Gustavo Reinoso PhD, MEd, OTR/L

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into higher education, yet little research explores its use among entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students. This study developed a scale to assess AI usage and perceptions, examining differences across academic years. Eighty OTD students from a mid-sized urban university completed a 44-item survey refined using a Delphi method with nine faculty experts. Exploratory factor analysis identified three subscales—Efficiency and Adaptability, Academic Integrity Concerns, and the Student-Professor Divide—accounting for 46.04% of the variance (Cronbach’s α = .72–.93). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant effects of academic year on subscale scores (Wilks’ Λ = .822, F (6, 150) = 2.582, p = .021, partial η² = .094). Second-year students scored highest on Efficiency and Adaptability, while first- and third-year students reported a greater Student-Professor Divide. Academic Integrity Concerns remained consistently low across groups. Students perceived professors as lacking knowledge about AI, which may not fully align with reality. These findings highlight the need for increased faculty-student dialogue to bridge perceived gaps, enhance collaboration, and support ethical AI integration in occupational therapy education. Tailored curriculum adjustments could ensure students critically engage with AI while balancing innovation and professional judgment.

Keywords. artificial intelligence, occupational therapy education, student perceptions, scale development

This single-case study examined the effectiveness of the PER² model in improving handwriting legibility and prewriting skills in a child with fine motor difficulties. Using a brief, eight-session intervention, strategies grounded in cognitive, sensorimotor, and pedagogical principles were applied to enhance letter formation, particularly for uppercase letters. Both uppercase and lowercase letters were evaluated using binary legibility scores, grouped letter analysis, and qualitative observations. Results showed a modest but clinically meaningful improvement in uppercase letter legibility, especially for those with diagonal strokes. In contrast, no improvements were observed in lowercase letter formation, which was not explicitly addressed during the intervention. Therapist ratings revealed positive progress in self-direction, stroke sequencing, and spatial orientation. These findings support the PER² model as a brief, structured tool for addressing handwriting in clinical and educational contexts and highlight the need for future research with a larger number of participants.

Keywords. handwriting, brief intervention, occupational therapy, PER2 model, case study

Un Estudio Comparativo sobre Pruebas de Nistagmo Vestibular Post Rotatorio en Niños: Enfoque Tradicional vs. Silla Giratoria y Posicionamiento con Pelota.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of two different methods for administering the post-rotatory nystagmus test in children between 5 and 10 years old participating in Occupational Therapy programs. The study compared a standard condition (NPR-E) with a modified variant (NPR-SP).

Method. In the NPR-E condition, the evaluation was conducted according to Ayres’ guidelines (1975). In the NPR-SP condition, the children were evaluated while seated on a spinning office chair with a ball positioned at the chin to facilitate a 30-degree forward head tilt.

Results. With a sample size of N=11, the paired-sample t-test indicated statistical equivalence within a predefined margin of ±2 seconds between NPR-E and NPR-SP (mean difference = 0.55 seconds, 95% CI [-0.21, 1.30], t(10) = 1.60, one-tailed p = .070, two-tailed p = .140). Additionally, a bootstrap analysis based on 10,000 samples supported these findings (mean difference = 0.55 seconds, bias = -0.00139, standard error = 0.33, two-tailed p = .169).

Discussion. Despite a large effect size, caution is advised in interpreting the results due to the inclusion of zero in the confidence interval. The findings suggest that NPR-SP may be a valid alternative for assessing post-rotatory nystagmus in children. Future research should focus on confirming these preliminary findings and assessing the clinical applicability of the NPR-SP method in different settings.

Keywords. Postrotary nystagmus, vestibular system, sensory integration, occupational therapy.

This chapter explores the content validity of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Rather than concentrating on developmental items (e.g., stacking blocks) that may not be relevant to each family and child, the authors set out to explore daily-level activities and items. The authors developed and defined 20 complex activities related to mobility, self-care, toileting, and social cognition. Similarly, they provided opinions about the appropriateness on three measurement scales (functional skills/behaviors, caregiver assistance, and modifications). These items and domains were reviewed by a panel of experts in the fields of occupational therapy, physical therapy, physiatry, speech and language therapy, and special education, who were not familiar with items or domains. Results were positive, with 80% of experts rating the overall PEDI as either good or excellent on the two major content validity issues including measuring functional disability in children and determining the comprehensiveness of the item sampling.

Keywords. pediatric assessment, content validity, self-care, adaptive testing, occupational therapy

La utilización de observaciones que proporcionan información acerca del funcionamiento sensorio-motor relacionado a procesamiento sensorial es común en la práctica clínica. Un grupo de observaciones, llamadas observaciones clínicas por A.J. Ayres ayuda a diagnosticar disfunciones sensoriales aunque no existen normas desarrolladas en Chile, ni su validez o confiabilidad establecida estadísticamente para su utilización. Para normar estas pruebas en Chile se entrenaron 4 evaluadores quienes recolectaron datos de niños entre 5 y 7.11 años de edad: 90 típicos y 26 identificados con problemas de procesamiento sensorial. Este estudio proporciona datos preliminares sobre 5 pruebas relacionadas a control postural y planeamiento motor: equilibrio en un pie (ojos cerrados y ojos abiertos), extensión antigravitatoria, flexion antigravitatoria, secuenciación de dígitos, y diadochokinesis. Los resultados indican que estas pruebas se pueden utilizar para diagnosticar niños con disfunciones sensorio-motoras en la práctica clínica e investigación.

Clinical observations that provide information about sensory-motor performance related to sensory processing, are commonly used in clinical practice. A group of these observations, known as clinical observations by A. J. Ayres, help diagnose sensory related dysfunctions even when normative data and statistically established validity and reliability are not available for the Chilean children. In order to develop normative data, we trained 4 independent assessors who collected data on 90 typically developing children 5 to 7.11 years of age and 26 children identified as presenting with sensory processing problems. The present study provides preliminary data about 5 observations that relate to postural control and motor planning: Standing on one foot (eyes open and closed), extensión against gravity, flexion against gravity, sequential finger touching and diadochokinesis. The results of this study indicate that these observations can help diagnose children with sensory-motor dysfunctions and be utilized for clinical applications and research.

Objective. We developed an observational tool, the Comprehensive Observations of Proprioception (COP), for identifying proprioceptive processing issues in children with developmental disabilities.

Method. Development of the COP underwent three phases. First, we developed items representing proprioceptive functions on the basis of an extensive literature review and consultation with occupational therapists. We then established interrater reliability and content, construct, and criterion validity. Finally, we completed a factor analysis of COP ratings of 130 children with known developmental disabilities.

Results. Adequate validity and reliability were established. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model that explained the underlying structure of the measure as it was hypothesized.

Conclusion. The COP is a valid criterion-referenced short observational tool that structures the clinician’s observations by linking a child’s behaviors to areas identified in the literature as relevant to proprioceptive processing. It takes 15 min to administer and can be used in a variety of contexts, such as the home, clinic, and school.

Objective. Sensory processing difficulties among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been extensively documented. However, less is known about this population’s ability to process proprioceptive information.

Method. We used the Comprehensive Observations of Proprioception (COP; Blanche, Bodison, Chang, & Reinoso, in press) to describe the proprioceptive difficulties experienced by children with ASD. A sample of 32 children with ASD, 26 children with developmental disabilities excluding ASD, and 28 typically developing control children were studied using the COP.

Results. Children with ASD present with proprioceptive processing difficulties that are different from those of children with developmental disabilities and their typically developing counterparts. Specific data, potential clinical applications, and directions for future research are described.

Conclusion. Results suggest that the COP has useful clinical research applications. Further assessment of psychometric properties, clinical utility, and meaningful differences among diverse clinical populations are needed.