RICHES Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
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Exploring and Examining Sensory Processing and Social Participation in Gifted Students
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to examine and explore the relationship of sensory processing and social anxieties among the gifted in order to better inform occupational intervention and education. With limited research regarding the sensory processing of this specific group, understanding where sensory and social characteristics intersect can assist in understanding occupation based needs. Gifted students have historically been labeled with oddities of social norm presentation and sensory idiosyncrasies. Occupational therapists, educators and parents can be empowered and broaden student diversity to increase participation in occupation for students that are otherwise deemed self sufficienf\u27 due to their intelligence yet silently limited. This project was the development, dissemination and reflection of a sensory and social questionnaire with students whom have been labeled gifted. The questionnaire was provided to their parents, as well, to compare students\u27 self report to parental perception. Questions taken from both the adult and child version of the The Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) were used to review social fears and avoidance and then compared to sensory data. Data was collected and summated for specific sensory sensitivity consensus among the group as well as to compare to parent perception. Sensory scores were tabulated and compared to social scores to explore possible impact on occupational participation. Twenty students between the ages of I 0.0 and 17.11, as well as 17 parents, were recruited by convenience sample. The students, whom had no other diagnosis, were enrolled (past or present) in a formal, academically gifted program and/or had a full scale IQ of 117 or above. The data revealed that overall, students reported the most significant sensory sensitivities in the areas of tactile, auditory and vestibular issues. Over 30% of the students reported sensory sensitivities to at least one question related to tactile-proprioceptive, oral, auditory and vestibular. Comparison between parent report and student report showed that, overall, parents perception of their child\u27s sensory response is of a lesser degree. Social fears and avoidances were also rated at a lesser degree by parents. When comparing sensory score totals to social responses, the overall review showed that as sensory scores increased the rating of social fears and avoidances increased. This information is important to promote the efficacy and need of occupational therapy services for an overlooked group by assisting educators, parents and occupational therapists to promote participation in desired occupation
Occupation Based and Compensatory Techniques to Promote Functional Independence in Clients with Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Get PDFThe origin of this project was derived from a personal desire to acquire more knowledge related to a population where occupational therapy is an emerging area of practice. Coinciding with this craving for more comprehension was the great need for occupational therapy program development within the oncology service line at an area hospital. These factors provided an excellent forum for the development of personal and professional growth. As the project developed, it became increasingly apparent that the topic population would also greatly benefit from the outcomes of the literature synthetization required to fulfill the first two needs. These factors combined contributed to the direction and growth of this project leading it to identify the specific occupational needs of oncology clients within the acute care setting. It lead to the formation of program development who\u27s intent was to guide the therapists who work with this population in making clinically sound decisions supported by the literature, in addition to a reference guide for clients and caregivers dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy. Through processing the literature, two charts were developed which are geared towards increasing the knowledge of new and practicing clinicians who encounter oncology clients within the acute setting. The first table reviews the commonly utilized chemotherapeutic agents that may contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy. This table reviews the identified drug classes and the pharmaceuticals that fall under those categories, along with the associated diagnoses they are utilized to treat, their potential side effects, and the pathophysiology behind the development of peripheral neuropathy. The second table outlines selected assessments that can easily be utilized within the acute care environment for the tracking of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy symptomology. Their uses, the exact form of neuropathy they can be utilized to track, their validity and reliability, as well as their administration requirements are included in order to help guide clinicians through determining which assessments are appropriate to implement with each individual client. Lastly, a handout was created that synthesized the literature related to the potential neuropathic side effects of chemotherapy. This handout is intended to guide the clinician, client and caregiver through appropriate compensatory interventions that promote safe occupational participation while increasing the consumer\u27s awareness to the vast array of side effects that are possible. This awareness will aid in the early detection and report of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. A comprehensive view of the literature related to appropriate interventions for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy concludes this project. These interventions are identified to guide clinicians in implementing appropriate treatment methods that are proven to combat, or attenuate, the symptoms related to polyneuropathy. While research is lacking related to neuropathy associated with chemotherapy, these evidenced based approaches substantiate occupational therapy intervention for the pathophysiological outcome that possesses a similar presentation to diabetic polyneuropathy and are therefore recommended as appropriate treatment methods to maximize client safety and occupational participation