Occupational Therapy Students Celebrate and Support Autism Awareness
Students from 成人直播鈥檚 Occupational Therapy graduate program and the Health, Wellness and Occupational Studies undergraduate program participated in Autism Awareness Day, hosted by The Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field on Saturday, April 11, 2015.
Students began the day by participating in a workshop about creating self-organizing sensory strategies in the Portland Campus Art Gallery by International Consultant Tina Champagne, OTD, OTR/L, CCAP.
Student leaders Callie Schena, MSOT 鈥15, and Kyle Kish, MSOT 鈥16, along with undergraduate student leaders Jessica Herring and Heather Tondreau, HWOS 鈥15, worked with Karlene Frost of Embracing the World of Autism and Kathryn Loukas, OTD, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, clinical professor of Occupational Therapy to set up sensory rooms, kits and spaces to support children with Autism at the Autism Awareness Portland Seadogs baseball game. Approximately 25 children accessed the sensory room at the event.
Suzanne Dunn, MSOT 鈥16, created T-shirts for the occasion and many students developed or supported sensory activities for this event.
One parent who attended the baseball game commented, 鈥淢y husband has always wanted to take my child to a baseball game, but I thought he would not be able to handle it. This sensory space has allowed (my child) to successfully experience this game. Thank you!鈥