OTA 1270 Pediatrics Fieldwork

Course Description: 

This course prepares students for a pediatric off-site experience along with instruction on evidence-based treatment. Designated community-engaged learning course. Expose students to a variety of diagnoses, develop professional behaviors, develop clinical observation skills, and complete civic-engagement specific to pediatric populations. Reflect experiences in a round-table format, complete data collection and reports, and participate in a performance appraisal.

Reflection: 

My field work educator knew exactly what she wanted me to create for my fieldwork service-leaning project. She needed something to help kids work on shoe tying goals. Many times, kids had this goal in their IEP, but they wore slip-on shoes to school. My work educator needed something that she could carry from school to school in the plastic case she used to hold her supplies but it was important that it be able to go on the student’s foot and simulate a regular shoe. So that is what I set out to create.

         I first looked online for some ideas. I couldn’t find any examples of things that fit her requirements. I came up with two ideas on my own and bought a few supplies to try them out. First, I tried using a flip flop and faux leather, that didn’t work so great. Next, I tried using a slipper and that worked great! I cut the upper part of the slipper and added laces. I sewed the edges along the cut so they wouldn’t fray, and I added eyelets in each of the holes I made for the laces. I made two different sizes.

         My field work educator was very happy with the finished product. It fits nicely with the supplies she carries from school to school. It goes on the child’s foot so they can practice in a way that is close to the actual occupation. This project took me 10 hours to make and cost $15.

         I learned many things during this project. I learned that I’m more creative than I think, and I can brainstorm ideas and come up with solutions. I learned that school-based OT practitioners need to be very thoughtful in the supplies they carry around from school to school. I learned about how important it is to have a child try tying their shoe with something on their foot and not sitting on their lap or the table. I feel very good about what I created and I’m proud that I was able to make something that fit all her requirements. This was meaningful to me because I want to work in a school-based setting one day. I love that I have an idea for my own box of supplies now.