Role Description:

This research group is concerned with the ways in which therapists practice when working with children, how therapists use their clinical reasoning to make decisions about interventions, and the evaluation of specific intervention methods employed to increase occupational performance and participation for children with disabilities.  It also explores novel ways of implementing interventions that are both empowering and motivating for children and their parents.

Group leader:

Dr Jodie Copley

Research Team Members and RHD Candidate:
Mrs Alison Nelson
Professor Sylvia Rodger
Professor Jenny Ziviani
Dr Megan Simons
Dr Laura Desha
 
Collaborations:
Dr Merrill Turpin, University of Queensland
Dr Megan Simons, Royal Children’s Hospital
Professor Deb Keen, Australian Catholic University
Dr Jill Ashburner, Autism Queensland
Professor Helene Polatajko, University of Toronto
Professor Joan Toglia, University of New York
Dr Rose Martini, University of Ottawa
Professor Roy Kimble, Royal Children’s Hospital
Professor Roslyn Boyd
Professor Robert Herbert
Dr Margaret Wallen
Professor Mary Law
Professor Gillian King
 
RHD Candidates:
Ms Belinda Kipping
Ms Nadia Brown
Ms Ann Kennedy Behr
Ms Amanda Francis
Ms Kate Hunt
Ms Laura Miller
Ms Louise Mitchell
Ms Micah Perez
Ms Jeanne Marshall
 
Projects and activities:

Information sources for clinical decision making in practice with children

  • Occupational therapy assessments and play interventions for children with DCD  
  • Enhancing children’s motivation in therapy and supporting self determination
  • Upper limb interventions for children with congenital hemiplegia
  • Self-regulation and cognitive strategy use
  • Supporting children’s occupational outcomes following traumatic injury (e.g. burn injury, traumatic brain injury)
  • Home based early intervention for children with autism
  • Internet therapy delivery for children with motor difficulties.
  • Parent satisfaction and family centred care in early intervention
  • Interagency support services for children with challenging behaviours in out of home care
  • Feeding interventions for children with feeding difficulties and tube weaning
  • Augmentative and virtual reality games as innovative distractions for children during painful burns procedures