[dis]Ability Awareness Week 2013

[dis]Ability Awareness Week 2013

            This year’s [dis]Ability Awareness Week was a huge success! On Tuesday March 19, the St. Louis Rugby Rams gave an awesome presentation at the Simon Recreation Center for SLU community as well as the general public.  They discussed the rules of wheelchair rugby, the equipment used, and introduced us to the team.  Three of the players traveled to London in 2012 to compete in the Paralympics!  It was an amazing experience to meet all of the players and the managers.  After talking with the audience, they played a scrimmage so that everyone could see the sport in action.  The team brought 2 extra rugby chairs with them to all the attendees to play with them! Many people jumped at this awesome opportunity.

                   

On Wednesday March 20 we had the largest attendance in the history of [dis]Ability Awareness Week when John Foppe came to speak about his life without arms.  John spoke and the emotions, struggles, and successes he has had throughout his life.  All of these things he has experienced have shaped into the successful businessman, husband, father, and friend he is today.  He was truly inspiring to all in attendance!

On Thursday March 21, SLU SOTA partnered with Billikens after Dark to host a trivia night for SLU students!  SLU’s Disability Services Club wrote the questions for the event and challenged everyone’s brains!  Did you know that the ratio for accessible parking spots to general parking spots is 1:25! 

And to conclude our amazing week, we hosted 36 Girl Scouts in grades 2-4 as they worked on achieving their [dis]Ability Awareness Exploration badge created by SLU OT students.  The girls participated in activities such as learning about Therapy Dogs, cooking with a disability, learning person-first language, learning to move around while using adaptive equipment, and seeing how the media portrays people with disabilities.  The girls and the leaders had nothing but great things to say about the experience!

            

Thanks to everyone who helped make [dis]Ability Awareness Week 2013 such a huge success!

SLU OT Students Volunteer at the St. Louis Senior Center

Love was in the air this Valentine's Day, as a group of MOT 1 students volunteered their time at the St. Louis Senior Center, Valentine celebration. The day consisted of an early morning fitness class, a vow renewal ceremony, dancing to live music, and a large St. Louis style lunch.

The center acts as a place for older adults in the St. Louis area to come for a variety of daily events in order to socially interact with others. SLU's OT students benefited from the event by learning about various programs available to local older adults. The interaction with older adults brought students great joy and gave them a glimpse of the needs of this population. 

Spring 2012 Wrap-Up

It is already time to wrap up this spring semester as we are down to our last week of classes here at SLU.  Are you curious to know what current Occupational Science undergraduates and Occupational Therapy master students think about the semester?

Here are responses from some of the students when asked to describe their semester in one word or more:

Have a good summer everyone!

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.