Occupation

Abstracts
Posters
Author Biographies
Julia Eadie studied her BSc (hons) Occupational Therapy degree
at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. She has a Post
Graduate Certifcate in Sensory Integration, a certification in
Sensory Attachment Intervention, is qualified in Prechtl’s Method
of Qualitative Assessment of General Movements and is an
Infant Massage Instructor.
Julia has professional experience working within mainstream
schools providing outreach support and interventions as well
as leading sessions with groups and individuals in a therapeutic
environment.
Julia specialises in the assessment and treatment of children
with motor disorders and sensory processing difficulties. Julia
is passionate about promoting independence, play and helping
children, and their families to reach their potential.
P20
The national paediatric osteogenesis imperfecta
service: collaboration and care
Seasman A, Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Introduction: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a clinically
heterogeneous heritable connective tissue disorder characterized
by increased bone fragility and low bone density, resulting in
frequent fractures from little or no trauma and bony deformities
such as the curvature of the long bones (Forlino et al 2011).
Type and severity of OI is variable. OI affects the physical, social
and emotional well-being of the child, young person and their
family. The long term goal for children and young people with
OI is independence in all life functions with adaptive devices as
needed in the case of severely affected children, the ability to
direct their own care.
Methods: This practice development considers the experience of
those living with OI and describes actions taken by occupational
therapists to improve these. It does not include participant
responses and therefore required no ethical approval. It
introduces occupational therapists as an integral feature of a
specialist and integrated multi-disciplinary team with extensive
peripatetic involvement with patients and their families,
working in partnership with many external agencies, charities
and societies. The aim of the service is to provide an equitable,
multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management
of infants and children aged 0–19 years with mild to severe,
complex and atypical OI in the UK. We aim to ensure inclusion is
a reality for children and young people living with OI.
Conclusion: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a complicated, long
term condition which has far wider implications than merely
its symptoms. This practice development reflects a model of
working within the NHS which achieves optimal outcomes
for children, young people and families. By taking a holistic
approach and embracing a collaborative model of working,
occupational therapists can deliver the best quality care and
improve quality of life.
References
Forlino, A, Cabral, W A, Barnes, A M, Marini, J C (2011) New
perspectives on osteogenesis imperfecta. Nature Reviews
Endocrinology, 7, 540–557.
Keywords
Children and families, Practice development, Interdisciplinary
practice, NHS
Contact E-mail Addresses
alison.seasman@sch.nhs.uk
Author Biographies
Opting for a career in occupational therapy following previous
experience in a non related field, I qualified from Sheffield
Hallam University in 2012 with a first class honours degree. I
have since worked for the metabolic bone team at Sheffield
Children’s Hospital. I work with a variety of diagnoses which
includes hypophophatasia, IJO, duchenne muscular dystrophy
and achon oplasia. However, my caseload is mainly working with
children with a diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta across all
severities.
P21
A reflective case review: re-learning handwriting
after a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Titchener A, Wales L, Dunford C, The Children’s Trust
Handwriting is a common reason for referral and identified
as a meaningful occupation by children in community
services (Dunford et al 2005) but features less frequently in
rehabilitation. This case study reflected on a child’s journey
following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to re-learn handwriting,
a previously meaningful occupation. A retrospective, single
case-study of 14 year old Sue (pseudonym) with right hemiplegia
(previously right dominant). Goals were set with Sue using the
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and
Goal Attainment Scale-light (GAS). Other outcome measures
included handwriting samples and Assessment of Motor and
Processing Skills (AMPS). An evidence based occupational
therapy intervention programme of 12 weeks was devised
and administered based on Sue’s goal to re-learn to write
with her right hand. Consent was gained from Sue and her
mother. Approval was granted by The Children’s Trust Research
Committee.
Results: Sue was able to re-learn to write using her right hand.
GAS showed clinically significant improvement at a lot more
than expected level. AMPS showed motor improvement but the
processing score remained the same (Admission: Motor= -0.04
(below average) process=0.54 (low average). Discharge: Motor=
1.48 (low average) process=0.54 (low average). COPM scores
did not reach significance: Admission= 0 discharge=1 both for
performance and satisfaction. Handwriting samples show letter
size significantly reduced with improved formation.
Impact on service user: Sue’s awareness and pre-morbid
identity influenced self-evaluation and she perceived limited
improvements. Mother perceived a significant improvement in
handwriting.
Conclusion: Sue re-learnt to write with her dominant hand
despite her hemiplegia within 12 weeks, a surprisingly short
time. She made significant improvement in her handwriting
(size/letter formation/spacing) as judged by her therapist and
mother. However Sue’s COPM did not reach clinical significance.
References
Dunford, C. Missiuna, C. Street, E. and Sibert, J. (2005)
Children’s perception of the impact of developmental coordination
disorder on activities of daily living. British Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 68, (5) 207–214.
Keywords
Children and families, Practice development, Practice – present
and future, Voluntary/third sector services
Contact E-mail Addresses
atitchener@thechildrenstrust.org.uk
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