Advances in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy in Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Suzanne White, OTR/L, MA, FAOTA, Clinical Associate Professor in CHRP Occupational Therapy Program was invited to be a resource person for School of Allied Health Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, the Department of Occupational Therapy, Silver Jubilee Celebration, Continuing Occupational Therapy Education 2019 (COTE) conference titled Advances in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy in Manipal, Karnataka, India.

The 2-day program It’s all about Time: Assessments and Interventions in Time Management Skills focused on Professor’s White occupational therapy group intervention which incorporates cognitive strategies needed for planning, organizing and carrying out daily routines.

Professor White’s original research includes the Assessment of Time Management Skills (ATMS) for the general population of adults in the US. Working with Swedish occupational therapists, her work has been expanded and being validated in treatment populations of persons with a cognitive disability affecting time management as well as persons without a cognitive disability.

Professor White’s trip allowed her to begin a new study with aim to produce a culturally valid ATMS for India populations, conducted with Sebestina Anita Dsouza, MOT, PhD, Professor and Head Department of Occupational Therapy in Manipal. The study will be part of the OT program’s Masters’ Project Sequence. This sequence provides OT students, Nicholas Cerbone, Braxton Willoughby, Priscilla Hutchinson and Michael Epelbaum, with the opportunity to learn the research methods while expanding the breath of this research.

Dr. Sebestina Anita Dsouza, PhD Prof & Head Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dr. Jennifer Creek, Resource person, North Yorkshire UK, Dr. PLNG Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Suzanne White, & Dr. B Rajashekhar, Dean SOAHS

The ceremonial lighting of the lamp begins the Silver Jubilee to lead those present from darkness towards positive brightness and ensure the success of the conference.