In this episode, Dr. Faugno discusses how an occupational therapist can help in the identification and inform treatment for non-fatal strangulate victims’ lives who have been unjustly disrupted by traumatic events.

Dr. Rebecca Faugno is an occupational therapist who has a vested interest in recent developments within the domestic violence populations and how OT can be an integral part of the recognition and treatment of trauma experiences.

As an occupational therapist, Dr. Faugno holds insight into the assessment and treatment of neurological, social-emotional, psychological, and physical aspects that affect meaningful occupations in our lives and those roles and responsibilities that get unjustly disrupted after traumatic events.

Dr. Faugno has worked with patients with acquired brain injury and find that each individual’s effects on their lives are not only unique but the lasting neurological and neuromuscular effects present differently depending upon where the injury manifested and the duration of time the brain went without oxygen. She is an active follower of the strangulation institute and keeps current with developments and research on the studies of neurological conditions impacted by nonfatal strangulation.

Resources:

The effects of intimate partner violence and probable traumatic brain injury on central nervous system symptoms. Journal of Women’s Health - https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2016.6311

Faugno, D. Interview with forensic nurse examiner and author Diana Faugno [personal interview]. June 4, 2021.

Domestic violence and nonfatal strangulation assessment: For health care providers and first responders. STM Learning, Inc.

Enhancing independence in women experiencing domestic violence and possible brain injury. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 20(1), 49-79. DOI: 10.1300/J004v20n01_03

Occupational therapy’s role with victims of domestic violence: Assessment and intervention. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, https://doi.org/10.1300/J004v16n03_04Traumatic brain injury and PTSD symptoms as a consequence of intimate partner violence. Comprehensive Psychiatry, https://doi-org.prx-usa.lirn.net/10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.01.007

Occupational Needs and Goals of Survivors of Domestic Violence. Occupational Therapy In Health Care, https://doi.org/10.3109/07380577.2015.1109741

Traumatic brain injury in intimate partner violence: A critical review of outcomes and mechanisms. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838011404251

Knowledge and perspectives of domestic violence service providers about survivors with mental health disability. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-019-00053-3

Intimate Partner Violence, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Social Work: Moving Forward. Social Work,. Retrieved fromhttp://search.ebscohost.com.prx-usa.lirn.net/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.544223479&site=eds-live

Provider perceptions and domestic violence (DV) survivor experiences of traumatic and anoxic-hypoxic brain injury: Implications for DV advocacy service provision. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2019.1591562

The Case for Mandatory Training on Screening for Domestic Violence in the Wake of the Affordable Care Act. 17, 28. Patton F.J. (2017). Domestic violence, concussion injuries, and the imaging professional’s role in identifying traumatic brain injury. Radiologic Technology. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.prx-usa.lirn.net/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=124995454&site=eds-live

Unilateral anoxic brain injury secondary to strangulation identified on conventional and arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging. Radiology Case Reports, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2018.02.004

Non-fatal strangulation: in physical and sexual assault [Handout]. Produced on behalf of the © Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) for HOPE International.

The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention Alliance.