Latest Chan Division News
Research

Video game developed at USC lets patients play their way through rehab ⟩
April 20, 2015

Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Health and Wellness Research Technology

Mystic Isle tracks the coordinates of players’ movements, giving therapists valuable data on progress and future sessions

By Tanya Abrams/USC News Video games for health are not just for fitness gamers who’d rather stumble through Zumba alone than with a judgy gym rat. Clinicians and game developers at USC are teaming up to advance and validate video games for rehabilitation, a segment in the games-for-health…

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The Help Group and USC form a new partnership ⟩
March 6, 2015

Autism Community and Partners Faculty Research

By Mike McNulty The Help Group is pleased to announce an innovative partnership between The Help Group and the University of Southern California (USC) Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. The Help Group – USC Occupational Science Initiative is dedicated to developing…

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16 Trojans published in American Journal of Occupational Therapy ⟩
January 5, 2015

Autism Clinical Faculty Research

Congratulations to the 16 Trojans published in the January/February 2015 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. Assistant Professor Natalie Leland, Assistant Clinical Professor Karen Crum MA ’13, OTD ’14, Board of Councilors Member Shawn Phipps BS ’97, Adjunct Clinical…

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For young people with diabetes, care can take a backseat to life ⟩
November 26, 2014

Chan in the Media Faculty Health and Wellness Lifestyle Redesign Research

USC professor aims to help patients by customizing strategies for sticking with their treatment

By Hope Hamashige/USC News Trying to manage the ups and downs of diabetes is tough enough. But for teenagers and young adults who are juggling school, work and caring for family members, taking a healthful approach to managing their own diabetes can become a low priority. That’s what Beth Pyatak…

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Postdoctoral fellow quoted in New York Times ⟩
October 20, 2014

Autism Chan in the Media Faculty Research

By Mike McNulty Postdoctoral Fellow Leah Stein NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellow Leah Stein MA ’06, PhD ’13 was quoted in a New York Times article on the potential for sensory adaptations to reduce distress and pain of children with autism when visiting the dentist. Stein is a member of the Sensory…

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Self-care among Latinos with diabetes studied ⟩
September 11, 2014

Awards Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Health and Wellness Research

Elizabeth Pyatak seeks ways to make health an everyday habit for teens and young adults

By Paul Karon/USC News USC occupational scientist and occupational therapist Elizabeth Pyatak helps young people with diabetes adopt the self-care habits and protocols recommended by their physicians. In a vote of confidence, the National Institutes of Health has given the assistant professor a…

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USC alumna’s surfing program for veterans featured in AJOT study ⟩
July 29, 2014

Alumni Chan in the Media Health and Wellness Research

By Kim Kho USC alumna Carly Rogers MA ’04, OTD ’11 is the lead author of a new article, High-Intensity Sports for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression: Feasibility Study of Ocean Therapy With Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, published in the July/August…

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Dental visits can be daunting for autistic children ⟩
April 25, 2014

Autism Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Research

Sharon Cermak wants to make the experience more kid-friendly

By Rob Russow MA ’14/USC Today Professor Sharon Cermak Do you dread going to the dentist? You may have good reasons: With its whirring drills, bright operatory lights and strong scents, the dental office experience can overwhelm even the most stoic patient. But for children with autism — many of…

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Symposium convenes scholars of sensory integration research ⟩
November 11, 2013

Autism Conferences Lectures and Talks Research

By Mike McNulty National experts on the sensory issues tied to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders exchanged their respective research at the 24th USC Occupational Science Symposium, which brought together dozens of leaders from across the country to assess the field and prioritize future…

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OTD student Irene Lee and asst. prof. Natalie Leland on fall intervention evidence in OT Practice ⟩
September 11, 2013

Faculty Research Students

Irene Lee MA ’13 and Assistant Professor Natalie Leland The September 9 issue of OT Practice features a research update authored by Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student Irene Lee MA ’13 and Assistant Professor Natalie Leland. The update assesses two recent systematic reviews…

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