Spinal Cord Injuries: Overview for OT

Outline:

Section 1: Spinal Cord Injuries and Occupational Therapy
Importance of Occupational Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Injury
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Classification and Function
ASIA Impairment Scale
Review
Classification and Function
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Promoting Function
Promoting Functional Independence at Each Level
Review
Relating Level to Function
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Complications and Precautions
Complications and Precautions
Pressure Injury
Respiratory Complications
Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD)
Bladder and Bowel Complications
Spasticity
Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)
Shoulder Dysfunction
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 5: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References

Sara considers themself a lifelong learner and holds degrees from Sacred Heart University (MSOT) and Wagner College (BS Psychology) and is a nationally board-certified OT. Graduating in 2018, Sara began their journey as an outpatient occupational therapist focusing on adult neurological and orthopedic conditions and durable medical equipment (DME). Sara’s passion for assistive technologies, specifically wheelchairs, led them to achieve their Assistive Technology Professional specialty certification in 2021. They also went on to become certified in CBIT, a specialty modality for individuals with Tourette’s Syndrome. In addition to DME and Tourette’s Syndrome, Sara is most passionate about their work with individuals experiencing Long COVID, and adolescents and adults with hypermobile spectrum disorder/Ehlers Danlos and dysautonomia.

Siobhan Walsh received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Scranton and completed her Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree at Mary Baldwin University. Siobhan is currently a faculty member in an occupational therapy doctoral program in Staten Island, NY. Her clinical history includes clinical and management roles in adult inpatient rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health Rusk Rehabilitation and the home health setting. Siobhan has pursued many scholarly activities including manuscript publication, multiple conference presentations, and guest lectureships. Siobhan’s passions include student and staff professional development, cognitive perceptual rehabilitation, and neurorehabilitation.