This study used a pretest-postost control group design to determine whether or not the Get Ready to Learn (GRTL) classroom yoga program decreased challenging behaviors in children with ASD. The intervention group participated in the GRTL yoga program for 16 weeks while the control group went through their morning routine as usual. Challenging behaviors were assessed in both groups by using standardized measures and behavior coding before and after the intervention. The study found that daily classroom wide yoga interventions has a significant impact on key classroom behaviors among children with ASD.
This study provides evidence that supports the use of iPad applications as an intervention to increase fine motor and visual-motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder.
This website is another great resource for families affected by autism. It contains information specifically for families about adult services, apps and technology, community outreach, autism friendly events, etc. There are some wonderful educational tool kits including, the "100 Day Kit: A Guide for Families after an Autism Diagnosis", "ATN/AIR-P Guide for Exploring Feeding Behavior in Autism", "Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit", etc. and they are all free! There is also information on autism research, how to be an advocate, and ways to get involved.
This is a great resource to learn more about autism, deafness and blindness, etc. You can use it to help educate yourselves and families. It includes information on assistive technology and accessible educational materials and how to teach diverse learners through links, videos, and webinars. It also contains information about upcoming events, internet modules and printables.
Weissman-Miller, D., Miller, R. J., & Shotwell, M. P. (2017). Translational Research for Occupational Therapy: Using SPRE in Hippotherapy for Children with Developmental Disabilities. Occupational Therapy International, 24(1), 1-10. doi:10.1155/2017/2305402
This article uses translational research by using a combination of methods in statistics and data science to enhance the understanding of outcomes and practice in occupational therapy. It specifically collected larger data and smaller single-subject data to complete a study in hippotherapy for children with developmental disabilities (DD). The article goes on to explain that developmental disabilities affect nearly 10 million children, aged 2-19, where diagnoses may be comorbid. Hippotherapy is defined here as a treatment strategy in occupational therapy using equine movement to achieve functional outcomes. Semiparametric ratio estimator (SPRE), a single-subject statistical and small data science model, is used to determine a "change point" at which the participant adapts to treatment and from which predictions are made.
This article discusses how journal clubs can be used to ensure that both clinicians and students are using current best practices. This also allows for clinicians and students to become competent in evidence based practice and develop critical appraisal skills. Journal clubs encourage students to participate in research and is a way to facilitate discussion among peers. This article suggests that by participating in a journal club, students will be more prepared to use evidence based practice when they enter the field as a clinician because they will have developed a habit of researching EBP. This article discusses how to administer a structured journal club. skills.http://uc2.ucumberlands.edu:2084/ehost/detail/detail?vid=47&sid=d8bb9ce6-831f-45d1-8fdf-4cd7113be734%40sessionmgr101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=123150231&db=a9h
This study focused on the psychosocial impact that hand surgery, specifically flexor tendon surgery, has on patients. Most of the current research on outcomes of post surgical interventions focuses on physical function and assumes that psychological and social outcomes follow. However, this study found that this is not always the case. The findings were that flexor tendon injury impacts an individuals' life as a whole, we need to approach hand therapy in a more holistic manner, and how heavily individuals with flexor tendon injuries rely on family and friends to help them through their rehabilitation phase. The study also revealed that there is a need for more research in this area. http://uc2.ucumberlands.edu:2084/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=43&sid=d8bb9ce6-831f-45d1-8fdf-4cd7113be734%40sessionmgr101
With the aging population on the rise, so are the opportunities for students to go into the healthcare field. Community colleges account for nearly 60% of all healthcare workers. Therefore, it is important that community colleges determine the professional skills that should be taught within entry-level healthcare. This article describes survey findings and implications for the development of a future healthcare professionalism course. It is important for healthcare workers to have the professionalism skills they need to succeed. http://uc2.ucumberlands.edu:2084/ehost/detail/detail?vid=33&sid=d8bb9ce6-831f-45d1-8fdf-4cd7113be734%40sessionmgr101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=109021493&db=a9h
I found this article to be extremely relevant to our situation of being students out in the field of occupational therapy who may come across issues in their fieldwork experience. The article focuses on addressing these issues in an ethical way. Three themes were determined by the authors: professional-student relationship; professional boundaries; and disclosure of information and keeping information confidential. The authors concluded that these issues should be incorporated into class discussion and ethics training should be completed by students preparing to enter fieldwork. I feel like we have had many discussions about these ethical issues and we are well prepared to face them if they may arise. http://uc2.ucumberlands.edu:2084/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=9&sid=d8bb9ce6-831f-45d1-8fdf-4cd7113be734%40sessionmgr101
I found this article on AJOT. It discusses the importance of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy and how understanding the patient's diagnosis plays a key role in helping determine their strengths and weaknesses. This is because the diagnosis gives us background information on problems the patient may have so that we are able to create a clinical image of the patient based off of the diagnosis. The diagnosis allows us to begin intervention planning. Although the occupational therapy assessment is holistic and encompasses way more than just the diagnosis, it can be used as a starting point. https://ajot.aota.org/Article.aspx?articleid=1877114