The course helps students develop a familiarity with wheelchair usage and various types of adaptive equipment/appliances; use of an industrial sewing machine to fabricate patient supplies/splints; role-playing and teaching strategies, techniques for treatment in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living; functional transfers, and cognitive assessment.
1130
Modalities Lab Reflection
On Thursday, November 10, 2023, my cohort and I met at the Work Activity Center to meet with individuals with disabilities. This place provides a space for individuals to meet with other people who have similar abilities. They gather for short field trips, work on the computer, craft and have lunch.
We were there to run a cognitive test on the people who volunteered to sit and do some stitching with us. There was one man there that I thought was part of the staff and another man laying prone on a bed being pushed into the room. I instantly made assumptions about these individuals that was not accurate. The first young man was not staff but a member there at the center. He did very well on his ACL test and the other man on the bed who I didn’t think would be able to participate also took part in the test and did better than I expected. I over and underestimated these individuals. The importance of the ACL test made itself relevant in that moment and reconfirmed to me not to judge a book by its cover.
I noticed how happy the clients here were and how they seemed to have a favorite spot and a best friend. The staff were very friendly and used their therapeutic use of self to connect with the individuals. The clients were not at a loss of options for activities to engage in. During my time there a staff member was putting together a group of clients interested in going to the park to play and do some activities.
I took notes as my partner recited the Allen Cognitive Level test on a volunteering client. We were able to put that to the test and see how effective it can be. At the moment it felt foreign to speak in such a constricted way, but I think it will feel more natural with time and practice.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with the clients at the Work Activity Center. Hands on experience is the best teaching tool. This opportunity and others like this help me as a future OTA see how specific elements of the profession are utilized, and the benefits of them.