Unit rationale, description and aim

Occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation aims to enable people with neurological conditions to participate in occupations they need to, want to or are expected to do. Building on knowledge of conditions and neuroscience, students will explore the impact of neurological conditions on occupational performance and participation. Students will use evidence-based practice and measurement principles to identify strengths and barriers and outcomes that inform goal attainment. Students will learn to identify and articulate the rationale for assessment and results to clients and relevant others. 

The overall aim of this unit is to develop students knowledge of the impact of neurological conditions on occupational performance and to develop skills in evidence-based assessment in order to address occupation-focused goals.

2025 10

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
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  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

(ALHT210 Neuroscience for Allied Health OR OTHY200 Neuroscience, Neurodevelopment ) AND (OTHY210 Physical Rehabilitation 1 OR OTHY203 Occupational Therapy Interventions for Physical Conditions )

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Critically review the evidence base for assessment...

Learning Outcome 01

Critically review the evidence base for assessments and outcome measures for adults with neurological conditions
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC9, GC12

Select, administer, interpret and communicate asse...

Learning Outcome 02

Select, administer, interpret and communicate assessment rationale and results for clients with neurological conditions and relevant others;
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC9, GC12

Discuss the pathophysiology, clinical features, pr...

Learning Outcome 03

Discuss the pathophysiology, clinical features, progression, and impact of a range of neurological conditions on occupational performance and participation;
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC9, GC11

Apply the Canadian Model of Occupational Performan...

Learning Outcome 04

Apply the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) to analyse the impact of neurological impairments on occupational performance and participation, and to develop professional reasoning that guides the goal setting and assessment process for adults with neurological conditions.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7

Content

Topics will include: 

Neurological conditions and impact on occupational performance and participation

  •  Stroke
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Brain Tumours
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain

Measurement focus:

  • Participation
  • Occupational Performance
  • Motor
  • Somatosensory
  • Vision
  • Cognitive
  • Neurobehavioural 
  • Selection, administration and interpretation of evidence based assessments for adults with neurological conditions 

Additional focus:

  • Collaborative goal setting
  • Communication
  • Evidence-based Measurement Focus of assessment (ICF levels)
  • Purpose of assessment
  • Clinical utility
  • Validity
  • Reliability
  • Responsiveness
  • Client participation in the assessment process

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and to develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements.

Assessment 1 is a written assessment involving critique of 2 client assessments. Students will be provided the opportunity to gain skills in critiquing and justifying the selection of a client assessment for a neurological case study. Students will critique a client assessment based on the psychometric properties and justify the selection for the case study. This is an essential skill in selecting and interpreting assessments for neurological clients.

Assessment 2 is an in-class presentation. The purpose of the presentation is for students to work collaboratively to develop their ability to (a) Apply clinical reasoning to determine appropriate assessments / outcome measures for a person with neurological impairment, and (b) Demonstrate appropriate administration of an assessment/outcome approach for a person with a neurological impairment.

Students are provided with a clinical case scenario of a person with a neurological condition. In the presentation students provide a rationale for, and demonstration of, an evidence-based assessment/outcome measure for that client. This allows students to demonstrate their understanding and application of knowledge of a neurological condition, communication skills in a simulated client-therapist interaction, clinical reasoning, and ability to answer questions related to their clinical knowledge. This assessment provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an authentic form of assessment

Assessment 3 is a written examination, comprised of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. The multiple choice questions examine students’ overall knowledge of measurement, and the short answer questions assess students’ application of knowledge in relation to neurological case studies.

In order to pass this unit students must:

  • Demonstrate achievement of every learning outcome, and
  • Obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit, and
  • Achieve a mark of 50% or greater in Assessment 3, which is a graded hurdle.

Where students achieve a cumulative mark of 50% or more for the unit, overall, but do not achieve a mark of 50% or greater in Assessment 3 they will be offered one further attempt in Assessment 3. If students pass this further assessment, they will pass the unit and their original mark will be the final unit mark. If students fail the further assessment, they will fail the unit. The assessment strategy in this unit is designed to enable students to demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and essential professional knowledge and skills for safe and competent practice. 

Overview of assessments

Assessment 1: Written Assessment Requires studen...

Assessment 1: Written Assessment

Requires students to critique and justify the selection of an assessment for a neurological case study based on the psychometric properties.

Weighting

25%

Learning Outcomes LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC9, GC12

Assessment 2: Group Oral Presentation Requires s...

Assessment 2: Group Oral Presentation

Requires students to work collaboratively to develop their ability to apply knowledge of measurement to a neurological case study

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC9, GC12

Assessment 3: Written Examination Enables studen...

Assessment 3: Written Examination

Enables students to demonstrate their understanding and application of core learning undertaken in the unit including materials from lectures, tutorials and preparatory readings

Weighting

Graded Hurdle

45%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Teaching and learning approaches for this unit include lectures, tutorials, case studies and self-directed learning. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning approaches used within these modes of delivery will aid in students constructing knowledge and will apply to real-life situations of occupational therapy practice. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner.

 

The lectures will provide a framework for the content of this unit, and situate it within an occupational therapy practice context. The tutorials will provide opportunity for experiential learning to further develop an understanding of the impact of neurological conditions on occupational performance and to develop skills in assessment approaches for clients with neurological conditions. Experiential learning in this unit is an important aspect for learning about how to administer a variety of assessments for clients as this type of learning allows students to practice the cognitive, sensory and motor patterns and communication skills required to become a competent occupational therapist.

Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (AOTCS) 2018

In connection to the learning outcomes, Australian occupational therapy competency standards (AOTCS) 2018 developed within this unit are:

  • Relating to

    Professionalism

    An occupational therapist practises in an ethical, safe, lawful and accountable manner, supporting client health and wellbeing through occupation and consideration of the person and their environment.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Knowledge and learning

    An occupational therapist’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice are informed by relevant and contemporary theory, practice knowledge and evidence, and are maintained and developed by ongoing professional development and learning.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Occupational therapy process and practice

    An occupational therapist’s practice acknowledges the relationship between health, wellbeing and human occupation, and their practice is client-centred for individuals, groups, communities and populations.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Communication

    Occupational therapists practise with open, responsive and appropriate communication to maximise the occupational performance and engagement of clients and relevant others.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Curtin, M., Egan, M., & Adams, J. (2017). Occupational Therapy for People Experiencing Illness, Injury or Impairment: Promoting Occupation and Participation (7th ed.). Elsevier.

Dirette, D. P., Gutman, S. A., Radomski, M. V., & Latham, C. A. T. (2021). Occupational therapy for physical dysfunction (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Gillen, G. (2021). Treatment of cognitive perceptual deficits: A function-based approach. In G. Gillen & D.M. Nilsen (Eds.) Stroke rehabilitation: A function-based approach (5th ed.). Elsevier.

Townsend, E. A., Polatajko, H. J., & Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (2013). Enabling occupation II : advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, well-being, & justice through occupation (2nd ed.). CAOT.

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