Graduation Year
2018
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
This capstone project focused on identifying which categories of assistive technology (AT) that practitioners perceived to be needed in entry-level master’s occupational therapy (OT) programs; and validating the need for post-professional AT training and post-professional AT certificate programs. For this capstone project, a survey approach was used as the data collection method. The purpose of the survey was to determine perceptions of OT practitioners on AT education received during their entry-level OT program. The survey was returned by 148 occupational therapy practitioners certified as assistive technology professionals (ATP) by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America (RESNA). Results indicated that OT practitioners with ATP certification indicated the need for more AT education in entry-level OT programs. Participants reported that seating and mobility, computer access, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and technology for learning disabilities were the categories they desired more training in. The AT categories that participants reported using most in intervention included seating and mobility, environmental modifications, sensory (hearing and vision), and computer access which also matches the AT categories that participants desired more training on and received training on as a professional. Future research with a larger sample size and more generalized sample of OT practitioners is necessary to compare results for more detailed evidence of the AT categories needed in entry-level OT programs. This evidence could be utilized to improve the education of OT students and assist the profession in full acceptance of AT as a vital part of the OT profession.
Faculty Mentor
Julie Baltisberger
Department Affiliation
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Committee Member
Leslie J. Hardman
Department Affiliation
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Copyright
2018 Karen M. Dishman
Recommended Citation
Dishman, Karen M. OTD, OTR, ATP, "Perceptions of ATP Certified Occupational Therapy Practitioners on Assistive Technology Education in Occupational Therapy Programs" (2018). Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects. 35.
https://encompass.eku.edu/otdcapstones/35
