Last & Final

Blogging can be an important source of information for professionals and consumers of OT. Although information from blogs can be less reliable compared to academic sources, they can be nice for a quick reference. Information gained from blogs can be insightful and possibly even more understandable than confusing academic sources. Professionals may use blog posting to gain more insightful and creative ideas to use with their clients. Also, consumers can use blogs to learn about others' experiences with professionals and types of therapies.

Throughout the semester, the blog that I liked best was my very first one on why I got into the field. I will need to reflect on my initial insights when times get tough - through school or even my professional career.

The thing that I like best about blogging is the fact that I have the ability ti write whatever I want and express my own opinion in an open manner. However, I am not a fan of the strict prompts that I had to follow when writing these posts. I initially thought all of my posting would revolve around Down Syndrome, but this was difficult to do while trying to follow the prompts given.

If I continue to blog in the future my posts will likely revolve around my experiences throughout life, specifically in terms of my OT career.

Sensory Integration Therapy for Autistic Children

For the purposes of our Business & Professional Writing class my group and I chose the topic of Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) for children with Autism to focus on. Specifically, we chose to focus on the benefits that SIT could provide for this specific and unique group of individuals.

Initially, I did not know exactly what SIT was or even involved. From our research, I have come to understand that SIT takes into account the way the brain separates sensations and tries to understand how sensations may have an impact on development according to Parham and Mailloux (2001).

It is particularly important for Occupational Therapists to implement SIT when possible to ensure that each individual who can benefit, will. It takes much patience and practice to initiate SIT and other therapists may not have the ability or training to take on such strenuous tasks. Using SIT for as many children as possible could be instrumental in helping children with autism deal with their environment more efficiently.



How to Help Children with Sensory Processing Disorder Using Specialty Toys, Resources, and Equipment. Sensory Fun.  Retrieved from http://sensoryfun.com/how_to_help_children_sensory_processing_disorder.asp

Parham, D., & Mailloux, Z. (2001). Sensory Integration, In J. Case-Smith (Ed.), Occupational therapy for children (pp. 329-381). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby.

It's Not All About Me

This week I took a look about two other blogs from Saint Louis University students interested in the Occupational Therapy field. Here is what I found:

Serena Blank

Serena’s blog title “Blank’s Blog” focuses on the topic of handwriting. Serena’s first post discusses her love of handwriting and her pursuit in becoming and Occupational Therapist. She wishes to be able to incorporate both of her passions in one career. Serena’s second post talks about an article she read discussing Handwriting Without Tears Test gray block paper (HWT).  Serena found this article interesting as it pertained to her passion of handwriting and its importance as well as its simple implementation that can drastically affect a young child’s school experience.

From her postings, I have learned that there are occupational therapists who work specifically on handwriting and that there are simple interventions for what seems like complex abilities.

Blank, S. (2015, October). Blank’s Blog. Retrieved from serenablank.blogspot.com

Emily Spalding

Emily’s blog is titled “OT For Tots” as her main focus throughout her blog is pediatric occupational therapy. In her first post, Emily talks about wanting to go into Pediatric Occupational Therapy when she graduates from college. She also discusses her experiences with volleyball and her wish to, one day, incorporate her experience into the therapy she will practice. In her second post, Emily talks about an article she read involving hearing loss and the co-morbid deficiencies that sometimes accompany such a loss.

After reading Emily’s blog, I was intrigued by the idea of volleyball being used as a therapy and learned on one person who actually uses the therapy to help children improve their balance and endurance. I also learned that Emily is currently taking a sign language class through SLU which I was unaware they even offered.

Spalding, E. (2015, October). OT For Tots. Retrieved from otfortots.blogspot.com

Individualization

Therapy for any individual needs to be specialized to meet specific needs of that person. When a broad treatment plan is applied to all clients, it may actually be detrimental to their overall health. Therefore, it is vital that the therapist who is working with a client makes sure to take their individuality into account.

I recently read a blog from a mother, Stephanie, of a child, Hazel, born with Down Syndrome. The way she talks about the activies she participates in with her children is inspiring and readers can really see how therapy is individualized for Hazel to help her grow and develop. 

For example the following was pulled from Stephanie's blog:

As Hazel grows and masters old skills, we change the activities we do in Occupational Therapy. Here are some of the toys that are in our OT bin right now.

Once again, I cannot stress enough the importance of individualization of treatment for clients because they are human and all people learn, grow,and develop via their own schedules and methods.

Stephanie. (2015, January 2). Occupational Therapy - What's in the Bin? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.chasinghazel.com/home?tag=Occupational%20Therapy

Getting into OT

Hello all,

My name is Hannah Florence and I am in the process of studying to get my Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy through Saint Louis University located in Missouri. Everyone always asks why people choose to follow certain paths. I feel that I have to attribute my love of the Occupational Therapy (OT) field to my aunt, Chris. Chris is 54 years old and has Down Syndrome. At a young age I never really paid attention to how she was different from others and still do my best to treat her as I would any other family member. Chris is always open to jokes and she usually is the first one to come up with a witty reply. However old she may be, Chris will always be able to beat me (and probably my siblings) in a game of arm wrestling.


Getting into OT seemed like an easy choice for me since I have been able to see up close and personal some of the challenges that people with disabilities have to put up with. My aunt and I have an amazing relationship and in studying to be an Occupational Therapist, it is my hope to form connects, like I have with my aunt, with all of the potential clients I may have.

The photo provided is of my aunt Chris and myself at her 53rd birthday.

The video is of aunt Chris beating my now 16-year-old brother, Will, in our traditional arm wrestling match.

As you can see, Down Syndrome has a direct impact on my life which is why, through this blog, I hope to discuss topics revolving around the disability via an occupational therapy perspective. Through my posts I hope to provide readers with more information on Down Syndrome and related topics.

For more information about Down Syndrome visit the National Down Syndrome Society website at http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/