Date of Award
Spring 5-2026
Document Type
Oral Presentation/Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Health Science
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Shana Cerny, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Keywords
Trauma-informed care, Pediatric occupational therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Sensory processing, Co-regulation, Occupational participation, Rehabilitation and therapy, Clinical reasoning, Caregiver education, PEOP mode
Subject Categories
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
This capstone project examined how trauma-informed care (TIC) and Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) can be integrated into pediatric occupational therapy to better support children impacted by trauma. The project was guided by the question of how structured trauma-informed strategies, clinical tools, and caregiver education influence therapist understanding and application in practice.
A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating TIC- and TBRI-informed interventions during pediatric treatment sessions, trauma-informed evaluations, and ongoing reflective practice. Data were gathered through pre- and post-surveys, informal staff feedback, and reflective logs to capture changes in knowledge, confidence, and clinical application over time.
Results showed clear improvements in therapist understanding of trauma-informed principles and increased use of regulation-first and relational safety approaches in sessions. Participants also reported greater confidence when using structured tools and visual supports, along with more consistent clinical reasoning across cases.
Overall, the findings suggest that embedding trauma-informed frameworks and practical resources into pediatric occupational therapy can strengthen clinical practice and improve engagement in meaningful occupations for children affected by trauma.
Recommended Citation
Rodig, Kylie H., "Integrating Trauma-Informed Care into Pediatric Occupational Therapy" (2026). Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations. 173.
https://red.library.usd.edu/ot-capstone/173