Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
OTD Capstone
Department
Occupational Therapy
Degree
OTD
Faculty Advisor
Lillie Thomas
Site Mentor
Rebecca Webb
Capstone Coordinator
Leslye Morris
Specialization
Program Development
Focus
School-Based Occupational Therapy
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Skill regression happens within students when they experience extended breaks from school-based occupational therapy services. This can significantly impact student progress, along with barriers such as communication between professionals and inadequate resource knowledge or availability. My doctoral capstone project investigates these barriers through a comprehensive literature review and data collection at Wall Elementary School (WES), a part of Small Schools Co-op (SSC). During the project, I examined deidentified progress reports from 19 students in Pre-K through 5th grade across the 2024-2025 school year. I created and utilized a four-category coding system to track goal progress as follows: regression, no change, progress, or mastered. The data did not demonstrate what was originally expected, making a pivot in the project necessary, in hopes to provide a meaningful result to WES and SSC. With collaboration between myself and my site mentor, the project evolved to address all students at WES and not just those who receive OT services. My mentor and I created 3 grade blocks to make deliverables for, with age-appropriate resources for each one. These deliverables were laminated quick-reference handouts along with comprehensive digital resources that address a variety of skill areas, all accessible via a shared Google Drive for all teachers to have continued access. On-site faculty presentations were completed toward the end of the project’s timeline. The presentations combined structured education, hands-on demonstration of assistive technology, and interactive discussion to ensure sustainable implementation. Despite discovering limitations such as a small sample size and data collection methods, the project achieved meaningful results by providing a place where ongoing research can be done and further resources can be added for teacher use. This project demonstrates the dynamic nature of school-based occupational therapy and the importance of being flexible and utilizing problem-solving skills.
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