Post-SIM Reflection for OCP in Pediatrics

Based on the video recording of myself, the debriefing, and some good self-reflection, I think the SIM encounter, overall, went well, but there was definitely some things I could have done better.  I know I felt I was empathetic at points and listened to what the parent had to ask me and I tried to better help her understand what it was I was talking about, but I feel like I could have incorporated more about Libby's interests and how to tie those into the sensory schedule I made up for her.  Instead of choosing activities based on what I thought she would like, I could have looked at the background info on Libby more and chosen the activities based on what she already likes to do in her free time.  Besides that, if there was something that I could have done differently, I definitely would have taken more time to really have a good one on one conversation with the parent.  Having only 10 minutes was tough, especially with knowing everything we needed to touch base on in the SIM encounter, I felt myself almost rushing through some of the information.  So much so, I inwardly feared that even though it seemed like the parent was understanding what I was saying, she was only doing so to appease me.  I feel like if I had just taken more time to really talk with her and slow down the rate of information I was giving her, I feel it could have gone better.
Reflecting on some empathetic listening skills I really tried to incorporate in my encounter, there are some very specific examples of how an OT can give empathic listening to a client/caregiver.  One of those examples is eye contact.  One of the biggest signs that someone is paying attention to what you are saying is eye contact.  By looking directly at the person speaking, you are indicating to them that you are listening to what they have to say and see that their voice and opinions are heard without fault.  Another example is that of nodding and repeating what was said to you, as the OT, by the client/caregiver.  By doing this, you are showing that you actually heard what they told you and show them that they are being listened to and therefore, cared for.
I know trying to get the information out and across to the client/caregiver is important, but I want to be able to really strive to do better in conversing with them instead when it comes to future encounters or even when I start practicing on my own.  Get to know them on a more personal level and not just throw almost foreign information to them in the hopes that they get it.  By approaching it that way, I feel I might gain trust and rapport with them a lot easier than if I was just only there providing information and seeing how they go about processing that.  I did really like this SIM encounter and I think I'm gaining more confidence in myself as a future OT practitioner after completing this assignment. 

Media Project: The Page Turner

When I first heard about the Media Project assignment, I was incredibly excited!  I thought to myself, I’m super creative, this is going to be easy!  Little did I know that that mentality would change to worry in almost an instant; that instant, being the moment I heard what my material was going to be: a pair of dice.  As I sat there in class and started thinking up ideas of what I could possibly make, that’s adaptive, out of dice, I realized that I was stumped.  My case report was for a woman named Susan who was diagnosed with ALS.  I racked my brain for weeks, trying to come up with something that would work.  Arts and crafts?  No.  Communication board?  No.  I was becoming more frustrated with each passing day, and more worried as the showcase day loomed closer.  After bouncing around some ideas with my professor, she asked me a question.

            “Why not try to find something that would help her with scrapbooking?”

            Ah-ha.

            The idea came forth like a tidal wave and I instantly knew what I was going to do.  See, my client, Susan, loves to scrapbook, and hopes to create a few for her husband and children.  Remembering what we learned about ALS, fine motor control is one of the first things lost for most people diagnosed with the condition.  Since I knew that, I figured I could create something that would help Susan turn the pages of scrapbooks, so she could look at them herself or with her family around her.  As I started building my project, I became increasingly happy and satisfied with my idea.  I tested it out and found that, with some tweaks and practice, someone could easily use my equipment to flip through things, from scrapbooks to magazines, and even to books.  Through this project, I learned a lot about what I need to think of when it comes to adaptive equipment.  Sure, creating things that will be useful for the person’s impairments to come later on is great, but it is also important to remember that creating things for the person’s enjoyments is also a major accomplishment.  Knowing that I created something to help Susan be able to turn through her scrapbooks that she will have worked so hard on, I know that means more to her in the long run.  In completing this assignment, I feel like I have a better idea as to how to approach rehabilitation and the use of adaptive tech for future clients.  I also hope to pass on this newly found information to anyone else who may struggle with this project in the future or even to future therapists that I will work with once I become a licensed OT.

What Would You Choose?

APA Citation for Ted Talk video:

Rotberg, S. [TEDx Talks]. (2018, March 6). Navigating Genetic Disease Testing: A Personal Story [Video File]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_O5TfMVqD8

I chose to my last Neuro Note on Huntington's Disease.  The reason I chose this particular disease is because I honestly wasn't aware of the condition before taking this class.  I think I had heard it briefly mentioned before in another class I took in undergrad, but other than that, I knew nothing about Huntington's.  I find it both fascinating and saddening that such a condition exists, but I'm hoping that with further advancement in research, a cure, or at least a way to lengthen the life expectancy of those with HD, can be found.

I ended up watching a Ted Talk on YouTube and the guest speaker was Seth Rotberg.  He was a younger man, and he opened up his talk by explaining that he had been tested positive for Huntington's Disease, since his mother had the illness as well.  He goes on to tell his story about how as he was growing up, he never really wanted to be around his mom due to the physical impairments she had because of HD.  He was 15 when he learned the name of her condition, and was a sophomore in college when he made the decision to get tested for the disease, since a parent with HD has a 50% chance of passing it down to their child(ren).  Once he had found out he tested positive, he didn't tell his family for over two years.  He discussed that once he had told them, there was immediate relief and he regretted not telling them sooner.  He goes on to discuss that he continues to live each day to the fullest and hopes that a cure for HD is found soon.

I do recommend people watch this video, because it follows the journey of a young man who is roughly our age and we see how he copes with knowing what his condition is and still tries to live life and find happiness in it, despite knowing what he has.  I also do hope that a cure for HD becomes available, and I do hope to see that cure within my lifetime. 

Brain Injuries: A Prismatic Experience

APA Citation for Ted Talk Video:

Barrett, A. M. [Tedx Talks]. (2016, August 1). A Vision of Brain Injury Rehabilitation [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ-OBXTA5AE

I chose to do my 3rd Neuro Note on this Ted Talk video because the lecturer talks about TBIs and strokes, and how such injuries to the brain can lead to spatial neglect, which can cause serious complications in the rehabilitation period for a person who has suffered an injury to their brain.  I chose to do this because one of my good friends in high school was a competitive lacrosse and field hockey player.  Despite physical contact being prohibited, she still suffered multiple hits to the head in both sports.  Because of this, she was left was permanent eyesight problems.  One of my other good friends received a concussion and was taking out of the our rowing program for months because her brain was healing fast enough to allow her to get back into the sport.  In all this, I watched and saw what how intimately a person's life can be effected by brain injuries.

In this video, A.M. Barrett, a cognitive neurologist, gives a talk on brain injuries, specifically TBIs and strokes and how both can cause spatial neglect in a person who has suffered from either.  She pulls up pictures of patients who cannot complete things on their left side, as the injury was to their right hemisphere, therefore everything on their left side has been effected.  She goes on to explain how such spatial neglect can cause serious delay on a person's rehabilitation, as well as dramatically increase their risk of falls.  She then proceeds to discuss a new, innovative, yet cheap method in rehabilitation for those with spatial neglect.  She called it the prism adaptation, which is a pair of goggles with prisms in each lens, with the left side of each lens being higher than the right sides.  This treatment, as she explained in the video, has been shown to increase a patient's independence by helping them regain the spatial awareness that they had lost post-injury.  She talked about how not many hospitals or rehab clinics use this type of treatment, but hopes that they will in the future.

As future occupational therapists, I think this video is important because we will eventually work with clients who have suffered from TBIs or strokes, and with this treatment because affordable, as well as easy to use and train other therapists with, I think advocating for this will become a necessity if we want to see clients have more independence in the long run.

ALS: A Theory

APA Citation for Movie:

Bevan, T. et. al (Producers), & Marsh, J. (Director). (2014). The Theory of Everything [Motion Picture].  United Kingdom: Universal Pictures.

I chose to do my second Neuro Note on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, because it is a condition that I am very much interested in.  As we have been learning more about the disease in class, I realize my interest for it grows.  Also, my media project revolves around a case about a woman with ALS, so I wanted to learn more about the condition and how I can do better for my future project.

The movie I decided to watch for my neuro note was The Theory of Everything, which follows the famous physicist, Stephen Hawking, and his journey through his diagnosis of ALS in his early 20s, to pursuing a long-term relationship with Jane Wilde, who he would eventually marry and have three children with.  The movie follows Stephen's journey as he moves further in his career, not allowing his progressively disabling condition to stop him from continuing his work on the well known "Black Hole Theory".  It also follows how Jane, his wife, dealt with the hardships of being both a caregiver, and a loving spouse and mother to their children.  It shows how she has to put her own thesis on hold to care for him and the kids, and becomes frustrated with the circumstances.

The movie follows the hardships of ALS, not only for the person who is diagnosed with the disease, slowly losing their ability to control movement, but also for the person's family, both immediate and extended.  Jane and Stephen eventually divorced and married new people, but remained friends until Stephen's death in March of 2018, at the age of 76.  He holds the longest recorded time of having ALS at 55 years.  ALS is incredibly debilitating and currently there is no cure for the disease.  The average prognosis for most individuals diagnosed with it is normally 2 to 5 years.  The Theory of Everything showed how quickly the condition can worsen, how it can impact the closest of relationships, and what it takes to stay strong, even through the hardest moments.  The movie is currently available on Netflix, and if you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend you do so.  It places you in a perspective that, thankfully, not many have to go through in their lifetimes.  

UK release poster

Dementia: A Journey through Remembrance

APA Citation for Ted Talk Video:

Luciani, T. (2018, May). Tony Luciani: A mother and son's photographic journey through dementia. [Video File]. Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/tony_luciani_a_mother_and_son_s_photographic_journey_through_dementia

I chose to do my first Neuro Note on Dementia, as it's an illness that runs very close to me and my family.  My dad, who was an avid basketball player from the time he was a small child to when I was around 7 or 8 years old, is also a huge University of Tennessee Volunteers fan.  He was especially a fan of Pat Summitt, who was the coach for the women's basketball team, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, shortly afterwards retiring from coaching before passing away in June 2016.  My parents and I also have a family friend who has had Dementia now for the past few years, someone who I've known since I was roughly 5 years old.  I have a huge interest in neuro and just how much the brain can affect the entire body with just a few cut circuits or messed up neurotransmitter release.  Learning more about what Dementia and Alzheimer's can do to a person, and their family, is extremely important and valuable to me, especially as a future occupational therapist.

In the Ted talk I decided to watch for this Neuro Note, the speaker was Tony Luciani, who spoke about his mother who was both aging and diagnosed with Dementia.  As the title of the Ted talk explains, Tony used the art form of photography to capture moments with his mother while she was living with him, listening to her tell stories and share memories that she was able to remember.  Through sharing these moments with his mother, who continued to lose memory and function and eventually had to go living in a nursing home, Tony realized it gained more from being with her than he had first imagined.  He explained how his mother became alive again through being a model for his photography; she felt she had a purpose once again in her life.  He goes on to explain that many of those he had cared about passed away suddenly, and wanted to make sure that the goodbye he had with his mother would be long and memorable.  He ends the talk with taking a picture of the audience to eventually show his mother, along with the phrase, "Life, it's about wanting to live, and not waiting to die."

Through this Ted talk, I learned about the frustrations that can come along with a family member who is suffering from Dementia/Alzheimer's.  It can be frustrating when they forget simple things, and it can be heartbreaking when they can look you in the face and not even remember who you are or how you're related to them.  It can also be frustrating to the person who has the illness, for many of them want to say and remember things, but as soon as they want to express them, their brain makes them forget.  And what is even more frustrating is that it is a progressive illness, with no current treatment to stop it or terminate it.  From this video, I learned how important it is to be patient and understanding of the person's condition, work with what they can do and work around what they can't.  Watching this video has humbled me into realizing what could happen to me in the future, and how important it is to be there for those who have it, so as to make sure that they are not alone in that difficult journey.

Restoring Confidence in Mobility

Restoring a client's confidence in mobility is incredibly important in the therapy process, especially for an occupational therapist.  By restoring their confidence in the ability to be mobile and move around, it gives them back the independence they lost when they first become immobile, whether due to an injury or something more severe, like a stroke.  For an OT working with a client who is trying to get back to independent mobility, there is a certain method for doing so, called the Hierarchy of Mobility Skills.  It's a sequence that works from the bottom up, starting with bed mobility and going all the way up to community mobility and driving.  From a body mechanics perspective, the higher up someone goes on the ladder, the smaller their base of support becomes.  The purpose of the hierarchy is to give back independence to a client. 

For the hierarchy of mobility skills, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I had never really heard of this before, so learning it was an entirely new experience for me.  However, based on the sequence, and what we have learned in our Biomechanics class, as well as what I saw during my observation hours in undergrad, I see that it makes sense.  Bed mobility, the first rung on the ladder, requires almost 100% assistance from the therapist, and it goes up from there to the very top with community mobility and driving, which is near complete, or complete, independence on the side of the client, as they can move around in society and interact with others in their community.  I do agree with the hierarchy, because the higher up a client goes, the more independence they can receive from achieving those points.  What we have learned in our Biomechanics labs has also been a really great way of seeing the hierarchy in action.  I think the wheelchair lab was very beneficial in showing this, because once a client is able to functionally use a wheelchair on their own, they gain a lot of independence back that they didn't have previously.  Or even the assistive walkers, once a client is able to get off of those (if they can), it's such a rewarding feeling, both for them, and for the occupational therapist working with them. 

Proper Fitting of Assistive Devices

Assistive devices have been around for decades and though new models and versions continue to come out in the health field, the general set up for ADs is relatively the same.  As a therapist who will more than likely be working with clients who will need assistive devices, it is necessary to understand the importance of properly fitting the device to a client.  Though the set up time is short, proper fitting of the device to the client will ensure better results in the healing process down the road.  One of the reasons to appropriately fit a person to an assistive device is compression.  Let's say, for example, a client needs axillary crutches and needs to be fitted for them.  If the crutches are not properly seated underneath the axilla (armpit), it can cause compression in many of the structures in that area (blood vessels, nerves, etc.).  Another reason to proper fit a client to an AD is due prevention of additional injuries.  An example of this is if a client needs platform attachments to crutches to keep weight off of an injured wrist, the platform must be fitted properly so as not to cause compression of the nerves in the elbow.  If not fitted properly, nerve damage can happen, thus prolonging the client's recovery.  So let's look at how to properly, and appropriately, fit a few ADs to clients.

Canes are relatively easy to adjust, as long as they have proper mechanics to do so (wooden canes often to do have the right tools to adjust appropriately).  To adjust a cane to a client, make sure said client is standing and looking straight ahead with arms relaxed at their sides.  The handle of the cane should always be in line with either the wrist crease, ulnar styloid process, or the greater trochanter of the hip.  The height can be adjusted via the locking mechanism and button on the side of the cane.  Once the cane has been properly fixed, when the client is gripping the handle while standing, their elbow should be slightly flexed about 20-30'.

Axillary crutches are very common place and seen pretty much everywhere.  To properly fit this AD to a client, first make sure the crutches are the same length as the distance from client's forearm to the fingertips of their opposite hand.  From there, have the client stand up straight with arms relaxed at their sides.  The arm pad of the crutches should be around 1" to 1.5" under the armpit (or 2 to 3 finger width).  By doing this, the arm pad is not pressed up into the arm, which keep pressure off of the structures underneath the skin.  The hand grips of the crutches should be in line with either the wrist creases, ulnar styloids, or the greater trochanters.  The hand grips can be adjust via the wing nut and bolt on each crutch.  For Lofstrand crutches, the same type of fitting goes for the hand grips, while the arm bands should be positioned roughly 2/3 of the way up the client's forearms.

Walkers have also been around for decades and there are many different versions out there, all with their own unique fitting properties.  For a platform walker, make sure where the platforms attach to the standard walker (or where the hand grips usually are) are level with the greater trochanters of the hip.  The platform surface should be positioned to allow weightbearing through the client's forearms when the elbow is bent at 90'.  The client's elbow should also be positioned roughly 1 to 2" off the platform's surface, and the handles of the platforms should be positioned more medially to allow for a more comfortable grip for the client.  For a rolling walker, have the client stand up straight with their arms relaxed at their sides.  Position the height of the walker to where the hand grips are in line with either the client's wrist creases, ulnar styloids, or greater trochanters.  If properly adjusted, the client's elbows should be slightly flexed to 20-30'. 

Proper Posture and Body Mechanics

Having and maintaining both proper posture and good body mechanics are essential for completing every day activities that ask for some form of increased stress on the body.  If a client has faulty posture and poor body mechanics, there are a number of reasons why fixing both are important.  The first one is linked to posture and that having poor posture can lead to back problems, like injury or pain.  The second one is also linked to posture, and that having poor posture, like having your neck in a forward position, can increase the weight of the head on the cervical vertebrae, thus increasing the stress on certain structures, like the posterior longitudinal ligament and joint capsules.  The third reason is linked to body mechanics, and that poor positioning of the body during the act of lifting heavy objects can increase the strain on the vertebral column, possibly resulting in injury.  Increased flexion of the spine due to poor body mechanics can lead to spinal issues, like bulging, or even herniated, discs. 

In the intervention process with the client, one of the activities I would have them do is focus on core strength during sitting, so as not to develop or continue having a hunched-back while doing repetitive tasks, like typing or writing at a desk.  The other activity I would do is teach them how to properly lift a heavier object from the floor, making sure to tell, and show, them to bend on the hips and knees while keeping the back straight, as well as have the object closer to them and keeping the abdominal muscles firm and tight during the lifting process.

Man From The South Post

In the story of the American boy who placed a bet on his left pinkie finger and somehow won, let's flip the script and see what would have happened if he had actually lost.  If he had lost, he would have had the pinkie finger on his left hand chopped off.  Now, some of us might think that is not that bad, and losing your thumb or index finger would be much worse.  However, in reality, if someone were to lose their pinkie finger, on either hand, they would lose up to 50% of their grip strength.  Yes, you heard me right...50. Percent.  That's a large percentage for such a small finger!  We unknowingly rely on the pinkie more than we think we do.  So if this American boy, who is also a soldier in training, were to have lost the bet and had his left pinkie finger chopped off, he would more than likely struggle through basic training camp when he returned.  His grip strength on his rifle would be severely depleted, as well as his ability to perform well in the mandatory PT tests conducted during the training process.  Due to this, he might flunk out of basic and would have to return to civilian life, which he might not want to do, since during this time period, men were mandated and drafted to serve in the military.  One major thing that the boy could do to hopefully get back to his daily occupations of being a soldier, would be to work on grip strength exercises without the use of his left pinkie.  It is not at all impossible to live a fulfilling life without a pinkie, it will just take time and patience to get back to full usage.

What I learned about Health Promotion

Being able to sit in on Professor Flick's presentation/lecture on Health Promotion was really amazing.  Firstly, I could tell just how excited/passionate she was about presenting the information to us, which made it more interesting and fun to learn about.  I learned a great deal in the presentation, things I believe will stick with me years down the road, especially once I start practicing as an occupational therapist.  The social determinants of health were some of the major takeaways from the presentation. Some of the things that we learned about that are considered social determinants were a little surprising, but after Professor Flick went over them, they all made sense.  And none felt more important than others.  One of the other major takeaways I had from the presentation was the difference between occupational deprivation, apartheid, and alienation, and how they are often not seen separately, but happen almost simultaneously, especially depending on the situation. 

Scapulohumeral Rhythm

The clinical relevance of the scapulohumeral rhythm is that it plays a major role in the function of the shoulder.  Due to the complexity of this rhythm, it can greatly affect ROM measurements/movements of the shoulder.  Firstly, the ratio of movement between the scapula and humerus must be addressed.  For full 180 degrees of motion, the scapula moves 60 degrees, and the humerus moves 120 degrees.  When dysfunction occurs, abduction of the glenohumeral joint can be affected.  This is prevalent in when someone tries to lift their shoulder and there is a large substitution in trunk flexion to try and lift the arm up into the air.  The scapula is controlled greatly by the serratus anterior muscle, and if the muscle is not working properly, the scapula may wing, which would cause the shoulder to not be able to lift and may cause impingement or rotator cuff problems.  The scapulohumeral rhythm also allows for good length-tension relationship, so if a problem occurs with the rhythm, such relationship may be affected as well.  

Independent Work: What Did I Learn?

I learned a great deal from the independent work we had to do from this past week.  I learned about Assistive Technology and how beneficial it can be for those who have a disability, whether if it is mild or closer to severe.  Learning about the different myths of AT devices was also new knowledge for me.  When I was observing at a clinic that specialized in pediatrics, I was able to see how AT devices are used, and how many different kinds of AT devices there are!  The amount is infinite and I just find it so fascinating how far our advancements have become to allow these types of devices to be able to help those with disabilities.
The TED Talk by Michael Nesmith was also very insightful.  He is a man who was born deaf and has been deaf his whole life.  His talk was on the idea and usage of universal design, which explains devices or things that are designed to be used by all people, without adaptation or modification to the design of the product being used.  I thought his talk was very inspirational and I loved how he used the snowball going down a hill analogy to explain the effect of universal design, how if people continue to pursue it, it will eventually come to fruition.  And I believe that is how AT devices should be looked at.  They're not meant to be there to show others that the person has some form of disability, but are meant to be there to give the person functional capabilities.  It gives back their sense of independence, which is very important.

Test Positioning

It is important to use bony landmarks and proper positioning for measuring ROM because both allow for a better, more accurate reading when measuring range of motion.  Especially when using a goniometer, bony landmarks and proper positioning are important for reliable measurements for future treatment plans.  The purpose of the "test position" for MMT is to have the muscle placed for optimal muscle contraction for the most accurate MMT reading.  The relevance of the gravity eliminated position is for when clients cannot test above a 3 on the MMT scale.  By eliminating gravity, they eliminate resistance and give the client a better opportunity to measure their muscle strength without having to worry about gravity being in place. 

Analysis of a Motion During a Daily Activity

One of the most common actions, or movements, I do almost every day is straightening my hair.  The major joints used during the act of using my straightener are the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints.  When I go to lift the straighter towards my head, my shoulder moves in both the sagittal and frontal planes, making my shoulder also move along both the frontal and sagittal axes.  My elbow moves mainly along the sagittal plane and frontal axis, while my wrist joint moves about the sagittal plane and frontal axis to twist the straightener along my hair.  In terms of arthrokinematics, the shoulder joint spins about the ball-and-socket mechanism, giving it the ability to move within all three planes.  When the elbow is flexed to lift the straightener up, the primary mover is the biceps brachii, which concentrically contracts when the elbow is flexed.  

What I Learned about Therapeutic Relationships

The major takeaways I got from last class on therapeutic relationships is how incredibly important they are.  Creating a good, healthy relationship between the therapist and client is important because it establishes trust and builds rapport for future sessions.  We learned what to do and not do as a therapist when working with a client, as well as the best methods to creating a good therapeutic relationship.  From my personal experience, at the clinics I observed at during undergrad, I witnessed great therapeutic relationships that made the clients feel comfortable and able to talk about their situations and problems that they wanted to focus on or fix.  I could tell they trusted the therapists I was working with.  My goal is get better at doing that and building trust with people.  I haven't always been the best at communicating well with those that I do no know, but that is something I want to get better at. 

Guest Speaker Discussion

Based on Dr. Keisling's presentation on the 14th of March, 2019, and the TEDx Talk that we were to watch before today's session, the main takeaway I found from both is a need to treat those with disabilities as equals.  Ever since I was a child, I was taught to treat everyone with respect and encouragement; to not discriminate based on ethnicity or race, and certainly not based on whether someone is able-bodied or not.  What I learned from these two presentations was how prevalent ableism was in U.S. society, even up until the most recent years.  How, only within the past few decades or so have we seen an increased awareness and respect for those who have disabilities.  How it is important to look at an individual with a disability, as an individual, not whatever they carry with them.  It is important to listen to these individuals, especially as professionals in the world of rehabilitation, to talk to them and figure out what works best for them on an individual level.

Learning about all that I have learned today has put into perspective how important this type of treatment can be in the world of OT.  As a future occupational therapist, I have to remember that how I treat my clients on an interactive level will be crucial in their progress.  Treating them with respect and dignity is of utmost importance in the world of rehabilitation.  Treating them as equals is also important, as well as not addressing them as just what they have, but who they are.  Knowing their dreams and aspirations, their goals, habits, etc., make for a better, more personable experience with them.  It is important to remember this as an occupational therapist, because our whole approach is about being client-centered.  We must remember that when it comes to those with disabilities, as well.  

The OTPF

The OTPF, or the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, is an official document of the AOTA, which provides a generic outline of the domains of concern of OT and also provides a common terminology for the profession.  The reason that the OTPF is important to learn about is because it guides the OT profession in client care, as well as improves the standards of communication and highlights the occupational therapist's scope of practice.

One Role that I Carry

One role that I carry with me, personally, is that I am a cosplayer, or someone who dresses as certain characters and wears costumes.  Some different occupations that I have that go with being a cosplayer are attending conventions, traveling/driving to conventions, and also making/sewing my costumes.  Some activities that I perform while sewing my costumes is threading the sewing machine needles, pinning patterns together, and cutting out pieces of fabric with scissors.  Some tasks associated with the activities is gripping the needle and thread, grasping the scissors, kneeling on the floor to cut the fabric, gripping the pins, and movements of the wrists, such as flexion and extension.

How has OT's view on Mental Health Changed Overtime

For decades, mental health has played a crucial role in the field of therapeutic rehabilitation.  Within the field of occupational therapy, specifically, the importance of mental health has had an up and down trend analogous to that of a roller coaster, with its importance in including it within therapeutic treatments changing rapidly in each decade.  In this current decade, mental health is seen as a vital component to a client and how they are able to go back to their daily functions and occupations.  Incorporating techniques and management of mental health are important skills that an ot must have in order to better help their clients in having a successful treatment.  It is with great hope that future ots continue to place emphasis on the importance of this topic when it comes to treating clients, for it is a major factor that plays a role in a person's well-being and how they function in everyday society.      

Why Did I choose the OT Profession?

Why I chose the OT profession is quite a journey, albeit a short one.  I was a freshman in undergrad, attending George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.  I had thought I had wanted to be a Forensic Scientist, doing DNA analysis of evidence, so I had declared my major at that point.  I was also a part of the rowing team at my school, living the life of a D1 athlete.  Halfway through the year, close to when school would start back up for the spring semester, I sustained a back injury that took me out of my sport for a little over two months, and during that time, I was in rehab, working on different movements and exercises and different modalities like TENS treatment, ultrasound, heat, and ice.  Though I was upset I could not perform in my sport, going through the motions of therapy made me realize that that was what I wanted to do with my life: be the reason and the road for others to get back to their daily living.  I had looked into PT and realized that that wasn't what I wanted to do, though it was close.  Then a friend introduced to me to the world of OT, and I looked into it, and that was when I realized what my calling was: to be an occupational therapist.  I declared my major in Pre-OT in the the spring of 2015, and haven't looked back since.