The 6th evidence-based occupational therapy practices event was held
On the occasion of World Down Syndrome Awareness Day on March 21, the “Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices – VI” event was organized by the Department of Occupational Therapy at Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences and the Music Therapy Application and Research Center (MÜTEM). Led by Prof. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department, the event addressed the significance and impact of occupational therapy on individuals with Down syndrome. Experts in occupational therapy and physiotherapy also attended the event.
The online event drew considerable interest from participants.
The program featured Prof. Sevda Asqarova (Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences), OT Emel Gençtürk, OT Edanur Yıldız, PT İlkan Mursal, OT Özge Özgenç, OT Melek Dilara Öztek, and OT Barış Uzundağ.
Prof. Sevda Asqarova: “True success is only possible when knowledge is translated into practice”
Prof. Sevda Asqarova, Director of MÜTEM and Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary interventions in occupational therapy. She said: “A single method is not sufficient to provide the best service. We need proven scientific sources, consideration of patient preferences, and expert opinions. The key is to combine clinical evidence from scientific research to determine the best path forward. For evidence-based practices to succeed, experts from various disciplines must work together in a coordinated manner. In this sense, the interdisciplinary intervention model is essential. Our aim is not only to generate theory but also to translate research findings into practice. True success is only possible when knowledge meets real-life application. That’s why we need the power of teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, and, more than ever, an evidence-based approach.”
OT Emel Gençtürk: “Individuals with Down syndrome bring great meaning to our lives”
OT Emel Gençtürk, who spoke during the event, said: “We are here to support equal and independent participation in life with the awareness that differences are valuable. Individuals with Down syndrome bring immense meaning to our lives through their sincerity and love. When provided with appropriate support, they not only integrate into society but also add value to it and become pioneers of change. At this point, occupational therapy plays a vital role in helping individuals discover their strengths, improve their quality of life, and integrate into society. Ensuring equal opportunity and supporting their independence is our shared responsibility.”
OT Edanur Yıldız: “These skills begin to develop from birth”
As part of the event, OT Edanur Yıldız presented on “Executive Function Skills and Development in Children.” She stated: “Executive functions include complex cognitive skills such as attention, planning, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, idea generation, self-control, and working memory. These play a significant role in daily life, social relationships, and academic success. They begin to develop from birth, with the most rapid development occurring between ages 3 and 7, and continue into early adulthood. The late maturation of the prefrontal cortex affects this process, while biological processes such as myelination, synaptogenesis, and neuroplasticity support development. Closely linked to executive functions, Theory of Mind refers to the ability to understand others’ mental states and is critical for social interaction. Current research shows meaningful links between executive functions and Theory of Mind, and highlights their integration in both individual and social-cognitive development.”
PT İlkan Mursal: “Early intervention programs enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome”
PT İlkan Mursal presented on “The Effects of Early Intervention on Physical, Social-Emotional, and Mental Development in Down Syndrome.” Mursal explained: “Early intervention programs enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome. While physiotherapy and motor skill training improve mobility, special education programs facilitate communication and learning. These approaches, which contribute to improved social interaction and self-confidence, also help families better understand and support their children. Early individualized education promotes maximum cognitive potential and encourages active participation in society.”
OT Özge Özgenç: “A multidisciplinary approach is adopted in feeding therapy”
OT Özge Özgenç gave a presentation titled “The Role of Occupational Therapy in Feeding Therapy: Holistic Approaches to Eating Disorders.” She noted: “Feeding therapy is a process aimed at helping individuals develop healthy and balanced eating habits. Occupational therapists support individuals with eating disorders by enhancing sensory, motor, and behavioral skills, thereby improving the feeding process. Techniques such as self-feeding skills, sensory integration therapy, and family education are used to help individuals adapt. Research shows that occupational therapy interventions improve children’s independent feeding skills. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted in feeding therapy; occupational therapists work in collaboration with dietitians, speech and language therapists, neurologists, and gastroenterologists to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the feeding process.”
OT Melek Dilara Öztek: “Creative music therapy is a family-integrative approach”
OT Melek Dilara Öztek presented on “Creative Music Therapy Practices for Premature Infants.” Öztek stated: “In neonatal intensive care units, stimuli like stress and pain activate the neuroendocrine system, negatively affecting development in premature infants. The noisy and overly bright environment, along with a lack of parental contact, further impacts the fragile physical condition and underdeveloped organ systems of these infants. Research on the benefits of creative music therapy for preterm infants has shown promising results. Creative music therapists assess the infant’s breathing patterns, facial expressions, and gestures to create a musical response through humming or lullaby-style singing. Moreover, creative music therapy is a family-integrative approach. It supports intuitive parent-infant interaction during therapy and strengthens bonding through skin-to-skin contact, allowing parents to be individually involved in the therapeutic process.”
OT Barış Uzundağ: “This approach has gained importance in the fields of health and rehabilitation”
OT Barış Uzundağ gave a presentation titled “Animal-Assisted Occupational Therapy Practices.” He explained: “Animal-Assisted Therapy, one of the methods used to promote independence and quality of life in daily activities, involves the intentional and structured inclusion of animals in the therapeutic process to support emotional, social, and physical development. Today, this approach is particularly beneficial for children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs—enhancing motivation, reducing stress levels, and strengthening communication. In therapeutic interventions, animals such as dogs, horses, and cats help individuals feel safe, form bonds, and actively participate in the process. In dog-assisted therapy especially, understanding the dog’s behavior, boundaries, and communication cues, observing its emotional state, and managing its stress are crucial for a healthy therapeutic process.”
Specialist PT Esra Cömert: “Early development of praxis is crucial in Down syndrome”
Specialist PT Esra Cömert presented on “Down Syndrome and Praxis.” Cömert said: “Praxis is essential for children to perform self-care tasks, play with peers, and copy from a board into a notebook—skills needed for daily life participation. Children with motor planning and praxis difficulties are often perceived by parents as stubborn or difficult, when in fact they are struggling to organize and carry out tasks in sequence. Praxis is a key area of interest in Down syndrome to improve daily life skills and social participation. Early praxis skills such as reaching for an object typically develop in the first few years of life in typically developing children. Daily activities like tooth brushing and eating independently involve a high degree of praxis. Since these skills are critical for later independence in adulthood, early development of praxis is especially important in Down syndrome.”
At the end of the program, Prof. Sevda Asqarova reviewed all the presentations and extended her thanks to the participants.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)