OTA 1240/1250 Phys Dysfunction II Lecture & Lab

Course Description

Students continue the study of additional adult disabilities to learn how effects of dysfunction on occupational habits and occupational roles, apply the Occupational Therapy (OT) process, problem-solve ideas, become introduced to rehabilitation assessment, treatment techniques, and community resources.

Service Learning - Adult Clinic

Location: SLCC OTA Clinic -- 3491 W 9000 S, West Jordan, UT 84088

Dates of Participation: Feb 22 & 29, and Mar 14 (2024)

Intervention Plan:

• March 14 Intervention Plan

Reflection:

This semester I had the opportunity to work with an adult client in our pro bono clinic who has autism, ADHD, POTS, back problems, and other help challenges. I really enjoyed getting to know her and helping her in our clinic. I am impressed by her attitude and how well she manages her health challenges. For the intervention I conducted with her, we first did some yoga to stretch and strengthen her lower back. We then worked on organizing her coursework and developing an organizational system for her mail. This client presents with executive functioning deficits, but responds well with external executive functioning compensatory strategies. 

When working with her, I had the opportunity to practice recognizing the executive functioning areas she especially struggles with (initiation, flexible thinking, organization, and problem solving) and that we’ve discussed in our coursework. We’ve also discussed a lot about recognizing how much assistance a person needs, including with verbal cues. I gave her minimal verbal cues to initiate tasks, and also worked on how to phrase questions to help her problem solve. I also had the opportunity to apply learnings from our physical dysfunctions and anatomy classes to help her stretch her back.

Working in our clinic helped me address some of our program outcomes. For example, I applied some of my knowledge of the profession (cueing, stretching and strengthening, etc.). I also increased my interpersonal therapy skills by building rapport with this client and helping her feel empowered. I also strengthened my verbal communication skills through effective questions and cueing, and my written communication skills in writing a professional SOAP note.

This experience definitely increased my confidence in working with future clients and feeling like I have the tools and knowledge I need to help them succeed. It also helped me go review what I already know, look up additional information to help this client, and be intentional in my preparations for the intervention.