The Sixth Annual Occupational Therapy Research Colloquium

The York College Department of Occupational Therapy and the Metropolitan New York District of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association present Dr. Dierdre Cooke, "Development of a Standardized Visual Perceptual Screening Tool for Occupational Therapists, and an International Perspective of Stroke Rehabilitation."

Biography:

Dierdre Cooke, PhD is the Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Mater Private Hospital Rehab Unit in Brisbane, Australia.  She also lectures in Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland.  Her areas of clinical specialty and research interest include neurological rehabilitation following stroke (in particular, visual perception, upper limb restraining praxis) and Parkinsons' disease.  Development of a new standardized screening tool for visual perception and praxis was the topic of her PhD thesis.

Dr. Cooke is in New York as part of a seven week international study tour on a Winston Churchill Memoril Fellowship exploring the implementation of evidence-based practice for recovery following stroke.  The presentation will include a summary of the private rehabilitation service in Brisbane, Australia where she works, as well as an overview of the Winston Churchill Fellowship study tour, for which time in New York is one component.

Abstract:

Impairments of visual perception following stroke such as poor object recognition, spatial relations problems, apraxia and unilateral neglect impact on a persons' capacity to regain independence, participate in rehabilitation programs, and return to home, work and leisure pursuits.  The Australian National Stroke Foundation best practice guidelines in stroke management recommend visual perceptual screening for all patients following stroke using a standardized and validated screening tool.  Essential to the interpretation and use of the screening tool data is the availability of appropriate normative data to assist the therapist in in determining intact versus impaired performance for test completion.  A tool was developed that is reliable, validated and has age-stratified normative data for 356 adults as the topic of Dr. Cooke's research.

Who Should Attend:

Faculty, Clinicians, Students, and Occupational Therapists

Agenda:

5:00 PM Registration 5:15 PM Welcome and Introduction

• Dr. Lillian Kaplan, Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy

• Dr. Joyce Sabari, Chair, MNYD of NYSOTA Stroke Study Group

5:30 PM  Dr. Dierdre Cooke

• Development of a standardized visual perceptual screening tool for Occupational Therapists, and an international perspective of stroke rehabilitation

6:30 PM Conclusion and questions

Please RSVP by February 23, 2013 for guest parking. Email: tcardona2@york.cuny.edu or 718-262-2720