Follow

• 

  Fighting a Battle Against the Opioid Epidemic with Occupational Therapy

  Emily Best, OTAS; Douglas Milke, OTAS; Teresa Vega, OTAS; and Sara Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  • The opioid epidemic is an opportunity for occupational therapy practitioners to help promote health and wellness within communities, populations, and individuals.
  • Occupational therapy practitioners are trained to understand unique learning styles by looking at a person’s habits, roles, routines, environments, performance skills, client factors, etc.
  • Occupational therapy’s client-centered and holistic values provide an advantage in adapting intervention strategies to what works best for a particular client or population

• 

  Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries on Occupational Performance and Successful Role Acquisition during Motherhood

  Caitlin DeFrehn, BS, OTAS; Marie Quainoo, BA, OTAS; and Sara Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  OT services can be utilized to optimize a mother’s function, mobility and engagement during and after pregnancy

  OTPs can help women with SCIs fulfill the role of mother by providing

  • “training, adaptations, and resources” (para. 14)
  • “evaluating and recommending wheelchair seating and positioning” (para. 6)
  • Evaluating [mental], physical and environmental barriers in the home and community and recommending modifications (para. 8) (AOTA, 2015)

  Current literature indicates that there are limited resources for mothers living with SCIs, especially regarding care of infants

  Additional research is necessary to “examine the most effective strategies and adaptations” (p.2)

• 

  Inclusive Community: Exploring The Benefits of Sensory Friendly Environments

  Corinne Hanna, OTAS; Shoshana Weisberg, OTAS; and Sara Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  Sensory friendly environments support inclusivity for children with autism and their families. Environmental barriers often cause an unpleasant experience for children who experience sensory processing disorders. Occupational therapy practitioners have a role in collaborating with teachers for modifications in the classroom and advocating for sensory friendly events within the community to promote engagement in childhood occupations.

• 

  Going Beyond Accessibility by Advocating for Inclusive Playgrounds

  Alexander Herrera, OTAS; Amanda Shoffner, OTAS; Kiondrah Wilson, OTAS; and Sara Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  Play is the primary occupation of all children and is vital for the development of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. Children of all abilities benefit from play and should all have equal opportunity to use and explore playground equipment. Many community playgrounds are limiting and create barriers which do not allow all children to use them. It is important that occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) step up and utilize their skills and knowledge to bring about a change.

  Occupational therapy practitioners, with their knowledge of environmental barriers, understanding of disability and specific knowledge of activities, are in an ideal position to develop and maximize the accessibility and usability of playgrounds. OTPs can play an active role in altering existing playgrounds, helping to create new ones, or by educating community and local government officials about the importance of designing playgrounds that benefit and engage all children.

• 

  Parenting with Down Syndrome: The Role Occupational Therapy Plays

  Kalhie M. Mayer, BS, OTAS; Aubrey Rubin, OTAS; Jessica Schatzan, OTAS; and Sara Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  • OTPs can help individuals with Down Syndrome complete their activities of daily living so they can be independent and start a family
  • Sex education is an very important area for OTPs to work on with individuals who have Down Syndrome or other intellectual disabilities
  • OTPs play a huge role in helping people with Down Syndrome parent efficiently and effectively through various strategies such as recommending adaptations to support the occupations of a parent
  • OTPs can be instrumental in advocating for individuals with Down Syndrome who have children through linking them with agencies, completing performance assessments, and testifying in legal proceedings
  • OTPs can help to create a healthy social relationship between parent and child by creating a positive therapeutic relationship between themselves and the parent

• 

  Occupational Therapy’s Role in Oncology: Returning to Work During and After Treatment

  Annamarie Scheidell, OTAS; Stephanie Sloane, BS, MS, OTAS; and Sara Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  Medical advances have improved the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer and some late-stage cancers that once were terminal have now become manageable, chronic conditions. Because of this, more individuals with cancer as well as survivors of cancer are re-entering the workforce. Resuming the role of worker is considered an important step in recovery for many. Occupational therapy (OT) can play an important role in facilitating a successful transition back to work for both cancer patients and survivors.