OTD Capstone Projects

Abstract

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville, a non-profit organization that provides free educational and therapeutic programming for individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan. The primary focus of this project was to design and implement a full semester of curriculum for the GiGi Prep adult education program, with an emphasis on developing foundational skills to support increased independence and participation in daily life.

Course content was delivered through an occupational therapy lens and included topics such as communication, emotional regulation, money management, coping strategies, self-advocacy, job skills, and independent living skills. In addition to leading GiGi Prep, the capstone experience also involved facilitating the Fantastic Friends social program, which promoted peer interaction, relationship-building, and community engagement, as well as supporting the Kitchen program, where adults with Down syndrome were taught functional cooking skills to increase independence and confidence in meal preparation.

To further enhance programming, a comprehensive caregiver education component was developed to encourage carryover of skills into the home environment. This included the creation of an educational video, eight structured handouts covering key topics, and both pre- and post-program surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of the materials and overall programming. The goal of this component was to equip caregivers with practical strategies and knowledge to better support their family member’s continued growth, skill development, and independence outside of structured program settings.

Publication Date

Spring 4-22-2026

Faculty Mentor

Candace Thrash OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, BCP

Department

Occupational Therapy, School of

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree

Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Keywords

Occupational Therapy, Down syndrome, Adult Education, Parent Education, Independent Living Skills, Social Participation, Program Development, Community-Based Intervention, Life Skills Training, Caregiver Support

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