Browsing by Author "Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 167
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    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, Tracy
    The 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.
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    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, Tony
    There 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.
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    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 Sciences
    This 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.
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    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, Ben
    Challenging 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.
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    Addressing Early Childhood Accessibility at a Children’s Museum: A Community-Based Capstone Project
    (2024-04-29) Sharlow, Teri; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Handel, Elyse
    The occupation of play is vital in early childhood for the development of crucial life skills including motor, social, emotional, language, and executive functioning. Young children with disabilities often face challenges and barriers to participation in play, especially when visiting a community facility like a children’s museum. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (TCM) has an ongoing commitment to provide accessible and inclusive facilities and experiences for their guests, yet recognizes that there are many opportunities for growth within their accessibility programming. The aim of this capstone project was to contribute to TCM’s accessibility programming through the assessment of an exhibit that had not yet been addressed in depth by their accessibility team. Using information gathered from the assessment and best practices from the literature, the student developed a detailed accessibility report that outlined strategies and guidelines for accessibility improvement within the exhibit. The project was presented to relevant museum staff and distributed throughout the facility so the report can be used as a resource for future accessibility initiatives within the exhibit. To evaluate the effectiveness of the project, attendees of the report presentation took a brief survey and provided feedback to the student. Overall, the results indicated that the project was successful in contributing to the museum’s accessibility programming and that staff members had an increased understanding of accessibility principles and how they can be applied within exhibits in future projects.
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    Addressing mental health through therapeutic art for incarcerated mothers
    (2024-04-24) Briggeman, Hailey; Van Antwerp, Leah; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; None, None
    Incarcerated mothers have a high likelihood of experiencing trauma, mental health disorders, and substance use. Incarceration contributes to high levels of stress which affects both the mothers’ and their children’s mental wellbeing. This capstone project sought to improve incarcerated mothers’ mental wellness through a 7-week therapeutic art program focused on emotional regulation, coping skills, goal setting, self-esteem, and connectedness. Through targeting these performance skills, the goal was to improve overall mental well-being. The efficacy of this program was assessed through a pre- and post- survey taken from three staff members who work closely with the women. The results indicated changes in multiple categories, including significant changes in coping and overall connectedness. This project had an impact on multiple areas of mental health. For sustainability, a binder was created that had examples of art projects and activities to decrease stress even after the program ended. More studies should be conducted to determine the effects of therapeutic art for incarcerated women.
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    Addressing Sensory Processing Differences Through Implementation of Education and Resources at a Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Clinic
    (2024-04-26) Rager, Carson; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Raches, Christine
    Neurodevelopmental disabilities impact one in 36 children in the United States; sensory processing differences impact 90 percent of these individuals. Sensory processing differences in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities can impact performance in their desired occupations, roles, and routines. This doctoral capstone project sought to implement training and resources related to sensory processing to improve education and competence of the clinicians at a Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disability (LEND) clinic in Indianapolis, IN. The project involved creation of four training modules that discussed various aspects of sensory processing, educational resources related to sensory processing, and handouts to assist in parent education. Project efficacy was evaluated via pre/post survey with quantitative and qualitative responses completed by clinicians at the Indianapolis LEND clinic. Quantitative results were inconclusive, due to insufficient amount of post-survey responses; however, qualitative results indicated that the clinicians found the trainings to be beneficial and impactful in their practices.
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    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 Sciences
    This 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.
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    Advanced Clinical Skills and Educational Resources in Pediatric Feeding
    (2024-04-26) McIntyre, Velvet; Nguyen, Elizabeth; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Miller, Taylor
    Pediatric feeding difficulties are becoming more prevalent within the scope of occupational and speech therapy. After conduction of a needs assessment and thorough literature review, it was evident that an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic lacked caregiver involvement and limited educational resources. The purpose of this capstone project was to create evidence-based feeding resources to educate caregivers on different milestones and strategies to implement within the home environment in order to decrease parental stress, decrease the overall impact their child’s feeding difficulties had on the caregiver’s daily life, and improve occupational performance for children with feeding issues. Three pre- and post-assessments were utilized to measure the effectiveness of feeding therapy and the educational resources. Overall, the occupational performance for children with feeding issues improved by 21.5 points, the parental stress levels decreased by 7%, and the overall impact their child’s feeding difficulties had on the caregiver’s daily life slightly decreased. Keywords: occupational therapy, pediatric feeding, pediatric feeding disorder, feeding difficulties
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    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, Kathleen
    Cincinnati 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.