Document Type

Report

College

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Department

Occupational Therapy

Degree

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Report Date

2022

Faculty Mentor

Levine, Minna

Doctoral Experiential Coordinator

Latour, Debra

Abstract

"Adolescents are placed in intensive emergency residences (IER) due to behavior that has come to the attention of the MA Department of Children and Families. Prior research has shown that exposure to trauma at a young age causes “pathophysiological changes in the brain, and these changes can be manifested as behavioral, cognitive, and mood disorders” (Yaribeygi, et al., 2017). These changes may also be a response to unproductive coping transmitted from caregivers (Dreter, 2018). A descriptive research study was conducted that involved creating novel reports titled: “What are the needs of adolescents who are referred to LUK residences that Occupational Therapists can address?” Forty-seven adolescents, previous and current, ages 12 – 18 years old and identity as any gender were included in this study. Each of these residents have resided or currently do reside at LUK Horizon House, an intensive emergency residence in Massachusetts (MA). A novel report in an electronic health record (EHR) was developed that characterizes the trauma history and behavioral challenges of adolescents in LUK’s intensive emergency residences. This report summarizes intake forms and occupational therapy (OT) evaluations, and serves to inform the delivery of services. The results of this study indicate that the more trauma an individual experiences the greater the likelihood that they will display negative behaviors."

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