This study demonstrates a methodology for identifying differences in the experienced difficulty of activities of daily living (ADL) process actions of task performance between persons who havedementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and persons who are well. The information gathered indicates that persons with DAT havegreater ADL deficits, hypothesized to be related to underlying declarative memory, and relatively intact ADL skills, hypothesized to be related to underlying procedural memory. AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine if persons with dementia of the Alzheimertype (VAT) differed from nondisabled older controls in theaciu-Kathryn Z. Cooke, MS, OTR, is from Boulder Manor

Negative attitudes exhibited by rehabilitation professionals could have adverse consequences for persons with disabilities in their achievement of desired outcomes. Because occupational therapists are in a position to exert considerable influence in the therapeutic relationship, this study explored entry-level occupational therapy practitioners' equal status contact with and attitudes toward persons with disabilities. METHOD. Questionnaires were sent to 402 entry-level occupational therapists. These questionnaires consisted of: a demographic scale, the Disability Social Distance Scale, the Contact With Disabled Persons Scale, and a Similarity Scale (constructed for this study to evaluate the concept of equal status). Data analysis explored the relationship between 172 respondents' equal status perception and contact with persons with disabilities and their attitudes toward persons with disabilities. RESULTS. Respondents exhibited generally positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Perceived equality, personal and professional contact, and the majority of demographic factors were not significantly correlated with their attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Respondents who specified working with persons without disabilities in the wellness capacity exhibited more positive attitudes than those working with persons with biomechanical and neurological disabilities. In addition, respondents who had a greater frequency of professional contact with persons with disabilities also appeared to experience more personal contact with persons with disabilities. CONCLUSION. Entry-level occupational therapists' attitudes toward persons with disabilities may not only be influenced by parameters of the contact variable but also by the profession's holistic philosophy, the occupational therapy educational curricula, and the personal characteristics of those who choose to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affected occupational therapy practice in the rural regions of the Rocky Mountains. It compared data from the Rocky Mountain region (Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona) to a previous study of the Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Washington and expanded on the Northwest study. Results indicated that the two areas were similar in their demographics and problems, including need for more occupational therapists. The results also have implications regarding specialized preservice training for rural-based occupational therapists, other professions' availability of continuing education, and other support systems. The authors provide recommendations based on the results, other literature, and conjectures, for recruitment, training, and ongoing support of rural occupational therapists through cooperative consortiums and distance learning.

The results support the hypothesis that the AMPS can be used as a cross cultural instrumental activities of daily living assessment. Further study is needed to clarify the issue of possible cultural bias in rater severity.

A differentiated model of self-esteem, based on William James's (1890), C. H. Cooley's (1902/1968), and G. H. Mead's (1925/1968) works and developed by Dr. Susan Harter (1983), is presented as a valuable tool for the occupational therapist to use in evaluation and intervention. Competence and social support are considered important components, and discounting is presented as a mechanism for the maintenance or improvement of self-esteem. Social comparison, social desirability, and defensiveness are discussed as important considerations, particularly regarding children with disabilities.