Allie's OT Blog

While we have had a few lectures previously in occupational therapy school on the topic of sexual health, we had not had one that was as in-depth and focused on aging until this lecture. I think that the fact that this area is in the scope of practice of OT emphasizes the holistic view that occupational therapists take on their clients. There are very few other healthcare professionals that will address this topic with their clients, and while it might be a little difficult or awkward to discuss, I think it is very powerful that OTs can help clients in this area of their lives. One of the main things that I took away from this lecture was that sexual activity is beneficial for reducing stress, improving sleep, can boost immune system function and lifespan, and can also produce higher levels of cognitive functioning. When there are disruptions in this area of someone’s life, it can be difficult for them to reach out for help. However, sexual health is a key component i...

As I am starting to prepare for my level II fieldwork rotations, the biggest thing I am trying to keep in mind is that I am not expected to come into these new settings/situations as an expert. As a student, I am not going to be expected to be perfect, as I am still learning and growing. While it is important to prepare and do my best, I know that my fieldwork educators are going to teach me and push me along during my three months in each setting. One quality that fieldwork educators like to see in their students is confidence. While I might not be confident in all of my skills yet, I should be confident in my ability to learn and improve. Another positive quality in a fieldwork student is being responsible and taking advantage of your own learning. This includes being on time, being alert, and doing work at home (researching diagnoses, interventions, familiarizing yourself with assessments/precautions, etc). I think that the ideal fieldwork student is motivated, ask...

What stood out to me during the lecture on driving and community mobility was how many different client populations could benefit from occupational therapy interventions in this area. Some diagnoses mentioned that are commonly seen by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist were traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, amputations, Alzheimer’s Disease, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. Some services provided to clients within this area of driving and community mobility are work hardening, driving rehab, low vision rehab, vestibular rehab, industrial services, and pressure mapping/wheelchair assessment. Adaptive driving programs aim to assess individuals for safety and potential to drive, evaluate persons with disabilities for appropriate adaptive equipment, and to train individuals in use of adaptive equipment and/or compensation techniques for driving. Driving/community mobility is a huge aspect of independence, so this is a very important and ...