OTA 1270 Pediatrics Fieldwork

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. 

I had the opportunity to conduct my fieldwork this semester at The Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind in Springville, Utah. I completed 28 hours of shadowing on Wednesdays, specifically on January 17th, 24th, 31st, and February 7th. The OT I shadowed is named Mackenzie Carder, who has been an OT for the last 4 years. My Level I fieldwork for the spring semester was at The Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind in Springville, Utah. The school caters to students ranging from preschool to 12th grade and serves children from ages 0 to 22 years old. They have over 4000 students across the state spanning three locations, with services and classrooms specifically designed for children with hearing or visual impairments to meet their educational needs. Currently, there are about 350 students on the campuses receiving services, with more students receiving assistance.

All the students I had the opportunity to observe were between the ages of 2 and 7 years old. The school is an amazing place filled with bright, contrasting colors, wide hallways, a physical therapy room, and an occupational therapy room. Some of the observed diagnoses at the school included Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Partial Limbs, Hearing Impairments, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), Hydrocephalus, and Pfeiffer Syndrome, among others. All of the interventions that I witnessed were push in or pull out individual sessions. Most of the interventions were focused on switch use, sensory integration, handwriting, and feeding and eating. I thoroughly enjoyed my fieldwork experience this semester.

Being in a school with children of all abilities was both challenging and rewarding. Hearing Mackenzie, the OT, talk passionately about the children she works with and advocate for them was inspiring. I have always aspired to be a foster mom, and witnessing the number of children with diverse abilities in need of families has strengthened my resolve. I am eager to pursue further training and potentially embark on this path to make a difference in the lives of children . I have a deep love for pediatrics, and shadowing at this school was an invaluable experience. I would welcome the opportunity to shadow in a similar setting again.