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PhD profile Dr Carolyn Dunford PhD, MSc, DipCOT

Carolyn is Head of Research at the Children’s Trust, Tadworth where she is combining her academic research and clinical skills through working with children with acquired brain injury. She worked for three years as a senior lecturer at York St. John University teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students.  She has worked with children for over 18 years, mostly in Gwent in south Wales but also in Leeds. She has worked as a clinical specialist and researcher for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). She has a Masters in Community Child Health and a PhD in “Outcomes and Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)”. Carolyn has presented her work at local, national and international meetings, workshops and conferences.  She is currently collaborating on a National Institute for Health Research grant “Defining and mapping rehabilitation inputs and outcomes for children after severe acquired brain injury”.

 

Research areas of interest

Measuring outcomes of rehabilitation for children and young people, using the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health alongside occupational therapy models. Carolyn welcomes students who are interested in developing knowledge and understanding of children and young people’s occupations.

 

Postgraduate supervision and mentorship

Andrea Hasselbusch, PhD student, Bournemouth University. Exploring the implementation and effectiveness of a School-Based Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. Supervisor.

Sue Walker, PhD student, Cardiff University. Participation following childhood acquired brain injury. Supervisor.

Lorna Wales, PhD student, University of Warwick. Self-awareness in paediatric brain injury. Mentor.

Ursula Costa, PhD student, Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe, Tirol, Austria. Mentor.

Benita Powrie, PhD student, University of Queensland, Australia. For young people with complex disabilities that significantly limit their physical and communicative ability, what does meaningful participation in leisure feel like? How do individuals with disabilities define their involvement in leisure? Member of PhD supervisory team.

Jane Chantry, MSc dissertation at York St John University. How do computer assistive technologies enhance participation in childhood occupations for children with multiple and complex disabilities? A literature review.

Michelle Rundle, MSc dissertation at York St John University. Towards an understanding of family- centred, occupation-based Occupational Therapy services, with particular reference to children with autism. A literature review.

Cathy Szeplaki, MSc dissertation at York St John University. How can effectiveness of powered mobile arm supports be measured by occupational therapists who manage Duchenne muscular dystrophy? A literature review. 

 

Recent publications

Sharp, N. Dunford, C. & Seddon, L. (2012) A critical appraisal of how occupational therapists can enable participation in adaptive physical activity for children and young people. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(11) 486-494

Nissen, S. Dunford, C. Johnson, M. & Jenkinson S. (2012) Combining palliative and rehabilitative approaches for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions related to severe acquired brain injury. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 54 (Suppl.3) 59

West, S, Dunford, C. & Mayston, S. (2012) Guiding service delivery and monitoring change in pupils with a severe acquired brain injury: the School Function Assessment Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 54 (Suppl.3) 3

Dunford, C. Kelly, G. Borgia, J. Ruff, A. (2012) Applying the ICF to children and youth. Occupational Therapy News 20(3) 34-35

Green, D. & Dunford, C. (2012) Paediatric Occupational Therapy in the United Kingdom. In: Lane, S. J. & Bundy, A. C. Kids can be kids: A childhood occupations Approach. Philadelphia: F A Davis Company

Dunford, C. & Bannigan, K. (2011) Children and young people’s occupations, health and well being: a research manifesto for developing the evidence base. WFOT Bulletin 64 46-52

Dunford, C. & Bannigan, K. (2011) Measuring rehabilitation outcomes for children with severe acquired brain injury. Abstracts. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 53:53

Wales, L. & Dunford, C. (2011) Measuring participation in occupation for children with acquired brain injuries British Journal of Occupational Therapy 74(6)261DOI:10.4276/030802211X13074383957788

Hasselbusch, A. & Dunford, C. (2011) Use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in School-based Occupational Therapy. Children Young People and Families Occupational Therapy Journal 15(2) 5-12

Dunford, C. (2011) Goal orientated group intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics 31:3, 288-300 DOI: 10.3109/01942638.2011.565864

Chantry, J. & Dunford, C. (2010) How do computer assistive technologies enhance participation in childhood occupations for children with multiple and complex disabilities? A review of the current literature British Journal of Occupational Therapy,73(8) 351-365

Dunford, C. Kelly, J and Owen, C. (2010) Occupational Therapy with Children and Young People: A UK perspective Journal of Occupational Therapy and Early Intervention 3: 2, 187-196 (Invited article)

Dunford, C. (2010) Linking Theory and Practice: Cognition and occupational therapy, International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 57: 2, 221 — 224