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Description

This capstone project sought to address the limited competence and confidence of occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) in providing services for children and families facing sleep-related challenges. The objective was to enhance OTP knowledge and skills in delivering specialized sleep interventions through the development of an educational resource. The project was implemented across two settings: telehealth and an outpatient pediatric service, integrating both virtual and outdoor environments for occupational therapy (OT). Participants include OTP, OT students, and families of young children (ages 0-5) experiencing sleep disturbances.

The project followed a structured four-phase approach: strengths and needs assessment, development of an educational manual, evaluation and revision, and dissemination. The initial phase involved observational analysis of OT sleep interventions and the identification of gaps in OTP knowledge. The development phase culminated in the creation of a manual that outlines the OTP role in sleep interventions, including coaching strategies and therapeutic approaches. In the evaluation phase, feedback from an OTP and OT students guided revisions to the manual. The final phase involved the dissemination of the refined manual to stakeholders.

This initiative aimed to enhance OTP ability to address sleep challenges in pediatric populations, promote interprofessional collaboration, and actively involve caregivers in the intervention process. It underscores the need for further research into a standardized sleep assessment tool and the impact of OT sleep interventions on developmental outcomes. Ultimately, this project aspires to improve OT practice, child sleep outcomes, and family well-being through evidence-based, client-centered strategies.

Publication Date

Spring 4-9-2025

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Occupational therapy practitioners, Sleep, Sleep-related challenges, Children

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational therapy practitioners, Sleep, Sleep-related challenges, Children

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the in-person OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on April 24, 2025

Sound Asleep: A Manual for Occupational Therapy Practitioners (OTP) Addressing Sleep-Related Challenges in Young Children

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