Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Spring in OSOT


Spring has arrived and with it comes new adventures!  This semester we are entering the world of fieldwork!  You might be wondering what fieldwork is....  Fieldwork is the opportunity to follow Occupational Therapists in their respective settings where we are encouraged to apply the knowledge we have acquired in the program.  This opportunity allows us to further investigate prospective settings that we may be interesting in practicing.  As first year Masters students, this fieldwork assignment is more of an introduction into field of practice.  However, I know we are all excited to be more hands on.

Now what would school be without classes?  Not only are we introduced to fieldwork, but we are also introduced to Neuroscience, Pediatrics, Mental Health and Occupational Therapy in Rehabiliation.  As I type these words, neurons are firing at lighting rates.  Needless to say, once you take Neuroscience you will never think about the brain the same way!   In our Occupational Performance and Assessment of Infants, Children and Adolescents class, we inspect pediatric assessment tools and discover ways to develop interventions and treatment goals using theories and models of practice in Pediatric Occupational Therapy.  Our Mental Health class explores the building of a healthy therapeutic relationship, the various degrees of mental health and helps us understand different psychological diseases that can be accompanied with our patients.  Occupational therapy in Rehabiliation examines the various interventions and assessments that we use as Occupational Therapist in a Rehabiliation setting.  This class utilizes hands on experience within the lab to help create a sense of capability.  

This semester is another chapter in the book of our careers as occupational therapists.  We are starting to  develop and utilize our professional reasoning skills.  We look forward to the challenges, expectations and most importantly.... the fun!  

Here are a few things to look forward to later this semester:  Disability Awareness Week (March 19th-23rd), April is Occupational Therapy Month, the AOTA Annual Conference is in Indianapolis this year April 26th-29th and SOTA (Student Occupational Therapy Association) at SLU has already starting planning for the road trip to the conference.

Remember, if you have any questions about the program, don’t hesitate to e-mail us!
E-mails can be found below on the previous blog.
And check out  St. Louis University Dept of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy NOW on Facebook! 
Facebook: SLU Occupational Therapy