Sandhya S's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Exploring the Role of Collaborative Goal Setting and Goal Attainment Scaling in Enhancing Pediatric Occupational Therapy Outcomes BASIS Advisor: Brittany Holtzman Internship Location: Sunrise Therapy Services Onsite Mentor: Sheila Mick, Occupational Therapist

Project Abstract

With my senior project, I aim to explore how collaborative goal setting and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) can enhance outcomes in pediatric occupational therapy. In occupational therapy, clients receive personalized goals designed by the therapist that address their unique developmental challenges. Clients work toward these objectives through targeted exercises and activities. Collaborative goal setting is central to this process, with therapists partnering closely with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to establish meaningful, achievable outcomes. Researchers have shown that this collaborative approach increases patient satisfaction, motivation, and confidence. The two methods I will use to collect data are the home program activity checklist and the GAS form. To monitor consistent practice, I will use a weekly home program checklist for families to mark the days their child practiced their goals at home. Since they have been involved in the goal setting process, they should be aware of what goals their child is working towards. I will also use the GAS method, which allows therapists to score a client’s progress on a Likert scale from -2 to 2, with each number representing a specific level of achievement. Families will receive this scale throughout the study to track improvements over time, beyond scheduled therapy sessions. Overall, I hope for my research to highlight the importance of collaboration and consistency in driving long-term success for the clients in achieving their goals. Additionally, this information could be valuable in offering insights that can improve therapeutic practices and client engagement to new therapists.