Occupational Therapists Participate in University Study

Occupational Therapists employed with Spurwink Services were asked to assist in a research project conducted by the OT Department of the University of Illinois. The University developed a Child Occupational Self Assessment (COSA) and requested Spurwink's help in ensuring the screening tool was applicable and reliable for children with mental health disorders and developmental disabilities.

Whenever it was deemed appropriate for a client's abilities and needs, the COSA was implemented by Spurwink OTs at the time of an initial screening.

“Our Occupational Therapists were happy to be able to participate in this data collection,” said Mary Thornton Vogel, Senior Occupational Therapist at Spurwink Services. “It will help to support evidence-based practice in our OT Department.  If the COSA is found to be a psychometrically sound and appropriate assessment for use in Spurwink, then further determination can be made regarding the assessment's ability to provide more targeted OT goals. This would result in more efficient and effective intervention.”

Upon completion of the researcher's dissertation, results of the data will be released in an article in April/May 2008.