An evidence-based guide to combining interventions with sensory integration in pediatric practice: A book review

by: Gustavo Reinoso, Ph.D., OTR/L and Thomas J. Decker, Ed.D. OTD, OTR/L

Because of the complexity of the clients we assess and treat utilizing sensory integration, we often wonder about how we can best address a family’s needs by incorporating other approaches during our busy practices. The concept of combining and blending approaches is not new. In 1995, Blanche, Botticelli and Hallway published a textbook “Combining Neuro-Developmental Treatment and Sensory Integration principles: An Approach to Pediatric Practice.” The textbook was well-received among clinicians

Wake up to the occupation of sleep: Its importance in the older adult

by: Anette Bullard, MEd, COTA/L and Anjali Parti, OTD, OTR/L 

Everyone has experienced having to power through the day after a night of not sleeping well with every aspect of the day feeling more challenging due to your lack of sleep. The National Institute of Health (2017) identifies sleep as one of the most important occupations for maintaining all aspects of health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018) has recognized sleep deprivation as a public health problem with broad, negative effects on safe occupational performance. For the older adults the challenges brought on by age compounded with a lack of sleep can further decrease successful occupational performance. Many age-related changes tend to disturb patterns of sleep and the myth that older adults need less sleep is actually incorrect (Suni, 2022b). The older adult is confronted with additional sleep obstacles such as, chronic conditions, medications, diminished physical activity, and decreased cognitive exercise, all of which have all been associated with decreases in sleep satisfaction. The resulting downward spiral of poor sleep results in less successful occupational engagement. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework includes ‘rest and sleep’ as an area of occupation and defining occupational therapy practitioners as qualified professionals to assist clients with the occupation of rest and sleep (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020). This brief article seeks to assist practitioners with identifying resources and awareness for more consistently addressing the occupation of sleep in the older adults. 

Lymphedema Basics: Increasing Client Occupations

by: Candice D. Young E.d.S., COTA/L, CLT

Increasing independence in occupations is what occupational practitioners are known for. For many experienced clinicians, it is a daily routine recognized through experience through evidence-based practices. However, many clients suffer from diseases uncontrolled by either primary or secondary causes resulting in delayed healing or ongoing therapy services. The growing anxieties of past medical history, congenital conditions, or surgeries are not always straightforward nor understandable, and the complications may be unknown. Lymphedema could be lurking in the foreseeable future for many with no current cure and awaiting breakthrough treatments (Schaverien and Aldrich (2018).  

The pelvic floor: The muscle group we all should know more about

by: Sujata Martins, MS, OTR/L, CD

Out of sight, out of mind is a common saying for most and unfortunately tends to be applied to the pelvic floor. By learning to take care of our pelvic floor, most of us can avoid embarrassing accidents, as well as spending money on incontinence products, medications, and even surgery. It is also extremely valuable for pregnant women in order to prepare for delivery and postpartum healing, and plays an important role in intimacy. 

Integrating research into fieldwork experiences: Benefits for practitioners, students, and faculty

by: Annemarie Connor, PhD, OTR/L, Sarah Fabrizi PhD, OTR/L, and Adrienne Yaryan, OT-S, and Kevin Ortiz, OT-S

As new occupational therapy programs continue to develop, it has become more difficult to find fieldwork (FW) sites for students since practitioners are less willing to supervise students due to the lack of resources, limited time, and questions of student preparedness (Varland et al., 2017). Unfortunately, this predicament is now exacerbated in the era of COVID-19. Emerging practice fieldwork sites, largely focused on prevention and health promotion in community-based practice, have been one mechanism for creating meaningful and productive fieldwork sites during this increasingly challenging landscape (Clarke et al., 2015; Dancza et al., 2013). 

Telehealth value and future considerations in pediatric occupational therapy practice to support innovation and healthcare equity

by: Elizabeth Morejon, OTD, OTR/L, CSIPT,  and Evelyn Terrell, OTD, MS/HAS, OT/L

As you may know, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issued a press release last week containing guidelines related to the Treatment of Gender Dysphoria for Children and Adolescents. 

 

As stated, the press release is guidance and does not create a requirement for health care practitioners.

 

According to our practice framework, and regardless of condition or diagnosis, occupational therapy practitioners support clients by offering evidence-based treatments which affirm the lived experience, encourage exploration of identity, provide a safe and supportive environment, maximize strengths and resources, reflect on consequences of treatment approaches, facilitate participation in preferred roles, and prevent loss of engagement in meaningful occupations. 

 

Clinicians with specific questions regarding the guidance should contact the DOH directly. 

 

Clinicians should also feel free to reach out to [email protected] with comments, concerns or to speak with practitioners familiar with these topics. 

 

FOTA will continue to share information as it becomes available.

 

Sincerely,

 

Your Government Affairs Team"

OT Scope of Practice Legislation Stalls in Senate [Government Affairs]

The 2020-2021 Legislative Session was the first of its kind for the State of Florida. In response to the global pandemic, the State Capitol closed its doors to the public around March 2020 and only reopened to the public in May of 2021. During this time legislators and relevant stakeholders met virtually for committee meetings, to provide testimonies, and execute the legislative process that, by Florida law, usually requires physical presence. Despite these challenges, the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) was still able to continue service throughout to its constituents by advocating for an updated OT Scope of Practice (Scope).

The Occupational Therapy Practice Act had not been updated in over two decades. For the past two years, FOTA has been working with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy, and our sister professions to thoughtfully modernize language that reflects current & future practices. Prior to the start of the 2021 legislative session, FOTA enlisted the sponsorship of Representative Traci Koster and Senator Jennifer Bradley. These Bill sponsors were chosen because of their known track record for service to Florida’s citizens and involvement in committees that administer bills of this nature. The Governmental Affairs committee for FOTA and legislative representatives, Johnston & Stewart, vetted language with House and Senate staff while reviewing the language with key personnel from the Department of Health and Board of Occupational Therapy. FOTA’s Scope Bill was filed early to allow ample time for movement through committees. The House Bill 543 passed its two committees of reference and the entire House chamber unanimously. The Senate Bill 990 passed 2 of its 3 committees unanimously. When it was time for the final Senate Appropriations Committee vote, the Bill was surprisingly left off the agenda. Communication with the Appropriations Chair and the President’s office revealed no concerns other than they simply ran out of room on the agenda. It was sometime later FOTA learned the primary limiting factor was technical language included within the Bill referencing the Gardiner Scholarship Program (GSP). Because the GSP was repealed and merged into a different program during the same session, certain language in the OT Scope was rendered obsolete which ultimately prevented inclusion into law this session.

The New normal: Supporting post-pandemic independence within the home and community health setting

Since March 2020 the world has continued to evolve and change to meet the restrictions and demands of what is known as COVID-19. Twenty-one months later we continue to track outbreaks and attempt to prevent the spread through handwashing, masking, and social distancing, as well as develop treatments that are scientific and alternative. Both healthcare workers, including occupational therapists, and clients are experiencing difficulties in the areas of occupations of work, self-care, and leisure due to COVID-19 and the associated restrictions (Sithong, 2021). However, with states lifting restrictions, clients and practitioners are hoping to return to their pre-pandemic lives despite the occupational imbalances and hardships they have undergone.

Contemplating the Capstone

by Pamela Kasyan-Howe, OTD FOTA SIS Fieldwork

Virtual Reality in Occupational Therapy

By Jonathan E. Urrely, OT-S and Carlos Martoral

ASSESSING STUDENTS’ CLINICAL REASONING ON FIELDWORK

By Maria A. Colmer, OTD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Florida Gulf Coast University, OT Program, FLOTEC

Motivation: An important factor in adherence to home programs for patients with chronic conditions

By Kristin Domville, DrOT, OTR/L and  Kaye Rubio, Ph.D., MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA,

Joint effort with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Department of Elder affairs in a home modification program.

Eligible providers will have 60 days to complete the application for funding. Providers must apply by February 14, 2022.

FOTA21 Conference: Student Poster Submissions

Here are some tips to follow when completing your student poster submission:

1. First and foremost, make sure you submit your poster under student and not professional. This will help to decrease any added stress closer to conference when you realize you may have been placed in the wrong group. The conference committee goes off what you submit and will place your poster in the group accordingly.

Occupational Therapy Practitioners as Leaders

An others-oriented perspective is at the core of most occupational therapy practitioners. Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic profession built on the ideals of being client centered and helping others live a life they deserve and value, which I believe is the reason many of us fell in love with the profession. Occupational therapists bring a unique, client-focused, occupation based, and holistic perspective to the table. With this viewpoint, we are given a responsibility to employ it in leadership, as it is increasingly valuable to healthcare as a whole.

By: Gustavo Reinoso, Ph.D., OTR/L Dominique Kiefer-Blanche, OTD, OTR/L Erna I. Blanche, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA 

As our understanding of sensory integration and the processing construct evolves, so should our measures and assessments. Occupational therapists working with children who present deficits in sensory integration and processing use an array of measures in clinical practice, such as standardized testing, proxy questionnaires, family interviews, biographical accounts, and self-report measures. The information provided by these measures assist practitioners in composing a clinical profile, formulate hypotheses, and develop a plan of care relevant to these children’s lives and their families. The results from these measures are often combined with the use of clinical observations. The primary purpose of clinical observations is to allow the therapist to use clinical judgment to analyze a child’s performance in relationship to sensory processing as informed by evolving theory and research (Blanche & Reinoso, 2008).