Medicine

Contact Us School of Medicine
Level 1
Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute
Trinity College
152-160 Pearse Street
Dublin 2

View the contact page for more contact and location information

medadmin@tcd.ie
Dr. Michelle Spirtos

Dr. Michelle Spirtos

Head of Discipline, Occupational Therapy

3531896 3213

Biography

I am an Associate 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

  • 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, 2018Oral Presentation, 2018
  • 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, 2019Oral Presentation, 2019
  • 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 , 2019Oral Presentation, 2019
  • 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 - 50Journal Article, 2021, DOI , URL
  • 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 - 68Journal Article, 2020, DOI
  • 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 - 66Journal Article, 2022, DOI
  • 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, 2021Oral 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 - 76Journal Article, 2021, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • 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, 2021Oral Presentation, 2021
  • 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, 2021Oral Presentation, 2021
  • 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, 2022Oral Presentation, 2022, URL
  • 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, 2022Oral Presentation, 2022, URL
  • 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, 2013Oral Presentation, 2013
  • 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
  • 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, Physiotherapy Practice and Research , 2023Journal Article, 2023
  • 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 , 2023Poster, 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, 2023Poster, 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 , 2023Poster, 2023
  • 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 2023Conference Paper
  • 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 - 24Journal Article, 2024, DOI
  • 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 - 23Journal Article, 2023, 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, 2024Journal Article, 2024, DOI
  • Spirtos M,. Stapleton T., Interventions for sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy (CP) - a systematic review, AOTI Conference 2024 Book of Abstracts, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland, 26th 27th September, 2024, pp39 - 40Oral Presentation, 2024
  • 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 - 1422Journal Article, 2007
  • 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 - 27Journal Article, 2008
  • 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 - 59Meeting Abstract, 2002
  • 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 - 18Conference Paper, 2008
  • 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, 2008Conference Paper, 2008
  • O'Neill, E.; Spirtos, M., Parents perception of the provision of powered mobility, European Seating Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, 30th April - 4th May, 2007, pp1Conference 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, pp1Conference Paper, 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, 2007Conference Paper, 2007
  • 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 - 201Meeting Abstract, 2009
  • 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, 2009Conference Paper, 2009
  • 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, 2010Poster, 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 - 550Meeting Abstract, 2010
  • 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 - 383Journal Article, 2011
  • 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, 2011Meeting Abstract, 2011
  • Spirtos M, Stapleton T, Designing Practice Based Research for Novice Researchers. , European Seating Symposium, Pre-Symposium Workshop, Dublin, 7th November 2011, 2011Invited Talk, 2011
  • Minchin, P., Spirtos, M., Investigation of the Conservative Management of Mallet Injury in Irish Acute Hospitals, Hand Therapy, 17, (1), 2012, p28 - 36Journal Article, 2012
  • 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 - 38Journal Article, 2015, DOI , URL
  • 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 - 48Journal Article, 2014
  • Spirtos, Michelle, The transition to adulthood for young people with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Making a difference conference, Dublin, 22-23rd March, 2018, Central Remedial ClinicInvited Talk

Research Expertise

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

Other health sciences,

Recognition

  • Pediatric Advisory Group Present
  • Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Practice Education Forum Present
  • Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Present
  • Irish Association of Hand Therapists Present
  • Registered Member of CORU regulatory body of Health and Social Care Professions Ireland Present
  • Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee, European Seating Symposium 2023
  • European Seating Symposium - Conference Abstract Reviewer 2004-2022