Assessing the Effectiveness of the MOVER Program for Treating Attention Deficit in Children (MOVER: Movement Opportunities Through Vestibular Engagement Rhythm)

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of participation in a movement- to music program on the attention span of elementary school-aged children who have attention deficits. The hypothesis was that participants would demonstrate improved attention on the Test of Sustained Selective Attention (TOSSA) (Kovacs, 2015). Methods: This quantitative study involved nine children who participated in four movement-to-music sessions with a staggered stop over a period of six weeks. The study incorporated a single group pre-test/post-test design, and a non-parametric Sign Test was utilized to analyze data from the TOSSA subcategories of concentration, detection, response inhibition, and test-taking time tolerance. Supporting qualitative data was also collected through peer debriefing, field notes, and a reflexive journal. Results: TOSSA results found that the movement-to-music program can significantly improve the attention of children who have attention deficits. Discussion: This study demonstrated positive implications for occupational therapy practice and for policy change regarding the inclusion of vestibular/proprioceptive movement opportunities available for children, especially those who have attention deficits

Agile Learning and Teaching with Miro Boards

Educators use agile and transparent learning procedures that require students to analyze, assess and critique theoretical perspectives. This paper highlights the use of Miro board technology, allowing students to engage in collaborative team work to create a visual representation of a theory, increasing their proficiency as a theory driven occupational therapist. Students reported that Miro boards decreased feelings of isolation, created a sense of community, encouraged creativity, and promoted a collaborative, meaningful learning experience. Effective teaching during the COVID pandemic provided learners multiple opportunities to track their learning progress with substantive and timely feedback

Exploring Parents’ Experiences of Raising a Child with Sensorimotor Impairments and Expectations for Leisure Participation

Background: The objective of this descriptive study was to study parents’ experiences of raising a child with sensorimotor impairments and how leisure pursuits impact their expectations of their children. The development and participation in leisure activities is different for these children and could affect the parents’ hopes and dreams for their child’s future. Method: Six children between 5 and 8 years of age, with sensorimotor impairments, participated in a movement program that was held for eight sessions at an outpatient pediatric clinic to address praxis and sensory processing impairments. Six parent dyads were interviewed during the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth session of the program. Areas addressed in the semi-structured interviews included parenting challenges, school experiences, and sensorimotor impairments effect on the child’s leisure participation. Results: Five themes emerged following the interviews: (a) nobody prepares you for sensory problems, (b) positive and negative school support, (c) when they already feel left out or behind, (d) I know the team sports are 100% sensory, and (e) life challenges. Conclusion: The parents provided the practitioners with insight into their everyday lives, and this information is essential for making occupational therapy services more family-centered

Professional literacy: Using metacognitive strategies to promote evidence-based practitioners

Professional literacy takes effort in teaching and learning. OT educators use metacognitive & authentic assessment procedures to prepare students as critical thinkers. Through the use of effortful learning and focused feedback students actively engage in preparation for occupational therapy practice.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_facultygallery/1041/thumbnail.jp

Professional literacy: Using metacognitive strategies to promote evidence-based practitioners

Professional literacy requires effort on the part of the both the faculty and student. Use of metacognitive strategies to prepare students as critical thinkers requires effortful learning. This poster reinforces the process of deliberate teaching of reading for disciplinary understanding

The Impact of Caring for Persons with Stroke on the Leisure Occupations of Female Caregivers

Aim: The purpose of this phenomenological study is to contribute to the literature surrounding caregivers of persons with stroke and to understand the caregivers\u27 perspective on leisure participation and quality of life. Methods: Caregivers (n = 4) of clients with stroke were recruited for the study via convenience sampling. Participants were audio-recorded during a semi-structured interview lasting 60–80 minutes. The interview guide included open-ended questions about the participant\u27s leisure participation and quality of life. Recorded data was transcribed and in-vivo coding was completed. Results: Eight categories were developed from the identified codes and narrowed into primary themes: role shift, loss of control, and occupational deprivation, consistent with Moustakas (1994 Moustakas C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.[Crossref], [Google Scholar]) as adapted by Creswell (2013). Conclusions: Understanding the essence of the lived experience of caregivers is important to the occupational therapy profession because of the prevalence of caregiver burden and the impact such role-transition has on their occupational participation and that of the client