1. This model depicts the process of
public health program
implementation, which was used
during the implementation of the parent
health program.
Public Health Program Development to Complement Occupational Therapy Practice:
Teenagers with Autism and their Parents
Samantha Thompson1, Jeanne Eichler2, MOT, OTR/L, MT;; Lisa Jaegers2, PhD, OTR/L;;
Ellen Barnidge1, PhD, MPH
1.Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, College for Public Health and Social Justice.
2. Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Doisy College of Health Sciences.
• Individualized assessment and programming allow for
direct support interventions for clients from OT
practitioners at the intra-­ and interpersonal levels of the
social ecological model.
• While this care is vital for the health of clients, there are
systematic barriers to achieving well-­being.
• Public health assessment and programming addresses
organizational, community, and policy levels of a client’s
environment. Theoretically based evaluations are then
conducted to understand intervention outcomes,
improve implementation, and generalize to other
populations.
• Public health practice complements the services
provided by occupational therapists to address health
needs at all levels.
A review of the literature and a focus group with
parents of teenagers with autism identified the
following parental needs:
• Lack of interpersonal support
• Individual and marital stress
• Burden of care on parents
• Insufficient abilities to cope with diagnosis and
stress
Taking these needs into consideration, a total of
nine parent health sessions were planned.
Topics included:
• Financial wellness
• Fostering independence
• Employment opportunities
• Promoting healthy behaviors
• Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
• College and employment preparatory resources
• Social skills and relationship building
BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Parent
Health
Sessions
based
on
identified
parental
needs
Satisfaction
Surveys
Increase
in
parents’
knowledge
of
transitional
resources
Decrease
in
parents’
stress
Community
partners
-­‐ UMSL
Succeed
Program,
St.
Louis
Arc,
MERS
Goodwill,
Pathways
to
Independence,
Bright
Futures
Locations
-­‐ SLU
campus,
restaurants,
community
locations
Community
organization
resources:
-­‐ Pamphlets.
contact
Information,
educational
handouts
Session
Facilitator
(Parent
Health
Intern)
Greater
utilization
of
resources
Increased
well-­‐being
during
preparation
for
and
throughout
transition
from
high
school
Increase
in
parents’
confidence
to
successfully
handle
teenager’s
transition
Parents
of
teens
with
autism
PROGRAM LOGIC MODEL
SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL MODEL
Samantha Thompson
Master of Public Health
Behavioral Science and Health Education
Saint Louis University
College for Public Health and Social Justice
Phone: (217) 853-­8047, Email: sthomp59@slu.edu
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Teen Connection to Social Competency is an
occupational therapy program designed to assist
teens in navigating the social dynamics of high
school and prepare them to transition into college
and careers at their highest level of independence.
The Parent Health Program was created to better
prepare parents of teenagers with autism for this
transition.
A community assessment identified the needs of
the population and informed the development and
implementation of a public health program at Saint
Louis University.
This project applied public health assessment,
program development, and evaluation skills to
occupational therapy practice resulting in a program
that supports teenagers with autism and their
families through the transition out of high school
and into the next stage of life.
BACKGROUND
1. Doisy College of Health Sciences. (2016). Connections Program. Retrieved from http://www.slu.edu/occupational-­science-­and-­
occupational-­therapy/community-­and-­clinical-­practice/connections-­program
2. Glanz, K. (n.d.) Social and Behavioral Theories. In Important Theories and their Key constructs (chapter 4). Retrieved from
http://www.esourceresearch.org/Default.aspx?TabId=736
3. Cadman, T., Eklund, H., Howley, D., Hayward, H., Clarke, H., Findon, J., Glaser, K. (2012). Caregiver Burden as People With Autism
Spectrum Disorder and Attention-­Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Transition into Adolescence and Adulthood in the United Kingdom. Journal
of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,51(9), 879-­888. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
4. Algood, C., Harris, C., & Hong, J. (2013). Parenting Success and Challenges for Families of Children with Disabilities: An Ecological
Systems Analysis. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment,23(2), 126-­136. doi:0.1080/10911359.2012.747408
5. Community Toolbox, Action Planning Model
REFERENCES
ACTION PLANNING MODEL
Parent
Socialization
INPUTS ACTIVITIES IMPACT OUTCOME
CONTACT
Thank you to the parent participants, community partners, and
contributing authors who participated in and helped develop this program.