Addressing Occupational Performance Deficits in a Religious Setting: A Pediatric Case Report

Background: The purpose of this pediatric case report is to document how occupational therapy assisted a family with a child who has a diagnosis of ASD and the religious clergy increase the child’s participation in activities in the religious context. Method: The pediatric case report uses an exploratory approach to explore the process of evaluating challenging psychosocial behaviors and implementing contextual and personal strategies to increase participation in meaningful occupations. Results: As a result of the occupational therapy recommendations and follow-up consultations, the client demonstrated a reduction in behaviors that were a barrier to her participation in meaningful activities in a religious context. Most notably observed were reductions with verbalizations, excessive movement, verbal outbursts (high volume), wandering, and fighting. Conclusions: Occupational therapists have a role in addressing the behavioral and emotional challenges that may prevent children with ASD from participating in meaningful religious activities valued by families and their communities. The strategies recommended as a part of this case report represent strategies commonly used in the home, community, and school-based settings. However, this case pediatric report highlights the application of psychosocial/behavioral and contextual recommendations in religious contexts

Morphological and histological description of small metoposaurids from Petrified Forest National Park, AZ, USA and the taxonomy of Apachesaurus

Metoposaurids are Late Triassic temnospondyls that are abundant components of freshwater deposi- tional settings. Although metoposaurids are represented by hundreds of specimens in collections around the world, the vast majority pertain to large-bodied, relatively mature individuals, and as a result, the early stages of ontogeny are still poorly characterised. Small-bodied metoposaurids from North America have traditionally been assigned to Apachesaurus gregorii, interpreted as a diminutive taxon, but this interpretation has not been rigorously tested. Here we provide a morphological description of two new small-bodied metoposaurid specimens from Petrified Forest National Park, AZ, USA. Both provide various anatomical details that improve our understanding of small-bodied metoposaurids and their taxonomic placement within Metoposauridae. Furthermore, we perform a histological analysis on associated intercentra of these specimens, which indicates that these are relatively immature individuals. These findings support the growing consensus that Apachesaurus is a juvenile metoposaurid, thereby providing additional data regarding the early stages of metoposaurid ontogeny and evidence of the persistence of large-bodied forms into the late Norian. Accordingly, these findings merit a reevaluation of the taxonomic validity and diagnosis of the taxon and of the previous interpretations of its paleobiology

Health Literacy and Occupational Therapy: A Discussion on Assessing and Addressing Limited Health Literacy

Health literacy is multidimensional and goes beyond simply education level. In addition, age, gender, race and ethnicity, social network, and income level, among other things, can contribute to the level of health literacy and affect health outcomes. Many Americans cannot make sound decisions regarding their health care because of limited health literacy, yet health literacy is rarely considered during an occupational therapy evaluation and subsequent plan of care. This manuscript informs occupational therapists on strategies to address limited health literacy by using literature and evidence

Use of Religious Observance as a Meaningful Occupation in Occupational Therapy

Background: Research shows that religious and spiritual beliefs influence a person’s health and quality of life. Studies have found that religious people are healthier and require less access to health services, and that clients want to have their religious and spiritual needs addressed as a part of their plan of care. Method: This study used a descriptive survey design to explore the attitudes and behaviors of occupational therapists concerning religious observance in clinical practice. The survey yielded 181 responses from a random sampling from members of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Results: The study found that while the majority of the respondents felt that religious observance was an important occupation, most rarely or never addressed religious observance in clinical practice due to reasons such as the work context and the sensitivity of the topic. Conclusion: The findings suggest that education programs should better prepare graduates to view religious observance through the lens of task analysis rather than as a discussion of religion and spirituality. Furthermore, the findings suggest a potential unmet need that should be explored through further research

A New Opportunity for Occupational Therapists to Open Cases in Home Health

As of January 1, 2022, licensed occupational therapists have the permanent ability to open home health cases for the first time since 1999. This ability creates opportunities for occupational therapists to case-manage in the home health setting and showcase the benefits of occupation-based interventions for their clients. Further, occupation-based interventions create opportunities to establish aging-in-place and other cost-saving strategies. Occupational therapists will need to inform their home health agencies about this new ability, emphasizing the benefits of a more substantial presence in home health episodes of care. They will also need to develop new skills in the admission process or hone previous ones to maximize this opportunity. This article aims to provoke thought and conversation regarding the new option for occupational therapy to admit home health clients and the profession\u27s future in this setting

The Role of Reusable Learning Objects in Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Education

Out of early research, Cisco Systems (1999) have built an impressive foundation that advocates for reusable learning objects (RLOs). As the need for online methods for delivering both formal and informal educational content has increased, the prospect of greater influence through carefully constructed RLOs has grown. RLOs are any digital resource that can be used and reused to enhance online learning. RLOs typically are small, discrete, self-contained digital objects that may be sequenced, combined, and used within a variety of instructional activities. RLOs have been implemented in nursing, pharmacy, and physician assistant programs. However, there is a lack of literature regarding RLOs in occupational therapy education. An attitudinal survey was administered to occupational therapy students after they had used an RLO focused on goal writing. Student preferences toward RLO content, instructional design, and eLearning were generally positive. Nearly three-quarters of the students who responded to the survey indicated that the RLO presented was beneficial. All respondents noted that they would use the RLO for future occupational therapy courses. It is argued that incorporating RLOs offers a cost-effective, efficient learning tool, and also adds credibility to the given curriculum program as being innovative with instructing occupational-therapy related concepts

Weighted Blankets and Sleep Quality in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Single-Subject Design

Purpose: The purpose of the single-subject study was to explore the possible relationship between weighted blanket applications and sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behavioral manifestations of sensory processing deficits. Method: Two 4-year-old participants diagnosed with ASD who also experienced sleep disturbances took part in a single-subject design study. Objective sleep measures and caregiver surveys were tracked for a baseline period of 7 days followed by a 14-day weighted blanket intervention and a 7-day withdrawal phase. Results: Caregiver reports and objective data were evaluated using visual analysis and the percentage of non-overlapping data methods. The results suggest minimal changes in sleep patterns because of the weighted blanket intervention. Findings included using a weighted blanket intervention enhanced morning mood after night use and a significantly decreased time to fall asleep for one participant. Conclusion: The converging evidence from a small but growing literature base indicates that weighted blankets may not strongly influence sleep quality in some children with ASD and sensory processing deficits who demonstrate increased sleep disturbances. Future directions include studies replicating the single-subject design with increased participants and updated outcome measures

Occupational Therapy’s Role in the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Occupational therapists (OT) offer a wide range of therapies for individuals with ASD on the basis of specific deficits and difficulties. This chapter explores the role that OT plays, and the expertise, in relation to the interdisciplinary team. In addition, it discusses and presents empirical support for several therapeutic approaches commonly used by OTs working with individuals with ASD

Occupational Therapy’s Psychosocial Role for Young Children Transitioning out of Foster Care

Background: Unmet needs for children in the foster care system lead to hardships with social participation, healthy relationships, and occupational engagement. Despite an understanding of these needs, there is minimal research on occupational therapy’s role for young children transitioning from foster care back to their biological parents. Method: A single case report was completed via occupational-based interventions focused on psychosocial development, such as emotional regulation and appropriate social skills. All nine interventions were intended to be provided via 45-min individual treatment sessions followed by biological parent coaching for 15 min with strategies such as role-playing, sensory techniques, and trauma-informed care. Emotional regulation and appropriate social skills were tracked through Goal Attainment Scaling, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, the Developmental Assessment of Young Children- Second Edition, and a parent interview. Results: All assessments provided significant results in the improvement of child engagement in social participation, education, and play. The parent interview demonstrated increased biological parent knowledge and decreased stress. Conclusion: Overall, the child’s occupational engagement and biological parent’s satisfaction enhanced their skill sets to improve their quality of life, occupational participation, and relationship quality. Through a coaching strategy, the biological parent gained confidence to take on social-emotional challenges during the child’s transitional phase