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Alison Pritchard Orr is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of the Fraser Valley where she has been a faculty member for over 20 years. Alison teaches a range of kinesiology courses from lower to upper level including; introduction to kinesiology, socio-cultural issues in sport, growth and motor development and adapted physical activity. She has also many students over the years who have completed their undergraduate thesis course under her tutelage. She currently is the Vice Chair of Faculty Council for Health Sciences and has played an active role as faculty liaison with the kinesiology student association, KINSA since its inception.

Dalhousie University, MSc. Adapted Physical Activity
University of Ottawa, BPE. Rehabilitation

National Federation of Adapted Physical Activity

My teaching philosophy best aligns with the quote attributed to Plato in that “what we call learning is only a process of recollecting”. In short, I want to insure my students remember what they have learned in my classes. I consider it a privilege to teach and am always cognizant of that. I am also aware that in our changing world where “facts” are so readily accessed, that sound teaching and being able to discern fact from fallacy has probably never been more important.

I see my role as an informed guide for my students but not necessarily the font of all wisdom. Teaching is a shared learning opportunity. I choose assignments that reflect the continuing changing multidimensional opportunities within kinesiology where students actively apply their reasoning to current material. My classroom (whether it be online or face-to-face) incorporates learning opportunities such as debates, panel discussions and peer reviews that insure that the knowledge gained in my courses is challenging, tangible and applicable.

I believe my role as researcher is a strong component of my teaching practice and I regularly incorporate the findings from my ongoing exercise intervention FASD research with its many complex layers into my classroom. My students are not only privy to the results of my study but many are involved as research assistants, instructors and coordinators. This other dimension to my role as instructor creates a rich opportunity for current community-based research that blends classroom with community outreach.

To me the classroom is just the beginning of the learning relationship I seek to establish. I believe strongly in experiential learning and seek out opportunities in the community where my students can actively engage with the expertise available. For example, my KIN 365 class (Physical Growth and Motor Development) conducts a perceptual motor lab with kindergarten classes in a local elementary school near the CEP campus. My KIN 465 class (Adapted Physical Activity) is actively engaged in the launch of my FASD intervention study in another local school. My KIN 161 class (Introduction to Kinesiology) includes a panel discussion where experts from the field share their wealth of experience with my students.

I maintain that my strength in teaching lies in my continual searching for what best meets the educational and experiential needs of the future professionals that I am fortunate enough to instruct.

Adapted Physical Activity
Intro to Kinesiology
Socio-Cultural Issues and Sport
Growth and Motor Development
Exercise and Aging
Active Health

My research interests have focused primarily on the cognitive, behavioural and affective role that exercise and motor-skill interventions have on children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). I am one of the principal investigators, along with Dr. Kathy Keiver with the FAST Club/Exergames intervention studies. This exercise intervention is housed at a local elementary school near the UFV’s Chilliwack Education Park campus and has been supported by several national and provincial granting agencies over the years. It has also been supported by legions of talented UFV students who have actively taken part in the running and organizing of the study. The FAST Club/Exergames intervention studies have generated a lot of interest within the FASD research community as well with data suggesting a positive effect of the exercise intervention on neuropsychological function. I have presented nationally and internationally and have co-authored a number of published abstracts and research articles.

Keiver, K., A. Pritchard Orr, L. Waddington, and J. Friesen. (2016) An exercise intervention for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder as a public-school program: a feasibility perspective. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 40 (6, Suppl): in press.

Keiver, K.,Gaetz, M., Bertram, C., Pritchard Orr, A., Mandryk, R., Khaleel, B. and Clarren, S. (2014) Preliminary effects of a neurofeedback program on executive function measures in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 38 (Suppl): 180A.

Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Bertram, C., Gill, K. and Clarren, S. (2014) Effects of a motor skill program on neurocognitive function (NEPSY-II) in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 38 (Suppl): 180A.

Keiver, K., Bertram, C.P., Pritchard Orr, A., Ipsiroglu, O., Khaleel, B., Gaetz, M., Reynolds, J.N. and Clarren, S. (2013) Sleep disturbances in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 37 (Suppl S2): 104A.

Bertram, C.P., Pritchard Orr, A., Keiver, K., Konarski, R., Khaleel, B., and Clarren. S.K. (2012) Motor development characteristics in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). J. Sport Exercise Psych. 34 (Suppl.): S153.

Bertram, C.P., Mandryk, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B. Dunne, S., Reynolds, J.N., and Gaetz, M. (2012) Video games as therapy: the impact of a novel neurofeedback intervention for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) J. Sport Exercise Psych. 34 (Suppl): S152.

Keiver, K., Bertram, C.P., Pritchard Orr, A., Konarski, R.M., Thomas, M., and Clarren, S. (2012). Salivary cortisol levels are elevated in the afternoon and at bedtime in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 36 (6, Suppl): 277A.

Reynolds, J., Bertram, C., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., and Titman, R. 2011. A motor skills intervention program for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: impact on cognitive function. Presented at the 2011 Brain Development Conference. NeuroDevNet. June 19-21, 2011. Vancouver, B.C.

Keiver, K., Bertram, C., Pritchard Orr, A., Konarski, R., Thomas, M., Atkinson, B., and Clarren, S. 2011. Preliminary effects of a motor skill development program on a test of executive function in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 35 (Suppl): 112A.

Bertram, C.P., Konarski, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B., Towers, J. and Clarren, S.K. 2011. Improved motor abilities following a strength-based intervention program for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). J. Sport Exercise Psych. 33 (Suppl): S25.

Bertram, C.P., Konarski, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B., Berkiw, B. and Clarren, S.K. 2011. Adaptive functioning before and after a strength-based intervention program for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): First year findings. J. Sport Exercise Psych. 33 (Suppl): S25.

Keiver, K., Bertram, C., Pritchard Orr, A., Konarski, R., Thomas, M, Atkinson, B., and Clarren, S. 2010. Preliminary evaluation of a strength-based intervention program on neuropsychological function in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 34(6): 99A.

Bertram, C., Konarski, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B., and Clarren, S.K. 2010. Motor abilities following a strength-based intervention program for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): 1^st and 2^nd year data. J. Sport Exercise Psych. 32: S36.

Bertram, C.P., Pritchard Orr, A., Keiver, K., Konarski, R., and Clarren, S.K. Finding strengths, building hope: a strength-based intervention for children with FASD. Presented at the 26^th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities. April 2010. Honolulu, Hawaii.

Glasgow, K., Brar, R., Konarski, R., Pritchard Orr, A., Van Dyke, T., Woods, B., Keiver, K., Clarren, S.K., and Bertram, C.P. 2009. Toward Exercise Intervention for Children with FASD: A Strength-Based Approach. Presented at Paediatric Symposium ’09: “Getting to Participation”, Burnaby, BC.

Bertram, C.P., Konarski, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., and Clarren, S.K. 2009. Changes in motor abilities following a strength-based intervention program for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): preliminary findings. J. Sport Exercise Psych. 31 (Suppl): S27.

Keiver, K., Bertram, C.P., Pritchard Orr, A., Konarski, R., Thomas, M., & Clarren., S. 2009. Effect of a strength-based motor skill development program on salivary cortisol levels in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 33: 40A.

Mina Thomas, Kathy Keiver, Alison Pritchard Orr, Chris Bertram, Ryan Konarski, Sterling Clarren and Brian Atkinson. Effects of a strength-based motor skill development program on tests of behaviour and adaptive functioning in children with FASD. 3^rd International Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Victoria, B.C. March 2009.

Other – Poster Presentations (Non-refereed) * student’s names are italicized. My student’s names are marked by asterisks.

Femke Moerman*, K. Keiver and A. Pritchard Orr. Sleep Habits in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2019.

Kenton O’Donnell*, K. Keiver and A. Pritchard Orr. Fitness and Balance in Children with Cognitive Disabilities. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2019.

Emily Ross*, K. Keiver and A. Pritchard Orr. A Proposed Protocol to Treat Musculoskeletal Back Pain in rural Haiti. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2019.

M. Rose*, K. Keiver, and A. Pritchard Orr. Balance and Visuospatial Processing Abilities in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2018.

Mia Harries*, K. Keiver, and A. Pritchard Orr. Working Memory and Sleep Quality in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2018.

E. Hryhoriw*, K. Keiver, A. Pritchard Orr . Comparison of Motor Skill Assessments used to Determine Fine and Gross Motor Skill Deficits in Children with FASD. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2018.

Taylor Mutis*, K. Keiver and A. Pritchard Orr. Use of heart rate monitors in a physical activity program for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Presented at UFV Student Research Day, April, 2016.

Brad Watson*, K. Keiver, A. Pritchard Orr, K. Kerns and S. Macoun. The effects of physical activity on executive function tasks in children with FASD. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. April, 2016.

Colby Draney*, K. Keiver, A. Pritchard Orr, K. Kerns and S. Macoun. Effect of a physical activity intervention program on neuropsychological functioning in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. April, 2016.

Brad Watson*, K. Keiver, A. Pritchard Orr, K. Kerns and S. Macoun. Sustained attention deficits in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. April, 2015.

Colby Draney*, K. Keiver, A. Pritchard Orr, K. Kerns and S. Macoun. Children’s Color Trails Test: a measure of neuropsychological function in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. April, 2015.

Vessal Jaberi, K. Keiver, A. Pritchard Orr, C. Bertram and O. Ipsiroglu. Awake: analysis of sleep disturbances in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Presented at UFV Student Research Day. April, 2015.

Kamal Gill*, Kathy Keiver, Chris Bertram, Sterling Clarren, and Alison Pritchard Orr. Effects of a strength based motor skill development program on a test of executive function in children with FASD. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. March, 2014.

Ashley Irving, Kathy Keiver, Adrienne Chan, Osman Ipsiroglu, Ryan Konarski, Alison Pritchard Orr, and Chris Bertram. Sleep disturbances among children with FASD: a qualitative study. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. March 31, 2011.

Bertram, C.P., Konarski, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B., Towers, J., and Clarren, S.K. The benefits of a strength-based intervention program on the motor performance of children diagnosed with fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Presented at UFV Student Research Day. March 31, 2011.

Bertram, C.P., Konarski, R., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B., Berkiw, B., and Clarren, S.K. The effect of a strength-based program on the adaptive function of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): first year findings. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. March 31, 2011.

Konarski, R., Bertram, C.P., Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Khaleel, B., and Clarren, S.K. Improved cognitive and motor abilities following a strength-based intervention for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Presented at the Autism Research Training-NeuroDevNet Biennial Winter Institute. March 2-6, 2011. Banff, Alberta.

Mina Thomas, Kathy Keiver, Alison Pritchard Orr, Chris Bertram, Ryan Konarski, Sterling Clarren and Brian Atkinson. Effects of a strength-based motor skill development program on tests of behaviour and adaptive functioning in children with FASD. Presented at UFV Student Research Day. April 1-2, 2009.

Ryan Konarski, Alison Pritchard Orr, Kathy Keiver, Sterling Clarren and Chris Bertram. Toward exercise intervention for children with FASD: a strength-based approach. Presented at the International Conference on FASD. Building on our Strengths: Stone by Stone. Canada Northwest FASD Partnership, Banff, Alberta (May 2008).

Journals

Pritchard Orr, A., Keiver, K., Bertram, C.P. and Clarren. (2018). FAST Club: The impact of a physical activity intervention on executive function in children with FASD. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 35, 403-423.

Keiver, K., C.P. Bertram, A. Pritchard Orr and S. Clarren. (2015). Salivary cortisol levels are elevated in the afternoon and at bedtime in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol 49 (1): 79-87.

Regan L. Mandryk, Shane Dielschneider, Michael R. Kalyn, Christopher P. Bertram, Michael Gaetz, Andre Doucette, Brett A. Taylor, Alison Pritchard Orr, Kathy Keiver. (2013). Games as Neurofeedback Training for Kids with FASD. Interaction Design and Children 2013 conference. New York, New York. June 24-27, 2013.

WORK IN PROGRESS (including degree of completion)

Adrian Schneider, James Reynolds, Alison Pritchard Orr, Kathy Keiver, Nicholas Graham (2019). Design of Games for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, With Respect to Deficits in Emotional Regulation, Deferred Gratification, and Social Adaptation. Submitted to CHI PLAY April, 2019.

Published Abstracts from Conference Proceedings

Keiver, K., Schneider, A.L.J., Pritchard Orr, A., Golubovich, N., Reynolds, J., and Graham, T.C.N. (2019). Exergaming for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: a pilot study. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 43 (Suppl 1): 226A.

Keiver, K., Pritchard Orr, A., Schneider, A.L.J., Golubovich, N., Reynolds, J., and Graham, T.C.N. (2019). Effect of the Liberi exergaming program on executive function abilities in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: a pilot study. Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 43 (Suppl 1): 227A.

Schneider, A. J., Golubovich, N., Clarke, D., Reynolds, J., Pritchard Orr, A., Keiver, K. and Graham, N. (2019).The Importance of Space and Time for Aim Assistance in Games