Occupational Therapy Experience

Growing up, I have been an individual who has pushed myself beyond the minimum requirements in order to succeed. In high school I excelled in both academics and athletics. I graduated in the top 10% of my class and lettered in hockey and tennis my sophomore, junior, and senior year. I worked hard and put in extra time in order to set myself apart from others. Succeeding in both school and athletics made me a responsible, reliable, and an organized individual. These experiences made me a versatile individual and have given me a work ethic that has benefited me with my academics in college and with my work and volunteer experiences.

Occupational therapy assistant is my dream career. They help people live a normal life again without any assistance of other people. The help people enhance, improve, develop, and recover the skills use for working or doing daily average tasks. OTA’s usually work under the direction of occupational therapists, and they still get involved with providing therapy for patients. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, occupational therapy assistants help patients do therapeutic activities. For example, they help patients to stretch or do other exercises. OTA’s also help children who have developmental disabilities to play activities that helps stimulate coordination and learn to socialize. They teach disable people to use special equipment,

The name of the society changed in 1923, due to hospitals wanting a national directory of qualified occupational therapists. There now was a minimal standard of training that had to be met before an individual was put in the directory (AOTA, 2009). The name was changed to the American Occupational Therapy Association. The American Medical Association worked with the American Occupational Therapy Association starting in 1933 on getting improved education programs for occupational therapists (AOTA, 2009).

Within four weeks of fieldwork, occupational therapy students got to know most of the residents at Ruth’s House (dementia unit). The residents have various medical conditions that limit their physical and mental capabilities. Anita, one of the residents in the facility exhibited a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Based on direct observation, Anita demonstrated fluctuating alertness periods. With no evident trigger, Anita had multiple acute episodes of confusion, irritability, and agitation. In a several group sessions, she was restless and was very difficult to redirect. She kept standing up despite being told to take a seat so she does not fall. She was verbally disorganized. In addition, during the 2-week fieldwork,

To serve in the military is a noble act in one’s life to defend our nation and their freedoms. However, what does one do after the military to continue serving. This author states after serving 20 years in the United States Army as a human resources sergeant. He chose the profession of occupational therapy in a veteran’s hospital after he graduates as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to serve the military and their families due to the fact that he is a veteran himself. After serving 3 tours in Afghanistan and understanding the effects of war does to Soldiers and their families. From reintegration after a deployment and transitioning out of the military and rejoining the civilian population. Find themselves under educated and unable

While shadowing occupational therapy professionals at Montgomery General Hospital, I gained much insight into the profession and the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of a COTA. The entire facility caseload consisted of geriatric patients, and many of the diagnoses were due to cognitive deficits or recent falls due to weak lower extremities. Diagnoses observed were dementia, CVA, a hip fracture, a total knee replacement, osteoarthritis of the shoulder, bilateral upper extremity/lower extremity weakness, and total blindness.

When asked what I want to do with my life, my answer is simply to help others. Although this answer is one would expect to hear from just about anyone, I have always been encouraged by mentors and parents to do what I love. In my case, helping others brings me a great deal of satisfaction. The human body and how it is able to adapt has always been a fascination of mine, and from a young age I identified the health care field as an ideal fit for my interests in medicine, as well as my passion for helping others. With these two drives in mind, I found myself at the age of sixteen with a career goal in mind: Occupational Therapy.

As an occupational therapy practitioner, it is important to understand how to modify homes to fit an individual with a disability. In this paper, I will share what I believe are the best modifications to my own 2-story home for an individual in a wheelchair including the entrance and half-bath, kitchen, stairs,

I have had many experiences that may have an impact on my career as an Occupational Therapist. When my grandfather suffered a stroke in 2009, I watched therapist closely and asked many questions so that when he was discharged I would be able to help out at home. Occupational therapist helped my grandfather learn how to do basic daily activities again which he could no longer do due to the stroke. Going through this life changing experience I believe will have an impact on my career as an occupational therapist. The compassion and knowledge shown to my family and I during this time is something I can use when I begin my career as an occupational Therapist. When my granddad was in the rehab center after suffering from a massive stroke I closely

A Chinese teacher named Confucius once said, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work again." I strongly believe that by becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, I will realize the truth of that statement.

When I first considered occupational therapy, I was a sophomore in college sitting in my advisors office upset because I had no clue what I was doing with my life. I knew I wanted to be part of the medical field but couldn’t narrow it down any further. I had signed up for classes required for medical school, thinking those would cover my bases as I figured out what I actually wanted to do. My advisor and I were discussing my passion for helping people find ways to improve their lives and be independent. She kept encouraging me to look into occupational therapy because she thought it would be perfect for me.

It wasn’t until my first year of Community College in which I actually had given a lot of thought of what career I was going to pursue. I mean I always knew that I wanted to work in the medical realm, but I didn’t know exactly what. So when I was in my career development class in highschool we took a personality text in which we were asked a lot of questions and depending on your answers it connected you to possible careers that could interest you. The jobs that fit my personality were nursing, pediatrician, counselor, sales representative, Physical Therapist, and Occupational Therapy, etc. This is where my interest for Occupational Therapy grew.

Seeing and feeling like you have cured or helped someone is a very rewarding feeling. Occupational therapists fall under the health science career cluster. OT’s help troubled patients with their fine motor skills through therapeutic activities.

Definitely, Mrs J really needs a multidisciplinary care from health care staff. You already mentioned MD, nurses, PT. She should occupational therapy to assist her regain confidence in doing her basic activities of daily living. She verbalized that she is very anxious and asks whether she is going to die. Mrs J actually has a serious mental and psychological health problems. Therefore, it is imperative that she sees a psychologist. Great post Nicholas, thank

The intent of our group was to educate the general public about occupational therapy. We chose the Skowhegan farmer’s market due to its wide variety of patrons. Our presentation included sub topics such as safe farming and gardening practices. Many of the markets patrons included professionals such as teachers, lawyers, nutritionists, doctors and other health care providers as well as gardening enthusiasts.