Exemplar Summary And Analysis

The occupational therapy profession shares many objectives across the communities, clients, and families they serve. Some of these aims include: “Developing the field of occupational therapy and enhance the professions capabilities to meet the needs of the entire population, providing evidence on the efficacy of occupational therapy. This includes working with organizations and local communities, incorporating education, research, and practices as a complete whole. In addition, developing a team of professionals that innovates and adapts to the developing health needs of the population” (AOTA, 2013). This includes advocacy efforts with policymakers to ensure continued funding to provide care to individuals (AOTA, 2013). Occupational therapy is a distinctive profession that helps

Without occupational therapists, millions of people would struggle to live their everyday lives. Occupational therapists give specialized assistance to people with physical, developmental, social or emotional problems. This assistance is used to live productive and independent or semi independent lives. Occupational therapists can be used, and is effective for people of all ages. Many people have not heard of occupational therapy and are not aware of the positive impact it has on members of our society. With this paper I want to spread the knowledge that I have on occupational therapy. Many people that could benefit from occupational therapy do not even know that it exists. This career is difficult for everyone involved, but the impact it has

To be able to participate in one 's own life, to do the things we want to do, and to competently perform the activities that form part of our daily, weekly or monthly routines, is a common goal for most people.  This not only includes taking part in the basic activities of self-care, such as grooming and dressing, but also extends to our work and leisure activities.  It is through doing things that we learn and develop as human beings.  The occupational therapy profession believes that being prevented or hindered in some way from participating in the activities that are important to us could adversely affect our health and wellbeing.

Occupational Therapy is a vital segment of the health care field. Individuals in this profession make a difference in the lives of others by helping their patients function effectively despite their disability, illness, or injury. They help by teaching patients many activities of daily living tasks which can include, grooming, toileting, dressing, eating, mobility, and much more! Along with the daily living tasks, Occupational Therapy helps individuals to be productive and successful in ways they want to be, like going school, taking care of others, managing their homes, preparing meals. Most importantly, they help their patients adapt to their environments and increase their independent function by helping them perform tasks with as little help from others as possible. Without Occupational Therapy, some patients with temporary disabilities could have a permanent disability. If individuals receive the Occupational treatments, they can prevent the loss of function.

Today, Amanda Gordon, an Occupational Therapist can and talked to us today. It was such an honor for her to talk with us. I was especially interested in her lecture because I was thinking of becoming an Occupational Therapist, and she taught me so much more information about OT. Amanda was working at Moss for 5 years. She works with spinal cord injury patients and teaches them skills to accomplish everyday tasks. She teaches and practices them real life activities such as how to dress, cook, tie shoes, and much more. Amanda loves seeing her patients improve and slowly going back to their normal everyday routine. Because of Occupational Therapist Amanda, patients become more independent and be able to do an assignment.

During my first five years of practice, I want my roles to be that of helper, educator, professional, and researcher. As I progress through the profession, I will be assisting clients in accomplishing their goals while educating them in ways to do so effectively in a professional manner. In congruence with this, I also hope to do neurological research on individuals with neurological conditions and sensory integration of premature infants.

First off, my immediate goal and underlying themes I wish to emanate every day is to put smiles on peoples’ faces. I firmly believe that every person has the right to be happy and being able to rid those with afflictions will make life worth living. Through evaluating all of the shadowing I’ve been able to partake in and the classes I’ve had the privilege of taking, I’ve developed an idea of what the pinnacle would be for me as an Occupational Therapist. I desire to work with those afflicted by strokes or spinal injury. Paralysis and brain injury are two very intriguing matters that can surprisingly be combated and overcome with diligent and adequate work. This ideal has been in my head since I was first exposed to my grandmother’s recovery process from her stroke. Additionally, my other grandmother has also done some work with Occupational Therapists of late. She suffers from Trigeminal Neuralgia which has impaired her in many ways, in fact she has even had to recover from a stroke. Once again I was able to witness the changes in mood and function in a loved one who used occupational therapy after a stroke. In fact, this time I was able to see the impact of occupational therapy on the effects of Trigeminal Neuralgia as well which heightened my interest in the profession and reconfirmed my desire to become an Occupational Therapist and

What intrigues me most in the field of Occupational Therapy is that I could make a positive impact in the lives of others. An occupational therapist can help a patient revitalize their physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities, and develop or restore its functionality through continuous practice and effort. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than to see an individual achieving the greatest possible independence. This train of thought arose when I observed an occupational therapist working with my mother to return her arm to feeling normal again after her accident.

The profession of occupational therapy has many up and downs since its inception. To regain and remain in power, we shall “reflect more on power, learn to capture it, and become strategic in its use, while remaining ethically guided, we will be better able to serve the public good” (Clark, 2010, p266).

The work experience I will gain as part of a supportive team, dedicated to providing evidence-based applied services within a multi-disciplinary therapeutic framework, will also provide me with invaluable continuing professional development opportunities;

I do not just want to treat each patient as a duty and move on to the next; I want to treat them like family and leave a memorable impact on their life, as well as my own. I hope to develop new methods for helping people reach their fullest potential, and I want to share that knowledge with countries that are not as progressive as we are in the United States. The College of Human Ecology values my decision to share my knowledge with the world by providing a variety of opportunities that allow me to apply my education to real world issues. I aspire to make a lasting difference in the occupational therapy

This was truly great hands on learning experience, which has opened our eyes to exactly how effective and therapeutic the holistic approach that occupational therapists employ. First hand and through observations made in our client’s natural environment we have learned why it is essential to assess performance skills, client factors, performance patterns, along with the all the contextual and environmental factors that impact occupational performance. Understanding the dynamic between the client and their context is a vital component to developing an all-encompassing occupational profile. During these home visits and while completing the accompanying assignments we have learned the importance of using valid & reliable assessment tools, along

The use of therapeutic use of self is engrained throughout the philosophies of occupational therapy. It becomes an integral part of the therapist. Semour (2012) explains it as planned and deliberate interactions with a client. It is a multifaceted approach involving the building of rapport to establish the relationship with the client, being sensitive to a clients personal experiences and ensuring the therapist practices remain client centred (Semour, 2012). The therapist needs to understand the clients story and show personal sensitivity, respect and trust of the clients own experiences. (Taylor, 2008)

My papers from the Evidence-Based Practice task 1 and task 2 are a clear indication of how WGU modeled me as a learner and healthcare professional. These artifacts are examples

Moreover, I have improved my understanding of knowledge, concepts and skills required for mental health practicum which changes my perspective of mental illness.