lasting effects, and will change perspectives of teachers and staff on challenging behaviors for years to come.Item Adolescent Substance Use and Occupational Therapy Interventions: A Rapid Systematic Review(2021-05-05) Byrn, Hannah; Davila, Danielle; Green, Samantha; Kendall, Mary; Larson, Sydney; Prentice, Alexandra; Chase, Anthony; Petrenchik, Terry; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human SciencesThis rapid systematic review analyzes the evidence for substance use reduction through therapeutic interventions and activities in adolescents between the ages of 13-25, along with the potential for implementation in the field of occupational therapy. Adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) often have specific challenges regarding their family interactions, cultural beliefs, school engagement, and community support. It can be difficult for adolescents with SUDs to successfully navigate their ever changing lives, as they may also present with comorbid psychiatric conditions. It is noted that throughout this review, many interventions were the first of their kind and focused on targeting adolescents within the contexts of their environment. Many studies utilized specific techniques aimed at improving adolescents’ intrinsic beliefs regarding their substance use. Overall, low to moderate evidence was found for the effectiveness of various interventions to reduce adolescent substance use. More exhaustive research is needed to evaluate the usefulness of these interventions, as many were done in very specific settings with very individualized populations. Moreover, occupational therapists should be cautious before implementation into practice, as none of the studies evaluated explicitly examined the role of occupational therapy. More investigation is required to determine how these interventions can be applied to the field of occupational therapy.Item Advancement of Clinical Skills in Inpatient Pediatric Psychiatry(2022-05-05) Pence, Grace; Sego, Daniel; Chase, Tony; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Patrick, KathleenCincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital Center is widely known as a national leader in pediatric medical care. This capstone project advances the gap in services with evidenced-based, health-literate educational handouts for pediatric psychiatry. The educational handouts were evaluated by a team of occupational therapists. The capstone student gained clinical skills to advance the profession of occupational therapy by being equipped to address mental health in any setting. The skills advanced included delivering care through group therapy, individual treatments, and administering standardized assessments. The capstone student served as a member of a team of therapists to promote translational knowledge and standardized care. This capstone project brings insight into the work occupational therapists do at Cincinnati Children’s College Hill Campus.Item Advocacy as an Environmental Modification: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Stigma Reduction to Increase Occupational Performance in Children with Learning Disabilities(2022-05) Klukken, Angela; Petrenchik, Terry; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Petrenchik, TerryOccupational therapists have a pivotal role in advocating for their clientele across various settings. The present study adds direction and suggestion for enhancing occupational therapy’s role in client advocacy, through the use of therapeutic skills utilized in teacher training to reduce the harmful effects of disability-based stigma for children with learning disabilities in a public elementary school setting. The author suggests that stigma reduction may serve as a powerful environmental modification; as disability accommodations and self-advocacy alone do not always permit equitable occupational participation. Teacher training in the area of pediatric learning disabilities with an emphasis on bias reduction, information, empathy, self-reflection and interpretation of anonymous student school experiences was implemented in a public elementary school by an occupational therapy doctoral capstone student. Medium effect sizes were found among some aspects of psychological flexibility with regard to stigmatizing thoughts among teachers. Significant results were found among students answering questions in class, and teachers’ awareness and ability to identify learning disabilities in their students. Results suggest that teachers were overall satisfied with training and have implemented changes in support of learning disability accessibility in their classrooms following intervention.Item An Approach to Providing Occupational Therapy Services Within a Post-Intensive Care Clinic(2022-05-01) Manning, Jeremy; Zeigler, Jayson; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Khan, SikandarPatients discharged from lengthy ICU stays due to critical illness are often accompanied by post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). PICS is a condition that presents with physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychiatric deficits that often interfere with everyday activities. This study included a sample of 25 ICU survivors within a post-intensive care follow-up clinic. Data was extracted from self-report assessments for anxiety/depression, self-care, mobility, administered cognitive assessment and further data was collected utilizing grip strength measures. Data collected through the clinic provided evidence that would yield the need for occupational therapy services within this patient population. Additionally, a rapid systematic review was completed with the aim of expanding the role occupational therapists have within this post-intensive care population. Data collected within the clinic and results from the systematic review provide evidence for the potential role of occupational therapy within this patient population.Item Area Agency on Aging and Occupational Therapy(2021-05-07) Minnich, Victoria; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Ziegler, Dustin; Stinson, KelseyArea Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the profession of occupational therapy have similar values as they pertain to the promotion of aging in place amongst community-dwelling older adults. AAAs provide a wide range of services that allow older adults to safely and productively age in their own homes rather than in institutionalized settings (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging [n4a], n.d.). Occupational therapy practitioners have an essential role in promoting quality of life, health, and participation in meaningful occupations amongst community-dwelling older adults (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2016). Despite these similar values, there are few partnerships between the two entities as fewer than 3.2% of occupational therapists even work in community settings with older adults (AOTA, 2020b). The goal of this capstone project was to evaluate an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and provide the organization with an evidence-based, client-centered proposal on how a staffed occupational therapy practitioner could fit within their organization. Outcomes of this capstone project consisted of five tailored recommendations for the organization as well as an increase in knowledge and perception of the scope of occupational therapy amongst the organization’s staff. Future research should be conducted on the outcomes associated with partnerships between AAAs and occupational therapy practitioners.Item Building Essential Skills Together: Developing Employment and Skill Building Opportunities for Adults of All Abilities(2021-04) Lawson, Rebekah; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Winkler, DanielleThe purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to address the gap in vocational and life skill services for Autistic young adults during their transition to adulthood. At the Building Essential Skills Together nonprofit organization, there is a goal to address this need and offer inclusive supported employment and life skill programs to adults of all abilities. Participants in these programs included two Autistic young adults on the Building Essential Skills Together team. Both young adults participated in food truck and cleaning/maintenance supported employment opportunities, completed weekly concession skill building experiences, and hosted a virtual trivia night using their interests. One young adult also participated in a 5-week life skills program led by the doctoral capstone student. This project utilized visual scripts, modeling, and prompting techniques during supported employment and skill building opportunities, and vocational and life skills assessments were established for future evaluation and tracking purposes. The Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS)- Vocational Protocol was modified for the nonprofit’s food truck and cleaning/maintenance supported employment opportunities, and a non-standardized skills inventory was created for the life skills curriculum from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (4th ed.). Development and implementation of supported employment and life skills materials during this project were guided by the Ecological Human Performance Model and Strengths-Based Frame of Reference for Autistic Individuals. Site feedback was obtained through electronic surveys at the conclusion of the project and indicated that project materials and implementation promoted inclusivity, independence, confidence, growth, and meaning for team members, as well as a foundation for the nonprofit programs.