Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.OT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences – Occupational Therapy Department

First Advisor

Nicole R Quint

Publication Date / Copyright Date

2020

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

Abstract

School transitions can be challenging for students, especially when students enter junior high school. Junior high school students experience significant developmental growth in the areas of autonomy, relationships, acceptance, cognitive skills, as well as physical differences associated with hormonal changes. When a student transitions into junior high school, evidence indicates possible declines in motivation, school interest, and academic achievement. Personal relationships, self-worth, and coping skills are essential for a successful transition between schools. Adolescents engage in the occupations of education, leisure, social participation, and activities of daily living. Occupational therapy is perfectly positioned as a support service within the school to assist elementary school students transition successfully into junior high school through a universal approach to support positive mental health. This capstone project details the results of a needs assessment conducted with administrators, teachers, parents, and seventh-grade students at the junior high school. Based on the needs assessment, Steppin’ Up forSuccess: A Transition Program for Sixth-Graders was developed and created to assist sixth graders transition successfully from elementary to junior high school.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

Keywords

Junior high school, Occupation, Occupational therapy, Positive mental health, Transition

 
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