Explore the field of occupational therapy.
Overview
- Essential Question: What is occupational therapy (OT) all about?
- Area(s) of Study: Health Sciences
- Amount of credit earned: one elective credit
- Community Partner: occupational therapists
Competencies
- Observation and confidentiality – respect information acquired and understand the link between therapist/patient relationship and student confidentiality.
- Medical conditions – understand the connection between various medical condition and the benefits of OT services.
- Skill sets and strategies – Demonstrate understanding of of how a child’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills impact their engagement in daily living.
- Problem solving – Understanding therapy language. Maintain focus on short and long term goals when working with children.
See the detailed ELO description for the full text of these competencies.
Student Activities
- Under the direction of the therapist, lead and assist with activities with children.
- Meet with therapist prior to a child’s session to discuss daily plan.
- Fine Motor Activities: how to draw a straight line, writing their name, picking up toys, using scissors and manipulating putty to increase hand strength and dexterity.
- Gross Motor Development: Supervise obstacle course which involved child climbing, sliding, crawling, tumbling and jumping. Hand-eye coordination activities such as catching and throwing while on the obstacle course.
- Visual Memory: memorization cards with numbers and letters, puzzles to assist with building brain development.
- Complete therapy language assignments given by therapist in order to become familiar with different strategies and terminology used in Occupational Therapy.
- Observe the process of re-evaluation, comparing children of same chronological age.
- Journaled patients on a daily basis, noting what was implemented and growth/changes of student over the course of the year.
Assessment
- Progress meetings with student, ELO Coordinator and therapists.
- Completion of a midterm and final student assessment by the community partner.
- ELO Coordinator’s student observations at the business site.
- Presentation meeting to discuss and demonstrate learning.
- Student’s willingness to speak about the ELO experiences to the School Board.
More information
For students
- Be patient, there is a lot to learn and you can relate your learning to the patients you observe.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as silly as you think they might be.
- It’s beneficial to observe various styles and techniques of the therapist.
- Ask for assignments from therapist to help understand the content and language used.
- Depending on the clientele, observe different ages, gender and medical condition of the children.
For ELO Coordinators
- Give yourself plenty of time when looking for an cccupational therapist.
- If possible, find a facility with more than one therapist and a sizable clientele.
This ELO was submitted by Holly Londo, School to Career/Transition Coordinator at Windham High School. Email Holly for more information
