Scholarships Available for SLU Asperger Summer Camp

Congratulations to the Connections Summer Camp Program in their award! 

See the article here: 

 SLU Asperger Summer Camp

April is Occupational Therapy Month AND National Autism Awareness Month

HAPPY OT MONTH!!

At SLU, many of us have been keeping busy, but enjoying different events to support and promote the wonderful field of Occupational Therapy!

Here are a couple of highlights from happenings within our department:

●   OT Month Awareness on campus- MOT I classmates designed slides to inform other Allied health professional students about Occupational Therapy

●   OT without Borders- Frank Kronenberg visits SLU!

Originally from the Netherlands, Kronenberg has traveled the world and came to SLU to share his stories as an Occupational Therapist without borders!  He challenged us, as future and current therapists, to go beyond the comfort of traditional OT practice and find ways to support meaningful occupations and well-being of all peoples, especially those who may be forgotten by society.  Kronenberg has inspired us to be OTs without borders, with endless possibilities!

April is also National Autism Awareness Month

   Autism is a disorder characterized as having complex impairments in social interaction and communication skills with restricted collection of activities of interest.  Autism is defined by the presence of stereotypical behaviors, which relate to poor eye contact, lack or delay of smiling, repetitive motor pattern, such as hand flapping.

○       The exact cause of autism is not known, but research shows it is caused by abnormalities in the brain structure or function, and is affected by both genetic and environmental factors.  The onset of autism typically occurs before the age of three.

○       It is estimated that autism occurs in 1 out of 110 births, with it affecting males 4 times more than in females.

Occupational Therapy can provide support and treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder to reduce some challenges that occur with the condition.  Interventions vary to meet the individualistic needs of persons with autism in order to support their health and participation of occupational engagement as well as their families.

Pediatrics Fieldwork

This Spring semester, we had an amazing opportunity to experience hands-on what it's like to work in Pediatrics and practice assessments.  As a pair, each of us either went to a preschool or a homeless shelter's developmental center to work with the little kids.  We are learning about different types of assessments in our MOT 541 Occupational Performance and Assessment for Infants and Childrens.  Our fieldwork this semester allows us to learn how to properly administer an assessment, become more comfortable in that environment and give us hands on experience with some adorable children.  

The three assessments we have administered this semester:

Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS)

Preschool Play Scale (PPS) 

Denver II

After administering the assessment or observing the children during their natural play, we were able to write a paper on the experience and what we have gathered from the date.  This has made us feel more comfortable with assessments and has given us the chance to apply what we have learned in class!

OT Ranked # 7 by The Wall Stree Journal

Occupational Therapy Ranked #7 for the Best Job in 2012 according to The Wall Street Journal!!!  

As if we all did not already know this ;) 

Photo: Freshman class learns about music and how it can be related to occupational therapy.