Re: Prompt One for Week 2

A subject area that I would be interested in researching this semester would be something in the field of occupational therapy. I’m majoring in Fitness Management here at PUC along with taking classes to get into the master’s program at Governor’s State University for my master’s degree in occupational therapy. What I appreciate about occupational therapy is the fact that there are a broad range of places to work. OTs are able to work in rest homes, hospitals, schools, mental rehab facilities, and even make house visits. They generally do most of the initial assessing of their patients and then develop a program that fits the needs of the patients. They implement the plan with their patients but they also have occupational therapy assistants who work under them and assist with some of the treatment. However, all the major assessing and monitoring is done by the occupational therapist. What the therapists do with their clients vary based upon the treatment setting. In hospitals, occupational therapists work with people who suffer from injuries like broken bones, torn muscles, or even burns. In rest homes, they help patients get strong enough to do day-to-day activities like getting out of bed, brushing one’s hair, and reaching to get something out of the top cupboard. In the school setting, therapists work with students who struggle with sensory-motor issues and help to strengthen the students’ proprioceptive and vestibular system. ¹What I do not know about occupational therapy is how they actually work to strengthen ones’ proprioceptive and vestibular system. ²I also wonder what their role is in the school setting working with students. ³Finally, I would like to know what kind of things occupational therapists do in a mental rehab facility and the types of treatment/therapy they use in that setting.