Orphanages, Oceans, & Occupational Therapy

Presenter

Melissa Yeung

OTD, OTR/L

Learner Outcomes

1. Participants will be able to identify at least two ways occupational therapy professionals can advocate for and promote meaningful occupations in diverse settings.

    

2. Participants will be able to describe their own personal connection between passions and professional skills in driving meaningful progress in promoting OT and serving others locally and globally.

Abstract

Orphanages, Oceans, and Occupational Therapy explores how occupational therapists can apply their expertise to advocate for and support meaningful engagement in diverse settings. This presentation highlights both an OT’s role in orphanages in China and in adaptive surfing programs for Veterans in Hawai‘i. Both environments emphasize growth, independence, and enhanced mental health following trauma. By aligning personal passions with professional skills, occupational therapists can empower themselves and others to find purpose and fulfillment in daily occupations. Attendees will learn to apply their unique strengths to inspire meaningful participation across settings, serving as sources of hope, compassion, and positive change.

BiographyMelissa Yeung (OTD, OTR/L) discovered her passion for occupational therapy while spending summers at her family’s orphanage. After graduating from USC, she pursued a career in acute care, mental health, and Veteran services. She led a project addressing substance use while promoting Native Hawaiian cultural
values and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hawai‘i. Dr. Yeung is currently an assistant professor at A.T. Still University.

References to support evidence-based practice

Orphan Care & OT

1. Porfyri, G. N., & Skarpari, S. (2023). Orphanages vs neurobiological child development: Issues to be raised. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 455.
2. Crockenberg, S. C., Rutter, M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Juffer, F., Collins, W. A., & The St. Petersburg-USA Orphanage Research Team. (2008). The effects of early social-emotional and relationship experience on the development of young orphanage children. Monographs of the Society for
   Research in Child Development, i-298.

Surfing & OT

1. Benninger, E., Curtis, C., Sarkisian, G. V., Rogers, C. M., Bender, K., & Comer, M. (2020). Surf therapy: A scoping review of the qualitative and quantitative research evidence. Global journal of Community Psychology practice, 11(2).
2. Lopes, J. T. (2015). Adapted surfing as a tool to promote inclusion and rising disability awareness in Portugal. Journal of sport for development, 3(5), 4-10.