School-based Telerehabilitation In Occupational Therapy: Using Telerehabilitation Technologies to Promote Improvements in Student Performance

Authors

  • Melanie Joy Criss University of Toledo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2013.6115

Abstract

This article discusses the use of telerehabilitation technologies in occupational therapy for school-based practice. Telerehabilitation, for the purpose of this program, included the implementation of occupational therapy services via two-way interactive videoconferencing technology. The subjects included in this pilot program were children, ages 6 to 11 years, who attended an online charter school and had difficulties in the areas of fine motor and/or visual motor skills which impacted success with handwriting. Each participant completed a virtual evaluation and six 30-minute intervention sessions. The Print Tool™ Assessment was used to determine progress pre- and post-program. A learning coach/student satisfaction survey was given at the end of the program to determine participant satisfaction. Outcomes revealed improvements in handwriting performance for most students who participated in the program and high satisfaction rates reported by all participants.

  

Author Biography

Melanie Joy Criss, University of Toledo

Melanie Criss is an occupational therapist and the owner of Community Therapy Services, LLC. She is also currently an instructor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Toledo. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1998 from Campbell University in North Carolina and then went on to receive her Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2000 from the University of Toledo (formerly Medical College of Ohio). She also received her occupational therapy doctoral degree from Chatham University in 2011. The majority of her clinical experience has been in the pediatric setting, particularly in school settings, outpatient rehabilitation, and early intervention. Melanie's passion has always been working with children, particularly in the natural environments in which children interact regularly. Melanie's passion came full circle with the creation of Community Therapy Services in 2007. This small private practice offers occupational therapy services to children and their families in the communities where they live. In 2009, Melanie expanded her pediatric practice and developed an innovative telerehabilitation program for students attending virtual charter schools.

References

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Published

2013-06-11

How to Cite

Criss, M. J. (2013). School-based Telerehabilitation In Occupational Therapy: Using Telerehabilitation Technologies to Promote Improvements in Student Performance. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2013.6115

Issue

Vol. 5, No. 1, Spring 2013

Section

School Telepractice

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