MeTooOT: Sexual Harassment Experiences of Occupational Therapy Academics and Recommendations for Systemic Change.

Sexual harassment is pervasive in academic health fields. Although a predominantly female profession, early career academics and trainees in occupational therapy (OT) remain vulnerable to sexual harassment. We aimed to describe experiences of sexual harassment of female-identifying academic OT practitioners. We conducted surveys and interviews using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to examine participants' experiences. Ten participants completed the survey and/or interview. Experiences ranged from inappropriate comments to persistent sexual assault. Four themes (blurred lines, unbalanced consequences, "how did I get here?" and "we don't talk about it") were generated based on participant responses. Power dynamics and the cultures and values of the OT profession were underlying elements of all themes. The consequences of sexual harassment were severe and affected personal and professional growth. For OT research and education to thrive, stronger support for victims and consistent, appropriate consequences for perpetrators are necessary to minimize negative outcomes for victims.

Proof of concept study of the development of a survey protocol for adults with ASD participating in community-based programs.

There is limited research regarding the effectiveness of community-based services for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition out of school and enter a more autonomous life stage. This study utilized a two-phase, mixed methods design to determine the feasibility and participant acceptability of a protocol developed to standardize an assessment of program effectiveness for young adults with ASD at a community-based center. Field notes, participant interviews, and clinical observations were combined with descriptive analysis of participant survey responses. This study offers insights into the process of effective outcomes measurement for young adults with ASD participating in community-based programs. Administration of the study's protocol is feasible; however, alternative methods of data collection should continue to be explored. Furthermore, research in the form of a pilot study is needed to further determine the protocol's facility for assessing program outcomes in young adults with ASD.

Moderating effect of social interaction on enjoyment and perception of physical activity in young adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Background: Young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for a sedentary lifestyle and its associated health problems. In neurotypical (NT) individuals, social participation and enjoyment are related to physical activity engagement. Exergaming has been shown to increase energy expenditure compared to traditional video games and is an effective option for community-based recreation. Methods: We measured physiological and psychological responses of young adults with ASD to exergaming under varying conditions and sought to determine whether playing alone versus with a partner influenced physical activity level and/or experience in NT young adults (n = 18) and those with ASD (n = 18). Results: Both ASD and NT groups experienced high enjoyment and perceived exertion while exergaming. Perceived exertion was moderated by enjoyment when young adults with ASD played with a partner, reporting less effort despite actually expending more energy. Conclusion: Social interaction may lead to increased intensity and duration of physical activity for individuals with ASD. Exergaming is a socially acceptable and age-appropriate exercise modality for this group and likely represents a cost-effective and accessible way to incorporate physical activity and social interaction into their daily lives.

PhotoVoice is a feasible method of program evaluation at a center serving adults with autism.

The purpose of this small-scale pilot study, was to assess the feasibility of PhotoVoice as a participatory method of program evaluation for the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism (HCAA), a community-based center in greater Baltimore, MD. PhotoVoice is a data collection method that uses photography to give informants, in this case three adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas for programs they participate in. This participatory approach serves to empower individuals and communities, and increases the likelihood that the generated information will be used and recommendations will be implemented. Although some challenges to implementation have been described in the literature, PhotoVoice has also been shown to improve the quality and validity of findings. This benefit is especially relevant when targeting feedback from individuals such as those with ASD, whose voices have to date been underrepresented in the literature. In conducting a PhotoVoice pilot study, the researchers sought to determine its effectiveness as a data collection method and to identify potential roadblocks that may affect applicability to a larger study. Collected photographs and feedback allowed for rich analysis and interpretation. Researchers determined that PhotoVoice was a feasible participatory method of program evaluation that highlighted the strengths and capabilities of the community, and could enable informants to have a collaborative role in shaping a program designed to address their needs. Based on the outcomes of this pilot study, it is recommended that PhotoVoice be used in a larger population of adults with ASD.

A Novel Rubric to Evaluate Wearable Cameras for Assessment of Interrater Reliability.

Research has reported on traditional methods of assessing interrater reliability but, currently, no such standard protocol exists for selection of alternative methods of assessing interrater reliability, such as wearable video cameras. The professions of occupational therapy and occupational science take a unique ecological perspective when evaluating individuals, which focuses on the naturalistic perspective of an individual, ideally resulting in optimal performance. Given current advancements in technology, wearable, low-cost, unobtrusive, first-person view digital video cameras are readily available for use in research. The researchers generated an original rubric for critiquing cameras, then trialed four cameras for use in a future interrater reliability study. This standardized protocol fills a gap in the field and can be used by future researchers searching for a standardized method of camera selection.