Background: Children with developmental disabilities benefit from support in motor skills, sensory processing, cognitive development, and social skills. Mongolia has trained occupational therapists for a decade, with 37% specializing in pediatrics, but long-term therapy facilities remain limited. Aim: This study provides a case report on a child with developmental disabilities who received occupational therapy to evaluate improvements in sensory processing, social communication, and daily living skills. Materials and Methods: The study participants were purposively selected from children undergoing occupational therapy at the “Enerel” Child Development Center. Participant A is a 16-year-old male with hearing and speech impairments, as well as an intellectual disability. The initial assessment showed poor sensory processing and behavioral problems and communication difficulties. A tailored program incorporating sensory-based therapies, communication cards, and sign language was developed with caregiver collaboration. Occupational therapy was conducted five times weekly for 11 weeks. Pre and post test assessments included goal attainment scaling (GAS) and Sensory profile 2 (Child). Results: The participant showed improved communication using cards and sign language, better emotional regulation, enhanced sensory processing, and reduced hyperactivity to external stimuli. Goal Achievement (GAS) +2, meaning the goal was achieved better than expected and positive changes were found on the Sensory profile 2, with large effect sizes. Conclusion The study found that sensory- based occupational therapy and sign language training improved occupational performance and goal achievement in children with sensory, behavioral, and communication difficulties.

Background: The learning outcomes of a program are defined by the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students are expected to acquire by the end of the curriculum. For occupational therapy professionals, it is essential to successfully implement both pre-graduation and post-graduation programs and to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum by clearly identifying the competencies expected of graduates in society. Aim: To identify the core competencies required for training occupational therapists at both pre-graduation and post-graduation levels. Materials and Methods: A modified Delphi method combined with Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was employed. The study was conducted in three phases from April 2022 to May 2024. In the initial online survey, a total of 83 participants were involved, including occupational therapy students, graduates, and members of the Mongolian Association of Occupational Therapists. A nominal group consisting of four experts held several focus group discussions to review and vote on the proposed competencies, forming a revised list. In the final phase (second-round Delphi), the updated list was distributed online again to collect additional feedback. Results: A total of 136 individuals participated in the online surveys throughout the study. The final list of competencies was synthesized based on three main international standards: the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Minimum Standards for Education (2016), the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice (2012), and the TUNING Educational Competencies in Europe. Through five rounds of NGT meetings, one online scoring session, and a final Delphi round, a total of 12 program learning outcomes (PLOs), 198 core competencies for the pre-graduation level, and 86 competencies for the post-graduation level were identified. Conclusion By applying consensus techniques, we developed a structured list of core competencies at both the basic and advanced levels aligned with the 12 program learning outcomes (PLOs) of the occupational therapy curriculum. This list can serve as a practical reference framework for future curriculum design and professional training programs in the occupational therapy.

Background: Reconstruction of mandibular and maxillary defects resulting from malignant tumors has remained a complex challenge in recent years. Defects caused by tumors—as well as trauma, inflammatory diseases, and congenital anomalies—lead to impaired essential functions such as mastication, swallowing, and speech. Prior to the 1950s, reconstruction of maxillofacial hard tissue was not commonly performed. Instead, metal plates were used to reestablish bony continuity, and surrounding tissues were utilized to close soft tissue defects, without effectively restoring function. With modern advances in three-dimensional (3D) virtual planning, it is now possible to accurately plan free bone flaps for reconstructing jaw defects. During surgery, manually bending reconstruction plates to fit donor bone precisely is often not feasible. Preoperative 3D planning allows for precise fabrication of surgical guides and fixation plates, improving accuracy and significantly reducing operative time. Additionally, incorporating dental implant planning into the reconstruction process facilitates restoration of both structural and functional outcomes. Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of mandibular defect reconstruction using scapular free flaps in Mongolia and explore potential approaches to optimize the technique. Materials and Methods: This was a case study series. Data from reconstructive surgeries performed at the National Cancer Center of Mongolia, Central Dental Hospital, and the Mongolia-Japan Hospital were collected. Variables included patient age and sex, etiology of the mandibular defect, size of the scapular bone segment, operative time, ischemia time of the free flap, number of vascular anastomoses performed, and pedicle length. For 3D planning, CT scans of the patient's head and lower limb (slice thickness <1 cm) were used to generate 3D models via the 3D Slicer software. Cutting guides for the mandible and scapula (ASIGA), as well as the reconstruction models (AMS), were printed using a 3D printer. Results: A total of 400 free flap reconstructions were performed during the study period. Of these, 29 cases involved reconstruction of mandibular defects using scapular free flaps. The mean age of patients was 40.0 ± 18.3 years, with 52% (15 patients) being female. The etiologies of the defects included malignant tumors (13 cases, 45%), benign tumors (6 cases, 21%), and pre-existing defects (10 cases, 34%). In one case, tumor resection and mandibular reconstruction were performed using 3D planning. The total operative time was 9 hours and 30 minutes, and the ischemia time was 2 hours and 40 minutes. Conclusion Between 2012 and 2025, a total of 29 mandibular reconstructions using scapular free flaps were performed in Mongolia. Traditional reconstruction methods were associated with prolonged ischemia time. The use of 3D surgical planning has shown potential in significantly reducing ischemia time and improving surgical outcomes.