http://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1863057&resultClick=3
After being in the schools for 12 weeks, I have seen how effective RTI programs can be for children without IEP services. However, with growing numbers for caseload, some OTs are unable to service RTI children. I think classroom teachers can play a role for RTI kids who are in need of handwriting intervention.

http://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1851644&resultClick=3
This research compares two different interventions to look at handwriting improvements. I think as OTs, we can have a role in teaching handwriting programs to elementary school teachers which they can use in the classroom. This way, those children who are not on OT service but on RTI (response to intervention) are still getting support.

http://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1866973&resultClick=3
School readiness is assessed for children with down syndrome entering elementary. After working with a kindergarten student with down syndrome, it is important to gather baseline date of where they are at functionally in order to guide therapy

http://ajot.aota.org/Article.aspx?articleid=1862312

This research shows the gains made in preschool children when it came to fine motor skills. This shows how important how early intervention is for fine motor development.

http://otj.sagepub.com/content/10/5/300.short

When developing IEPs,children can be place on direct occupational therapy services or consultation. This research looks at both services and its benefits.

http://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Abstract/2003/11000/Are_the_Results_of_the_Beery_Buktenica.13.aspx

This research looks at the link between results on the VMI and handwriting. More research is needed in this area.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25715229

With any finger amputation or profundus injury, there will be a decrease in overall grip and pinch strength. This research shows the difference in grip strength depending on what finger was amputated.

http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/Archives/Article-Archives/The-Task-at-Hand-3.aspx

As hand transplants are becoming more prominent with adults, and emerging in pediatrics, it is important to what OTs role is with these patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12671203

This research compares the performance outcomes between the Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test and the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test. This can help determine what test should be used given that both test were constructed differently.

http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/Student-and-New-Grad-Center/Student-Top-Story/Cover-Letter-Basics.aspx

Helpful tips on writing cover letters for potential job opportunities!

http://www.toolstogrowot.com/\

Another helpful resource for pediatric therapy and working on different skills

http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/fine-motor-development-essential-bases.html

This is a helpful resource to use depending on what skill you want to work on. It give different ideas for interventions to target different goals.

http://www.kamloopschildrenstherapy.org/home

It is important to know children's developmental milestones and this website can help to determine where a child is developmentally. This way, you can more successfully target where the student is at and what to work on in OT

http://www.jstor.org/stable/1125581?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

This research looks at the progression of writing skills in students. This can be helpful to know in order to determine where a child is at developmentally with their pre writing skills.

http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/86-B/5/701.full.pdf+html

It is important to understand the surgery your client had in order to better understand how the anatomy of the body has changed and how this can impact daily living tasks. I have found in a workers comp situation that if conservative management can be done, clients have better outcomes and return to work more quickly

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0363502305001450

During my level I we had one client who was eligible for surgical repair for mallet finger. Otherwise, other clients went the conservative pathway to treatment. This study reports and average of 5 weeks to wearing an extension splint and we told clients to wear it for a minimum of 8 weeks to get maximum results.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22474090

This is the abstract of a study done on pediatric trigger finger. I am working on getting full access to this article for insight on a child with trigger finger in the schools and how to manage fine motor tasks.

http://samples.jbpub.com/9781449653415/53415_CH02_Sample.pdf

This is a good tool to have for future use to glance at when deciding if a modality is indicated. This was helpful to me when deciding what modality was appropriate given different hand injuries.

http://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1851491&resultClick=3

This study looks at using a Functional Capacity Evaluation to determine if the client is able to return to work. These evaluations were used often in the hand therapy clinic I was at and it was helpful to determine the clients maximum capabilities in order to decide if permanent work restrictions had to be set.