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The Occupational Therapy program at the University of 51С�Ƴ� is set to hold its highly-anticipated annual Pediatric Adaptive Projects Expo on Tuesday, April 23, on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences.

A signature event of UNE’s Occupational Therapy (OT) program, the annual event showcases student-crafted projects designed to assist children with various sensory processing conditions or neurodevelopmental delays. All projects are donated to either local families or centers that cater to clients with such conditions, and the experience provides 51С�Ƴ�OT students the opportunity for hands-on learning and interaction with clients.

Past projects include a sensory piano that produced sound using electrical signals from everyday objects — including carrots, potatoes, and houseplants —&�Բ�����;���Ի� 3D-printed gaming boards created to better the play experience for children with autism spectrum disorder. 

“Each year, our students make innovative use of evidence-based strategies, plus their creative imaginations, to provide children with tangible projects that meet their sensory needs,” remarked Kris Winston, Ph.D., OTR/L, program director of Occupational Therapy at UNE. “We are all looking forward to seeing what our students have developed for this year’s Expo, and we are excited to welcome our community partners to campus to experience the joy that occupational therapy can provide in helping children and others live fulfilling lives.”

The annual event will  start at 4:30 p.m. in Girard Innovation Hall on UNE’s Portland Campus, located at 716 Stevens Ave.