IU Occupational Therapy Students Provide Backpack Education & Fitting

Covering Kids Back to School Event, IU MS in OT Class of 2008 (Left to right): Front row: Pam Spohr, Katie Lake, Kristi Pinnick, Katie Voke, Professor J. Robin Janson, Andrea Weissman, Abby DeHoff, Sara Furrer, Kristin Martin. Middle row: Amanda Gwaltney, Melissa Williams, Ann Meyer, Megan Albright, Mary Hofmeister, Rachel Hillman, Kate Skewes, Catherine Jones, Carrie Bolden, Rachel Tudor, Julie Westberg. Back row: Sarah Whitney (Class of 2007), Tamara Jordan, Mary Spiehler, Heather Girolamo, Kristen Doster, Meagan Orban, Don Spurgeon, Ryan Peacock, Anthony McGovern, Amanda Whitaker, Molly Armstrong, Amanda White, Dr. Michael Justiss, Marvin Acuff, Dr. Arlene Schmid. Not pictured: Emily Rodda.

INDIANAPOLIS – Along with pencils, paper and glue; backpacks are among the essential tools used by students to engage in their occupation of being students. Surprisingly, backpack related injuries accounted for approximately 7,000 emergency room visits in 2001*. A major factor involved in injuries associated with backpack wearers is the weight of the backpack. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, fully-packed backpacks should weigh no more than 15% of a student’s body weight. Educating students and parents on how to properly pack and wear backpacks is an important step toward injury reduction and prevention.

On July 29, professional occupational therapy graduate students from Indiana University in partnership with Riley Hospital for Children’s Community Education & Child Advocacy Department participated in the 2006 Covering Kids and Families Back to School Family Fun Day held at the Marion County Health Department in Indianapolis. With a curricular emphasis on civic engagement, the purpose of the IU Occupational Therapy students’ participation was to provide a worthwhile community service while developing skills that enhance their professional development and education. Backpacks and school supplies issued by the IU Occupational Therapy students were generously donated by corporate sponsors.

First year IU OT student, Rachel Hillman, educating a child on how to properly fit his backpack.

During the event, the Indiana University Occupational Therapy Students weighed children, recording the maximum backpack weight (15% of body weight) on a form given to the child and parents. Next, each child was educated by a student on how to properly pack and wear their backpacks. An educational handout, ‘Pack it Light. Wear it Right: 10 backpack tips for parents and students’, was placed in the backpack as each child was individually fitted with a backpack.

Approximately 2,500 backpacks were issued by the IU students during the event. Participation of the Indiana University Department of Occupational Therapy and Riley Hospital for Children’s Community Education & Child Advocacy Department highlights the benefits of community partnership.

National School Backpack Awareness Day is September 20, 2006

• For a copy of the backpack safety education flyer, call Riley Hospital Community Education and Child Advocacy at 1-888-365-2022.
• To learn more about Occupational Therapy and the professional program at IU, please visit: www.shrs.iupui.edu/ot.