OTD Capstone Projects
Abstract
This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Friends Life Community (FLC), a nonprofit, community-based day program that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment revealed a gap in evidence-based research supporting the purpose and impact of FLC’s daily curriculum. Additionally, there was a need for custom outcome measurement tools to better capture the growth and progress of program participants. In response, the focus of this capstone was to develop an educational resource tailored for multiple stakeholder audiences, including FLC staff, parents/caregivers, board members, and donors. The goal of the resource was to reinforce the daily curriculum with evidence-based support, while also integrating an occupational therapy perspective. Specifically, the project identified common client factors addressed through FLC’s curriculum and illustrated how these factors are being targeted to enhance participants’ overall quality of life and wellness. The findings highlighted that a wide range of client factors—physical, cognitive, emotional, and social—are actively engaged through FLC’s structured activities. These outcomes are supported by research, demonstrating that the program environment fosters meaningful opportunities for growth and well-being. Ultimately, FLC provides a space where participants, known as Friends, can thrive and maintain a healthy life—mentally, physically, and socially.
Publication Date
Spring 4-21-2025
Faculty Mentor
Candace Thrash, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, BCP
Department
Occupational Therapy, School of
College
Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of
Document Type
Poster
Degree
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Degree Level
Doctoral
Degree Grantor
Belmont University
Keywords
Adults; intellectual and developmental disabilities; education; client factors; evidence-based research; curriculum; day program; community; occupational therapy; quality of life
Recommended Citation
Jones, Ruth D., "Evidence Based Resource Creation: Building Knowledge and Supporting Curriculum Rationale for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at Friends Life Community" (2025). OTD Capstone Projects. 237.
https://repository.belmont.edu/otdcapstoneprojects/237
