seanna nichols

Providing clinical supervision for occupational therapy students providing pro bono services at the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic, a primary care clinic serving the underinsured and low income populations of East Indianapolis.

Completed placements in preschool and kindergarten special education classrooms, teaching both Spanish and English fluent students. Transitioned to primary responsibility for classroom management, parental communication, curriculum planning, and served on school board for inclusive curriculum. Extensive experience interacting and collaborating with multicultural staff, students, and families.

Project Lead: “Exploring Abilities Through Exposition” ArtExpo 2015, 2016: An Art Exposition Event which showcases artists diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, or artwork that celebrates diversity and Autism Awareness. Project Lead: Deaconess Riley Hospital: Implemented a facility-wide protocol for patients identified on the Autism Spectrum, to facilitate safe, effective, and amenable hospital stay. Project Participant: Riley Hospital For Children: Analysis of employee satisfaction surveys, need-based, and professional training for nursing staff in regards to evidence-based practice for patients diagnosed with Autism Project Lead: The Safety Store at Riley Hospital for Children: A collaboration with the Riley Hospital Safety Store to evaluate, improve, and obtain grant funding for an Autism Safety Toolkit for children and families to prevent unsafe wandering behaviors. Mentorship: Organizing manager for four undergraduate students, completing Bachelors-Level Capstone projects through the HANDS Center.

Inpatient Rehabilitation, 22 bed unit, providing treatment and education in the form of varieties of exercise and activities of daily living, adaptive equipment training, splinting, functional mobility, and lifestyle adaptation. Patients develop skills helping to facilitate daily activities such as self-care, dressing, feeding and homemaking tasks. Group activities, including meal preparation, community trips, and therapeutic supports recreate a social environment to practice motor and cognitive skills. Prior to discharge, a home assessment may be completed, with recommendations for appropriate equipment necessary for a safe return home.

Assessed allegations of child abuse and neglect in Marion County, with a special interest in medically fragile children and hospital casework. Developed relationships with families during crisis interventions, facilitated Child and Family Team Meetings with families to develop case plans in order to improve family functioning. Partnered with local law enforcement, government agencies, schools, medical institutions, and other community partners to assess imminent risk for children. Prepared reports and communicate effectively with civil and criminal agencies to ensure ongoing safety of the children in Marion County. Prepared future case managers through fieldwork training experiences, supervise undergraduate students during semester internships, and train future facilitators to conduct Child and Family Team Meeting for their respective divisions and caseloads.

First Steps was created to be an independent and influential entity that, in collaboration with other community stakeholders, sets and advances the agenda and priorities for early childhood work in Kent County. As an objective and neutral organization, we work to ensure that services are high quality and aligned. We convene leadership from various fields such as education, healthcare, and social services to enhance communication and coordination.First Steps, the Great Start Collaborative, and other community partners have identified the components that must be in place for a coordinated system and are developing strategies to make sure the necessary services are available and accessible. We also are building the public and political will to support and sustain the early childhood system.

Team member of the adult rehabilitation team for both IU Methodist and IU University Hospital, specializing in patient populations including neuropsych, cardiovascular specialty unit, advanced pulmonary care, transplant and oncology, trauma critical care, routine orthopedics and multi ortho trauma, medical step down and generalized medical inpatient floors, as well as palliative care, inpatient psychiatry, and inpatient hemodialysis, and cancer/specialty oncology focusing on the roles and performance of occupations, including daily living tasks such as dressing or home making activities. Evaluation and treatment includes incorporation of ADLs (feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting), IADLs (household/financial management, cooking, etc), functional mobility needed to perform ADLs, functional cognition , strength and range of motion of the upper extremities, vision, sensation (fine motor activities), and splinting for functional use of extremities.

Dean's List 2006-2010 George Washington Carver Scholar National Society of Collegiate Scholars Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society Mortar Board Society Activities and Societies: ISUCF'V'MB (University Marching Band), Human Sciences Ambassadors, President, Tau Beta Sigma Sorority

IUPUI Elite 50 Award Recipient Elite 50 Best in School Award Recipient Premiere 10 Award Recipient William C. Plater Service Award Recipient Gold Circle Grant Recipient Dr. Patricia Laurencelle Research Grant Recipient Phi Theta Epsilon Honor Society Activities and Societies: Student Occupational Therapy Association, Student Outreach Clinic, Rock for Riley Campaign