Recent Occupational Therapy and Maine LEND graduate presents at state conference
The Maine Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference included an impressive group from UNE.
Kathryn Willer, M.S.O.T. 鈥22, a recent graduate of the Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program, presented on her Maine LEND project while engaging practitioners from all over the state in an important round table discussion about the role of occupational therapy in developing and supporting occupations for young adults with disabilities.
鈥淐reating post-secondary education and extracurricular occupations for young adults with disabilities鈥 included presentations by Willer and Kathryn Loukas, OTD, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, training director of Maine LEND and clinical professor of occupational therapy.
The presentation was well attended and positively received by occupational therapy practitioners from throughout Maine.
Occupational therapy is key to supporting young adults with disabilities in activities of daily living, such as time management, money management, and community mobility. It also assists them with work, education, and leisure occupations.
Willer鈥檚 elective project in the Maine LEND program was mentored by Audrey Bartholomew, Ph.D., associate professor and special education faculty with LEND. It explores options to include young people with disabilities on the 91直播视频campus, starting with extracurricular activities and work options and moving toward full participation in the University community.
The work continues to be spearheaded by the Maine LEND program, which supports inclusive programs, family centered practice, self-advocacy, and the rights of people with disabilities.
Kris Winston, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, director of UNE鈥檚 Occupational Therapy program, attended the presentation along with the two current Maine LEND trainees, Allison Casciotti (M.S.O.T., 鈥23) and Emily Thomas (M.S.O.T., 鈥23).
"It was wonderful to see Katie, a recent 91直播视频M.S.O.T. alum, presenting the work that she has done with 91直播视频LEND, sharing her experience and the results of her LEND trainee project with the Maine OT community,鈥 stated Winston. 鈥淗er work, completed with the guidance of her mentor Kathryn Loukas, LEND, and OT faculty was well received by session participants"
The conference was held on Oct. 22 in Freeport.
