Poster & Project Presentations

Sunday - September 27th

7:30-8:30AM
Location: Main Event
Event:  Student Posters & Project Presentations

Contact Hours: 1 hour

Be YOU: Body, Belonging, and Becoming YOU An Occupational Therapy Workshop on Puberty, Body Autonomy, and Inclusive Sexual Health for Adolescents.

Presenter: Sarah Parsons, OTD

This capstone project, Be YOU: Body, Belonging & Becoming YOU, was completed in collaboration with Free To Be, a wellness center in Fort Collins, CO that promotes self-acceptance, confidence, and empowerment for adolescents. The project addresses critical gaps in sexual health education for adolescents. Current education systems often provide incomplete or stigmatized information, limiting adolescents’ ability to manage health, advocate for themselves, and navigate changing bodies and relationships. The project piloted a two-session workshop series covering puberty, menstruation, body literacy, consent, boundaries, identity, online safety, and sexual health basics. Curriculum design was guided by anonymous surveys of middle schoolers and parents, and reviewed by a certified sexuality occupational therapist (CSOT) to ensure inclusivity and clinical accuracy

Board Games & Older Adults: A Mini Systematic Review

Presenter: Beth Sass, OTD/S

The population of “elderly”, “older adult”, and “geriatric” is generally defined as people who are aged 60 and up (Ammar et al., 2024). Aging typically entails a decline in cognitive function (Jost & Kujach, 2025), either due to the general effects of aging or degenerative brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia. Social participation boosts cognitive health (Li and Zhang, 2015), but can decline with age. Board games are an ideal cognitive tool for older adults, promoting socialization and mental engagement in an accessible and enjoyable way. Traditional board games serve as an alternative to physical activity, which has been another frequently used intervention to support socialization and cognition (Yang et al., 2024). To best serve the needs of clients in this population, the authors pose the question: in older adults, does playing board games help maintain cognitive function test scores when compared to physical activity alone (Khan et. al., 2003)?

Mobile Outpatient Therapy: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Function and Experience
Presenter: Lindsey La Rue, OTD/S
Co-Presenters: 

• Jenny Junker OTD, OTR/L 
• Kay Rudnitsky OTD, OTR/L 
• Haley Bird COTA, OTD/S
• Emily Michaelis OTD/S 

A mixed-methods study examined the effectiveness of a mobile outpatient occupational therapy (OT) model for six older adults. A pre-post design using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) assessed changes in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living performance. Semi-structured interviews explored participant experiences. Quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in MBI scores from admission to discharge (t(5) = .869 p< 0.05). Interviews identified five themes: therapist competency, holistic interventions, convenience, improved outcomes, and satisfaction. Findings support mobile outpatient OT as an effective emerging practice model for reshaping healthcare delivery, enhancing accessibility, and functional outcomes in OT practice.

Contributions of Rehab Professionals in Long-Term Care
Presenter: Christine Randolph, OTD, OTR/L

Rehabilitation professionals have unique training and expertise to improve overall wellbeing of individuals living in long-term care facilities, including outside the fee-for-service model. I have explored the areas in which OT, PT, and SLP contribute to the daily functioning and therapeutic environments of LTCs to support our aging population in an effort to better advocate for the needs of our clients and the vital importance of rehab professionals.

A Survey Identifying Factors that Impact Accessible Tourism in Palisade, Colorado
Presenters: 

• Gardner Popp, OTS 

• Amanda Ruybal, OTS 

• Sophie Leeson, OTS 

• Elizabeth Gemperline, OTS 

People with disabilities often encounter barriers to accessible tourism. In Palisade, Colorado tourism is a major contributor to the local economy. This study explored factors that impact accessible tourism based on the perspectives of local businesses. Factors impacting accessibility were perceived as barriers or supports based on whether they were implemented by the business. Approximately 30% of respondents reported disinterest in staff training and collaborative partnerships. Improvement will require education, training, and commitment from business owners. Collaboration and communication between people with disabilities and local organizations is necessary to create equal opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

A Survey of Sensory Processing in Sexuality Based Services for the Autistic Population
Presenters:

• Kelsey Hutton, OTS 
• Jayden Rock, OTS 
• Allyse Zimmerman, OTS 

Sensory processing plays a critical role in intimate experiences. Autistic individuals often face challenges related to sensory sensitivities that may present as hypersensitivity, leading to discomfort and avoidance; or hyposensitivity, resulting in a need for more intense sensory input. This study utilized an online survey to identify sensory processing differences in autistic adults related to sexuality and intimacy. Findings show practitioners should incorporate education and strategies that address sensory regulation strategies, communication, and safe participation in intimate relationships. Expanding current sexual education to include sensory processing considerations and strategies may better support autistic adults participating in intimate experiences.

Barriers and Supports for Social Participation in Autistic Young Adults with Low Support Needs
Presenters: 

• David Haynes, OTS 
• Camille Garcia, OTS 
• Flore Kapita, OTS 
• Ren Kincaid, OTS 

After high school, autistic young adults often lose access to services that provide structured social activities. There is a lack of research on social participation in autistic young adults with low support needs. An online survey was used to gather information on barriers and supports for engagement in social participation. Familiarity with the environment and participants, and types of social activities were the primary factors identified. Factors were perceived as barriers or supports depending on personal context and social support. Opportunities to engage in structured social activities are needed to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and foster a sense of belonging.

A Survey of Occupational Therapists’ Practice Patterns in the Intensive Care Unit
Presenters:

• Ana Gorlach, OTS 

• Allison Payne, OTS 

• Aileen Valerio-Chavez, OTS 

• Courtney Neal, OTS 

Research shows early OT intervention improves patient outcomes in the ICU. Despite evidence supporting the role of OT in the ICU, limited literature exists. An online survey was administered to identify assessments and interventions utilized in this setting. ADLs, cognition, and physical rehab were assessed with standardized and non-standardized assessments. Psychosocial/emotional and sleep were assessed with non-standardized assessments. The most frequent interventions were physical rehab, ADLs, and cognition. A variety of interventions were used across all domains. Understanding gaps in current practice patterns may inform OT guidelines that encompass the full scope of practice to improve patient outcomes.

A Survey on Compassion Fatigue In Allied Healthcare (OT, PT, SLP) Faculty
Presenters:

• McKenna Beach, OTS 

• Gabriana Schommer, OTS 

• Wesley Norton, OTS 

Compassion fatigue (CF) refers to the negative psychological symptoms resulting from providing care and exposure to trauma. Few studies exist on CF among faculty from OT, PT, and SLP programs. This survey explored the extent CF is occurring in faculty from these disciplines. CF was present at moderate to low levels across all disciplines. Barriers to addressing CF at the university included lack of knowledge/awareness, limited time, university priorities and attitudes, and funding/resources. Findings suggest that CF may not be prevalent at the group level, but may occur more on an individual basis depending on faculty personal and professional experiences.

Core Upper Limb Anatomical Content for Graduate Occupational Therapy Curriculum
Presenters:

• Adrian Silva, OTS 
• Kelsey Millican, OTS 
• Grace Volkert, OTS 

Occupational therapists are skilled in evaluating and treating dysfunction of the upper limb. Knowledge of anatomy is needed to address a wide range of upper limb conditions. Insufficient knowledge of anatomy may lead to clinical errors. National organizations provide little guidance on the core upper limb anatomical knowledge needed to prepare students for entry-level practice. An online survey was developed to gather occupational therapists’ perspectives on this topic. Osteology, myology, neurology, and arthrology were identified as core content. Practice setting had a significant impact on the findings. Larger scale studies are needed to improve consistency in occupational therapy anatomy education.

Advancing Occupational Therapy Through Congressional Advocacy: Finding Your Voice
Presenter: Hiral Khatri

This poster highlights the importance of congressional advocacy in advancing occupational therapy and protecting access to services. It provides an overview of the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC), current federal legislative priorities affecting the profession, and practical ways practitioners and students can engage in advocacy efforts. Through grassroots action, political engagement, and communication with elected officials, occupational therapy professionals can help shape policies that support clients, practitioners, and the future of the profession. Attendees will gain resources and strategies to become effective advocates and strengthen occupational therapy’s voice at the national level.