http://otconnections.aota.org/search/?o=DateDescending&tag=driving,Assembly+of+Student+Delegates,Conference,general+elections&orTags=0Search resultsen-US7.x Productionhttp://otconnections.aota.org/members/rehabed/activities/default.aspx?ActivityMessageID=edc9272a-8cc8-47f7-b097-5e63a6856f0eSat, 18 May 2013 18:40:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:rehabed/members/rehabed/activities/default.aspx?ActivityMessageID=edc9272a-8cc8-47f7-b097-5e63a6856f0eGreetings from Chicago!  I am sitting in a large conference room at the Hyatt Regency representing AOTA at the American Medical Association's meeting on Current Procedural Terminology.  Are you aware that the entire 97000 series of codes is under review----and will be changing?   PLEASE stay alert, and be prepared to participate in the surveys that will be sent out.  The survey process is part of establishing codes and determining their value (assignment of payment).  YOUR INPUT will be essential. in Private Practice - Home and Community Based Therapy http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/79/p/16518/122149.aspx#122149Sat, 18 May 2013 13:56:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122149rehabed/Public_Forums/f/79/p/16518/122149.aspx#122149 My first response to hearing about putting a baby in plastic box filled with uncooked rice is: NO.  As a mom and a therapist, I agree with you----and you have had enough stress over the past year.  Babies are tricky!  Moms and therapists can glance away, and a handful of rice could be put into the  mouth.   Babies love to mouth things, as we all know, and mouthing rice isn't a good idea.   I support you; I'd gently tell your OT that in spite of her assurances that it is safe, and with all due respect for all she is doing---that you don't want that modality used.  Take the "blame"---tell her you can't handle it; it stresses YOU out. Your son will continue to grow and develop, and there will be many other ways to normalize his system.  Playing in a plastic box filled with uncooked rice may be a nice therapeutic idea for an individual who understands that rice doesn't go into the mouth....but being able to play in uncooked rice is not an important activity that is needed in his life.  Let's find other ways to normalize and enrich his development. Good for you for doing the research.  Now, just say 'no'.  You go, mom! Mary Jo McGuire MS, OTR/L, OTPP, FAOTA   http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16523/122146.aspx#122146Fri, 17 May 2013 23:54:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122146jstang10/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16523/122146.aspx#122146 Kristen, you are definitely not alone in this!  I feel that this is a time that we need to self-reflect on our professional skills in addition to clinical skills that we have learned and you have done a great job outlining what you feel that you need to work on.  It is a big adjustment, but I agree that this article has allowed us to realize that it is ok to rely on others and that we may not know all the answers.  I feel that is also true of practitioners that have been practicing for years as well.  I agree with you that networking is beneficial in providing each other with different perspectives and guiding each other as we approach the real world together.   http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/t/16530.aspxFri, 17 May 2013 23:50:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16530jstang10/Public_Forums/f/1261/t/16530.aspx0 As an MOT student who is 6 months away from graduation and transitioning into a practitioner, there are many thoughts running through my head besides "I can't believe these past 2 years just flew by!"  My level II fieldwork experiences that I am about to start will give me the perspective of what it is like to work in a hospital/clinic, but I still have the comfort of my fieldwork supervisor as my "safety net." My main concern that has brought nervousness and anxiety is my lack of confidence in the skills that I have learned in school.  I know that I’ve learned so much through my education and the exams and many papers can prove it.  However, although we’ve gone through scenarios and practicals with classmates and professors, the thought of treating a patient on my own is frightening.  What if I don’t know enough?  What if I freeze up and forget what I’m doing?  The article by Andrew Waite about joining the workplace was very beneficial and provided me with a sense of relief knowing that most new practitioners will always feel challenged with their confidence in clinical skills.  The Emerging Leaders say that new practitioners should not think about their lack of confidence in skills and instead “be confident enough in their abilities to ask questions and admit when they don’t know something (Waite, 2013).”  Approaching the experience with the mindset that future coworkers will also understand that I am still learning provides me with a comfort that I can ask questions and know that I won’t know all the answers yet.  My professors and mentors have told me that I know more than I think and to believe in myself.  Are there any practitioners or students out there that can provide any more advice   Jen Tang, MOTS University of St. Augustine, San Marcos   Reference: Waite, A. (2013). Joining the workplace: successfully navigating from student to practitioner.  OT Practice,  18(4), 8-12. http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/79/t/16529.aspxFri, 17 May 2013 21:34:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16529yazdnil/Public_Forums/f/79/t/16529.aspx0 Hello fellow OTs! I am a new grad working in my first job as an OT in an acute rehab unit of a major trauma hospital.  As a new grad and practitioner, I am obviously experiencing some difficulty with treatments and am in search of helpful tips from all of you with years of experience. I am hoping to gather some functional treatment ideas for individuals who have ataxia and/or apraxia. I've also had two patients with an "alien hand syndrome" diagnosis which tends to be a mixture of the two above. I've tried wrist weight and weighted utensils and haven't had much success. Has anyone found anything that helps? Do these conditions (usually associated with TBI/CVA) ever clear up/go away completely or are we as OTs providing more compensatory strategies like relearning tasks with the less/non-involved UE? Any information or experience would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance! http://otconnections.aota.org/members/sarahcouch/activities/default.aspx?ActivityMessageID=3faae731-0ebd-4523-9e22-aaef8aa23ebcFri, 17 May 2013 16:59:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:sarahcouch/members/sarahcouch/activities/default.aspx?ActivityMessageID=3faae731-0ebd-4523-9e22-aaef8aa23ebcDoes anyone know any OTs in Bangkok, Thailand, who wouldn't mind being shadowed for a day or two? I'll be in the city for several weeks in August and am looking for an opportunity to learn more about OT practice in Thailand. in Global Initiatives http://otconnections.aota.org/more_groups/aota_governance/assembly_of_student_delegates/f/139/t/16524.aspxFri, 17 May 2013 15:41:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16524sbethune/more_groups/aota_governance/assembly_of_student_delegates/f/139/t/16524.aspx0 Don't forget to take the Assembly of Student Delegates Meeting Evaluation Survey before May 31st!! We would appreciate you taking a few minutes upon returning home from San Diego to complete the meeting evaluation survey for the Assembly of Student Delegates Meeting! Survey can be found at the following link: www.surveymonkey.com/.../ASDMtg2013 Thank you!! http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16513/122134.aspx#122134Fri, 17 May 2013 15:15:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122134amykalra/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16513/122134.aspx#122134 I really enjoyed this article as well, as I am a student soon to transition into fieldwork, and then as a practitioner.  I agree that asking questions is a form of self-advocacy, and a great way to ensure that you are properly dotting the i's and crossing the t's at a new workplace.  In my previous clinic, I saw many therapists advocate for themselves and their clients by indicating certain clients were not an appropriate fit with their personality.  I am personally worried about treating clients with whom I lack a goodness of fit, because I feel that I might take that personally.  I hope in the future that I am able to take my mind out of OT jargon and "be able to articulate... in a professional, succinct manner" (Waite, 2013), to ensure a clear pathway of communication with my clients and their families. One question I really have was: in what setting is it most appropriate to begin your career to provide that initial support for transition? I am also wondering when practitioners felt they adjusted from being a student to being a practitioner.  I once asked my friend, who is a speech therapist, the same question and she said she really gained a rhythm after a few years.  At that point, she indicated she had enough clinical experience to compare the progress of her caseload.  I wonder how an OT would approach the same question. Waite, A. (2013). Joining the Workplace: Successfully Navigating from Student to Practitioner. OT Practice. 18(4), pp 8—12. http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16495/122132.aspx#122132Fri, 17 May 2013 02:02:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122132kewright19/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16495/122132.aspx#122132 Kim, I appreciate your comment about being honest with ourselves as well as with our clients. Many times, I feel as though numerous practitioners are not honest with their clientele and do not refer out as often as they should. While I can be honest with myself about what I do and do not know, relaying such information to our clients seems like more of a daunting task, yet absolutely ethically necessary. As we are taught in school, accepting that we may not be able to successfully help an individual and referring them elsewhere, is more help to the individual than is acting like you can help them when you know their particular case may be beyond your scope of practice or expertise. I agree that we must be honest with our clients and refer to another individual more knowledgeable and specialized in a particular area if you feel as though you are not knowledgeable enough or able enough to best address the individual's needs. Kristen Wright, OTS kewright19@gmail.com http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/t/16523.aspxFri, 17 May 2013 01:44:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16523kewright19/Public_Forums/f/1261/t/16523.aspx1 As a current OT student, 1 month shy of entering the world of fieldwork, I find myself abundantly excited for new learning experiences and the opportunity to finally apply what I have been learning in school, yet at the same time I find myself pondering over the inevitable: 'do I know enough, am I prepared, will I be successful?' As I am reading through other fellow peers' posts, I am coming to realize that I am not alone in feeling somewhat intimidated and unsure of what my fieldwork experiences will be like. While I am confident in my current knowledge and skill set, I am completely aware of my strengths and weaknesses and acknowledge that I still have much to learn. Waite's (2013) article on the successful adjustment from student to practitioner, discusses such issues of confidence and how to build upon what you currently are working with. Waite (2013) discusses the need for the new practitioner to be confident about what you do know and accept what you do not know, thus utilizing your more experienced co-workers as resources to fill the gaps. While I would not describe myself as shy in any means, oftentimes I do not always take advantage of asking other's for assistance. Such reluctance at times comes purely from the fact of not wanting to bother or annoy someone, or for the fact that what if this person judges me or thinks less of me for asking for such guidance. I realize that such thoughts should not be of concern though when it comes to my education and growth as a practitioner. I acknowledge that in order to gain confidence in my skills I will need to rely on others at times, as no one person has all the answers. Not every client is the same and thus each client will require very specific and individualized treatment plans, oftentimes being changed and readjusted as some things may work and other things may prove unsuccessful. Due to this fact, one can never have the immediate solution to all clients' areas of concern, thus I realize that every practitioner is continually learning throughout their career on a daily basis and such learning can not be accomplished on their own. I will thus need to be more up front and open about both my strengths and weaknesses and ask for guidance when needed and accept the assistance from others in building confidence in my ever-growing knowledge and skill set. I look forward to building such a support network in my fieldwork and future practice settings, and hope that I too, can be called upon for future guidance and instill confidence in another individual in my same position. Kristen Wright, OTS kewright19@gmail.com Waite, A., (2013, March). Joining the workplace: Successfully navigating from student to practitioner. OT Practice, 18 (4), 8-12. http://dx.doi.org/10/7138/otp. 2013.184f1 http://otconnections.aota.org/members/melissamatthew/activities/default.aspx?ActivityMessageID=02d4a8fe-e7cb-45b3-844d-1f2a7c77b8deFri, 17 May 2013 01:09:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:melissamatthew/members/melissamatthew/activities/default.aspx?ActivityMessageID=02d4a8fe-e7cb-45b3-844d-1f2a7c77b8deWell, my first year in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program here in Maryland is over!  What a year.  Conference was amazing in San Diego!  It was so great to meet you all.... in Assembly of Student Delegates http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16495/122130.aspx#122130Fri, 17 May 2013 00:21:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122130kimsue86/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16495/122130.aspx#122130 Natalee, I agree that the main component guiding professional growth is the evaluation of your own strengths and weaknesses which will change over time.  With this in mind, we won't have all of the answers and this will inevitably lead to mistakes; the key is to learn from them.  As long as we are honest with ourselves and our clients, we can be effective practitioners. http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16480/122129.aspx#122129Fri, 17 May 2013 00:01:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122129kimsue86/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16480/122129.aspx#122129 Tiffany- Thank you and same to you! Jennie-Thank you for your words of wisdom.  I imagine this is a fear for all new practitioners and that it doesn't go away just because you have been practicing for awhile, as each new setting and patient comes with its own unique challenges.  I will try to keep this in mind as I begin my fieldwork experiences. http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16496/122128.aspx#122128Thu, 16 May 2013 23:59:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122128kimsue86/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16496/122128.aspx#122128 Hi Heather, I am also transitioning to fieldwork and I know for a lot of us it is easy to get caught up in all of the book knowledge, but we forget that at the end of the day, we are all people who will be interacting with other people.  No matter how much we know, if we can not work effectively with other members in the health care team or communicate with our clients, none of that knowledge matters.  I studied Psychology during my undergraduate studies and can already tell as a student that the information I learned will be invaluable for me in my interactions as a practicing OT. http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16480/122125.aspx#122125Thu, 16 May 2013 23:10:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122125Ozwald7/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16480/122125.aspx#122125 I wish I would have known it was okay to not know all of the answers, to trust my gut as a clinician, Do not be afraid to communicate with other disciplines: open communication is key! Jennie DiGrado, OTD. OTR/L, C/NDT http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16488/122124.aspx#122124Thu, 16 May 2013 23:05:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122124Ozwald7/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16488/122124.aspx#122124 Shelia & Julie, Very good points! I too felt like I needed to know all of the answers when I was a new practitioner. However, remember we learn most of what we know from our patients, not the books. So be open to learning from your future patients, if you are , amazing opportunities & lessons will arise.   Jennie DiGrado, OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT http://otconnections.aota.org/more_groups/aota_governance/assembly_of_student_delegates/f/139/t/16522.aspxThu, 16 May 2013 21:49:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16522melissamatthew/more_groups/aota_governance/assembly_of_student_delegates/f/139/t/16522.aspx0 Hey fellow OT/OTAs,  Melissa Matthew here to ask, now that summer is upon us, what do we do?  Is it too early if I am just finishing my first year in OTA school to start studying for the boards?   I have already started to fill up my schedule with opportunities to shadow licensed OTs in the Rehab and Psychiatric settings.  Life is just so exciting but it is summer vacation.  From your experience...all of you who have passed into second year world or are about to graduate, what did you do your first summer?   Being a student delegate in San Diego gave me more passion to follow my dream of one day becoming an OT.  People tell me to relax, but I love to learn.  There must be a balance.  Please tell me your stories. Thanks, Melissa Gayle Matthew http://otconnections.aota.org/more_groups/aota_governance/assembly_of_student_delegates/f/139/p/16411/122120.aspx#122120Thu, 16 May 2013 21:14:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122120melissamatthew/more_groups/aota_governance/assembly_of_student_delegates/f/139/p/16411/122120.aspx#122120 Dear Sean, It was awesome to meet you at conference!  How has your time been so far as the Communications and Advocacy Chair?  I have questions but as finals end those questions will have to wait.  Thanks for being open and willing to discuss everything.   Good Luck, Melissa Gayle Matthew http://otconnections.aota.org/AOTA_Blogs/b/ot_notebook/archive/2013/05/16/re-learning-how-to-eat.aspxThu, 16 May 2013 20:34:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122214awaite87/AOTA_Blogs/b/ot_notebook/archive/2013/05/16/re-learning-how-to-eat.aspx0 In 2008, Jason Koger was in a terrible ATV accident that resulted in the amputation of both his hands. He is a remarkable man with an even more remarkable story, and I encourage you to check out his Web site . I recently interviewed him for an article about OT's role in amputee rehab. Jason is the first double amputee to receive the iLimb ultra  hand, which allows users to manipulate each finger individually and choose from 24 different grip patterns. Jason was interviewed about his prosthesis by CNN's Sanjay Gupta . Look for my story in OT Practice later this summer, but for now, here is a small snippet of my interview with Jason discussing how OT was there for him right after surgery, helping him re-learn how to eat.  (Please visit the site to view this video) http://otconnections.aota.org/AOTA_Blogs/b/ot_notebook/default.aspxThu, 16 May 2013 19:38:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:8593/AOTA_Blogs/b/ot_notebook/default.aspx If 22 issues a year just doesn't quench your thirst for OT Practice content, hopefully this blog can offer you a little more. Think of this as my reporter's pad and your source for bonus OTP material.