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.
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