July 8, 2005, Findlay, Ohio – Sixteen graduate students in The University of Findlay’s Occupational Therapy Program will be back on campus Thursday, July 14, from 8:30 to 11:40 a.m. to present their final research projects. The students are enrolled in UF’s three-year, weekend master’s degree program and travel from as far away as Illinois and Tennessee to attend the program.

According to Dr. Thomas H. Dillon, UF director and associate professor of occupational therapy, the presentations will be the culmination of a week of final activities for the students. Beginning July 11, the students also will participate in a series of seminars that will complete the requirements for their master’s degree in occupational therapy.

The topics to be presented are:

An analysis of how frequently occupational therapists recognize and deal with depression in patients who have had a stroke. The project was based on the message that medical practitioners need to be more aware of the impact depression can have on a patient’s ability to recover.

A study on the awareness of how occupational therapists can provide intervention assistance for children with Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD). The study concluded that occupational therapists in school-based practice need to educate school personnel about the training and skills they have that can be used to help children with EBD.

The development and implementation of the Lively Activities for Fun and Fitness camp that was held at UF June 20-24. The camp provided exposure to a wide variety of healthy activities aimed at building self-esteem, promoting engagement, and encouraging exploration of skills and interests and is geared toward fourth through sixth graders who could benefit from attaining a healthier weight.

An analysis of the impact that leading women in occupational therapy have had on the field. The analysis was based on interviews that were completed by Nedra Gillette of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation beginning in the 1970s through the 1990s.

An analysis of the impact the Handwriting Without Tears program has on the visual/motor skills of young children. The program is used by teachers to teach handwriting to children of all abilities. It includes multi-sensory teaching aids and methods and developmentally-based learning sequences.

The presentations will take place in the Brewer Center for Health Sciences Room 100. For more information on the free, public event, contact Rebecca Shell, public relations officer, at 419-434-4345 or 419-343-8205.