Graduation Year

2021

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Background: This project is to increase the confidence of parents/caregivers via education about their infants that may not otherwise be provided by other health care professionals. This project also provides early intervention to the infants in efforts to facilitate their maximum development through proper positioning for sleeping and play. Purpose: The purpose of this project was a parental education class for parents/primary caregivers of babies ages 0-6 months. They were educated about their child’s development, and how to engage their baby through play and positioning for optimal cognitive, communication, and social-emotional development. This class and project sought to enhance parents’ level of responsiveness to their babies which facilitates development. The research question is how can occupational therapy address the developmental needs of infants related to positioning for sleeping and tummy time for playing? Theoretical Framework: This research project was guided by the developmental and Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) theoretical frameworks. Methods: The Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition is the agency through which participants were obtained for this descriptive study. A pre-class and a post-class survey were used to determine what the mothers learned in the class. Results: Thematic analysis was used to determine themes, and if the mothers felt the class overall was helpful. Conclusion: Occupational therapy can address the developmental needs of infants related to positioning for sleeping and tummy time for playing through parental education. In addition to v positively answering the research question, it was determined this class would be added to the programming of Healthy Start however, it is still in the planning phase.

Faculty Mentor

Leslie Hardman, OTD, OTR/L

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Susan Skees-Hermes, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all my professors that nurtured me to this point and have rooted for me since day one. Thank you for your patience. I would like to thank my family and friends that supported me no matter what. Lastly, thank you to my parents who pushed me, supported through the rough times, and celebrated with me every little victory up to this point. I could not have done any of this without you and I would not be the person and therapist I am today. Thank you!

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

3919

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