http://otconnections.aota.org/search/?o=DateDescending&tag=emerging+leaders,occupation-based+practice,general+elections,health+care+reform,elections,children+and+youth&orTags=0Search resultsen-US7.x Productionhttp://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16530/122154.aspx#122154Sun, 19 May 2013 05:27:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122154sergiopaz21/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16530/122154.aspx#122154 Great post Jen.  I believe that I truly understand how you are feeling considering that I to am experiencing a little nervousness about my skill set and my ability to provide the best care possible.  I agree, I do believe that you know more than you really think and through your knowledge and coursework you have been provided with the skills necessary to be a successful OT.  I believe that being confident in yourself and preparing properly will allow you to ease your nervousness.  There is nothing wrong with not knowing all the answers but it is important to ask those who have experience and find the answer you need.  You should not be worried about your skill set and just allow yourself to learn as much as possible and make the most of your fieldwork and the new opportunities available to you. Sergio Paz http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/t/16533.aspxSun, 19 May 2013 05:16:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16533sergiopaz21/Public_Forums/f/1261/t/16533.aspx0 I am a current MOT student about to enter my first round of fieldwork.  As many MOT students, there is a sense of nervousness and excitement.  It is amazing to believe that the time is finally here to take everything that I have learned and apply it in practice.  After reading Andrew Waite's article, I found that it is not uncommon to feel a little worried about entering the workforce.  It was extremely beneficial to read the first hand accounts from the Emerging Leaders.  Their experiences and advice about how to successfully integrate into the workforce allows me to prepare and begin to understand what I can potentially to expect.  Their advice on how to become apart of the OT team and understanding that you, as a young practitioner, also can be an integral part to the team is motivating and extremely positive.  They also mentioned that as a young professional it is vital to use your fellow coworkers as resources, thus allowing you to continue to learn and improve on your skills.  This was a great point and one I plan on utilizing while on fieldwork. What concerns me most about beginning my fieldwork and entering the field, is the doubt that i may not know the answers necessary  to provide my clients and provide the best care possible.  I do believe myself to by a smart and confident young OT but I still feel a little worried sometimes that I may not have the right answers.  In Waite's article, one Emerging Leader mentions that it is ok to not have the answer and that it is ok to ask your co-workers for help, but it is up to you to approach them and ask the question and find the answer.  I believe in myself and in my skill set, but how do I make sure that I am doing the right thing and providing the best care?  Any comments would be greatly appreciated. http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16523/122153.aspx#122153Sun, 19 May 2013 02:50:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122153mumford27/Public_Forums/f/1261/p/16523/122153.aspx#122153 Kristen, One of my biggest worries of becoming an O.T. is not having that confidence in myself and the skills i obtain to be a successful occupational therapist. I feel this is a common concern for most individuals entering into the scary future of being on their own as a therapist, having to make their own justifications for why they are doing what they are doing. I want to provide my patients with the best quality of care possible, and there are times i get worried one day i will not know what to do with a patient, and will not know how to deal with difficult situations that arise with patients. I think one of the most important aspects about becoming a professional is recognizing that no one is perfect and we will always make mistakes, but learn from them. Waite (2013) says that in order to maintain a good balance between ones confidence means to have the ability to recognize what you already know and be willing to admit to others what you do not know allowing them to acknowledge your need of guidance. It is therefore, so imperative to work as a team within the work place as it provides the best atmosphere as well as unity which results in a better outcome within the treatment of every patient. My wonder is, has there been any therapist within the field of occupational therapy that has not made a mistake within their journey of being a professional? I feel we are all human and it is completely normal to not be perfect in everything we do, and making mistakes sometimes will only help us grow and become better rounded therapists. Just as Waite (2013) discusses, you have to have a confidence within your knowledge and be able to find the right fit between meeting the needs of your clients and maintaining that professional demeanor. Emerging as a new practitioner is probably one of the most difficult journey's i will go through but being a valuable tool within the work place as well as within my patients lives makes it all worth while. I liked how Waite (2013) ended his article with a quote written by Peterson stating, "They are life-long learners." This article really allowed me to take a moment to put things into perspective and recognize that there is no reason to be scared, but to be excited instead that I have the opportunity to become a successful practitioner who will proudly hold the title of MOTR/L. Sarah Mumford, MOTS spencer_2787@yahoo.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/more_groups/practice_areas/out-patient_occupational_therapy/f/7853/t/16531.aspxSun, 19 May 2013 01:51:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:16531OT1299/more_groups/practice_areas/out-patient_occupational_therapy/f/7853/t/16531.aspx0 I am working on a proposal for an outpatient OT position at a local rural clinic.  Currently PT provides services to the community. I would like tips to sell OT and assist admin/PT to better understand how OT can work cooperatively with PT and enhance services already being provided to the community.  Please explain how OT and PT contribute to patient health in your practice.  Thank you! http://otconnections.aota.org/Public_Forums/f/79/p/9285/122151.aspx#122151Sat, 18 May 2013 20:08:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122151alejandroduran/Public_Forums/f/79/p/9285/122151.aspx#122151 Hi Dr Braveman,   I was rereading the transcript last night of the discussion in this forum from 2011, focusing on your exchanges with Dr. Alterio. I believe you were the only one he expressed contrary opinions to in that first go around and it seemed like a very healthy exchange between peers. My perception of those exchanges are that they were incredibly respectful.  It seemed to me that each one of you communicated a sense of admiration and gratitude for being able to engage the discussion on a meaningful level.    Personally I have always found Dr. Alterio's posts exceedingly courteous, even on the occasions in which he criticized me.  I'm wondering if we share the same perception on this issue. Would you be willing to share how you have experienced your communications with him over the years? Sincerely, Alex http://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/community_blogs/user_blogs/b/humancalculatorot/archive/2013/05/18/dear-roger.aspxSat, 18 May 2013 18:22:00 GMT9079418d-4ee6-4590-87f3-c0cc4c3814cd:122216WongBWMAGIC/community_blogs/user_blogs/b/humancalculatorot/archive/2013/05/18/dear-roger.aspx0 http://www.npr.org/2012/01/18/145405658/learning-to-love-and-be-loved-with-autism Almost a year and a half ago, there was a Checking the Pulse article about this NPR episode.  During this episode, there was a former OT student called in about how he dropped out of OT school due to his issues related to autism in his fieldwork.  Today, I am going to send a loud and clear message that the likelihood what happened to him (and autistic OT students others before or after him) can be reduced in form of a "Dear Roger letter". "Dear Roger, I have read about what you said on NPR almost a year and a half ago.  Back then, I was in the process of trying to pass my second level 2 fieldwork in hand therapy.  It was a stressful time for me because like the level 2 I completed just weeks before, I had a strike against me (since I failed my first crack at a level 2 fieldwork and I was in a position that I couldn't fail any more).  Fast forward to the present, I walked on stage yesterday at USC to become the first autistic person in the world to receive a doctorate degree of any kind in OT (though I still have a semester of residency left), as I am pursuing an OTD right now. How did I get to where I am today?  I worked hard in getting myself prepared for my fieldwork assignments.  I also worked hard on my weaknesses.  However, I also found something you might have needed as a student- hope.  Back when I was in your shoes almost 3 years ago (which was also when I was diagnosed), I felt that my OT dreams were unlikely, especially considering that I just failed my first level 2.  I asked around different people I know in OT (my instructors, fellow classmates, and even other OT students and practitioners I have met at OT conferences) for almost a good year in search of finding an autistic OT practitioner anywhere in the world.  However, the answer I got from them was "none" every single time.  (I never blamed that because I agreed with them that OT is a socially demanding profession.)  At the meantime, I also tried making countless adjustments so that I can give being an occupational therapist one last shot- from OT sessions to attending social confidence groups.  While I have made some progresses, I still feared that I could fail because I knew I had not progressed enough as I would have liked, as I took some independent study courses at clinical settings that USC has set up for me so that I can transition better into level 2's in spring and summer 2011 semesters.  The only proud achievement I had at that point was that I finished my course work at the same time as my masters classmates in summer 2011. Fortunately, as I vented my frustrations out one day on Facebook a few months before I started my second crack at a level 2 fieldwork in fall 2011, a caregiver in the autism community from the UK gave me the hope I desperately needed!  She told me that there is an aspie OT who has been practicing for a few years in the UK and she provided me a website to know more about him.  Since I figured there was nothing to lose, I emailed him.  A few weeks later, we started exchanging emails and talking on Skype a few times.  Through the conversations, he gave me some pointers on how I can get through my level 2's so that I can be eligible to take the NBCOT exam.  Coupled with the social and emotional support I got from my OT peers, I got through my fieldwork in August 2012 and passed my NBCOT exam two months later.  Meanwhile, I also will have OTD as part of my title in a few months. Yes, you may say I am very lucky.  But, I created my own fortune in OT a lot of times.  After all, our now outgoing AOTA president, Dr. Florence Clark, has mentioned me a lot at OT conferences, which has given me a nice foundation to connect with others in OT.  However, all that would not have meant anything had I not build on the foundation.  All that wouldn't have happened had I not gone to the 13 OT conferences and counting over my 4 years in OT.  Also, I invested some time and effort to connect with other OT students and practitioners across the globe through social media- mainly on Facebook and Twitter.  Through these things, I am able to create a great OT support system... as they cheered me on when I succeeded and wanted to share my burdens when I struggled. I am not saying that I know what you are going through exactly.  I am also not saying that it is not important for current and prospective autistic OT students to know about the possibility of dropping out of OT/OT assistant programs due to the fact that they could struggle with academics and/or fieldwork.  But I am saying that these students can also benefit from knowing that there is hope... in not only knowing that they can be OTR/L's or COTA/L's, but also be movers and shakers in the OT profession. I have been told that I am by far the most open about my story as an autistic OT practitioner, according to the autistic OT practitioners I have talked to as well as my other peers.  I will continue to be that way because what I have done will open more doors to autistic individuals to consider OT as a career.  Aside from autistic OT students can know that there is a possibility to achieve success, OT and OT assistant programs can now have a blueprint on how to nurture these students to their potentials.  Who knows, maybe there will be more autistic OT doctorates to come in the future? From one autistic individual to another, Bill Wong, MA, OTR/L, OTD (cand.)" History is made in OT yesterday.  I will continue to attempt to re-write OT record books as my OT journey progresses. 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.aspx1 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.aspx2 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.