Virtual learning has been used long before the COVID-19 pandemic for mental health care or acute conditions but was rarely used as a replacement for in-person visits. Additionally, virtual learning was primarily used for those earning graduate and undergraduate degrees. Virtual learning for individuals younger than eighteen is not typically researched, as it has not been a subject of importance or seen as a replacement for in-person learning. The current study worked with four male children under the age of eighteen from both the neurotypical and neurodiverse populations. Participants were paired into dyads to assess learning done both virtually and in-person when presented with a brainteaser puzzle using a multiple baseline across participants design. Two of the four participants engaged in both treatment conditions. Percent of independently completed steps of a brainteaser puzzle and percent of on-task behavior were measured across conditions. Implications of the current study suggest that individuals that are considered severely delayed may learn more proficiently when in-person, however, others with less severe developmental disabilities and those that are considered neurotypical may be able to learn across either condition.

The Supporting Transformation and Resilience (STAR) program is a groundbreaking doctoral project in the field of occupational therapy designed to enhance the resilience, quality of life, and overall well-being of adult survivors of childhood trauma who are raising a child with a disability. Childhood trauma can profoundly impact an individual's life, and caring for a child with a disability can introduce additional challenges, making it essential to develop a comprehensive support program tailored to this specific population. STAR uses a mixed-method experimental design with a waitlist control group. The STAR program leverages a hybrid approach, combining psychoeducational and experiential components underpinned by a peer mentor model. The in-person sessions are proposed to be held at the YMCA, spanning a 12-week period with weekly in-person gatherings. Furthermore, participants will engage in a once-weekly asynchronous email support group and have access to online modules available around the clock. The waitlist control group will be granted access to the online modules, offering a basis for comparison with the participants actively engaging in the in-person and online aspects of the program. The aim of the STAR program is not only to gather critical data but also to offer support and resources for survivors of childhood trauma, creating a holistic approach that addresses their unique needs and circumstances. The STAR program holds the potential to shed light on the impact of a novel occupational therapy health promotion initiative on the resilience, quality of life, and overall well-being of its participants. This project anticipates significantly contributing to the occupational therapy and trauma fields. It has the potential to enhance the lives of those who face the challenges of both childhood trauma and caring for a child with a disability.

Au sein des secteurs de la santé et des services sociaux au Québec, les professionnel·le·s font face à des défis croissants en travaillant avec des clientèles diversifiées, notamment celles liées à la diversité de genre et à la neurodiversité. La corrélation entre l'autisme et la diversité de genre accroît la présence de jeunes appartenant à ces deux catégories, suscitant ainsi des réflexions éthiques quant aux situations rencontrées. Cette étude exploratoire adopte une approche qualitative basée sur l'analyse thématique visant d’une part à, documenter les enjeux auxquels sont confrontés les intervenant·e·s qui accompagnent ces jeunes et d’autre part, les impacts sur la pratique. Les principaux enjeux identifiés concernent le manque de connaissances sur l'autisme et la transidentité, l’intervention auprès de la famille, les difficultés d'accès aux services, et l'équilibre délicat entre la protection du jeune et la préservation de son autonomie. Afin de distinguer les enjeux appartenant aux problèmes et aux dilemmes éthiques, un cadre conceptuel inspiré des concepts de l’éthique humaniste et de la typologie de Banks (2005) est mis à profit. Dans la foulée des questionnements sur l’intervention auprès des jeunes TNB et neurodivergent·e·s, cette recherche permet de donner une voix aux intervenant·e·s concernés, leur permettant de parler des situations à dimension éthique à laquelle iels font face. / Within the fields of health and social services in Quebec, professionals are encountering escalating challenges while working with diverse client populations, such as those related to gender diversity and neurodiversity. The correlation between autism and gender diversity amplifies the presence of youth falling into both categories, prompting ethical reflections regarding situations encountered. This exploratory study employs a qualitative approach based on thematic analysis to, on one hand, document the issues and challenges faced by professionals supporting non-binary transgender and neurodivergent youth, and on the other hand, to delineate their impacts on practice. Key issues identified include a lack of knowledge about autism and transgender identity, family intervention, difficulties in accessing services, and the delicate balance between protecting the youth and preserving their autonomy. To distinguish between issues related to ethical problems and dilemmas, a conceptual framework inspired by the principles of humanistic ethics and Banks' typology (2005) is employed. In the wake of questions regarding intervention with non-binary transgender and neurodivergent youth, this research allows the involved practitioners to have a voice, enabling them to discuss the ethical situations they face.

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