Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

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  Understanding the Perceptions of Technology in Homes for Aging in Place

  Jinelle Abugan; Amy Lyons-Brown MS, OTD, OTR/L; and Molly Wuebker OTD, OTR/L, ACTCP

  The purpose of this study is to understand the thoughts and experiences of technology in homes and the use of technology-based home modifications to help individuals with participation and performance in daily activities. The education of perceptions of culture in homes will be supported by faculty, OTs, professional designers, about the need to explore culture in technology for home modifications aging in place.

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  Enhancing Dignity Amongst Persons with Dementia Through Occupational Engagement

  Habeeba Ahmed and Amy Lyons-Brown MS, OTD, OTR/L

  Dementia is a cognitive impairment that impacts an individual's memory, judgement, safety awareness, and emotions which can interfere with their activities of daily living. As the condition progresses, the person living with dementia (PLWD) may require a care partner to help them complete their daily tasks. Having a care partner and being a care partner can be challenging for both, the PLWD and their care partner, as there begins to be a shift in their independence. The PLWD must rely on their care partner to help them throughout their day, leading to a decrease in independence and occupational engagement. When taking on the new role, care partners are not provided with enough education on how to include their loved one in decision making and how to facilitate participation. Along with the decrease in independence and lack of care partner education, the dyadic relationship and social participation can also be impacted.

  In order to enhance dignity amongst PLWD, a family engagement program was developed to improve care partner education on how to include the PLWD in decision making, increase occupational engagement, rebuild the dyadic relationship, and increase social participation. The family engagements encompass families participating in new activities together in a semi-structured social environment.

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  An OT Web-Based Stress Management Program for Acute Care Therapists

  Jessica N. Alanis and Cassandra Nelson OTD

  Hospital burnout has become one of the many problems among many healthcare professions. Occupational therapists and physical therapists encounter many situations that are out of their control and struggle with how to handle their emotions in a fast-paced setting. The purpose of this capstone was to educate acute care therapists on developing good stress management habits using various grounding, sensory, and mindfulness techniques to help them get through the work day. By helping acute care therapists develop good stress management habits, therapists can experience improvement in the way they carry out their duties, improve their productivity, and improve the way they provide quality patient care.

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  Development of a Virtual Reality Program to Promote Occupational Participation and Decreased Psychosocial Deficits in Persons with a Brain Injury

  Nicole Arneson and Rebecca King

  Stroke is one of the leading causes of disabilities including problems with balance, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle tone, mental health, as well as deficits in visual function and sensory function The purpose of this capstone is to develop a virtual reality program that will be used with the stroke population to address ADLs, IADLs, and quality of life.

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  Development of Financial Management Skills: A Guidebook for Caregivers of Autistic Children

  Marcie Balleza, Steven M. Gerardi, and Angela Blackwell

  Autistic children face challenges to living independently, including learning to manage finances. Caregivers of autistic children must develop in their care recipients the financial skills to live independently. A lack of educational resources on how to teach financial management skills can impede the development of independent living skills in autistic children. Caregivers of autistic children lack the education and training that is necessary to teach financial management skills to autistic children to prepare them for transition to adulthood. Caregivers of autistic children do not know how to help their child learn money management skills in preparation for the transition to early adulthood. The purpose of this project was to create a guidebook for caregivers of autistic children on how to teach their care recipients the development of financial management skills. An educational guidebook has been created to fill the gap in caregiver education and training on how to teach their care recipients the development of financial management skills. The guidebook will enable caregivers the ability to develop financial management skills in their care recipients as they prepare for adulthood.

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  Training Staff Members and Caregivers on Utilizing Allen Cognitive Levels to Aid Individuals Living with Alzheimer's and Dementia to Maintain Activities of Daily Living

  Kristy Boyd, Cassandra Nelson, and Jennifer Summers

  This capstone project is about training staff members and caregivers on utilizing the Allen's cognitive levels to aid individuals living with Alzheimer's and dementia to maintain their activities of daily living by creating a program that consists of modules, physical demonstration, and a deliverable for staff members and caregivers as well as therapeutic activities and sensory regulation activities for the participants.

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  Benefits of Occupational Therapy in Concussion Treatment for Professional Athletes

  Alexandria Brown; Zeida Gutierrez Ph.D., MHS, OTR/L; and James Wersal OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, CBIS, DRS, DCS

  Concussions are a significant concern in sports, with an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million cases in the U.S. annually, many of which go unreported. These traumatic brain injuries result from various impacts, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and memory loss, which can disrupt an athlete's daily life. Recovery typically follows a staged protocol, with professional organizations implementing concussion management guidelines. Despite these measures, athletes often hesitate to report symptoms due to concerns about playing time or team expectations. There is a gap in treatment for concussions as activities of daily living and occupations are not addressed. Occupational therapy can help address these needs to help improve recovery.

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  Parent Perceptions of Modified Toy Cars Influence on Play for Children with Disabilities: A Case Study

  Taylor Brown, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Erik Pérez, and Karen Aranha

  Play is a crucial childhood occupation because it facilitates the growth of various developmental skills. Children with disabilities (CWD) often exhibit intrinsic factors that can prevent them from participating in meaningful childhood occupations, such as play. Mobility play is a specific type of play that refers to any means for the child to explore and move around their environment, which can be accessed through the use of commercially available toys, including motorized toy cars. However, these commercially available toys are not always accessible to this population due to their unique presentation that hinders performance and participation in the desired and necessary childhood occupation of play. A program called Go Baby Go has attempted to address these disparities by modifying toy cars to ensure that CWD can independently access them. And while there are several positive outcomes related to using modified toy cars for CWD, the impact of these cars and the effect on play have not been widely studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence that modified toy cars had on play for CWD from a parent's perspective.

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  Empowering Caregivers: A Training Manual for Supporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Alicia Buhnerkemper

  Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often require specialized support to navigate daily activities, yet respite and Community Living Support (CLS) workers frequently lack adequate training to address the sensory and behavioral challenges these children face. This project aimed to address these gaps by developing a comprehensive training manual grounded in evidence-based practices and occupational therapy (OT) principles, including the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model and Sensory Integration (SI) Theory. Surveys and interviews with families, respite workers, and CLS workers identified critical training needs, such as understanding sensory processing, managing challenging behaviors, and effective communication strategies. The manual includes practical modules, embedded videos, printable resources, and knowledge checks to enhance caregiver skills. Piloted through Mimi’s Mission, feedback from participants was integrated to refine the content. The resulting 79-page training manual equips caregivers to provide consistent, high-quality care, reducing the burden on families and improving the occupational performance outcomes of children with ASD. This project highlights the role of occupational therapists in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and empowering non-professional caregivers, thereby extending their impact beyond direct client care.

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  Use of Creative Outlets to Impact Quality of Life for Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  Andria Burden, Helen Carey, and Zeida Gutierrez

  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) profoundly impacts quality of life by limiting participation in meaningful activities. This mixed-methods study explored the role of creative outlets in enhancing quality of life for individuals with ALS. Quantitative data from the ALS-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form (ALSSQOL-SF) and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews revealed key themes of adaptation, purpose, community, and quality of life. Findings indicate that creative outlets foster self-expression, social connection, and cognitive engagement while reducing isolation. Recommendations include integrating tailored creative activities into occupational therapy (OT), emphasizing group settings and early introduction to promote adaptability and community-building. This study underscores the value of creative outlets and OT, offering a holistic approach to improve quality of life for individuals with ALS.

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  Life Skills Program for Young Adult Males in a Transitional Living Facility

  Victoria Burleson and Lesley Khan-Farooqi PhD, OTD, OTR

  This capstone project was created to bring awareness and provide skills to young adult males living within a transitional living facility to increase their independence, well-being and quality of life. The role of OT in transitional living facilities exists however the lack of literature allows for OT services to be expanded in non-traditional setting. This project and others similar benefit the young men to have positive outcomes and address obstacles this population faces,

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  Older Adult's Fall Prevention Program

  Myles Butler and Rebecca King

  The decline in bodily functions with aging increases older adults' vulnerability to falls, which is a leading cause of death within this population. The poster presents an educational based fall prevention program focused on safety awareness and risk management for older adults. In conclusion, implementing a fall prevention program leads to increased awareness regarding risk factors that are detrimental to the safety and well-being of the older adult community

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  A Program to Support Kangaroo Care of Preterm Infants in the NICU for the Caregivers

  Katherine Blake Carby Cooksey, Mary Jan Greer, and Debbie Johnson

  This presentation is about an educational program developed to help educate the caregivers about kangaroo care while their baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This program is to emphasis in the occupations of social interaction and family involvement with kangaroo care. Caregivers/parents are able to learn about the what kangaroo care is, the different type methods of kangaroo care, the benefits of kangaroo care, the importance of kangaroo care while being in the NICU. This program development for the caregivers is able to help with their journaling experience while in the NICU and adjusting kangaroo care into their daily routine once they are being discharged from the NICU.

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  Preventing Depression in Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: An Educational Video Series

  Sabrina Casares, Steven Gerardi, and Meghan Skidmore

  Grandparent caregivers often face increased risk for depression, yet access to mental health resources—particularly self-help approaches—is limited. Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (TXGRG), a non-profit organization supporting grandparent caregivers, lacked a specific mental health resource to address this need. This capstone project developed and implemented a self-help, occupation-based educational video series to provide practical strategies for preventing and managing depression. Designed for accessibility and ease of use, the video series offers tools grounded in daily occupations to promote mental well-being. This project fills a critical gap by equipping TXGRG and its caregivers with a proactive, occupation-focused mental health resource to support emotional resilience and caregiving demands.

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  The Efficacy of Occupation-Based Caregiver Education on Primitive Reflex Integration in Children with ASD

  Alexis Cinotti and Cynthia Haynes

  This capstone research improved the delivery of care regarding caregiver education in children with autism spectrum disorder and retained primitive reflexes. The purpose of this project was to generate resources for occupational therapy practitioners that provide caregiver education on primitive reflex integration interventions that directly correlate with specific ADL’s their child has difficulty with and how to incorporate these exercises in the home environment. Occupational therapy practitioners lack educational resources for caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD to explain the importance and impact of primitive reflex integration on participation in meaningful ADL’s and promote adherence to home exercise programs, implementing evidence-based primitive reflex integration exercises. This project consisted of pre- and post-intervention surveys, an initial educational coaching session, a follow-up educational coaching session, and online video modules for OT and caregiver use beyond the time frame of this project. The results of this mixed-methods pilot study ultimately demonstrated that caregivers benefit from education and coaching regarding their child’s home exercise program and retained primitive reflexes. Results demonstrate that occupational therapists should incorporate more structured and intentional caregiver education during children’s occupational therapy sessions to increase adherence to the child’s home exercise program and ultimately increase the child’s ability and independence in activities of daily living as was illustrated by the outcome data for this study.

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  Sex Education Program for Individuals with Disabilities

  Kalynne Coates and Keisa Boykin

  The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a program to discuss the ADL of sex education with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

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  Enhancing Fall Prevention: Prioritizing Postural Health and Monitoring Falls Among Persons with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD) and Care Partners

  Kara Day; Lesley Khan-Farooqi PhD, OTD, OTR; and Karen Aranha PhD, OT

  Falls are a significant concern for persons with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) that can lead to injury, occupational deprivation, and poor quality of life (QoL). This capstone project addressed the gap in resources related to fall prevention by focusing on postural health and fall monitoring for PwPD, their care partners, and community organizations. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive guidebook for PwPD and care partners, as well as a handbook for community organizations to enhance postural health literacy, increase fall monitoring, reduce the risk of falling, and overall improve the QoL for PwPD and their care partners.

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  Return to Driving For Clients with TBI: A Guide For Caregivers to Navigate Emotional Barriers Experienced by Clients

  Brianna Dorsey and Mary Greer

  The project describes the building of an online resource for caregivers to have easily accessible resources regarding information about brain injuries, emotional barriers, and return to driving programs. Each section provides further resources for caregivers and is intended to help improve their care and medical literacy.

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  Making an Easy Return to School after an Extended Illness Diagnosis

  Ashlyn Eads, Mary Jan Greer, and Julie Boykin

  This poster provides information on the capstone program created at a pediatric site. This program addresses how play-based therapy can help children with an extended illness transition back into the school setting. Both the children and their caregivers need support before, during, and after the return to school. The goals of this program were to educate caregivers on how to advocate for their child for positive outcomes, provide caregivers with resources to promote successful transition to school, provide play-based strategies for children addressing handwriting, social Skills, upper body strength, education, fine Motor Skills, and provide the site and caregivers with a Home Activities Binder.

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  Ergonomics & Environmental Changes within the Beauty Industry to Decrease Musculoskeletal Conditions

  Jessika Eiland and Rebecca King

  Ergonomics, adaptation, and environmental changes within the beauty industry to decrease musculoskeletal conditions in the upper extremities. Musculoskeletal disorders and their effects may limit a hairdressers ability to complete their job duties. For individuals within the beauty industry, health management can become an important factor.

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  The Impact of Client Education Videos on Stroke Rehabilitation: An Educational Video Series

  Sydney Ellis and Lesley Khan-Farooqi PhD, OTD, OTR

  Stroke is one of the leading causes of severe disability and death in the United States. During the initial stage of recovery, clients receive stroke education to learn about what their new reality looks like after discharge; however, many clients feel that the education provided, although appreciated, was not inclusive to all individuals and only occurred one time. This led to difficulties in knowledge retention and acquisition. Although there is a plethora of educational resources available there seems to be a lack of carryover and understanding of information obtained from these resources, this leaves the client wondering how they can apply what they have learned to their everyday life. This projects focus was to create an educational video series for occupational therapy practitioners to utilize with CVA survivors and caregivers that fostered independent engagement in daily activities, and builds client confidence post-stroke.

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  Exploring the Relationship Between Hand Grip Strength and Handwriting Proficiency

  Chloe Fields and Rebecca King

  Handwriting remains essential for a child's academic performance despite the rise of technology in classrooms, but overuse of digital tools can hinder the development of essential hand muscles and fine motor skills. This capstone project explores the relationship between handwriting proficiency, hand grip strength, and the impact of excessive technology use on young students.

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  Supporting Leisure Exploration and Participation for Older Adults to Improve Occupational Performance

  Jack Fong, Karen Park, and Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

  This capstone project aimed to develop a program advocating for leisure exploration and participation among older adults to address functional decline and improve quality of life. The program utilized a comprehensive needs assessment, including interviews, interest screening, and observations, to identify participants' preferences and barriers to participation. Through education and advocacy, the program encouraged engagement in meaningful leisure activities tailored to individual interests and abilities. Participants reported satisfaction with their leisure participation, emphasizing the importance of socialization and maintaining physical and cognitive health. Modifications, such as activity adjustments, enabled participation despite health-related challenges. This project highlights the value of responsive and adaptive leisure opportunities in enhancing older adults' quality of life and serves as a framework for future occupational therapy-led programs in similar settings.

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  To-Do List: A Chore Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Mariah Gad, Mary Jan Greer, and Danielle Howerton

  Many children with autism spectrum disorder do not have the exposure to age-appropriate chore tasks because their parents may be unaware of how to actively get their child involved with household tasks. The overarching goal of this project was to develop a chore program for children with autism to gain responsibilities and learn functional living skills through the use of household chores to aid in the transition process to adulthood.

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  The Doing, Being, Becoming, and Belonging of Intergenerational Collective Occupations

  Gladys Garcia and Jazminne Orozco-Arteaga

  Background: Older adults have been globally recognized as a vulnerable population. Literature has indicated that intergenerational engagement can decrease social isolation for older adults, but there is a gap in understanding intergenerational co-occupational engagement and how these engagements can improve quality of life and fulfillment of self-identity. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to generate knowledge of how relationships and occupations performed with individuals from a younger generation impacted sense of well-being. Through the lens of Doing, Being, Becoming and Belonging (Wilcock, 2006), the study sought to increase understanding of this lived experience to promote intergenerational practice within the occupational therapy (OT) profession.

  Methods: This qualitative research study recruited 6 participants using snowball sampling, word of mouth, personal connections, and social media forums. To analyze the data gathered from the interviews, the student researcher used Braun and Clark’s (2006) six-step thematic analysis to capture patterned meaning and responses.

  Results: Several key sub-themes emerged through the Doing, Being, Becoming, Belonging framework including the following: passing down skills, sharing cultural perspectives, me encanta estar viendola, just enjoying each other’s company, como una raiz mas de la vida de uno, shared experiences grows into connectedness, reflejando en momentos bonitos que he vivido con mi familia, and hoping to be remembered.

  Conclusions: The findings of this research are encouraged to be used in evidence-based practice and to advocate for OT’s role in intergenerational practices, programs, and policies.