Rapid Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy-Adaptable Interventions to Improve Social Engagement in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Indiana University Purdue University IndianapolisIn this rapid systematic review, we describe how evidence-based interventions aiming to improve social engagement in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be potentially adapted to be included within the scope of occupational therapy. Children and adolescents with ASD often experience difficulty with social engagement, impacting overall social participation and other aspects of daily life. It is important to address this issue within this population to ensure engagement in the occupation of social participation, which is vital to optimal health and well-being. We discovered several themes including communication, joint attention, peer engagement, social skills, and play as outcomes addressed within the interventions included in this review. There is limited research available regarding social engagement interventions for children and adolescents with ASD directly including an occupational therapist within the intervention. This review demonstrates that there is a large variety of social engagement interventions that could be implemented by occupational therapists; however, therapists must be mindful of choosing an intervention that is specific to the client's condition. There is strong evidence to suggest that interventions targeting social engagement in children and adolescents with ASD result in increased social abilities. Further research should be conducted assessing the implementation of these interventions by occupational therapists to ensure generalizability.Occupational Therap

Use of lumpfish for sea-lice control in salmon farming: challenges and opportunities

Efficient sea-lice control remains one of the most important challenges for the salmon farming industry. The use of wrasse (Labridae) as cleaner fish offers an alternative to medicines for sea-lice control, but wrasse tend to become inactive in winter. Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) continue to feed on sea-lice at low temperatures, and commercial production has escalated from thousands of fish in 2010 to well over 30 million juveniles deployed in 2016. However, production still relies on the capture of wild broodstock, which may not be sustainable. To meet global industry needs, lumpfish production needs to increase to reach c. 50 million fish annually and this can only come from aquaculture. We review current production methods and the use of lumpfish in sea cages and identify some of the main challenges and bottlenecks facing lumpfish intensification. Our gap analysis indicates that the areas in most need of research include better control of maturation for year-round production; formulation of appropriate diets; artificial selection of elite lines with desirable traits; and development of vaccines for certified, disease-free juvenile production. The welfare of farmed lumpfish also needs to be better quantified, and more information is needed on optimal densities and tank design. Finally, the risk of farmed lumpfish escaping from net pens needs to be critically assessed, and we argue that it might be beneficial to recover cleaner fish from salmon cages after the production cycle, perhaps using them as broodstock, for export to the Asian food markets or for the production of animal feeds

Occupational Therapy to Address Role Competence and Advocacy in a Mother-Child Unit in a Women's Prison

Indiana University Purdue University IndianapolisThis occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience focused on program development and advocacy. This paper includes a literature review of occupational therapy within the prison system, the nature of incarceration within the United States, and the impact the prison system has on the individuals who are incarcerated. Following the completion of the literature review, a consultation with an emeritus professor whose scholarship focuses on the role of occupational therapy within the criminal justice system, as well as an interview with local prison staff was conducted. It was determined that occupational therapy programming to improve role competence among mothers who are incarcerated has the potential for positive outcomes. A provisional program was developed for women who would be enrolled in a mother-child unit at a women’s prison with an emphasis on role competence, self-efficacy, and advocacy for self and child. Due to COVID-19 protocol, implementation of the program was not completed. The developed program and corresponding manual were evaluated based on standards of health literacy, as well as with a rubric developed from human-centered design principles. Outcomes are needed to determine overall effectiveness, and it is recommended for a registered occupational therapist and/or occupational therapy capstone student to implement this program as a pilot study within a women’s prison.Occupational Therap