OTA 1270 Pediatrics Fieldwork

1270: Occupational Therapy Pediatric Fieldwork. This course prepares students for a pediatric off-site experience along with instruction on evidence-based treatment. Designated community-engaged learning course (more details below).

Fieldword Project: Calming Room Pamplet for patients, family members and staff. 

Reflection:Fieldwork Project Level 1 Pediatrics Reflection

For my project I created a How to create a calming room pamphlet. I researched fidgets, toys, sensory techniques and strategies for the hospital staff in the emergency department to provide clients with autism, behavior issues or sensory issues. Occupational Therapy can be involved in the Emergency department through educating and helping the patients with this diagnosis have a more positive experience in an emergency setting.  They can also help educate the family and hospital staff about these strategies and techniques that are in the pamphlet such as sounds, lights, and fidget toys.

The life skills clinic told me that I did not need to purchase anything that I could research and recommend items and the facility could buy them. 

This project not only helped the hospital staff but It also helped the clinic itself. They thought about handing them out to the family of the clients. 

This project took me about 15 hours to complete because I did my fieldwork in the beginning of the semester before learning about pediatrics with autism. I learned that children with autism are all different. There's not just one answer or strategies that help calm or regulate them but I did try my best to come up with multiple strategies. This experience was very meaningful and fun. This experience was incredibly valuable for me. Prior to this, I had limited exposure to pediatrics and how occupational therapy applies in that context; it was both enjoyable and educational. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to gain confidence in interacting with and assisting children through occupational therapy interventions.