Elisabeth
Thompson,
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
University Pediatric Dentistry
Elisabeth Thompson, OTR/L , a graduate of Queen's University, received a degree in occupational therapy (OT) in 2000. She is board certified in Canada and the USA. She has over 20 years experince supporting individuals with developmental disabilties (including intellectual disabilities). Clinical settings have included: a pediatric diagnostic assessment team, consultation services for children and youth with ASD, and a community-based psychiatric team for adults. Most recently she joined the team at University Pediatric Dentistry collaborating with staff to improve care for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the dental setting.
Presenting at the Nexus Summit:
Individuals with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities (IDD) face many barriers to receiving healthcare. Difficulty with sensory processing, motor control, and behavioral expression present barriers to quality dental and health care (Raymaker et al., 2017; Stein-Duker et al., 2019). Occupational therapy practitioners possess unique skills to provide sensory and positioning adaptations, behavioral suggestions, and environmental modifications, prior to and during dental services. Research indicates receiving services in a Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) decreases anxiety…