I feel like I am now in a place of great knowledge with pediatrics. I have learned allot about diagnoses that I had some knowledge of, but now know the background and can apply my knowledge of OT to these diagnoses and help treat these patients. I can also better "diagnose" patients just by looking at their behaviors or physical characteristics. This may not be what I will be doing (diagnosing) but I can pick out treatments that will better concentrate on treating these symptoms.
The most interesting part of this class was getting to interact with he students at the elementary school. I have always just gotten to watch treatments not do them. This was fun for me to create treatments and get to look at the kids and problems they were having and act like an "OT".
I am going to apply this to my practice by being able to show patience, creativity, and adaptability when treatments don't always go as planned. Children have showed me all of this is important, but I can use this with all patients, throughout the spectrum.
I am ready for fieldwork! I am ready to get out there and practice, and to learn how to cope with different obstacles that may stand in my way.
My aha moments was during treatment with the elementary student when what I was doing with him was actually helping him with his cutting skills. To see him cut in a better way and to facilitate improvements in his skills was cool to watch and was definitely my aha moments and to see that I can really do this!!
And to all a goodnight!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Coming of Age
When I first started this semester I had mixed feelings about PEDS. Not sure if I could make therapy FUN, I was nervous about interacting with the children.
Peds FW was not as “scary” as I thought it once was. I actually could see myself working with children (initially thought working with only adults). I learned a lot with this class and FW. I learned that handwriting is one of the most important thing for a child to master. Without good handwriting skills; attention decreases, grades go down, and bad behavior can escalate and that children with autism are just children trying to handled the sensory overload.
My “aha” moments were at the elementary school, where what we learn comes to fruition in the classroom. On two separate occasions, techniques used to calm the child worked well. K was more active than usually that morning, my supervisor used proprioception technique by pushing down on K’s shoulder and arms. It actually worked (wow)! He was able to complete his breakfast and proceed to the classroom without incident. With other child, my supervisor let him crawl on the floor when transitioning from one activity to another and he was able to complete the task with less verbal cues.
I am a little anxious about FW2. We have learned a lot of material and it feels jumbled in my head but I do believe that I have what I need to be a great OTA.
Peds FW was not as “scary” as I thought it once was. I actually could see myself working with children (initially thought working with only adults). I learned a lot with this class and FW. I learned that handwriting is one of the most important thing for a child to master. Without good handwriting skills; attention decreases, grades go down, and bad behavior can escalate and that children with autism are just children trying to handled the sensory overload.
My “aha” moments were at the elementary school, where what we learn comes to fruition in the classroom. On two separate occasions, techniques used to calm the child worked well. K was more active than usually that morning, my supervisor used proprioception technique by pushing down on K’s shoulder and arms. It actually worked (wow)! He was able to complete his breakfast and proceed to the classroom without incident. With other child, my supervisor let him crawl on the floor when transitioning from one activity to another and he was able to complete the task with less verbal cues.
I am a little anxious about FW2. We have learned a lot of material and it feels jumbled in my head but I do believe that I have what I need to be a great OTA.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
They sure are cute...maybe one day?
I just went back to read my first blog of this semester and WOW... so much has happened since then! I blogged after my first night working with the children at the transitional homeless shelter. Boy did they trick us on that first night! They were so well behaved and sweet…the last 2 sessions weren’t as rewarding and I was rethinking my desire to bare children!
Since I started the program, we’ve had such a wide variety of experiences and each of them I’ve been treating them like a job interview. I would frequently take a step back and say to myself…Could I work with here? Do I want to work with this type of population? Does this area of OT bring out the best in my skills? Do I feel like I can make a difference here? And this semester I’ve been doing the most “assessing”! As I said in the first blog...I really didn’t think working with children was my cup of tea, but I’d keep on giving it a fair shot. After the fieldwork experience at the shelter, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to work in a setting like that. I didn’t count out other Peds setting though, as I knew there are many settings that OTAs can work with children. My second FW experience in the school setting was amazing! I really felt like could actually see myself working in the school system. However, I realize that I just had a small taste of what the job really entails and my feelings could be swayed by the type of children I saw during that experience as well. I’m more confused now than ever (in a good way) and very interested to see where I actually end up working after all of this is through! I’m anticipating my future FW II experiences (which have nothing to do with children), and can’t wait to find out more about myself as a therapist. Every semester I’ve gained more and more confidence as a future therapist and I really do feel as ready as I will ever be to step out and have my own patients!
I’ve learned so much about working with children this semester and feel like I have a great base of experience/treatment activities ideas. So if God has a sense of humor and I end up working with peds, I will feel comfortable starting out!
A few little Aha moments from this semester: A really funny moment looking back to the beginning of the semester (I think it was the first day) is when we were asked to pick something in the room that worked on a certain skill and create an activity. Lol I thought it was a good idea to have them close their eyes and feel different types of materials. What child would sit there and do that? I had no idea what sensory integration was at the time and how the heck to make fun treatment activities for children. Anyway, it took me a little while to figure it all out, but I feel like I’ve come full circle with my ideas J
While I was on my school FW, I saw the same 3 children each week. One of the kindergarteners is very far behind for his age and the OT had been working with him writing his name. On the last day, he miraculously made an e out of wiki sticks and it just blew both of us away. It seemed so small, but it was such an aha! moment for both of us! The OT and I looked at each other and said WOW! I was so grateful to see this tiny improvement before I left. Patience is key in peds!
Where am I now?
When I first started in this program, I thought the end of this semester would never get here.
Now as I look back on the last 5 semesters, I am in awe of how far I have come and how fast time has gone by.
The most interesting thing I have learned this past semester is how many things can affect a child's handwriting. I never thought about how posture, grip or even sensation could play a part in how well a child writes. As I was doing fieldwork at an elementary school nearby, I saw several children who were having difficulties with handwriting. I was able to put some of the skills I learned into motion. The feeling I get when I help someone is amazing and uplifting.
If anyone had asked me at the beginning of this semester if I was ready for fieldwork II, I would have told them no way! Now, I am ready. I am ready for the challenges that will come my way and ready to put to use the skills we have worked so hard on. My fw supervisor was great, and the way she encouraged and praised me, made me feel good about myself.
The support from my supervisors, family and friends has given me the confidence to realize that I can accomplish anything I want to.
Whenever I heard a patient or client tell me "thank you", it was an "aha" moment. Those moments made me aware that I am where I should be, helping others using the skills I have learned.
There have been times when the road has been very bumpy, but now, I am ready for the next mile in this journey. Next stop, graduation!
Now as I look back on the last 5 semesters, I am in awe of how far I have come and how fast time has gone by.The most interesting thing I have learned this past semester is how many things can affect a child's handwriting. I never thought about how posture, grip or even sensation could play a part in how well a child writes. As I was doing fieldwork at an elementary school nearby, I saw several children who were having difficulties with handwriting. I was able to put some of the skills I learned into motion. The feeling I get when I help someone is amazing and uplifting.
If anyone had asked me at the beginning of this semester if I was ready for fieldwork II, I would have told them no way! Now, I am ready. I am ready for the challenges that will come my way and ready to put to use the skills we have worked so hard on. My fw supervisor was great, and the way she encouraged and praised me, made me feel good about myself.
The support from my supervisors, family and friends has given me the confidence to realize that I can accomplish anything I want to.
Whenever I heard a patient or client tell me "thank you", it was an "aha" moment. Those moments made me aware that I am where I should be, helping others using the skills I have learned.
There have been times when the road has been very bumpy, but now, I am ready for the next mile in this journey. Next stop, graduation!
The best way to gain self-confidence is to do what you are afraid to do. ~Author Unknown
Double click on the quote I found for my title, and there you will find many, many more that will help you gain the confidence you will need, that is, if you're doubting yourself, on FW 2.
I feel much more comfortable now than I did in the beginning of the semester. I was intimidated by treating children, but by letting them feel like they have control and with our guidance and a lot of fun, it's really not a big deal at all!
The most interesting information I learned this semester was the importance of tummy time. Even though I have three children, and they all did have plenty of tummy time, no one ever really explained to me all the benefits it affords our children. If I ever work with babies, I will be able to confidently explain to the parents why this is such an important time in their children lives and how it prepares them up for the rest of the life.
I feel like I'm as ready as I ever will be for FW 2. I believe I am much better in the field than in school anyway, so I can't wait to get out there! It's refreshing to finally see how all we've learned in this program coming together and making sense.
It was refreshing to see children during my fieldwork experience like and participate in activities that I made and tailored to the skills we were working on. What has made me feel like, "Yes, I can do this!" is the feedback I have received from all three of my instructors. If they feel like I can do this, then, why should I doubt them!
When I'm at a fieldwork site, and my CI is conducting a treatment session and I understand why and what she's doing, makes me feel like I have "come of age" in my OTA development.
I feel much more comfortable now than I did in the beginning of the semester. I was intimidated by treating children, but by letting them feel like they have control and with our guidance and a lot of fun, it's really not a big deal at all!
The most interesting information I learned this semester was the importance of tummy time. Even though I have three children, and they all did have plenty of tummy time, no one ever really explained to me all the benefits it affords our children. If I ever work with babies, I will be able to confidently explain to the parents why this is such an important time in their children lives and how it prepares them up for the rest of the life.
I feel like I'm as ready as I ever will be for FW 2. I believe I am much better in the field than in school anyway, so I can't wait to get out there! It's refreshing to finally see how all we've learned in this program coming together and making sense.
It was refreshing to see children during my fieldwork experience like and participate in activities that I made and tailored to the skills we were working on. What has made me feel like, "Yes, I can do this!" is the feedback I have received from all three of my instructors. If they feel like I can do this, then, why should I doubt them!
When I'm at a fieldwork site, and my CI is conducting a treatment session and I understand why and what she's doing, makes me feel like I have "come of age" in my OTA development.
Closer to the finish line
The 3 classes I have taken this semester, FWI, Professional Skills, & OT Media, have made me more prepared for my 2 FWIIs that begin in January. I have learned alot of new diagnoses for pediatrics & the types of treatments that help each of them. I have also learned about splinting that I will use in the acute care treatments for some patients. Professional skills has helped me become more prepared for FWII, & it has given me all the ins & outs of becoming a COTA. I'm beginning to think more like a therapist than a student, which has given me a big confidence boost.
FWI has also been a big confidence booster for me. I have been to a variety of settings - DD groups, outpatient treatments, SNF treatments & pediatric treatments. I’m most comfortable in the pediatric & DD settings, & I hope I’ll be able to find a job in one of these settings.... that is, if I don’t fall in love will my FWII that’s in the acute care setting in a hospital, & I don’t fall out of love in my FWII in a school setting.
As far as blogging..... I’m afraid I was not excited about blogging beginning in OTA 163, & I am still not excited about blogging. It is a bit more easier to get my thoughts down (from ~ 1hr to ~ 20 min, depending on the topic), but I don’t think I will ever blog again. But who knows, never say never!
Hmmm.....
As we are challenged to think back to the beginning of the semester, and compare to where we are now--or where we perceive that we are now--I can honestly say that I have learned a lot. This learning is about combining classroom materials and FW experience--and learning/understanding different ways to approach the kids in our daily transactions. It's about bringing our best efforts forward to serve a growing population, and assisting our autistic kids to realize their full potential.
I feel privileged to have been assigned to a terrific OT in a local public school system, who provided me with some "AHA" moments, without even realizing it! She changed her schedule so that I would be able to see different classrooms, teachers, and kids, which allowed me to observe a variety of levels at the different schools. I saw pre-K, elementary, and middle school classrooms. Moving forward, I will be able to carry with me information that I picked up while on this most recent FW.
Just a few of my "AHA" moments include:
changing a child's position from sitting at her desk, to laying on the floor, so that she could more easily and effectively work on a fine motor activity.
Purchasing a large plastic container from a hardware store, cutting an opening in the side (smoothing all surfaces down), and placing in a quieter spot in the classroom, allowing for a safe place to calm down, or pull together.
I knew the importance of schedules, but was still amazed to see how smoothly an autistic classroom may be managed when students understand their daily routines.
Visual cues were abundant in each of our stops. Whether it was an actual picture of a child, a picture of an activity, or a picture of the bus telling the kids it's time to go home, the kids were able to be successful by using the appropriate tools.
My supervisor had a child hold a marker top with digits 4 and 5 while doing a writing activity.
These few things seem so simple, but it was amazing to see the effectiveness!
While I sit here studying, and stressing, I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I do believe that once I get through these exams, the full impact of what awaits will hit me. I am both excited and nervous about FW--and I know that I am not alone in that. So as far as "coming of age"--I can't say right now, but ask me again after these 2 exams are over!!!! I hope to be shouting from the rooftop, "I can do this!!!!!!!!"
After sitting in class for 2 years with my peers, I feel certain that an amazing group of COTA's are on the horizon. I do believe that this class has so much to give, and to bring to the table. For whatever population each chooses to serve, the individuals in this class will go above and beyond the call. I have seen in the classroom, time and time again, humor, concern, sympathy, caring, understanding, and acceptance (just to name a few!), all traits that will be huge as we venture out in the "real world."
Back to the books--
I feel privileged to have been assigned to a terrific OT in a local public school system, who provided me with some "AHA" moments, without even realizing it! She changed her schedule so that I would be able to see different classrooms, teachers, and kids, which allowed me to observe a variety of levels at the different schools. I saw pre-K, elementary, and middle school classrooms. Moving forward, I will be able to carry with me information that I picked up while on this most recent FW.
Just a few of my "AHA" moments include:
changing a child's position from sitting at her desk, to laying on the floor, so that she could more easily and effectively work on a fine motor activity.
Purchasing a large plastic container from a hardware store, cutting an opening in the side (smoothing all surfaces down), and placing in a quieter spot in the classroom, allowing for a safe place to calm down, or pull together.
I knew the importance of schedules, but was still amazed to see how smoothly an autistic classroom may be managed when students understand their daily routines.
Visual cues were abundant in each of our stops. Whether it was an actual picture of a child, a picture of an activity, or a picture of the bus telling the kids it's time to go home, the kids were able to be successful by using the appropriate tools.
My supervisor had a child hold a marker top with digits 4 and 5 while doing a writing activity.
These few things seem so simple, but it was amazing to see the effectiveness!
While I sit here studying, and stressing, I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I do believe that once I get through these exams, the full impact of what awaits will hit me. I am both excited and nervous about FW--and I know that I am not alone in that. So as far as "coming of age"--I can't say right now, but ask me again after these 2 exams are over!!!! I hope to be shouting from the rooftop, "I can do this!!!!!!!!"
After sitting in class for 2 years with my peers, I feel certain that an amazing group of COTA's are on the horizon. I do believe that this class has so much to give, and to bring to the table. For whatever population each chooses to serve, the individuals in this class will go above and beyond the call. I have seen in the classroom, time and time again, humor, concern, sympathy, caring, understanding, and acceptance (just to name a few!), all traits that will be huge as we venture out in the "real world."
Back to the books--
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