Skip to main content

My Main Takeaway from OT 425

In a sense, I have always known that I had a knack for therapy, but it wasn't until I learned about the intricate details of OT that I realized I'm going to be a part of the perfect profession for myself!  Growing up, I have always been one of those people who has a higher standard for myself than for others (perfectionism runs deep), and something about OT that I respect is the fact that it requires its practitioners to continuously strive to better themselves through continuing eduction, evidence-based practice, and even learning from ethical dilemmas.  OT always strives to provide the best services possible, and I believe that is crucial in a field where health care personnel are called to serve others and enable them to live healthy lives.  While there are a lot of expectations placed on practitioners, I also feel there is an overwhelming amount of community and grace within the profession.  OT practice is a team focus with accountability and wisdom readily available.  Even from my few short months in school, I have seen the basis of OT revealed through relationships with professors and their genuine care and concern for their students.  Occupational therapy is a profession focused on who the person is and what that person wants out of life, and I believe this is how we can truly develop an effective health profession where client and practitioner alike are enabled to thrive.

Comments

  1. Thank you for this heartfelt post! I am honored to have you as a student.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stephen Hawking

Today we talked about Stephen Hawking, renown scientist and lecturer, and his fight with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  The incredible thing about him is that while he now is completely dependent on the help of others, he is still pursuing his passion of writing, science and speaking.  While he is dependent on a tracheotomy for breathing functions and cannot actually speak, he has found ways to communicate and live life to the fullest.  In fact, Assistive Technology (AT) has helped him to communicate by use of cheek movements in selecting words and phrases on a computer.  Even though his AT has helped, Hawking's therapy should focus on continued effort to find the most advanced AT and adaptive equipment so that his continued loss of function will not impede his ability to pursue his desires and interests.  Goals for OT involve training caregivers on how to us AT, discovering new techniques and methods to incorporate in his daily life, and helping him to f...

Adapting the Practice of OT

The beautiful thing about occupational therapy as a profession is its adaptability.  It thrives in an environment that is multi-dimensional where the profession morphs according to the client.  "Client-centered" and "top-down approach" are all key terms when describing OT.  Instead of being a rigid process with little adaptation, the profession molds into the best fit for each specific client. Occupational therapists are more than just practitioners.  In a way, OTs are detectives, teachers, and companions.  One theory that capitalizes on the adaptability of OT is Frame of Reference (FoR).  FoR implements the strengths of OT by allowing the practitioner's roles to adapt to each individual client. Using the client's FoR aids the therapist to develop an intervention that best suites his specific needs.  This is where solving mysteries and applying reasoning to the situation is useful.  Deducing the client's motivations and context are key in the deve...

Appreciating the Little Things

Last week our school had a "Student Appreciation Day" where there was an abundance of food trucks, music and fun for the students and faculty.  I had a fantastic time eating wings, talking with classmates, and enjoying the day (it was a Monday and those days are typically difficult to enjoy!).  Truly, it was a fun time and a great break from the chaos of school.  While some people might have just looked at this as an opportunity for yummy free food, it reminded me of the great things in life I tend to forget!  So often I get wound up on little assignments or tests and quizzes that I forget to enjoy life and appreciate the opportunities before me.  In all honesty it really is the little things in life that can make a big difference, and how much more so do these things affect someone who cannot go out and experience them for themselves?  This got me to thinking -- how do people who are in a hospital enjoy their time?  I know that some places offer commu...