bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of Selection Criteria for a Program in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Posthuma Barbara W. , Sommerfreund Joy
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine if the results of preselection interviews in combination with preselection academic performance offer better predictions of academic performance in occupational therapy than either of these criteria taken singly. The sample consisted of 48 high school students and 31 university students admitted to the program in occupational therapy at the University of Western Ontario from 1978 to 1980. The results indicated that for university students, previous academic performance alone was the best predictor for their performance in first-year occupational therapy. For high school students, the combination of 5 of the 12 interview items with previous academic performance produced the best predictor of successful academic performance in occupational therapy. This implies that for high school students at least, the interview and previous academic performance should both be considered as important selection criteria.
Crossing the Midline as a Function of Distance from Midline
Authors: Atwood Ruth M. , Cermak Sharon A.
Published: April 2012

This study examined the effect of differential block placement on the frequency of midline crossing during the Space Visualization test (SV) of the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests. The SV test was administered at distances of 0.75, 3.00, and 6.00 inches to a group of 71 normal right-handed boys (ages 5 and 7 years) to obtain the Space Visualization Contralateral Use score (SVCU) and the Space Visualization Contralateral Use Percentage score (SVCU percent). Space Visualization (SV) adjusted scores were also obtained to examine the effect of differential block placement on visual perception scores. The analyses for the SVCU and SVCU percent scores showed that age and distance were significant. Analysis of variance of the SV adjusted standard score indicated that trial, but not distance or age, was significant. There was a significant age-by-trial interaction. The need for a standard protocol for block placement during the administration of the SV test was shown. Future research needs were identified.
Developmental Play Ages of Physically Abused and Nonabused Children
Authors: Howard Ann C.
Published: April 2012

Although the specific effects of physical abuse are largely unknown, studies have shown deficiencies in the social behaviors of physically abused children. Because play is an important developmental process influencing socialization, physical abuse may adversely affect the developmental play age of children. This study compared the developmental play age of two groups of children aged 1 to 5 years, 12 of whom were physically abused and 12 of whom were not physically abused. Children’s play behaviors were recorded using the Preschool Play Scale. Deficits in developmental play age and play imitation were found in the abused group. These results have implications for occupational therapy practice in the identification, assessment, and treatment of physically abused children.
Reach Out For Health: A Corporation’s Approach to Health Promotion
Authors: Kaplan Laura Hollander , Burch-Minakan Laurel
Published: April 2012

Corporation health programs are one strategy to reduce health care costs. This paper describes a health and safety program at the Southern New England Telephone Company that was started in January 1983. The three phases of the comprehensive statewide wellness program called Reach Out For Health are described. Eighteen different health education and fitness courses help employees reduce health risks and achieve healthier life-styles. Several motivational techniques are presented. Evaluation components of the program give feedback to all concerned.
Some Issues Related to Research Utilization in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Barris Roann , Van Deusen Julia
Published: April 2012

The importance of research in the rehabilitation fields, including occupational therapy, has been widely recognized in the past decade. The production of credible research literature has received high priority as occupational therapy strives to achieve professional status within the hierarchy of rehabilitation service providers. To accomplish this goal, research that establishes a scientific basis for therapy must be produced, and this research must be integrated with clinical practice.

Occupational therapy appears to be making progress in producing research literature related to clinical practice; however, the issue of research utilization has remained largely unexplored. This paper discusses methods of applying research findings and procedures in practice environments and explores some issues related to research utilization. Research utilization is viewed as a complex process involving multiple components related to individual decision making, theory development, and the documentation of clinical practice.
Examining Reliability and Validity of the Preschool Play Scale With Handicapped Children
Authors: Harrison Hilda , Kielhofner Gary
Published: April 2012

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Preschool Play Scale (PPS), a measure of the developmental level of play, on a sample of 60 handicapped children. Results demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity for the scale as a whole. However, the need for some refinement of the scale was revealed by the findings. Categories of play that can be observed only infrequently need to be reconsidered. The data also suggest that the criteria for deciding whether a behavior is absent or whether there was no opportunity to observe the behavior need to be spelled out more clearly for the scale.
The Literature of Occupational Therapy: A Citation Analysis Study
Authors: Johnson K. Suzanne , Leising Dorothy J.
Published: April 2012

A citation analysis was done on literature cited in 1978, 1980, and 1982 issues of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. The results confirmed two impressions. The body of literature specific to occupational therapy is very small. But the body of literature potentially relevant to the work of the occupational therapist is very large, covering many disciplines. An unexpected finding was the reliance on older literature. Implications of these three findings are discussed.
The Effects of Introducing the Klein-Bell ADL Scale in a Rehabilitation Service
Authors: Smith Roger O. , Morrow Marilyn E. , Heitman Jolene K. , Rardin William J. , Powelson Janis L. , Von Therese
Published: April 2012

This study investigated the impact of introducing the Klein-Bell ADL Scale into a rehabilitation medicine service. A pretest and a posttest questionnaire of rehabilitation team members and a pretest and a posttest audit of occupational therapy documentation were completed. Results of the questionnaire suggested that the ADL scale influenced rehabilitation team members’ observations in the combined area of occupational therapy involvement in self-care, improvement in the identification of treatment goals and plans, and communication between team members. Results of the audit suggested that the thoroughness and quantification of occupational therapy documentation improved. The clinical implications of these findings recommend the use of the Klein-Bell ADL Scale in rehabilitation services for improving occupational therapy documentation and for enhancing rehabilitation team effectiveness.
Purposeful Activity and Performance
Authors: Steinbeck Thomas M.
Published: April 2012

Fifteen male and 15 female subjects performed activities designated as purposeful and nonpurposeful that required the same muscle function. Subjects continued each activity to a predefined level of perceived exertion. The number of repetitions performed, the heart rate, and electromyogram (EMG) recordings were compared for the purposeful and nonpurposeful activities. Results showed a significantly greater number of repetitions performed on the purposeful activities (p = .001) recorded at equal levels of exertion. The hypothesis that individuals will be motivated to perform longer when the activity is purposeful was supported empirically, thereby substantiating a basic premise of occupational therapy.
Sexuality Counseling for Adults With Disabilities: A Module for an Occupational Therapy Curriculum
Authors: Neistadt Maureen E.
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapists, as well as other rehabilitation professionals, are aware that sexuality counseling is an important aspect of rehabilitation. However, occupational therapists have limited resources within their profession for training in this area. This paper describes the development, philosophy, goals, objectives, and format of the module “Sexuality and Disability” offered to occupational therapy students at Tufts University. Evaluations from the 288 students who have taken this module to date indicate that all students considered the module a pertinent part of their academic program. Other occupational therapy schools might wish to incorporate a similar component into their curricula to expand the resources within the profession for training in sexuality counseling.
The Use of Trivial Pursuit in Teaching Community Living Skills to Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Nochajski Susan Bruch , Gordon Catherine Yanega
Published: April 2012

The use of gaming provides variety, motivation, and renewed interest in activities developing community living skills. In this study, Trivial Pursuit, a popular adult game, was adapted for use with 16 adults with mental retardation attending a developmental center day treatment program. Game questions were developed for six categories of independent living based on the McCarron-Dial Street Survival Skills Questionnaire (SSSQ) and Curriculum Guide. A two-group, pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the game in teaching independent living skills. An analysis of variance on the measurement scale and for the total score on the SSSQ indicated significant differences in improvement rate after eight sessions with the game. Additionally, subjects found the Trivial Pursuit format interesting and absorbing. Results suggest that the gaming approach can be a valuable adjunct to traditional independent living training programs.
Classroom as Clinic: A Model for Teaching Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy Education
Authors: Neistadt Maureen E.
Published: April 2012

One way to help students transfer their academic skills of data gathering and analysis to clinical settings is to teach them the clinical reasoning process outlined by Joan Rogers. This paper describes a format for teaching that process through the use of carefully structured in-class evaluations of physically disabled guest speakers who role-model as clients. Pre- and posttesting of the performance of 78 students during these in-class evaluation sessions showed a significant improvement over a semester in students’ abilities to accurately analyze preassessment data and to formulate appropriate treatment plans. Qualitative outcomes are also discussed.
Service Delivery Mechanisms in Rehabilitation Technology
Authors: Vanderheiden Gregg C.
Published: April 2012

Rehabilitation technology is a rapidly advancing area involving professionals from multiple disciplines, including engineers, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists, computer programmers, and many others. This paper focuses on the use of computers and other personal assistive devices by disabled persons, but the concepts presented apply to all areas of personal rehabilitation technology. The topics covered include a perspective on the use of advanced technology, technological appliances versus tools, skills or special knowledge needed for the effective delivery of rehabilitation technology, new roles for the service delivery team, sources of training in rehabilitation technology, and issues in qualification or certification of rehabilitation technology professionals. The purpose of this paper is to put the use of advanced technology for rehabilitation in its proper perspective and to present ideas for consideration in building more effective service delivery mechanisms for these technologies.
Developing an Occupational Therapy Curriculum at a Small College
Authors: Heater Stephen L.
Published: April 2012

Small colleges and universities are increasingly turning to new program development to increase enrollments, stem decline, and ensure survival. Occupational therapy is an increasingly popular curriculum among small college and university administrators in view of its potential for attracting students, enhancing the organization’s profile and mission, and generating revenue.

This study examined the development of the occupational therapy curriculum at College Misericordia, Dallas, Pennsylvania, from 1981 to 1984. Interviews and pertinent documents, such as financial records, curricular materials, and enrollment statistics, were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the occupational therapy curriculum was instrumental in increasing enrollments and generating revenues at this small college. It can be concluded that curriculum development in occupational therapy can have a positive effect on an organization’s ability to remain viable in an increasingly competitive market.
The Influence of the Arts-and-Crafts Movement on the Professional Status of Occupational Therapy
Authors: Levine Ruth Ellen
Published: April 2012

This paper explores why occupational therapists use arts and crafts as therapeutic modalities. Beginning with the turn-of-the-century origins of occupational therapy, the paper traces the similarities and differences in the ideas and beliefs of the founders of occupational therapy and the proponents of the arts-and-crafts movement.
Marketing Occupational Therapy
Authors: Jacobs Karen
Published: April 2012

Marketing is emerging as an important aspect of the delivery of health care services, including occupational therapy. An understanding of marketing and a knowledge of how to apply its principles will permit therapists to keep pace with the changing health care environment. This article introduces terminology, strategies, and applications of marketing.
Integrating Play in Neurodevelopmental Treatment
Authors: Anderson Jill , Hinojosa Jim , Strauch Carrie
Published: April 2012

This article presents one perspective on the integration of play activities within a neurodevelopmental frame of reference. Based on the premise that activities are characteristic of occupational therapy intervention, issues related to combining play activities with neurodevelopmental principles are discussed. Clinical examples are also provided to illustrate the value of integrating play activities within the occupational therapy treatment of the child with cerebral palsy.
Use of Leisure Time by Cardiac Patients
Authors: Fitts Helen A. , Howe Margot C.
Published: April 2012

There has been increasing evidence that psychological stress is a risk factor in the development of heart disease. How an individual copes with stress will determine its impact on his or her health. The literature proposes that the effects of stress can be minimized, reduced, or reversed by factors such as goal-directed activity, physical exercise, relaxation, or emotionally supportive relationships. An exploratory study was conducted to compare activity patterns and leisure concepts between matched groups of cardiac and noncardiac subjects. The data indicate trends in the differences between these two groups in activity patterns and in the variety of activities that characterized their leisure time. The results suggest areas for occupational therapy intervention in the treatment of cardiac patients.
Quality Assurance in Equipment Ordering for the Spinal Cord–Injured Client
Authors: Smith Ruth
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapy for spinal cord–injured clients is based on training in the use of adapted techniques and adapted equipment to optimize functioning. Two factors, the need for equipment to enhance the client’s potential and the demand for cost containment in equipment ordering, spurred a quality assurance study of equipment ordering. Through a follow-up survey of persons who had received equipment while they were patients of the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center, suspected problems were identified and defined. A plan was formulated and implemented to resolve the problems; then the outcomes of this plan were evaluated by a telephone survey 1 year later. This quality assurance study helped establish accountability for cost containment in equipment ordering based on the client’s perceived need, the client’s level of spinal cord injury, equipment durability, and the timeliness of ordering.
Chewing Cycles in 2- to 8-Year-Old Normal Children: A Developmental Profile
Authors: Gisel Erika G.
Published: April 2012

Chewing movements of normal 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old children were measured and compared across age, food textures, and gender. Applesauce, graham cracker, and raisins were used. Measures were taken on 98 children: eighteen 5-year-olds (9 boys, 9 girls); thirty-five 6-year-olds (16 boys, 19 girls); twenty-six 7-year-olds (13 boys, 13 girls); and nineteen 8-year-olds (10 boys, 9 girls). Comparisons were made with data of another twenty 5-year-olds (10 boys, 10 girls) from a previous study. Chewing movements were measured by time, number of cycles, and a time/cycle ratio.

Food texture affected time, cycle, and the time/cycle ratio. Age affected time and cycles. Data from earlier studies are used to describe the development of chewing between the ages of 2 and 8 years. Results indicate that eating skills for different food textures mature at different rates. Skills for eating solid foods mature before skills for eating viscous and pureed foods mature. Thus, the consistent use of food textures is important when children’s eating skills are evaluated. The normative data presented here may be used by clinicians evaluating children within the given age group.
A Description of Grip Strength in Preschool Children
Authors: Robertson Andrea , Deitz Jean
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this research project was to provide occupational therapists with preliminary descriptive data on the spherical grip strength of 3- to 5½-yearold children using the Martin Vigorimeter. Three hundred and eighty boys and girls were tested. Standardized positioning and instructions were followed. The mean of three trials was used as the grip strength score for each hand. The right and left hands were alternated during testing to allow a 20-second rest between trials. A repeated measures design multiple analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that the mean grip strength scores increased linearly with an increase in age (p < .001) and that the right grip strength score was greater than the left (p < .001). The descriptive data were reported separately for the right and left hands by age increments of 6 months. Two tables of mean grip strength scores and their standard deviations were generated for clinical use.
The Evolution of Occupational Therapy in the Public Schools: The Laws Mandating Practice
Authors: Colman Wendy
Published: April 2012

This paper provides an overview of the evolution of occupational therapy in public school systems. The focus of this history is the passage and implementation of the laws mandating service provision to children with disabilities and a cursory examination of the social, political, and economic currents that have influenced that service provision. An effort was made to cull the most salient issues currently affecting occupational therapists who work in public school systems; for this reason, information was gathered from oral history sources, which provided the bulk of the data. Additional written sources were synthesized to provide a comprehensive review of the story of occupational therapy’s emergence and current responsibilities in the education of children with disabilities.
Promoting Occupational Therapy in the Schools
Authors: Royeen Charlotte Brasic , Marsh Dottie
Published: April 2012

In response to our perceptions of the need to clarify the nature of school-based occupational therapy services at the local, state, and federal levels, we have written this article to address three areas. First, we suggest that the terminology used by school-based occupational therapists to describe their work be explained in terms that will allow parents and educators to better understand the roles and functions of the occupational therapist in the school. Second, to clarify and thereby increase the marketability of school-based occupational therapy, we propose a conceptual framework upon which the provision of occupational therapy as a service related to education can be based. Third, to clarify the unique role of occupational therapy in the schools, we define the roles and functions of school-based occupational therapy in such a way as to differentiate it from other related school-based services. Finally, we identify strategies to further secure the position of occupational therapy in the schools.
Professional Involvement in Sexuality Counseling for Patients With Spinal Cord Injuries
Authors: Novak Paul P. , Mitchell Marlys M.
Published: April 2012

A national survey was conducted to determine how occupational therapists and rehabilitation nurses conduct sexuality counseling in practice settings with spinal cord–injured patients. A review of the literature and results from the survey demonstrated a high priority concern for sexuality counseling in the total rehabilitation of the spinal cord–injured patient; however, many of the professionals surveyed did not conduct sexuality counseling as part of their job. This study provides data comparing the sexuality counseling approach taken by these two disciplines and identifies ways to eliminate the incongruities between recommendations made in the literature and actual clinical practice.
Praxis and Gesture Comprehension in 4-, 5-, and 6-Year-Olds
Authors: Lennox Lynette , Cermak Sharon A. , Koomar Jane
Published: April 2012

This investigation examined (a) whether the ability to comprehend pantomimed gestures improves with age in young children and whether the ability to point to the actual object precedes the ability to point to a functional associate and (b) whether there is a difference in the ability to comprehend pantomimed gestures between learning-disabled and normal subjects. The Gesture Comprehension Test, the Imitation of Postures test, and the Test for Auditory Comprehension of Language were administered to 68 normal children and 24 learning-disabled children 4 to 6 years of age. Results indicated that gesture comprehension improved with age and that the ability to point to the actual object preceded the ability to point to its functional associate. Boys performed significantly better than girls. There was no significant difference between normal and learning-disabled subjects’ ability to comprehend gestures. A moderate correlation was found between the Gesture Comprehension Test and the Test for Auditory Comprehension of Language; a low correlation was found between the Gesture Comprehension Test and the Imitation of Postures test. These results suggest the possibility that in preschool children and young school-age children, gesture comprehension may be more closely related to language than to nonsymbolic aspects of praxis.
Occupational Therapy for Adults With Perceptual Deficits
Authors: Neistadt Maureen E.
Published: April 2012

Although perceptual retraining has for many years been an accepted part of occupational therapy for adults with perceptual problems stemming from brain injury, few outcome studies on this type of treatment have been conducted. To assure high-quality, cost-effective rehabilitation programs for this population, occupational therapists need to do more research to (a) precisely define perceptual interventions and (b) determine the efficacy of different occupational therapy approaches to perceptual problems. This article offers guidance on the design of future studies to achieve the latter goal by exploring the current research on the effectiveness of perceptual remediation and offers suggestions for future research.
Occupational Therapy Knowledge: From Practice to Theory
Authors: Henderson Anne
Published: April 2012

This paper discusses the place of occupational therapy technology in practice and the growth of scientific technology. It is suggested that practice is an important source for the development of technological theory. A historical review of the treatment of hand dysfunction in cerebral palsy is presented as an illustration of the development of a specific occupational therapy technology.
Perceived Autonomy and Job Satisfaction in Occupational Therapists
Authors: Davis Gerald L. , Bordieri James E.
Published: April 2012

Perceived autonomy, overall job satisfaction, and specific work incentives and disincentives were surveyed in 249 occupational therapists. Respondents rated autonomy and job satisfaction moderately high. They perceived achievement, interpersonal relationships with co-workers, and the nature of the work itself as incentives. The lack of organizational support for training, opportunity for advancement, and working conditions were seen as job disincentives. Results also showed that perceived autonomy was positively related to overall job satisfaction and to each job satisfaction factor.
A Descriptive Study of the Clinical Practice Patterns of Occupational Therapists Working With Infants and Young Children
Authors: Lawlor Mary C. , Henderson Anne
Published: April 2012

This investigation was designed to gather descriptive data on the clinical practice patterns of occupational therapists working with infants and young children. One hundred nineteen therapists entered the study, and 118 completed the interview, yielding a response rate of 99.4%. The therapists were highly experienced, with a mean of 9.47 years working in pediatrics. The school setting was the most common type of facility in which therapists served infants and young children and accounted for 37.3% of the sample. The majority of the respondents (67.8%) were members of formally identified teams. Although 80.5% of the therapists served very young children (aged birth to 12 months), no therapists served this population exclusively. Considerable variability in models of service provision, team structures, and assessment and treatment practices were found. Additionally, there was a lack of consensus on the unique contributions of occupational therapy and diverse opinions regarding the importance of selected frames of reference. Implications of the findings on professional initiatives to enhance practice are discussed.
Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) Battery for Brain-Injured Patients: Reliability and Validity
Authors: Katz Noomi , Itzkovich Malka , Averbuch Sara , Elazar Betty
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) battery. The battery provides an initial profile of the cognitive abilities of the brain-injured patient that can be used as a starting point for occupational therapy intervention and as a screening test for further assessment. The LOTCA consists of 20 subtests and is divided into four areas: orientation, visual and spatial perception, visuomotor organization, and thinking operations. The battery takes 30 to 45 minutes to administer. Subjects in the study consisted of two patient groups (20 traumatic head injury patients and 28 cerebrovascular accident patients) and one control group (55 non-brain-injured adults). Results showed interrater reliability coefficients of .82 to .97 for the various subtests and an alpha coefficient of .85 and above for the internal consistency of the areas of perception, visuomotor organization, and thinking operations. The Wilcoxon two-sample test showed that all subtests differentiated at the .0001 level of significance between the patient groups and the control group. This supported the LOTCA’s validity. Furthermore, factor analysis provided initial construct validation for three areas of the battery: perception, visuomotor organization, and thinking operations.
Sustaining the Art of Practice in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Peloquin Suzanne M.
Published: April 2012

The art of practice in occupational therapy is intrinsically centered on relationships, on the qualities that make relationships meaningful, and on the meaning of occupation in a life. Demands from today’s health care system make it increasingly difficult for practitioners to engage in meaningful relationships with their patients. The art of practice, jeopardized by the health care system, requires sustenance from other sources. A new field, literature and medicine, suggests a source of sustenance for the art of occupational therapy practice. The reading of fictional literature can provide occupational therapists with sustaining images that can reaffirm their commitment to the art of providing occupation as therapy.
Bird T. Baldwin: A Holistic Scientist in Occupational Therapy’s History
Authors: Wish-Baratz Susanne
Published: April 2012

Holistic patient care and the scientific research method are two important aspects of occupational therapy. Bird T. Baldwin contributed to the formulation of these tenets at the beginning of this century. Baldwin, a psychologist by training, became the director of the occupational therapy department at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, DC, during World War I. In his department, functional rehabilitation was achieved via scientifically analyzed purposeful activities. He believed that purposeful activity was superior to exercise. Activity choice was based on physical, vocational, social, and emotional considerations. True to his scientific approach, Baldwin designed and adapted devices to provide standardized treatment protocols. Because Bird T. Baldwin’s approach to rehabilitation remains of value today, a review of his work is relevant to the occupational therapy community.
Current Concepts of the Vestibular System Reviewed: 1. The Role of the Vestibulospinal System in Postural Control
Authors: Keshner Emily A. , Cohen Helen
Published: April 2012

This paper reviews the research findings that support the presence of vestibulospinal reflexes in corrections for head and body instability. Studies of the importance of labyrinthine inputs to the central nervous system organization of eye, head, and body movements demonstrate that the vestibular nuclei are more than a simple relay station for labyrinthine activity. At all levels of the vestibular system beyond the primary vestibular afferents, parallel processing of labyrinthine signals occurs with input from other sensory systems. Thus, output of the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) is not equivalent to the labyrinthine input. It is the VNC output that influences motor behavior. Various sensory inputs are available to the nervous system to detect and correct postural instability. Most notably, vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive signals contribute significantly to the stabilizing responses in humans. The intent of this paper is to review experimental results rather than to discuss treatment interventions. Wherever possible, conclusions are drawn as to the clinical implications of current research findings.
Current Concepts of the Vestibular System Reviewed: 2. Visual/Vestibular Interaction and Spatial Orientation
Authors: Cohen Helen , Keshner Emily A.
Published: April 2012

The vestibular system contributes to the generation of conjugate eye movements, spatial orientation, and postural control. The functional connections of the vestibular end-organs and of the descending vestibulospinal pathways and their importance to postural control were reviewed in the previous paper by Keshner and Cohen (pp. 320–330). This paper reviews the ascending vestibular pathways, the visual/vestibular interactions, and the role of the vestibular system in oculomotor control and spatial orientation.
Louisiana’s Criteria of Eligibility for Occupational Therapy Services in the Public School System
Authors: Carr Shirley Holland
Published: April 2012

Since the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Public Law 94–142), occupational therapists in the public schools have been responsible for determining the occupational therapy needs of special education students. In Louisiana, therapists and special educators, in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Education, have developed the criteria of eligibility for occupational therapy. These criteria do not alter the descriptive standards established in Public Law 94–142; instead, they provide an objective method for the selection of students in need of occupational therapy. The criteria, which have been revised and refined since 1981, were adopted recently by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. This paper presents these criteria and examples of their implementation.
The Patient–Therapist Relationship in Occupational Therapy: Understanding Visions and Images
Authors: Peloquin Suzanne M.
Published: April 2012

The patient–therapist relationship in occupational therapy has been a blend of competence and caring with the emphasis fluctuating over the years between these two features. When patients tell stories about their experiences, they reveal widely differing views of occupational therapists, partly because of the different ways therapists manifest competence and caring during patient–therapist interactions. Images from stories suggest that some therapists unwittingly disappoint their patients. This paper examines the patient–therapist relationship as envisioned by therapists and patients to help occupational therapists recommit to the patient as a vital partner in a collaborative relationship.
Ways to Retain or Reactivate Occupational Therapists
Authors: Bailey Diana M.
Published: April 2012

The previous paper (Bailey, 1990) reported on the reasons for leaving occupational therapy in a sample of 696 therapists. This follow-up paper discusses the reasons given and suggests ways to retain or reactivate therapists. The issues addressed include child rearing; geographic location; feeling professionally out of date; excessive paperwork; lack of pay and promotional opportunities; returning to school; stress; disillusionment; type of caseloads; illness; desire for more status, autonomy, and challenge; and lack of in-service training and continuing education.
Steps in Collaborative Research Between Clinicians and Faculty
Authors: DePoy Elizabeth , Gallagher Charles
Published: April 2012

This article suggests a seven-step model for faculty-clinician collaborative research. The steps were developed on the basis of the authors’ experiences and anchored in theories of human and organizational behavior. For each step, an aim and outcome are delineated as well as a description of how each stage can be enacted to produce publishable research. An example is used to illustrate how the model has functioned to facilitate the research process. The model lends itself to a full spectrum of qualitative and quantitative designs that are appropriate in clinical occupational therapy.
Concurrent Validity of the Task-Oriented Assessment Component of the Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation With the American Association on Mental Deficiency Adaptive Behavior Scale
Authors: Klyczek James P. , Mann William C.
Published: April 2012

This study was designed to test the concurrent validity of the revised Task-Oriented Assessment (TOA) component of the Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation (BaFPE) (Bloomer & Williams, 1979) with Part 1 of the American Association on Mental Deficiency Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) (Nihira, Foster, Shellhaas, & Leland, 1969, 1974) and to develop a means of interpretation for the numeric scores on the TOA. Both measures were administered to 67 psychiatric inpatients within the first 14 days of admission. Low to moderate correlations were found between the TOA tasks and functional parameters and the ABS domains. Because the TOA shows low concurrent validity with the ABS, only limited interpretive descriptions for TOA scores could be developed.
Understanding and Cooperation Among Alter and Host Personalities
Authors: Dawson Peggy L.
Published: April 2012

There is little occupational therapy literature that addresses the profession’s efficacy in the treatment of persons with multiple personality disorder, yet the characteristics and complexity of this disorder render it one that can gain much from occupational therapy intervention. This paper examines the ways in which the occupational therapist can help in the treatment of patients with multiple personality disorder by introducing the alter personalities to each other, encouraging rapport among the personalities, and providing tasks that allow the alter personalities and the host to work together for mutual benefit.
The Disparity Between Educational Preparation and the Expectations of Practice
Authors: Wittman Peggy Prince
Published: April 2012

In January 1990, more than 200 leaders from the occupational therapy profession gathered together in San Diego, California, at the Directions for the Future Symposium. Critical issues concerning practice, education, and research were discussed and numerous ideas were shared. During the next year, this column will publish a number of articles that explore some of the more provocative of these issues.
Touch Inventory for Elementary-School-Aged Children
Authors: Royeen Charlotte Brasic , Fortune Jim C.
Published: April 2012

The syndrome of tactile defensiveness, first described by Ayres in 1964, has undergone continued study as well as related theory development. No standardized assessment for tactile defensiveness, however, currently exists. This paper presents a 26-item screening scale, the Touch Inventory for Elementary-School-Aged Children (TIE), as well as its psychometric characteristics. Normative data and precautions for proper use of the TIE are also given.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Occupational Therapy Students Regarding AIDS
Authors: Vincent Tarin Ann , Schkade Janette K.
Published: April 2012

In this pilot study, knowledge regarding AIDS was tested in 36 occupational therapy students and 33 education students. Also measured were the students’ attitudes toward AIDS patients and the resulting health care controversies. An analysis of the results revealed no significant differences in knowledge between the two groups. Attitudinal differences between the two groups, however, were significant for two items. Implications for occupational therapy curricula are discussed.
The Curriculum Directors: Influencing Occupational Therapy Education, 1948–1964
Authors: Colman Wendy
Published: April 2012

This paper depicts an important story in the history of occupational therapy. The story concerns a small group of women, known as the Curriculum Directors, whose influence prevailed in the growth and development of occupational therapy throughout the 1950s. The account is synthesized from both written history sources and oral history interviews with group members and their contemporaries. It characterizes the Curriculum Directors and describes their influence on the profession as well as others’ perceptions of their accomplishments. This paper also chronicles the forces that emerged in reaction to the Curriculum Directors’ authority and briefly details the dissolution of their power.
Identification of Visual Scanning Deficits in Adults After Cerebrovascular Accident
Authors: Warren Mary
Published: April 2012

Visual scanning deficits can result in the inefficient acquisition information about one’s environment. For adults who have had cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), such deficits can interfere with the independent performance of many daily activities. The present study examined five tests designed to measure visual scanning deficits in post-CVA adults. Subjects with right and left hemisphere lesions were matched with control subjects by age and sex, and their performances on the tests were compared. The difference between the matched groups was statistically significant for all tests, with the hemiplegic subjects achieving lower scores than their normal counterparts. Deficits in visual scanning speed, identification of visual stimuli in the hemifield on the involved side, use of a systematic scanning pattern, and the ability to reproduce accurate visual designs were identified in the hemiplegic group. Statistically significant correlations were obtained on test–retest and interrater data, which indicates that the tests are reliable measures. The results of this study show that visual scanning deficits are present in post-CVA patients and can be measured with simple clinical evaluations. The presence of scanning deficits may significantly interfere with performance on tests measuring higher level visual-perceptual skills such as visual closure, figure–ground perception, and visual memory. An accurate assessment of visual-perceptual skills cannot be made without prior evaluation of such basic oculomotor functions as scanning. This approach is consistent with the developmental framework applied to most areas of treatment with brain-injured adults but is one that traditionally has not been applied in the evaluation of visual-perceptual skills. Currently accepted methods for the evaluation of visual-perceptual skills may need to be redesigned to include measurements of basic oculomotor function.
Networking: A Successful Linkage for Community Occupational Therapists
Authors: Hurff Janith M. , Lowe Helen E. , Ho Betty J. , Hoffman Nancy M.
Published: April 2012

The networking process involves the linkage of people, agencies, and community resources. This paper describes an application of networking and community involvement. The four authors, all occupational therapists, used their knowledge and skills to provide and extend health promotion services for disabled persons within their community. During this process, they extended the role of occupational therapy into nontraditional settings.
A Test of Fine Finger Dexterity
Authors: Stein Carol , Yerxa Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2012

The lack of instruments available for the measurement of fine dexterity (i.e., speed of interdigital manipulation) implies a gap not only in the occupational therapist’s ability to quantify and deal precisely with patients’ problems in this area, but also in the knowledge base of occupational therapy itself. The Rosenbusch Test of Finger Dexterity (developed by Doris F. Rosenbusch, MA, OTR), a new instrument that measures the speed of interdigital manipulation of objects by each hand separately, was tested on 64 subjects with normal hand function and 10 subjects known to have disabilities affecting fine dexterity. The determination of significant differences by the subjects’ sex, dominant and nondominant hands, and normal and dysfunctional hands was performed with t tests. The scores of the subjects with normal hand function versus those with disabled hand function were then compared on all variables. The findings demonstrate that this instrument is ready to be used experimentally and compares favorably with current commercial tests on both reliability and validity coefficients.
Goal Attainment Scaling as a Method of Clinical Service Evaluation
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Cusick Anne
Published: April 2012

The demand for clinical accountability and the documentation of therapeutic effectiveness continues to increase in health-related settings. Therapists are attempting to address this increasing demand by adapting methods based on traditional experimental models of research to evaluate their clinical practice. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs, however, are often of limited usefulness in clinical environments for a variety of practical and ethical reasons. This paper presents a method of evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention called goal attainment scaling, which involves goal setting procedures and assessment techniques that are practice-based and practitioner-oriented. The procedures are presented and the argument made that goal attainment scaling is a viable method by which one can document therapeutic change and demonstrate clinical accountability.
Occupational Therapy in Acute Inpatient Psychiatry: An Activities Health Approach
Authors: Robinson Anne Mazur , Avallone Joan
Published: April 2012

This article discusses some of the challenges that occupational therapists working in acute psychiatric inpatient settings commonly face. There is often a lack of sufficient time available for treatment as well as limitations inherent in addressing functional problems in the artificiality of a hospital environment. A theoretical framework is introduced from which the role of occupational therapy and realistic objectives for acute short-term care can be identified. This framework for inpatient occupational therapy practice is based on the concept of activities health, which provides a definition of health in functional rather than medical terms. The importance of emphasizing the patient’s competence in roles assumed in community living is emphasized. A step-by-step approach to program development with specific examples is also provided.
An Infant and Toddler Feeding Group Program
Authors: Chamberlin Jacquelyn L. , Henry Michele M. , Roberts Juanita D. , Sapsford Amy L. , Courtney Sherry E.
Published: April 2012

At Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, Ohio, several children whose early oral feedings were delayed or especially difficult due to physical problems became resistant and exhibited aversive behaviors when oral feeding was introduced. A support group, which lasted for 9 months, was initiated with six of these children and their families. In the group, professionals provided the families with general information about nutrition and behavior and with individualized intervention strategies for the nutritional and behavioral management of their child’s specific problems. The families contributed mutual support and problem solving strategies through the group process. Each child demonstrated progress during the 9-month period, which suggests that intervention in a support-group format can be a successful alternative to an individual inpatient program for eating disorders in some young children.
The Effects of Task Preference on Performance During Purposeful and Nonpurposeful Activities
Authors: Bakshi Rita , Bhambhani Yagesh , Madill Helen
Published: April 2012

This study examined the number of repetitions, increase in heart rate, increase in blood pressure, and rating of perceived exertion of subjects performing the most-preferred and least-preferred tasks from a predetermined list under purposeful and nonpurposeful conditions. Twenty healthy women completed the four experimental tests in random order for a period of 10 min each. The results indicated that there was no significant interaction (p > .05) between task choice and condition, thus implying that the subjects’ performance was not influenced by task preference regardless of whether the activity was purposeful or nonpurposeful. Comparisons between the purposeful and nonpurposeful conditions revealed that the increase in heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were significantly higher (p < .05) during nonpurposeful activity for both the most-preferred and the least-preferred tasks. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that therapists use purposeful, or goal-directed, activities in their practice, even if they are unable to provide their patients with a choice of therapeutic tasks.