Profile
Debra Stewart, MSc. is an occupational therapist who is an associate professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science and an Investigator at CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research. Debra received her bachelors degree in occupational therapy from the University of Toronto, and her MSc. Degree in Design, Measurement and Evaluation from McMaster University in 1998.
Debra's teaching interests are in the study and theoretical underpinnings of occupation and person-environment interactions as well as in the practice area of pediatrics, in particular adolescence. She teaches primarily in the first, second and final terms of the occupational therapy curriculum.
Her primary research area is the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities. Debra has been involved in the development and evaluation of an Information KIT (“Keeping It Together”) for parents of children and youth with special needs, and more recently in a Youth version of the KIT. Other research projects include the evaluation of an individualized funding approach and development of a resource manual for parents of young adults with disabilities, and best practice guidelines for transition to adulthood services and supports in Ontario. Debra has also been the primary investigator on two projects to survey occupational therapists about their use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in clinical practice, education and research.
Deb's clinical experience is primarily in the area of paediatrics, and she still does some private community work as part of REACH Therapy Services.
Research SpecialtyDeb’s area of research is in transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities as well as qualitative research methods.
Lab/Research Institute
CanChild, McMaster University
Courses Taught
MSc OT, McMaster University
2010-2011
Term 1: Wellness, Health & Occupation: Foundational Knowledge I, Co-coordinator
Term 1: Wellness, Health & Occupation: Professional Roles & Experiential Practicum (PREP), Course Co-coordinator
Term 2: Person, Environment & Occupation, Chair
Term 2: Person, Environment & Occupation: Foundational Knowledge II, Co-coordinator
Term 2: Person, Environment & Occupation: Inquiry & Integration, Course Coordinator
Term 6: Complexities of Contemporary Practice: Professional Roles & Experiential Practicum (PREP), Co-Coordinator
2009-2010
Term 1: Wellness, Health & Occupation: Professional Roles & Experiential Practicum (PREP), Course Co-coordinator
Term 3: Disability, Development and Occupation: Inquiry & Integration, Guest Speaker
2008-2009
Term 1: Wellness, Health & Occupation: Professional Roles & Experiential Practicum (PREP), Course Co-coordinator
Term 2: Person, Environment & Occupation: Inquiry & Integration, Course Coordinator
Term 2: Person, Environment & Occupation, Co-Chair
Term 3: Disability, Development and Occupation: Inquiry & Integration, Guest Speaker
Recent Research
Project Title: Developmental trajectories of youth with disabilities (age 12-25 years of age): A knowledge synthesis.
Investigators: Jan Willem Gorter, Debra Stewart, Marc Woodbury Smith
Funding Agency: Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services
Amount: $ 47,000
Funding Period: Dec. 2010 to April 2011
Project Title: The utilization, utility and impact of a Transition Coordinator and the Youth Kit© among adolescents with chronic health conditions as they transition to adulthood. A pilot study.
Investigators: Zubin Punthakee, Jan Willem Gorter, H. Brill, A. Don-Wauchope, C. Grant, D. Stewart, P. Rosenbaum.
Funding Agency: HHS Innovations Fund
Amount: $199,000.00
Funding Period: March 2009 – Feb. 2011
Project Title: A global survey of the use of the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) by occupational therapists
Investigators: Debra Stewart, Anne Carswell, Anne McIntyre, Anne Hemmingson and Baljit Samrai
Funding Agency: World Federation of Occupational Therapists
Amount: $3000. plus inkind
Funding period: 2009 – 2011
Project Title: A qualitative study of Personal Support Networks for youth with developmental disabilities in transition to adulthood
Investigators: Debra Stewart and Jan Burke-Gaffney
Funding Agency: Children’s Rehabilitation Research Network
Amount: $5000.00
Funding Period: Sept. 2009 – 2010
Project Title: Understanding Transitional Tensions of Youth with Disabilities in Canada
Investigators: Deb Stewart, Mary Law, Nancy Young, Helen Healy, Jan Burke-Gaffney, Mary Forhan, Matt Freeman
Funding Agency: Human Resources & Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
Amount: $51,000.00
Funding Period: Feb 2008-Nov 2009
Project Title: Development and Evaluation of Youth Kit Training Materials
Investigators: Deb Stewart, Mary Law, Cheryl Missiuna, Jan-Burke-Gaffney, Lorie
Shimmell, Matt Freeman, Salina Jaffer
Funding Agency: Pollock Foundation
Amount: $12,500
Funding Period: 2008-09 |