Biomedical subjects

Jean Deitz

Publications and source records attributed to Jean Deitz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Powered mobility and preschoolers with complex developmental delays.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a powered mobility riding toy on the participation behaviors of young children with complex developmental delays. METHOD: A single-subject withdrawal design was used to study the effects of powered mobility on child-initiated movement occurrences, initiation of contact with others, and affect. The participants were two young children with complex developmental delays, including spastic quadriplegia. The intervention consisted of having the children use a powered mobility riding toy in their school settings during gym class and outdoor recess. RESULTS: Primary findings were that use of the powered mobility riding toy (a) increased the number of self-initiated movement occurrences; (b) appeared to have some effect on initiation of contacts with adults and, for one child, negative adult initiations and positive peer initiations; and (c) did not have a clear impact on the amount of positive affect. CONCLUSION: For some young children with severe motor impairments and developmental delay, use of a powered mobility device may increase self-initiated movement occurrences during free play.

Child Behavior↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Facilitating written work using computer word processing and word prediction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether occupational therapy intervention that focused on teaching children to use word processing, either alone or with word prediction, was effective in improving the written communication skills of children with learning disabilities and handwriting problems. METHOD: A single-subject alternating treatments design was replicated across three children in grades 4 and 5. During the baseline phase the children wrote stories by hand; during the intervention phase, the children wrote stories, alternating among handwriting, word processing, and word processing with word prediction. Dependent variables focused on percentages of legible words, percentages of correctly spelled words, total amount written, and rate of writing. Data were analyzed by visual inspection. RESULTS: Results were variable. Two children had clear improvements in legibility when using either word processing alone or with word prediction. These same children demonstrated clear improvements in spelling when using word prediction. Though rate of writing was best for two children when using handwriting, relative to total amount produced, one method was not clearly preferable to another. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy intervention involving word processing with word prediction improves the legibility and spelling of written assignments completed by some children with learning disabilities and handwriting difficulties. It is important to evaluate each child individually and provide training and ongoing support for technology use.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Classroom seating for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: therapy balls versus chairs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapy balls as seating on in-seat behavior and legible word productivity of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, social validity was assessed to evaluate teacher and student opinions regarding the intervention. METHOD: A single subject, A-B-A-B interrupted time series design was employed across 3 students (2 males, 1 female) with ADHD. The study was conducted in a 4th grade inclusive classroom during daily language arts. During phases 1 and 3, the 3 participants and all other class members sat on chairs (in-seat on chair); during phases 2 and 4, everyone sat on therapy balls (in-seat on ball). Dependent variables were in-seat behavior and legible word productivity. Data were graphed and visually analyzed for differences between phases. RESULTS: Results demonstrated increases in in-seat behavior and legible word productivity for the students with ADHD when seated on therapy balls. Social validity findings indicated that generally the teacher and students preferred therapy balls. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that use of therapy balls for students with ADHD may facilitate in-seat behavior and legible word productivity.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Integration of universal design of instruction in occupational therapy professional education: responding to student diversity.

Application of the seven principles of universal design of instruction in occupational therapy education is intended to meet the diverse learning needs of students and provide full access to educational experiences without disadvantaging some students (Bowe, 2000; Burgstahler, 2001; McGuire & Scott, 2002). The intended outcome is success for all students. Further, universal design of instruction is congruent with the occupational therapy core value of mutual respect, whereby... We treat people fairly and equitably. We acknowledge and support others regardless of differences. We appreciate their qualities, capabilities and contributions (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2003). While the benefits of universal design of instruction in occupational therapy curricula appear to be extensive, a caveat must be included. Use of any instructional design tool is legitimized when grounded in research. Though literature in multiple disciplines is expanding related to universal design of instruction, we need research specific to occupational therapy education.

Cultural Diversity↗