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Dr. Michelle Spirtos
Head of Discipline, Occupational Therapy

Biography

I am an Assistant Professor and Head of the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College. I completed a BSc OT and a MSc within the Discipline of Occupational Therapy and a PhD through the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin. I have worked as an occupational therapist with children and young people in the Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin, The Brooklyn Hospital Centre, New York, The Hospital for Special Surgery, New York and The Board of Education, New York. I have 29 years of experience working and researching with children and young people and in the area of upper limb function. My teaching and research interests primarily relate to children and young people, disability, transition to adulthood and cerebral palsy with a strong focus on driving innovative and progressive practice development and in centralising the voices of children and adults with disability experience. My research has a strong PPI and interdisciplinary focus with funded collaborative projects nationally and internationally. I have published in high ranking journals in my field and present my research internationally.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Walsh-Garcia, S., Spirtos, M., Mockler, D., & Cremin, K., The Impact of Complex Trauma on Occupations and Daily Functioning in Childhood: A Scoping Review., Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 2024, p1 - 24 Journal Article, 2024 DOI

Butler, E., Clarke, M., Spirtos, M., O'Keeffe, L. M., Dooley, N., Pregnancy complications and childhood mental health: is the association modified by sex or adverse social circumstances? Findings from the `growing up in Ireland" national infant cohort study, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2024 Journal Article, 2024 DOI

Carr, E. & Spirtos, M., 'An Examination of the Operative and Post-Operative Management of Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis in Ireland, Physiotherapy Practice and Research , 2023 Journal Article, 2023

Butler, E., Clarke, M., Spirtos, M., O'Keefe, L.M., Dooley, N., Pregnancy complications and childhood mental health. Findings from the Growing Up In Ireland cohort study, 18th World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland, 15th - 19th July, 2023 Poster, 2023

Walsh-Garcia, S., Cremin, K., & Spirtos, M., An Exploration of Occupational Therapy Practices with Children and Adolescents Experiencing Complex Trauma: An Irish Perspective. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 2023, p1 - 23 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Kift, S. H., Molloy, E., Gibbs, D., Spirtos, M., Developmental care practices in Irish neonatal units: A parents , 18th World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland, 15th-19th July , 2023 Poster, 2023

Kift, S. H., Molloy, E., Gibbs, D., White, A., Spirtos, M., Irish Neonatal Care in Occupational Therapy Study: Parental mental health and self-efficacy scales, 13th Irish Neonatal Research Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, 31st March , 2023 Poster, 2023

Curtin, H, Simms, K., Spirtos, M., Reilly, R., Investigating the effect of mobility assistance dogs on gait in children with neurological and physical impairments using 3D gait analysis, Gait and Posture, European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children Annual Conference, Dublin, 19-24 September 2022, 97, (1), Science Direct, 2022, ppS347- Published Abstract, 2022

Carr, E., Spirtos, M., An examination of the operative and post-operative management of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis in Ireland, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists , Online, 14th October 2022, 2022 Oral Presentation, 2022 URL

Michelle Spirtos Robbie Gilligan, 'In your own head everyone is staring': the disability related identity experiences of young people with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Journal of Youth Studies, 25, (1), 2022, p50 - 66 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Walsh-García, S., Cremin, K., Spirtos, M., Occupational therapists' knowledge and practice in relation to children experiencing complex trauma - survey of current occupational therapy practice in Ireland, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Athlone, 7-8th October 2022, 2022 Oral Presentation, 2022 URL

Carr, E., Spirtos, M., O'Donnell, M., Stapleton, T., Naughton, M., Flexor tendons - What happens after surgery., Irish Hand Surgery Society Annual Meeting, Virtual, May 22nd 2021, 2021 Oral Presentation, 2021

Cremin, K., Healy, O., Spirtos, M., & Quinn, S. , Autism awareness interventions for children and adolescents: A scoping review., Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. , 33, 2021, p27 - 50 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Spirtos, M., Gilligan, R., Supporting resilience and personal capacity during the transition to adulthood for young people with physical impairments, COTEC - ENOTHE CONGRESS 2021, Prague, Czech Republic, September 15-18, 2021 Oral Presentation, 2021

Spirtos M, Naughton M, Carr E, Stapleton T, O'Donnell M., Post-operative management of flexor tendon injuries at zone II and flexor Pollicis Longus - a survey of Irish practice, Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49, (2), 2021, p70 - 76 Journal Article, 2021 DOI TARA - Full Text

Spirtos, M., Cremin, K., Butler, E., Rudd, W., The assessment and diagnosis of handwriting disorders in children - Occupational therapy consensus and potential assessment pathway., AOTI Conference 2021, Dublin, Ireland., October 8-9, 2021, 2021 Oral Presentation, 2021

Harmon, D., Spirtos, M., An investigation of the acute management of closed intra-articular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint in the Republic of Ireland, Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, (1), 2020, p55 - 68 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Spirtos, M., Gilligan, R., Hutch, A., A narrative exploration of the lives of young people with hemiplegic cerebral palsy during transitions to adulthood - the potential for creative approaches to dissemination, 5th International Narrative Inquiry Conference, Dublin, May 2nd & May 3rd , 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Harmon, D., Spirtos, M., Proximal Interphalangeal Joint injury: Survey of national practice and the introduction of traction splinting to a regional hospital orthopaedic trauma service, Irish Hand Surgery Society Annual Conference, Drrogeda, Co Louth, 7-8th March 2019, 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Spirtos, M., Gilligan, R., The lived experiences of young people with hemiplegic cerebral palsy during the transition to adulthood, Royal College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Belfast, 11-13 June 2018, 2018 Oral Presentation, 2018

Brangan, J., Quinn,S., Spirtos,M., Impact of an Evidence Based Practice Course on Occupational Therapist's Confidence Levels and Goals, Occupational Therapy in Health Care,, Volume 29 , (No.1), 2015, p27 - 38 Journal Article, 2015 DOI

Spirtos, M., McCormack, C., Fox., J., Development of a competency-based assessment form for occupational therapy practice education in two Irish universities, Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42, (1), 2014, p44 - 48 Journal Article, 2014

McCormack, C., Spirtos, M., Fox, J., The development and implementation of a competency-based assessment for occupational therapy students on practice education placement, 6th Scientific Meeting of the Irish Network of Medical Educators (INMED), UCD, Dublin, 2013, 2013 Oral Presentation, 2013

Minchin, P., Spirtos, M., Investigation of the Conservative Management of Mallet Injury in Irish Acute Hospitals, Hand Therapy, 17, (1), 2012, p28 - 36 Journal Article, 2012

Rodatz, M., Spirtos, M., Collaborative consultation between teachers and occupational therapists working with children with autism, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Dundalk, Ireland, 8-9th April 2011, 2011 Meeting Abstract, 2011

Spirtos, M., O'Mahony, P., Malone, J., Interrater Reliability of the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, (4), 2011, p378 - 383 Journal Article, 2011

Spirtos M, Stapleton T, Designing Practice Based Research for Novice Researchers. , European Seating Symposium, Pre-Symposium Workshop, Dublin, 7th November 2011, 2011 Invited Talk, 2011

Ryan, C., Kennedy, A., Spirtos, A., Quinn, S., The Participation of Children with Physical Disabilities in After-school Activities, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Chile, May 2010, 2010 Poster, 2010

Spirtos, M., O'Mahony, P., The effect of kinesiotaping at the thumb and the wrist in children with cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 8th International Congress on Cerebral Palsy, Slovenia, 1-3rd September, 14, (6), Science Direct, 2010, pp550- Published Abstract, 2010

Spirtos, M., O'Mahony, P., The Effect of Kinesio Taping at the Thumb abd the Wrist in Children with Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 8th International Congress on Cerebral Palsy, Slovenia, 1-4th September 2010, 14, (6), 2010, pp550 - 550 Meeting Abstract, 2010

Spirtos, M., Malone, J., Butler, E., McGrath, M., The development of an upper limb evaluation protocol for occupational therapy assessment of children with cerebral palsy - an update., Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference , Kilkenny, 29/4/09 - 1/5/09, 2009 Conference Paper, 2009

Spirtos, M., O'Mahony, P., The effect of kinesio taping to the thumb and wrist on range of motion in children with cerebral palsy, hemiplegia., Physical Therapy Reviews, Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society, University College Cork, 8/5/09, 14, (3), Maney Publishing, 2009, pp200 - 201 Meeting Abstract, 2009

Spirtos, M., An exploratory study of the effect of a course of wrist and thumb kinesio taping on range of motion, quality of movement and function in children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Kilkenny, Ireland, 16th-18th April 2008, 2008 Conference Paper, 2008

Cremin, K; Spirtos, M., An exploration of the participation of children with fine motor difficulties and the impact of occupational therapy intervention, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Kilkenny, Ireland, 12-18th April 2008, 2008, pp18 - 18 Conference Paper, 2008

Spirtos, M.; Cremin, K., The Miller function and participation scales, M-FUN-PS: A critical Appraisal, Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36, (2), 2008, p24 - 27 Journal Article, 2008

O'Neill, E.; Spirtos, M., Parents perception of the provision of powered mobility, European Seating Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, 30th April - 4th May, 2007, pp1 Conference Paper, 2007

Gerwin Carlson, M.; Gallagher, K.; Spirtos, M, Surgical treatment of swan-neck deformity in hemiplegic cerebral palsy, The Journal of Hand Surgery, 32A, (9), 2007, p1418 - 1422 Journal Article, 2007

Spirtos, M.; Glennane, R.; Cremin, K., The effects of Occupational Therapy services on fine motor skills and functional performance in early education, National Disability Authority; Evidence based practice in Early Intervention for children with disabilities aged 0-6 years, University College Dublin, 14th November 2007, 2007 Conference Paper, 2007

O'Malley, A.; Spirtos, M., First wheelchair provision to children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, European Seating Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, 30th April - 4th May, 2007, pp1 Conference Paper, 2007

Carlson, M.; Spirtos, M.; Wolfe, A.; Brooks, C., Early surgical treatment of dynamic swan neck deformity in hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Eastern Mediterranean cerebral palsy and developmental medicine conference , Istanbul, Turkey, 2002, 48, (2), 2002, pp59 - 59 Meeting Abstract, 2002

Flynn, P., Gibbs, D., Spirtos, M., Parent perceptions and experiences of parent-infant sleep as co-occupation, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Cavan, Ireland, 5th-6th October 2023 Conference Paper,

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Spirtos, Michelle, The transition to adulthood for young people with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Making a difference conference, Dublin, 22-23rd March, 2018, Central Remedial Clinic Invited Talk, 2018

Research Expertise

Projects

  • Title
    • An exploration of the participation of children with fine motor difficulties and the impact of occupational therapy intervention
  • Funding Agency
    • National Disability Authority
  • Date From
    • November 2006
  • Date To
    • November 2007
  • Title
    • The use of digital video resources in occupational therapy education
  • Funding Agency
    • National Development Plan
  • Date From
    • June 2003
  • Date To
    • June 2004

Keywords

Child centred research questions, study design, data analysis; Children, health and disability

Recognition

Representations

European Seating Symposium - Conference Abstract Reviewer 2004-2022

Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee, European Seating Symposium 2023

Memberships

Irish Association of Hand Therapists 2003 – Present

Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland 2003 – Present

Pediatric Advisory Group 2015 – Present

Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Practice Education Forum 2021 – Present

Registered Member of CORU regulatory body of Health and Social Care Professions Ireland 2016 – Present