Occupational Therapy 654

OCTH 654: Physical Dysfunction Practice: Neurological

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of OCTH 640, 642, 644 and 646 or permission of the Chair

Credit Hours: (3)

Develops knowledge and skills for clinical practice with adults who have neurological disorders affecting occupational performance.  Applies the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance model, and introduces other theoretical models and frames of reference that inform occupational therapy for physical dysfunction.

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Topics include:

 Etiology, course, prognosis and medical management of:

  • cerebrovascular accident
  • traumatic brain injury
  • degenerative diseases of the central nervous system
  • disorders of the motor unit

Evaluation of motor control, cognitive/perceptual dysfunction, eating and swallowing

Sensorimotor approaches to intervention

Motor learning

Assistive technology: 

  • electronic aids to daily living
  •  augmentative and alternative communications
  • general computer access

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Readings, lectures and discussions will be supplemented by "hands-on" practice with evaluation and intervention techniques.  Students will work individually and in teams to analyze live, videotaped and/or print case studies, evaluate simulated clients, and develop intervention plans.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze the effects of genetic conditions, disease processes and traumatic injury on the adult and his/her occupational performance within the context of family and society;
  2. Discuss how theories, models of practice and frames of reference are used in occupational therapy evaluation and intervention with neurologically-involved clients;
  3. Given a simulated client, use standardized and nonstandardized assessment tools to evaluate the client's occupational performance;
  4. Given a simulated client, develop an intervention plan and strategies that reflect the stated needs of the client, data gathered during the evaluation process and relevant theoretical constructs;
  5. Given a simulated client, select direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures to enhance occupational performance;
  6. Given a simulated client, provide management of feeding and eating to enable performance;
  7. Articulate principles of and be able to design, fabricate, apply, fit, and train in assistive technologies and devices used to enhance occupational performance.

 

Assessment Measures

Participation in team activities, tests, graded intervention plans and client simulation exercises may be used to assess the outcomes of this course.

 

Other Course Information

 

Review and Approval

Approved:  April, 2010